Viewing party

Voodoo Vin, Mr Chow, Paseo Miramar, The NOW, Big Sur restaurants, MORE

Mar 21, 2024

∙ Paid

REAL ESTATE • Sold

Palisades for days

After poking around in Rustic Canyon and Riviera in the eastern section of Pacific Palisades last week, we’re driving a very short way up the PCH to the western end of the Palisades, to survey the real estate scene there. In these micro-neighborhoods tucked in below the Getty Villa — including Sunset Mesa and Castellamare — sweeping ocean views are the norm, and especially in adjacent Paseo Miramar, deals north of $10M aren’t at all uncommon.

But grand ocean vistas can be found south of that number as well. Here, three properties with sweeping Pacific Ocean views that recently sold above their original asking prices — two after less than a month on the market:

→ 783 Paseo Miramar (Paseo Miramar, above) • 4BR/3.2BA, 5071 SF • new renovation of a house once owned by a member of the Beach Boys • Listed: 11/15/23 for $7.99M, sold: 3/15/24 • Sold price: $8.15M • Listing agents: Adrian Wright and Wilke Itzin, Compass.

→ 18242 Wakecrest Drive (Sunset Mesa) • 4BR/3BA, 2275 SF • zen retreat with infinity pool • Listed: 2/1/24 for $4.45M, sold: 2/28/24 • Sold price: $4.75M • Listing agent: Cecile Billauer Gifford, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California.

→ 226 Giardino Way (Castellammare) • 3BR/2BA, 1972 SF • classic California ranch in cul-de-sac • Listed: 1/26/24 for $2.85M, sold: 2/26/24 • Sold price: $3.275M • Listing agent: Melanie Sommers, Compass.

LA WORK AND PLAY LINKS: What does the broker commissions settlement mean for LA homebuyers and sellers? • Norman Foster-designed circular office tower wrapped in gardens, The Star, updated for Sunset Blvd in Hollywood • WeWork hopes to hang onto Century City lease following bankruptcy filing • Angry golfers demand LA stop the booming black market for golf tee times.

RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table

Persian voodoo

Beloved Virgil Village wine bar Voodoo Vin has undergone a culinary facelift. Once a French-leaning wine bar helmed by chef Travis Hayden, then a popular site for international chef residencies, it’s now home to a kitchen dishing homey Persian fare.

In 2021, owners Natalie and Michael Hekmat modeled the space after traditional ‘caves à manger’ in Paris, London and Tokyo — serving wines by the glass alongside a selection of small plates. They installed wooden communal tables, white stools, a minuscule open kitchen, and a sidewalk patio. All this remains intact; the difference now is that the couple has decided to take control of the back-of-house in celebration of their roots.

A smoky eggplant-pomegranate dip comes dolloped on sangak bread (best enjoyed with a side of sheep’s milk feta), the mast-o musir (shallot yogurt dip) tastes like a Persian mother prepared it, and the dolmeh gojeh (soft rice-filled tomatoes) goes great with dolmeh felfel (a ground lamb-stuffed pepper).

Natural wine enthusiasts will find an extensive selection, including ten options by the glass. The Hekmans have amassed a sizable Old World collection throughout their travels abroad: 400 bottles of indie wines from France, Italy, Spain, Georgia, and beyond. A non-alcoholic sumac-and-chili spritz also pairs perfectly with Persian flavors. Three years in, Voodoo Vin has found its truest identity. –Victoire Loup

→ Voodoo Vin (Silver Lake) • 713 Virgil Ave • Tues-Sat 5-10p • Email info@voodoovin.com or call (323) 522-3220 for reservations • photo: Dylan + Jeni.

LA RESTAURANT LINKS: Former Mélisse chef in as culinary director for forthcoming SLS Beverly Hills restaurants including Ôde by Jônt • How Queen St. is changing the seafood sourcing game • Silver Lake’s shuttered Cafe Tropical reopens under new management • Philz is dunzo in downtown Santa Monica • The best vegan-friendly spots in LA, according to a plant influencer • Identifying the current trend in cocktail bars: everything, everywhere, all at once.

GETAWAYS • The Nines

Big Sur, restaurants

Nepenthe (Highway One, above), cliffside mecca with panoramic views & sneakily great Champagne list
Big Sur Bakery (Loma Vista), brilliant baked goods in a converted 1930s ranch house
Sierra Mar (Post Ranch Inn), floor-to-ceiling glass skybox adjacent to the waves
Big Sur Roadhouse (Glen Oaks), diner-esque hang serving California comfort fare
Coast Big Sur (Seal Beach), veggie-forward cafe and art gallery inside a trio of Redwood water tanks
Deetjen’s Restaurant (Rancho Grande Rd), reclaimed barn with knick-knacks and home-style cooking
The Sur House (Ventana), open-air terrace with dramatic ocean views and on-site organic garden
Big Sur Taphouse (Loma Vista), beloved local pub for nachos, wings, and pints
Solstice (The Village), seasonal fish and produce-focused menu within a new-age compound

Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundla.com.

GETAWAYS LINKS: Why so many are skeptical about Mt. Waterman, LA’s closest ski mountain • JetBlue cutting one-third of its short-haul flights out of LAX (including to SFO, LAS, SEA) • Yucca Valley’s La Copine remains an indispensable California restaurant • New SFChron critic’s Zuni Cafe reassessment: ‘the chicken is good’ • Shuck-your-own oysters making comeback on Marin coast • Aman’s new ‘affordable’ spinoff hotel brand, Janu, opens first outpost in Tokyo.

WORK • Thursday Routine

Here and now

GARA POST • co-founder/chief creative officer • The NOW Massage
Neighborhood you live in: Laurel Canyon

It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
As the co-founder and chief creative officer of a growing wellness brand, every day looks different. One minute I’m working with our creative team on an upcoming campaign, the next, I’m recording a podcast, strategizing with our social media manager, or ideating with our learning and development team on The NOW’s next self-care service.

What’s on the agenda for today?
My daily routines and rituals are non-negotiables. Every morning, I prioritize exercise, meditation, and self-care practices like dry brushing or contrast therapy. Then, it’s meetings, meetings, meetings, and if I’m lucky, I can pop into The NOW for a massage. Midday, I like to shift the energy with an intention deck reading and a palo santo cleanse. In the evening, time with my family and dogs helps to keep me grounded and emotionally balanced.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
During the week, I like to prioritize time together as a family and a healthy dinner at home. On the weekends, my husband and I like to dine with friends at favorite spots like The Bird Street Club, Sushi Park, Madeo, and The Polo Lounge.

How about a little leisure or culture?
We’re art collectors and love to frequent galleries around Los Angeles, like Beyond the Streets curated by Robert Gatsman. Of course, we also take time to unplug and unwind by hiking, getting massages, spending time in Malibu, and traveling as a family.

Any weekend getaways?
A few of my favorite wellness retreats and weekend getaways are located just a few hours outside of Los Angeles: We Care Spa in Desert Hot Springs or Sensei Rancho Mirage. I also recently visited The Well at Chileno Bay in Cabo, Mexico, where I got to partake in an immersive sound healing session, one of my favorite wellness experiences to date.

What was your last great vacation?
The Auberge Wildflower Farms Resort in Hudson Valley, NY. It was such a relaxing trip, complete with beautiful forest hikes, soothing sound baths, and next-level spa services.

CULTURE & LEISURE • Dance Party

John Adams' City Noir, Walt Disney Concert Hall (Downtown), Sat @ 8p, front orchestra, $190 per
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Music Center (Downtown), Sat @ 1p, orchestra, $178 per
76ers vs Lakers, Crypto.com Arena (Downtown), Fri @ 730p, section 111, $385 per

ASK FOUND

A few FOUND subscriber PROMPTS for which we are seeking intel:

I’m heading to Palm Springs this spring. Where should I eat?
What are the best butchers and fishmongers in town?
What’s your favorite restaurant in LA (if you haven’t told us already)?

Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@itsfoundla.com.

RESTAURANTS • First Person

The night just rolls

After watching aka Mr Chow, HBO’s recent documentary about restaurateur Michael Chow, the Mr Chow-sized gap in my dining resume widened. Mr Chow arrived in Beverly Hills 50 years ago, in 1974 (the original opened in London in 1968, and the third in New York in 1979). Five decades later, the restaurant still stands for a reason, having amassed a devoted following of weekly regulars and LA’s food tourists.