LA Black Book
Our friends’ favorites for strip-mall sushi, old-school steak & martinis, vintage-hunting, secret beach access, gallery-hopping, hiking—and, of course, people-watching.
We had so much fun putting together the New York City Black Book—which then triggered so many reader requests for one on LA. So we reached out to our friends who live across the city (or are here all the time!) to collect/shake them down for their favorites, from their restaurants on repeat to cocktail bar to shopping street to best hike. Hope you save as many Google pins as we did!
Cast of Contributors
Pia Baroncini. Our friend Pia is the multi-hyphenate, Pasadena-born creative director of fashion label LPA, cofounder of Baroncini Import & Co, which ships the best Sicilian EVOO, host of the always-fun podcast, “Everything is the Best,” CMO of her husband, Davide’s Ghiaia Cashmere company and boutique, and mom to baby Carmela.
Carol Ann Blinken. An interior designer who has lived in LA for decades, she now splits her time between NY and LA. She’s an expert on the Chateau Marmont, where she’s been staying the last several years.
Jessica Garber. A design collector, curator and the owner of Sumner on Melrose Ave, Jessica grew up in Calabasas and has spent most of her adult life in LA.
Pilar Guzman. Though she’s lived in NYC (where she’s now editorial director of Oprah Daily) for two decades, our dear friend is always attuned to the latest shifts in the food and design microclimates of her hometown. Pilar is also the coauthor with her husband, Chris Mitchell, of Patina Modern.
Sarah Hendler. She’s a jewelry designer and estate/vintage jewelry curator and other half to chef and restaurateur Vinny of Jon and Vinny’s; they live in Hollywood/Hancock Park with their two boys.
Matt Hranek. My husband has spent a significant part of his adult life shooting in LA without me, so he has his own favorites separate from mine.
Aly Michalka. An actor, musician, and half of the hugely popular duo (with her sister), Aly&AJ. She and her husband, Stephen Ringer, live in Laurel Canyon.
Matt Morris. Matt is a photographer, filmmaker, and vintner based in the Napa Valley, but he’s always on the road and on the hunt for the best food and drink.
Dewey Nicks. A photographer and film director and one of our dearest friends, Dewey lived in LA for many years, and was/is our guide to all the great things in town.
Marlien Rentmeester. The founder of Le Catch—the shopping site full of covetables—is originally from NYC, but moved to LA in 2001 to be West Coast Editor of Lucky (RIP).
Stephen Ringer. The LA-based cinematographer/director/producer and photographer has impeccable taste in food, design, literature and cinema.
Todd Ritondaro. He’s a writer/director and photographer who lives between Los Angeles and New Orleans, and also hosts a podcast, Frame & Sequence.
Jessica Romm Perez. Editor-at-large for Domino, VP of Partnerships at The Expert, and freelance writer–she always has the best intel.
Claudia Sachs. A former film executive and the current Head of Membership for San Vicente Bungalows (SVB), Claudia is a native Angeleno and mother of two who never tires of interesting people doing interesting things.
Clare Vivier. A genius handbag and accessories designer who lives in Echo Park, our friend Clare started her namesake brand, Clare V, 15 years ago, which is made entirely in LA.
Michael Williams. Founder of A Continuous Lean, which began in 2007 as a men’s style blog and is now a newsletter, he always has the most solid advice, along with great taste.
More additions (and one edit due to a closure) made as of Feb 14, 2023