Frieze Los Angeles, one of the world’s most influential contemporary art fairs, returns to Paramount Studios Feb. 14. With thousands of Angelenos and out-of-towners participating in LA’s unofficial “Art Week,” we rounded up the best places to hit up for Frieze 2020, including restaurants with special curated art collections, dining destinations near the main festival, or restaurants where the food itself is inspired by art.
Manuela
Nestled in the Hauser & Wirth gallery in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, Manuela unites chef, farmer, and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of lauded Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the Gulf Coast-inspired menu artfully celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California. Menus are curated to pay homage to the restaurant’s home within an art gallery, including Manuela’s Patron of the Arts wine list, which features a dedicated list of 16 bottles sourced from wineries renowned for both their art collections and the wines they produce. Designed by Los Angeles native Matthew Winter (M. Winter Design) and named for Manuela Wirth, the restaurant is illuminated and animated by specially commissioned works from artists Paul McCarthy, Mark Bradford and Raymond Pettibon. Manuela’s thoughtful, artistic space offers a comforting environment for both diners and culture aficionados and holds a varied program of culinary and cultural events—a stimulating combination of cuisine, art, sustainability and community. Hauser & Wirth just launched new exhibitions in conjunction with Frieze on February 13th from Lucio Fontana, Walking the Space: Spatial Environments, 1948 – 1968, and Nicolas Party, Sottobosco.
What To Drink: The Archie cocktail made with Beet Rested Black Cow Vodka, Oro Blanco and lemon.
907 E. 3rd St. Los Angeles, Manuela-la.com, @manueladtla
Melisse & Citrin
For those basing their Frieze trip on the westside, Michelin-starred Chef Josiah Citrin’s newly refreshed Melisse and Citrin provide an art and design-lovers haven. Chef Josiah himself hand-selected photographs from the Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica and tapped celebrated Venice-based muralist Brian Bowman to commission a colorful custom mural on the wall flanking the bar at Citrin. Gucci wallpaper in eye-catching wildlife-inspired prints lines the ceilings of the restrooms, incorporating additional pizzazz into the thoughtfully designed space. On the Melisse side, playful custom-made serving vessels and plateware add an artful touch to the nine-course tasting menu.
What To Drink: The Love Me Two Times cocktail made with mezcal, cherry heering, cinnamon demerara, yuzu and angostura.
1104 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, citrinandmelisse.com, @melisserestaurant, @citrinla
Somni
Chef Aitor Zabala of Two Michelin-starred Somni collaborated with local ceramicist Match Stoneware to create custom serving vessels for the tasting-menu only eatery by José Andrés and his team at the SLS Hotel. Each course is a work of art in its own right, pushing the boundaries of the edible and the visual, from a butterfly-shaped potato chip paired with a vinegar dipping sauce and displayed on a branch, to a cheese course featuring a cow-shaped cookie atop vanilla, apple, and hazelnut cream, Somni (which means ‘dream’ in Catalan) plays with shapes and presentation to create a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. Somni’s sister restaurant The Bazaar by Jose Andres, also located at the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills, features equally unique visual dishes from the Blanco and Rojo dining rooms to The Patisserie to Gate: Bar Centro, an omakase-style cocktail tasting menu.
What To Drink: “The Ultimate Gin & Tonic made with Hendrick’s Gin, Fever Tree Tonic water, lemon, lime, juniper berries and lemon verbena.
465 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, slshotels.com, @somnirestaurant
Mrs. Fish
Mrs. Fish, located 15 floors below Perch in DTLA is where style and sips meet. With every detail in place, Mrs. Fish welcomes diners and drinkers, locals and tourists alike, to experience modern Japanese cuisine and in an art-filled DTLA oasis. Mrs. Fish’s spectacular collection includes thought-provoking pieces from contemporary, living artists including photography by ARAKI Nobuyoshi, anime from Japanese pioneer AMANO Yoshitaka, whimsical pieces by artists KATO Ai and YAMAGUCHI Ai and a stimulating piece by MORIMURA Yasumasa, the Cindy Sherman of Japan.
What To Drink: The Kiri cocktail made with Akashi Japanese Whisky, lemon, egg white and cherry wood smoke.
448 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, mrsfish.com, @mrsfishla
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
The world-renowned pizzeria hailing from Naples, Italy, located just 2 miles from the main action of Frieze in the heart of Hollywood, is the first United States location and pays homage to the rich history and respected traditions of the Neapolitan coast. Made famous by the film Eat Pray Love and recognized as the “best pizza in Naples,” the restaurant’s simple, thoughtfully curated dining experience infuses authentic recipes dated back to 1870 when the first location opened, with organic and seasonal elements—from delicate pizzas and pastas, and hearty small and large plates, to indulgent desserts. With a sleek design and serene atmosphere drawn from classic Italian courtyards, Owner and Designer Francesco Zimone envisions the eatery as a central gathering place for visitors and locals alike—including a quintessential il cortile or alfresco garden seating area.
What To Drink: The Meet Me In Kyoto cocktail made with Sakura Tea Infused Rain Vodka, lime, and lemongrass.
1534 N. McCadden Pl., Los Angeles, damicheleusa.com, @damichelehollywood
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