Hot New Restaurant
New York: When Los Angeles’ wildly popular celebrity haunt Koi came to the East Coast in April, New Yorkers were just as covetous of its tables. In the Bryant Park Hotel, Koi features decor by iCrave Design Studio (the folks who did Aer Lounge and Crobar), with a waterfall, dark wood furniture, leather banquettes, and a large sculpture that mimics fish scales lining the ceiling.
Los Angeles: Noted chef Michael Cimarusti left the Water Grill last year, and this year opened seafood restaurant Providence (5955 Melrose Ave., 323.460.4170) in the space formerly occupied by Patina. The dining room layout is the same, but the earth-toned, ocean-inspired decor now creates a serene, more casual environment. A private dining room has room for 16; a chef’s table seats six with views of the kitchen.
Go-To Raw Space
New York: Skylight is the special event and gallery space in the SoHo location formerly occupied by the Ace Gallery. Skylight has 18,000 square feet of versatile white space, with capacity for 1,200 for a reception, or 800 for a seated event.
There are 20-foot ceilings, a 3,000-square-foot terrace, and multiple skylights. Skylight routinely hosts fashion shows, and also recently hosted events for Readers Digest, Travel & Leisure, and Dom Perignon with elaborate sets.
Los Angeles: Smashbox Studios (8549 Higuera St., 310.558.7660) is a full-service rental complex that features six photography studios. The facilities are housed in two locations: a daylight studio in Santa Monica, as well as the main 25,000-square-foot converted warehouse space in Culver City. The Culver City location has a pool table and café, and Goodfood is the exclusive caterer. Smashbox is the home of Los Angeles Fashion Week, sealing the properties’ reputation as the stylish raw spaces in town, even at a decade old.
Won’t-Die Mainstay
New York: The life span of the typical New York venue is notoriously—even ridiculously—short, but Nobu is still thriving after more than a decade. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s sushi spot is intended to evoke an indoor birch forest with elements like custom designed “sushi chairs” inspired by pearls and chopsticks. A 36-seat semiprivate room in the rear can be used for special events, or the entire dining room seats 100.
Los Angeles: The Spider Club (1737 Vine St., 323.462.8270) has been around since 2003, but the crowd still flocks like it opened yesterday. The club—attached to the less-elite Avalon below it—has a 1970’s retro Moroccan look, with Persian rugs, throw pillows, and plush ottoman, bed, and booth seating. A tiled patio features a retractable roof. There are two private lounges and cabanas that overlook Avalon’s dance foor.
Cool Club
New York: Managing partners Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg cultivate an exclusive feel at Marquee, their bilevel Chelsea club. It has three bars and holds about 600 people—but on busy nights, even more squeeze inside. The main space has 15-foot vaulted ceilings, and glittery glass bead chandeliers. A dramatic 35-foot staircase connects to an upstairs space with its own dance floor and sound system.
Los Angeles: The Cabana Club (1439 Ivar Ave., 323.463.0005) is Chris Breed’s follow-up to the now-defunct Sunset Room. The large outdoor courtyard has classic L.A. touches like illuminated palm trees, reflecting pools, and 10-foot-tall waterfalls. Cabanas offer bottle service, as well as spa treatments. There’s a bilevel dance floor with a stage, a gilded mahogany bar, and private rooms for more intimate affairs. The club holds more than 1,000.
—Alesandra Dubin
Photos: Courtesy of Smashbox Studios, Jeff Oshiro (Providence)
Posted 10.24.05
Related Stories
Coast-to-Coast Venue Ideas (Part 2)
New York: When Los Angeles’ wildly popular celebrity haunt Koi came to the East Coast in April, New Yorkers were just as covetous of its tables. In the Bryant Park Hotel, Koi features decor by iCrave Design Studio (the folks who did Aer Lounge and Crobar), with a waterfall, dark wood furniture, leather banquettes, and a large sculpture that mimics fish scales lining the ceiling.
Los Angeles: Noted chef Michael Cimarusti left the Water Grill last year, and this year opened seafood restaurant Providence (5955 Melrose Ave., 323.460.4170) in the space formerly occupied by Patina. The dining room layout is the same, but the earth-toned, ocean-inspired decor now creates a serene, more casual environment. A private dining room has room for 16; a chef’s table seats six with views of the kitchen.
Go-To Raw Space
New York: Skylight is the special event and gallery space in the SoHo location formerly occupied by the Ace Gallery. Skylight has 18,000 square feet of versatile white space, with capacity for 1,200 for a reception, or 800 for a seated event.
There are 20-foot ceilings, a 3,000-square-foot terrace, and multiple skylights. Skylight routinely hosts fashion shows, and also recently hosted events for Readers Digest, Travel & Leisure, and Dom Perignon with elaborate sets.
Los Angeles: Smashbox Studios (8549 Higuera St., 310.558.7660) is a full-service rental complex that features six photography studios. The facilities are housed in two locations: a daylight studio in Santa Monica, as well as the main 25,000-square-foot converted warehouse space in Culver City. The Culver City location has a pool table and café, and Goodfood is the exclusive caterer. Smashbox is the home of Los Angeles Fashion Week, sealing the properties’ reputation as the stylish raw spaces in town, even at a decade old.
Won’t-Die Mainstay
New York: The life span of the typical New York venue is notoriously—even ridiculously—short, but Nobu is still thriving after more than a decade. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s sushi spot is intended to evoke an indoor birch forest with elements like custom designed “sushi chairs” inspired by pearls and chopsticks. A 36-seat semiprivate room in the rear can be used for special events, or the entire dining room seats 100.
Los Angeles: The Spider Club (1737 Vine St., 323.462.8270) has been around since 2003, but the crowd still flocks like it opened yesterday. The club—attached to the less-elite Avalon below it—has a 1970’s retro Moroccan look, with Persian rugs, throw pillows, and plush ottoman, bed, and booth seating. A tiled patio features a retractable roof. There are two private lounges and cabanas that overlook Avalon’s dance foor.
Cool Club
New York: Managing partners Jason Strauss and Noah Tepperberg cultivate an exclusive feel at Marquee, their bilevel Chelsea club. It has three bars and holds about 600 people—but on busy nights, even more squeeze inside. The main space has 15-foot vaulted ceilings, and glittery glass bead chandeliers. A dramatic 35-foot staircase connects to an upstairs space with its own dance floor and sound system.
Los Angeles: The Cabana Club (1439 Ivar Ave., 323.463.0005) is Chris Breed’s follow-up to the now-defunct Sunset Room. The large outdoor courtyard has classic L.A. touches like illuminated palm trees, reflecting pools, and 10-foot-tall waterfalls. Cabanas offer bottle service, as well as spa treatments. There’s a bilevel dance floor with a stage, a gilded mahogany bar, and private rooms for more intimate affairs. The club holds more than 1,000.
—Alesandra Dubin
Photos: Courtesy of Smashbox Studios, Jeff Oshiro (Providence)
Posted 10.24.05
Related Stories
Coast-to-Coast Venue Ideas (Part 2)
Koi
Providence
Skylight
Smashbox Studios
