Here's a look at new Los Angeles eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated Los Angeles venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
James Beard Award-winning chef Jessica Largey’s highly anticipated Simone opened September 20 in the Arts District. The restaurant serves produce-driven, California-inspired fare, and is a partnership between Largey, managing partner Bruno Bagbeni, and film director Joe Russo. Housed in a building constructed in 1921, the stylish space has an “industrial-deco” design by Deirdre Doherty, with concrete floors, bronze and glass elements, and Art Deco touches. For events, there’s the 25-seat bar dubbed Duello, plus a six-seat chef’s table and a 75-seat dining room filled with handmade brass chandeliers. Two private dining rooms seat 12 and 24 guests, respectively.
Located adjacent to the new Banc of California stadium, the Fields L.A. is a new 14,000-square-foot, three-story food hall with nine different vendors including Barbara Jean, C.J. Boyd’s Fried Chicken, and Akko Port. The first-floor space (pictured) seats 200, while an outdoor cafe seats 90. A highlight for events is the massive rooftop space, which has views of downtown and space for 450 seated or 1,000 for receptions. Later this fall, chef Tim Hollingsworth will open Free Play, a restaurant and bar with games, a DJ booth, and space for live entertainment; it will seat 275 or hold 420 for receptions.
Apron and chefwear company Hedley & Bennett rents its 16,000-square-foot downtown factory for events, and in mid-September debuted its new Test Kitchen Studio. The whimsical space is outfitted with a set of Samsung Chef Collection appliances and cookware from Le Creuset, plus colorful, Instagram-friendly wallpaper and space for custom chalkboard art; it’s available for cookbook parties, chef demos, cooking classes, branded events, and more. The kitchen is part of the massive factory space, which can also be rented for events. It accommodates as many as 700 people in an indoor showroom and outdoor space, and has fun details such as treehouse-inspired offices, a rainbow-color showroom with inspirational quotes, and even a swing and a zip line.
Located on the second and fifth floors of Hollywood & Highland, Japan House Los Angeles is a library, restaurant, gallery, and event space that showcases Japanese art, design, and more. One of three Japan Houses around the world (the other two are in London and Sao Paulo), the venue officially opened in August and is operated by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition to a 2,415-square-foot art gallery and a 659-square-foot library, there’s also the Inn Ann restaurant, a 1,187-square-foot space with city views. For events, the fifth-floor salon (pictured) spans 1,818 square feet and is available for receptions, screenings, gastronomic events, and more.
Good for casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner meetings, the Gables opened in Santa Monica in August. The stylish space comes from restaurateur Kevin Lazan and chef Vicki Fan Matsusaka and provides all-day counter service featuring small plates with an emphasis on ingredients from the local farmer’s market. The 2,500-square-foot space has 74 seats; it includes a covered dining patio with a vertical garden, plus a clean indoor space with hanging plants and a hand-painted mural from Venice artist Allison Kunath.
In August, the SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills unveiled a $22 million renovation to mark its 10-year anniversary. Following the debut of Somni, José Andrés’s 10-seat tasting-menu counter, in March, the hotel renovated its 234 guestrooms and 63 suites. The 1,900-square-foot Presidential Suite (pictured) has four separate rooms filled with L.A.-centric art and culture books, including a dining room, living room, and study; it holds as many as 20 for events. The hotel also revamped its activity options for groups, adding walking tours of the area, wellness activities at the pool, and cocktail tastings at Bar Centro. Overall, the SLS Beverly Hills has 30,000 square feet of event space.
Designer and restaurateur Nick Mathers’ new rooftop bar and restaurant opened in Santa Monica in July. Élephante Beach House has custom furniture and design that uses natural wood and stone, copper finishes, and pieces from Northern Africa and Southern Italy. A private area (pictured) is enclosed by rattan sliding doors, and has a bar, a fireplace, and a balcony with ocean views. The venue seats 130 or holds as many as 350 for a reception.
The Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel opened its new meeting area, called the Hub Conference Center, in July. The 7,523-square-foot venue features an auditorium with stadium seating, an executive board room, and 17 meeting rooms that hold between 10 and 50 attendees. It’s designed to be a cost-effective option for meeting planners, with shared catering packages and breakout spaces. (BizBash covered the details here.) In addition to the Hub, the hotel has a ballroom that holds 450 people, an outdoor pool deck, and a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby Los Angeles International Airport.
In late August, the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills unveiled the Deck, a greenery-filled new outdoor event space featuring citrus trees, city views, and festive string lights. The hotel’s culinary team offers a variety of menu options for events, including a “California Clam Bake” option and a “BBQ L.A. Style” option; vegan, plant-based menu items are also available. The Deck seats 80 or holds 120 for receptions.
Fried chicken is having a moment in Los Angeles, in part because of the July opening of the Crack Shack at the Westfield Century City mall. The first L.A. location of the eatery from chefs Richard Blais and Jon Sloan, the menu includes fried Jidori chicken and produce and eggs from local farms. The 5,186-square-foot space was designed with an upscale farmhouse vibe, and it has 118 seats inside or 55 on a 2,129-square-foot patio. One highlight: The Crack Shack boasts the city’s first Moët & Chandon vending machine.
