Modern History
Author:Lindsey ShookCheck out these restaurants, store openings and hotels.
 | Modern History The 1915 Claremont Hotel, Club & Spa in Berkeley is keeping things fresh with its latest addition, Meritage. The restaurant, which replaces Jordan’s, celebrates the Claremont’s rich history. The double-height dining room, remodeled by Ziv Davis Interior and Architecture Studio, features an elegant mahogany-and-marble bar, tufted armchairs upholstered in a mix of playful fabrics and the original vaulted ceiling and octagonal columns, which pop against contemporary emerald-green wallpaper. The menu, by chef Josh Thomsen, is a truly local affair with dishes such as Castroville artichoke soup and Northern California lamb with chickpea fries. 41 Tunnel Rd., Berkeley, 510-549-8510, meritageclaremont.com. |
 | Roman Holiday Ten years after Kelly Wearstler unveiled her first major design—the stylishly mod Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills—she has returned to breathe new life into the hotel’s restaurant, formerly the Blue on Blue. The renamed Oliverio doesn’t dismiss the hotel’s decade of inspiration—the 1960s—but trades New American for Italian, both in the kitchen and out. Wearstler used Italian gilded ceramic columns in the entryway and adorned the dining cabanas with bold geometric murals, while a glittering cipolin-marble mosaic replaces wood paneling behind the bar. House-made pastas and other Italian classics are prepared with local meats and produce from the Avalon’s rooftop garden. 9400 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-277-5221, avalonbeverlyhills.com. |
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Spring Fever With spring preparing to make an appearance, it’s the perfect time to welcome the new Santa Monica location of Inner Gardens. The L.A. company is known for its traditional and modern outdoor furnishings; the carefully curated collection includes vintage pieces as well as new designs. Plants from their half-acre off-site nursery are also available in the new showroom. 1324 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, 310-576-3400, innergardens.com. |
 | Personal Domain After a few glasses of Cedric Bouchard Champagne, the ceiling at L.A.’s new wine boutique Domaine L.A. may start to look like a bunch of grapes. The unique lighting installation, made of 48 aluminum hemispheres in various shades of purple, was designed by Andrew Bernheimer of New York architecture firm Della Valle Bernheimer. For his sister Jill’s new venture, he transformed a former mini-mart into a sleek shopping space featuring a global wine selection. 6801 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323-932-0280, domainela.com. |
 | East Meets West Tranquil Asian design meets the glamour of Hollywood inside East, a new restaurant designed by Dodd Mitchell (Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel). The lounge and dining room have a dark, textured ceiling, while the enclosed patio is bright with whitewashed stacked-stone walls. The menu of updated Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes features entrées such as Thai red snapper with tomato-and-pepper concassé. 6611 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323-462-3278, east-hollywood.com. |
 | La Vie En Rose If you’ve ever found yourself intoxicated by the worldly romanticism of Anthropologie’s home furnishings, then Carter Bolick has successfully cast her spell on you. The creative force behind India Rose, Bolick designs items for every room of the house, including dreamy ruffled duvets and perfectly wrinkled seersucker shower curtains, for various retailers. But now you can get your bohemian-chic fix closer to the source. Bolick just opened an India Rose store in Brisbane, carrying her own designs alongside midcentury furniture and other finds. 433 Visitacion Ave., Brisbane, 415-330-9109, indiarose.com. |
 | Putting on the Ritz The new 54-story Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is located in the city’s revitalized downtown, steps away from the Staples Center, the Nokia Theater, the Grammy Museum and dozens of new shops, restaurants and nightspots. Inside the Gensler-designed, LEED-certified tower, guests have access to an 8,000-square-foot spa, rooftop pool and exclusive “Club Lounge” on the 23rd floor, which also serves as the check-in area. The rooms, designed by Barry Design Associates, feature Swarovski-crystal light fixtures and dressing rooms finished in a high-gloss white lacquer with dark ebony details. |
