Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [171]
SANTA MONICA & VENICE
A nexus of the Westside art scene is Bergamot Station Arts Center (Map; www.bergamotstation.com; 2525 Michigan Ave; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5:30pm Sat; ), a former trolley terminus turned art campus that draws moneyed folk to wander through nearly a dozen galleries. Don’t miss the lowbrow art at Copro Nason Gallery ( 310-829-2156; www.copronason.com), formal abstract paintings at Ruth Bachofner Gallery (Map; 310-829-3300; www.ruthbachofnergallery.com) and modern ceramics at Frank Lloyd Gallery (Map; 310-264-3866; www.franklloyd.com).
Venice has plenty of artists and public art Click here but no dedicated gallery district. The single most seminal gallery is LA Louver (Map; 310-822-4955; http://lalouver.com; 45 N Venice Blvd; 10am-6pm Tue-Sat), which gets a crowd picking out their next Tony Berlant, David Hockney or Ed Kienholz.
WEST HOLLYWOOD & MID-CITY
This is a well-established area with plenty of prestigious galleries along the Avenues of Art & Design (Beverly, Melrose and Robertson Blvds) around the Pacific Design Center and also along La Brea Blvd north of Wilshire.
Fahey/Klein Gallery (Map; 323-934-2250; www.faheykleingallery.com; 148 S La Brea Ave, Mid-City; 10am-6pm Tue-Sat) The best in vintage and contemporary fine-art photography by the likes of Annie Leibovitz, Herb Ritts and William Claxton.
Margo Leavin Gallery (Map; 310-273-0603; www.artnet.com/gallery/174240/margo-leavin-gallery.html; 812 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood; 11am-5pm Tue-Sat) Contemporary paintings, drawings and sculpture by John Baldessari, William Leavitt and other hot shots.
Iturralde Gallery (Map; 323-937-4267; http://artscenecal.com/Iturralde.html; 2nd fl, 116 S La Brea Ave, Mid-City; 11am-5pm Tue-Fri) Contemporary art from Latin America, including Marcos Ramirez ‘Erre’ from Tijuana and sculpture by Brazil-born Valeska Soares.
Candy & Chocolates
If you can’t give her Cartier, give her some fine chocolate. The best stores are in Beverly Hills.
Madame Chocolat (Map; 310-247-9990; 212 N Cañon Dr, Beverly Hills; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat) Gold-leaf ceiling, marble counters, big chandelier – with its Louis XIV looks this chocolate boutique is truly fit for a king. Holding court is Madame herself, aka master chocolatier Hasty Khoei, who will tempt you with truffles, bonbons and chocolate-covered Cheerios.
Comparte’s of California (off Map; 310-826-3380; www.compartes.com; 912 S Barrington Ave, Brentwood; 10am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5:30pm Sat) Comparte’s has supplied mouthwatering truffles, toffees and chocolates to Frank Sinatra, Nicole Kidman and other chocophiles for over half a century. Their specialty, though, is hand-dipped fruits – try the apricots drenched in rich dark chocolate.
K Chocolatier (Map; 310-248-2626; 9606 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri) Dark mints to Viennese marzipan, Diane Krön’s chocolate creations are truly decadent. This goes especially for the K Sensuals line made with Chinese herbs that supposedly work like Viagra for women.
Edelweiss Chocolates (Map; 310-275-0341; 444 N Cañon Dr, Beverly Hills) Presidents, princes and Paris have kept this exquisite chocolate emporium in business since 1942. Dipped fruit to moist marshmallows and nut clusters, each confection is an edible gem and is handmade fresh in the tiny on-site ‘factory’.
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are sprouting faster than weeds throughout Los Angeles. The best of them are certified, meaning that farmers can only sell their own seasonal fruit and veg. Some also offer flowers, nuts, honey and other natural products. For a full list see www.farmernet.com.
Beverly Hills (Map; Civic Center Dr; 9am-1pm Sun)
Culver City (Map; Main St; 2-7pm Tue)
Hermosa Beach (Map; Valley Dr btwn 10th & 8th Sts; noon-4pm Fri)
Hollywood (Map; Ivar & Selma Aves btwn Sunset & Hollywood Blvds; 8am-1pm Sun)
Santa Monica (Map) Downtown (Arizona Ave & 3rd St; 9am-2pm Wed, 8:30am-1pm Sat); Main St (at California Heritage Museum; 9:30am-1pm Sun)