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Century City may be best known for its towering high rises and the Westfield mall, but there are many hidden gems in this Westside enclave worth visiting.
5. Hinoki & the Bird
Hinoki & the Bird is a relatively new restaurant that seeks to bring imagination to the typical dining setting and push the boundaries of California cooking. The Silk Road-inspired dining concept, originally developed by Chef David Myers, is in the hands of Executive Chef Kuniko Yagi, who specializes in blending traditional and modern flavors. Each entree is a unique Eastern-Western infusion of quality ingredients.
There are small alterations made to the menu seasonally, so this summer may bring in new additions. But the dessert menu is here to stay – and its several ice-cream based selections will help cool diners off in the summer heat.
• 310.552.1200, hinokiandthebird.com. 10 Century Dr., Los Angeles 90067.
4. Annenberg Space for Photography
True to its name, the Annenberg Space for Photography is famous for its photography exhibitions and is the first artistic venue to focus solely on photography. Cleverly built, the interior design of the Space was heavily influenced by the mechanics of a camera and its lens. Presented in both the mediums of digital and print, the Annenberg Space offers an intimate environment to view such pictures. “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” (through Sep. 28), is an exhibit that presents images of the pioneers, poets, and icons of country music, such as Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Keith Urban, in order to explore how images shape the public identity of country music performers and the musical genre itself. Event is free. There will also be corresponding lectures throughout the summer that relate to the topic of country music, which help bring the photographs to life.
• 213.403.3000, www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org. 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067.
3. The Intercontinental LA Century City
This luxury hotel boasts a convenient and exciting city-centric location in West Los Angeles, close to numerous hotspots like Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills, and the Santa Monica Pier. The hotel also houses two restaurants, which both offer fine dining through 24-hour room service as well. The spa and health club, which provides massage therapy, waxing, and skin care among other services, is known to be an iconic hideaway and a stark contrast from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. This summer, rooftop yoga lessons will be held every Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm through Aug. 28. Led by Noah Christensen, the classes provide breathtaking views of the city as well as a good form of after-work exercise for participants. The lessons are $10 for locals and free for hotel guests.
• 310.284.6500, intercontinentallosangeles.com. 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067.
2. Cellar Bar & Grill
The Cellar Bar & Grill offers a unique, unpretentious environment to grab food or watch a game, as it gives off a more relaxed vibe similar to that of a speakeasy. Described as “the friendliest restaurant and bar in Century City,” the Cellar Bar & Grill offers a dynamic range of specials throughout the week, including domestic beer specials on Monday nights, karaoke on Tuesday nights, and martini specials on Wednesday nights. Its happy hour goes from 4 pm to 8 pm. The bar is located on 1880 Century Park E in Century City.
• 310.277.1584, thecellarbarandgrill.com. 1880 Century Park E, Los Angeles 90067.
1. Craft Los Angeles
Craft Restaurants was founded by Tom Colicchio, star of Bravo’s hit reality series, “Top Chef,” with the opening of Craft Restaurant in New York in 2001. Since then the company has grown to include Craftbar and Colicchio & Sons, both in New York; Craftsteak at the MGM Grand and Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak in Las Vegas; Craft in Los Angeles; and Topping Rose House, a full-service luxury hotel and restaurant in the Hamptons. In Century City, Craft’s pioneering approach to dining – simple dishes designed to showcase the integrity of a single ingredient – is a natural West Coast fit. Craft uses only the finest products, with small farms and artisanal producers being the stars of the show. Craft Los Angeles seats 300 in a 10,000 square-foot space that includes a dining veranda overlooking Century Park’s four-acre park.
• 310.279.4180, www.craftrestaurantsinc.com. 10100 Constellation Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067.
