Design, Bitches founding partners and principal architects RA Rudolph (left) and Catherine Johnson (right). Illustration by Archinect (background photo courtesy Cedric Letsch/Unsplash)
LA’s got everything: beaches, mountains, scenic drives, city life, eclectic culture, year-round sunshine, and so much more. But where to start? Today’s Archinect City Guide dives into the SoCal metropolis with the help of two well-connected locals and seasoned architecture professionals: Catherine Johnson and RA Rudolph, founding partners of award-winning firm Design, Bitches.
Together, they share their favorite LA spots for the best bites, drinks, museums, and architecture spotting — on both the East and West Side.
Are you a Los Angeles local with your own go-to spots? Or have a city you think we should cover next? Share your thoughts, suggestions, and favorite places in the comments.
Favorite restaurant?
RA Rudolph: Speranza (for European vibe & outdoor seating), Ototo (for relaxed, delicious food & giant sake selection), Spina (great Italian in my neighborhood, Atwater Village).
Catherine Johnson: Best meal and dining experience ever, hands down, remains N/Naka. I love Origin Korean BBQ in Koreatown and Chinchikurin for Okonomiyaki on Sawtelle. Newer favorite: Loreto in Frogtown. Superba Food + Bread Venice (the original).
Image courtesy n/naka on InstagramFavorite bar?
RA: Tam O’Shanter — Walt Disney’s old haunt and 100 years old, Scottish decor a plus!
Catherine: I admit, I am not in bars unattached to restaurants very often these days (Loreto has great drinks).
Image courtesy Tam O’Shanter on InstagramFavorite café?
RA: Loquat for the Mascarpone, Stereoscope for the Spanish Latte, Proof Bakery for the pastries, and because I can walk there.
Catherine: Menotti’s in Venice or Lodge Bread in Culver City (best bread and pastries, too).
Image courtesy Stereoscope on InstagramFavorite bookstore?
RA: Stories — books + wine!
Catherine: Remains unsurprisingly Hennessey + Ingalls, OR The Last Bookstore in DTLA is fun to explore (and an experience).
Favorite museum?
RA: Norton Simon.
Catherine: The Hammer.
Image courtesy Hammer Museum on InstagramFavorite public space?
RA: LA River & the Glendale Hyperion Bridge.
Catherine: Venice Beach or beaches in Malibu.
The Los Angeles River, looking from the Fletcher Drive Bridge. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons user Downtowngal (CC BY-SA 4.0)Most underrated building?
RA: LADWP substations.
Catherine: Agree on historic LA infrastructure buildings, LADWP substations across town.
LADWP Substation #6, built in Federal Style in 1924 on Vine Street in Hollywood. Image courtesy Google Street View (h/t The Center for Land Use Interpretation)Favorite new architecture?
RA: I haven’t seen the new LACMA yet, but I’m sure it’ll be good.
Catherine: Recently went to the Wende Museum for an event in Culver City and loved the experience building + courtyard is lovely at night.
Related on Archinect: A first look inside LACMA’s Zumthor-designed David Geffen Galleries as museum hosts preview opening. Photo: Iwan Baan.New or upcoming projects by your firm in the city?
RA: STILE DTLA (hotel refresh), Jane Jones (showroom open by appointment), Superba Food + Bread West LA (restaurant/cafe, offices, commissary kitchen + bakery).
Catherine: In addition to public/commercial projects RA listed, I’m very excited for the completion of our latest single-family residence/ADU complex for an extended family (couple in front house + brother in back house) in Mar Vista.
New Design, Bitches project: Jane Jones in Echo Park. Photo: Ye Rin Mo, via Instagram.
Archinectors, what are your personal favorite picks for LA? Let us know in the comments!
Similar articles on Archinect that may interest you…
About the Author
Alexander Walter grew up in East Germany with plenty of Bratwurst. He studied Architecture and Media Design at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany, and participated in foreign exchange programs with Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium in Alexandria, Virginia and Waseda University in …
