{"id":261328,"date":"2026-04-10T17:06:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/261328\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T17:06:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T17:06:10","slug":"archinect-city-guide-los-angeles-insider-tips-with-ra-rudolph-catherine-johnson-of-design-bitches-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/261328\/","title":{"rendered":"Archinect City Guide: Los Angeles Insider Tips with RA Rudolph & Catherine Johnson of Design, Bitches | Features"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Design,\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Design, Bitches founding partners and principal architects RA Rudolph (left) and Catherine Johnson (right). Illustration by Archinect (background photo courtesy Cedric Letsch\/Unsplash)<\/p>\n

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<\/a> 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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Together, they share their favorite LA spots for the best bites, drinks, museums, and architecture spotting \u2014 on both the East and West Side.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFavorite restaurant? <\/p>\n

RA Rudolph: Speranza<\/a> (for European vibe & outdoor seating), Ototo<\/a> (for relaxed, delicious food & giant sake selection), Spina<\/a> (great Italian in my neighborhood, Atwater Village).<\/p>\n

Catherine Johnson: Best meal and dining experience ever, hands down, remains N\/Naka<\/a>. I love Origin Korean BBQ<\/a> in Koreatown and Chinchikurin<\/a> for Okonomiyaki on Sawtelle. Newer favorite: Loreto<\/a> in Frogtown. Superba Food + Bread<\/a> Venice (the original).<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy \u2060n\/naka on Instagram<\/a>Favorite bar? <\/p>\n

RA: Tam O\u2019Shanter<\/a> \u2014 Walt Disney\u2019s old haunt and 100 years old, Scottish decor a plus!<\/p>\n

Catherine: I admit, I am not in bars unattached to restaurants very often these days (Loreto<\/a> has great drinks).<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy\u00a0Tam O\u2019Shanter on Instagram<\/a>Favorite caf\u00e9? <\/p>\n

RA: Loquat<\/a> for the Mascarpone, Stereoscope<\/a> for the Spanish Latte, Proof Bakery<\/a> for the pastries, and because I can walk there.<\/p>\n

Catherine: Menotti\u2019s<\/a> in Venice or Lodge Bread<\/a> in Culver City (best bread and pastries, too).<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy \u2060Stereoscope on Instagram<\/a>Favorite bookstore? <\/p>\n

RA: Stories<\/a> \u2014 books + wine!<\/p>\n

Catherine: Remains unsurprisingly Hennessey + Ingalls<\/a>, OR The Last Bookstore<\/a> in DTLA is fun to explore (and an experience).<\/p>\n

Favorite museum? <\/p>\n

RA: Norton Simon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Catherine: The Hammer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Image courtesy \u2060Hammer Museum on Instagram<\/a>Favorite public space? <\/p>\n

RA: LA River<\/a> & the Glendale Hyperion Bridge.<\/p>\n

Catherine: Venice Beach or beaches in Malibu.<\/p>\n

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The Los Angeles River, looking from the Fletcher Drive Bridge. Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons user Downtowngal (CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>)Most underrated building? <\/p>\n

RA: LADWP substations.<\/p>\n

Catherine: Agree on historic LA infrastructure buildings, LADWP substations across town.<\/p>\n

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LADWP Substation #6, built in Federal Style in 1924 on Vine Street in Hollywood. Image courtesy Google Street View<\/a> (h\/t The Center for Land Use Interpretation<\/a>)Favorite new architecture? <\/p>\n

RA: I haven\u2019t seen the new LACMA<\/a> yet, but I\u2019m sure it\u2019ll be good.<\/p>\n

Catherine: Recently went to the Wende Museum<\/a> for an event in Culver City and loved the experience building + courtyard is lovely at night.<\/p>\n

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Related on Archinect: A first look inside LACMA\u2019s Zumthor-designed David Geffen Galleries as museum hosts preview opening<\/a>. Photo: Iwan Baan.New or upcoming projects by your firm in the city? <\/p>\n

RA: STILE DTLA (hotel refresh), Jane Jones (showroom open by appointment), Superba Food + Bread West LA (restaurant\/cafe, offices, commissary kitchen + bakery).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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New Design, Bitches project: Jane Jones in Echo Park\u2060. Photo: Ye Rin Mo, via Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Archinectors, what are your personal favorite picks for LA? Let us know in the comments!<\/p>\n

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\t\tSimilar articles on Archinect that may interest you…<\/p>\n

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About the Author<\/p>\n

Alexander Walter<\/a><\/p>\n

Alexander Walter grew up in East Germany with plenty of Bratwurst. He studied Architecture and Media Design at Bauhaus-Universit\u00e4t Weimar, Germany, and participated in foreign exchange programs with Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium in Alexandria, Virginia and Waseda University in\u00a0…<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Alexander<\/a><\/p>\n

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