The dish on design awards
What makes a restaurant fabulous? Great food, of course, but more than ever, the look’s the thing. Without great design -- and the chic crowd that inevitably seems to follow -- buzz is but a dream. Nowhere is that more true than in Los Angeles.
It seems fitting, therefore, that the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter will recognize the contributions of architects and designers to the food scene of this city with the Los Angeles Restaurant Design Awards, a new annual juried competition.
The AIA’s L.A. chapter is the only one to hold such a competition (though others may follow), in part because the city’s restaurant design scene is so vibrant.
“Nationwide, L.A. is considered a very edgy architectural capital,” says Carlo Caccavale, director of special events for the AIA/LA. “This is reflected in the way architects and designers approach food.
“Ten years ago, restaurant decor was much more standardized,” he says. “High-end restaurants were just opulent; low-end [restaurants] were just dives. Now a good chef also wants good decor to go with the food.”
Designer and restaurateur Barbara Lazaroff of Imagining Interior Design, one of a panel of judges, says the awards will result in greater public awareness of the importance of design in public spaces.
“The more we recognize good work, the more we promote the elements of good design, the more people will want to get involved and develop an eye for looking at those things,” says Lazaroff. “When you walk into a space, sometimes people who are less discerning don’t know why they respond or why they feel comfortable. They just do. This is a form of education and a way to celebrate our meeting places. There is a lot to be recognized in this town.”
Submissions from restaurateurs, architects and designers will be accepted through May 20 (go to www.aialosangeles.orgor call (213) 639-0777 for information). Lazaroff and the other judges -- L.A. Weekly restaurant critic Jonathan Gold; architect Steven Ehrlich of Steven Ehrlich Architects; Sean Adams, principal of AdamsMorioka, a local communications design firm; and Michael McCarty, owner of Michael’s in Santa Monica -- will be looking over images, floor plans, drawings and graphic design samples (menus, signage) of restaurants completed since Jan. 1, 2001.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 23 at Boffi Los Angeles in Santa Monica.
-- Leslee Komaiko
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Small bites
* Suzanne Tracht is looking at spaces close to her Beverly Boulevard restaurant Jar for “a new operation that I would loosely describe as an oyster bar concept -- casual,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to do an oyster bar, and I think there’s a big need for one in L.A.” If things move forward as she hopes, the restaurant will be on the scene in the fall or winter.
* Nate ‘n Al’s turns 60 on May 24 and celebrates with 1940s-era prices (60-cent turkey sandwich, anyone?) on that date between 2 and 5 p.m. (no take-out orders, please). Founded in 1945 by Al Mendelson and Nate Reimer, the deli is a Beverly Hills landmark and has served generations of regulars including Doris Day, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Leno, Gray Davis, Larry King and Jack Nicholson. It’s operated by the third generation of Mendelsons.
Nate ‘n Al’s, 414 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 274-0101.
* On Monday nights, Luna Park pairs comfort food with drawing contests. Customers dining on tomato soup, meatloaf and mac ‘n’ cheese compete with artworks created using paper placemats and crayons. Winners in “food still life” and “portrait” categories are chosen each week -- and yes, there’s a prize: a gift certificate for dinner for two.
Luna Park, 672 S. La Brea, (323) 934-2110.