Claudia Bruce left her job at Silver Lake’s Mohawk General Store to open East Hollywood boutique Amastoria in 2017, but she’s been a regular in the latter neighborhood for decades. “It has a very nostalgic feeling, like old Los Angeles,” she says. Here’s how she recommends tapping into the area’s laid-back charm.
Sqirl
9:30 a.m.
“Sqirl is the best, but usually there’s a line. I like going for an early breakfast at 9:30 or 10, when it’s not so busy. The eggs are amazing, all farm-raised. Their coffee is incredible, too.”
A Shampoolio Experience
11:00 a.m.
“This is my hair destination. The owner’s name is Julio Romano, and I’ve known him for 20-something years. He’s very technical as far as hair goes, but the vibe of the place is rock-and-roll. He sells vintage T-shirts. There’s great music. It’s not your typical hairdresser.”
Jenette Bras
Noon
“Jenette opened this place, like, ten years ago. They measure you, and she’s really specific about size. When I worked at Mohawk I always recommended that people go, because bras are so important for the framing of the body and how clothes fit.”
Antequera De Oaxaca
1:00 p.m.
“It’s a hole-in-the-wall, but it’s well curated. Everything is authentic; they care about the ingredients. The mole is amazing. They do lovely drinks, too—one of my favorites is the Jamaica.”
Cuties
2:30 p.m.
“Go for a little afternoon espresso. The staff is so lovely—really well trained. They have oat milk, which I love in my coffee, beautiful little vegan doughnuts, and great pastries. When I left Mohawk I thought I was going to miss Intelligentsia, but I don’t.”
Barnsdall Art Park
4:00 p.m.
“I’ve been going there since high school. It feels like a vortex of time, like you’re traveling to Old Hollywood. My kids went to art school there; I took pottery classes. In the summertime they do wine tastings, and they have a theater.”
The Faculty
6:30 p.m.
“They have great tap beers. There’s a beautiful herb garden that kind of closes in where you sit, so you smell all the herbs as you’re having a drink. And they use the herbs in their food.”
Moments Playhouse
7:30 p.m.
“You can’t tell from the outside, but the inside is a proper sit-down theater. They do some great shows—I saw a Nina Simone play. The artistic director, Mo, is super into what he does. They have acting classes, too.”
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