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Barbara Bestor

, takes us on a quirky tour of favorite places in and around that hip neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The New and Improved Reservoir Ramble


The Silver Lake reservoir recently got a real footpath around it so all of us walkers can be safe (and can even pretend we’re in Central Park!). It’s the heart of the neighborhood.

Neutra ‘VDL’ house


Silver Lake is full of amazing homes by major modern architects that you can visit. Neutra’s former residence, an endangered world monument, is my favorite Neutra because it’s more radical than his other work, especially the way it uses mirror glass. When you’re outside, you feel like you’re inside.

2300 Silver Lake Boulevard neutravdl.org

A+R


A tiny new store packed with serious design stuff: cool Sarah Finn light fixtures, reproduction Japanese water and soda bottles made of glass (my faves) and a “design” vibrator that looks like some kid’s toy—who that’s for I do not know!

1716 Silver Lake Boulevard (323) 913-9558

10TEN


Run by interior designers who sell great ’60s pieces by Saarinen and Knoll. Right now, they’re really big on architectural ceramics. And they have great sofas—I spec them for a lot of clients.

17241⁄2 Silver Lake Boulevard (323) 663-3603

The Echo nightclub


The coolest place—it hosts bands but also serves as a community center. I recently took my daughters to a “kids’ disco.” They started out as wallflowers but by the end were winning prizes for stuff like “best atomic dog dance.”

1822 Sunset Boulevard (213) 413-8200; attheecho.com

Pho cafe


I like how this Vietnamese restaurant exists in the mini-mall—you can see the gorgeous light fixtures from outside. And I love the bright plate used to hold the condiments. I always get dish

West Sunset Boulevard (213) 413-0888

show


A great objet d’art store owned by the lovely Brad Cook. He has such a good eye, especially for emerging design like Sarah Cihat dishware and Jason Miller antler light fixtures. Any time I need to buy a gift, I know I’ll find something fabulous there.

1722 North Vermont Avenue (323) 644-1960; showlifestyle.com

the trails


This old-school food stand in Griffith Park was recently reopened after being shut down for shady business dealings. A music producer and a TV producer turned it into a mostly vegan spot, with delicious homemade pies. I love that these guys cared enough to preserve this historic piece of L.A. infrastructure.

2333 Fern Dell Drive (323) 871-2102; thetrailslosfeliz.com

Tennis Courts in Griffith Park


Probably the most beautiful public tennis courts in the world, cradled in a California mountain valley. Sometimes I’ll see rabbits while I’m playing. You couldn’t art-direct it better.

Near the merry-go-round

Pot-ted


This new local garden and outdoor pottery place has terrific landscape architectural pieces, like giant pots for plants, as well as recycled furniture and eco-friendly accessories. I just bought a simple concrete fire pit there.

3158 Los Feliz Boulevard (323) 665-3801; pot-ted.com