By Amber Gibson

THAI LOVE STORY

Taiwan’s largest restaurant group recently made its U.S. debut, opening Very Thai in the Westfield Century City outdoor shopping center. The 5,000-square-foot flagship location is adorned with hanging lanterns and tropical foliage against a striking red lacquer backdrop. Order the shrimp mooncake, a signature dish inspired by tod mun goong deep-fried shrimp cakes, with nearly a million orders sold annually across Asia. Green curry chicken wings, Thai coffee pork ribs, and pineapple fried rice are all crowd pleasers too, and Los Angeles-exclusive dishes include a Thai fried banana fantasy dessert accompanied by AWAN vegan coconut-based ice cream. Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, verythaiusa.com

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Los Angeles-based artist Emily Colvin is Hotel Figueroa’s new artist in residence as the woman-founded property celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Part of the hotel’s Artist Alley program, the annual residency highlights female artists shaping Los Angeles today. Colvin’s installation, titled “High Water,” features neon works, sculptural pieces, and a series of paintings created in the wake of last year’s Los Angeles fires. Incorporating reclaimed materials and layered color fields, her pieces investigate light and frequency, reflecting a quiet, collective form of resilience. All pieces are for sale and displayed on the property’s ground floor, adjacent to the lobby. 939 S Figueroa Street, hotelfigueroa.com

DOMINICAN DELIGHTS

New Afro-Latin restaurant Amiguita, recently opened in Silver Lake, serves an eclectic family-style menu in an intimate 34-seat dining room. The menu reflects chef Alejandro Eusebio’s life, weaving his childhood in the Dominican Republic with global influences, with yuca latkes, charcoal-grilled mussels, plantain gnocchi, and vaca frita, a Cuban preparation of hanger steak. Inspired by the Cibao region, the verdant dining room transports guests to the rural Northern countryside of the Dominican Republic with a mural reflecting the region by local Los Angeles artist Lara Apponyi. “As one of the few classically trained Dominican chefs in the states, I feel drawn to honor my heritage while weaving in the experiences that have shaped my life and cooking,” Eusebio said. 3510 W Sunset Boulevard, amiguitala.com

CINEMATIC SPA

A wellness lab meets sensory playground in Quantum Wellness Spa, DTLA’s latest social spa experience. Designed around the concept of “nervous system reset,” the space guides guests through curated sessions that blend breathwork, movement, sauna heat, and ice plunges, all layered with cinematic lighting, sound, and scent to heighten the experience. Rather than traditional à la carte treatments, the focus is on flowing through environments – meditation rooms, contrast therapy circuits, and biohacking stations – where ancient practices meet modern technology in a sensorial setting. There are also massage, chiropractic, and facial services on tap, too. 1027 Wilshire Blvd, quantum.spa

JOIE DE BITES

Beloved neighborhood French bistro Coucou, known for its aperitif culture and effortlessly elegant atmosphere, just opened its third LA location in Manhattan Beach, just a block from the Manhattan Beach Pier. Chef Jacob Wetherington, a Bouchon alum, mixes bistro staples like steak au poivre and gnocchi parisienne with seasonal dishes highlighting California produce. Guests can expect fan-favorites from the Venice and West Hollywood locations, including the L’Haute Dog, burger Américaine, and Coucou’s beloved soft serve sundae, paired with ice-cold classic cocktails and California and French wines. 1131 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, coucou.la