WONDERS OF JAPAN
The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo debuts MISE, a shop dedicated to the wonders of Japanese home cooking, gathering, and hosting. Curated by JAC Culinary Director Jane Matsumoto and President and CEO Patricia Wyatt, a pair of passionate home cooks who seek to simplify Japanese cooking with artisan-crafted tools and serving wares, hard-to-find Japanese pantry staples, and gifts. To curate the store’s offerings, the duo traveled to Japan to build relationships with artisans across multiple prefectures, with an invitation to bring their craft to the U.S. Selections reflect the 72 Japanese seasons and showcase the award-winning artisanal work of Japan and Los Angeles’ fi nest craftspeople. 244 S San Pedro Street, mise.jaccc.org

BANANA REPUBLIC BUNGALOW
Banana Republic debuted its first-ever stand-alone store dedicated entirely to its full-line home collection on Melrose in the heart of L.A.’s Design Quarter. Intentionally located across from the brand’s newest apparel retail location, BR Home Melrose was envisioned in collaboration with architectural designer Stefano Casati. Guests will discover a dynamic selection of furniture spanning the bedroom, living room, and dining room, all thoughtfully curated from communities around the globe, from Morocco to Mexico to India and beyond. Installations throughout the space blend comfort and adventure, transforming living spaces into havens of both style and substance. 8552 Melrose Avenue, brhome.com

MORE MOCHI!
Premium mochi ice cream brand Mochidoki just opened its first West Coast storefront in Santa Monica. More than 20 flavors of ice cream mochi will be available, along with dressed-up mochi creations, coffee, boba tea, and L.A.-exclusive mochi creations like a vegan coconut dark chocolate snowball and matcha latte with pistachio crunch and Italian meringue. There’s even a PB & J-inspired treat with a black sesame twist and freeze-dried raspberries. Flavors range from nostalgic favorites like vanilla, chocolate, and banana pudding to Asian-inspired lychee, red bean, matcha, black sesame, and purple sweet potato. 1133 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, mochidoki.com

BACK IN BAROO
Five years after chef Kwang Uh and Mina Park closed their lauded Baroo in East Hollywood, the duo recently debuted their hotly anticipated sequel in L.A.’s Arts District. Aesthetically the new Baroo is a swanky upgrade over its former strip mall locale, but super fans can breathe a sigh of relief: Chef Uh’s menu maintains the integrity that made Baroo famous, albeit it’s a little more grown up, served in a five-course, $110 tasting menu inspired by the five elements of water, fi re, wood, earth, and metal. Think seared Hokkaido scallops with Minari and rice puffs, and corn puree, apple, and celery with red yeast makgeolli, nduja, and pinch berry. The price includes wine and Korean sool pairings. 905 E 2nd St #109, baroolosangeles.com

HOLISTIC HEALING
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles has a new series of holistic treatments in a limited-time collaboration with herbal brand Apothékary, featuring their herbal blends in tea ceremonies and face masks in facials and body rituals designed to harmonize the body and mind using essential oils, massage, and meditation. Complementing this integrated healing approach, hotel guests are invited to unwind in the aromatherapy-filled spa sanctuary every Tuesday at 5 p.m. tucked under plush blankets with silk eye masks as they participate in a calming sound bath ritual and gentle breath work. 900 W Olympic Boulevard, ritzcarlton.com/losangeles