Location: Los Angeles
Design: Maša and Jon Kleinhample of Klein Agency
On Offer: Chef Eric Bost worked with husband-and-wife team Maša and Jon Kleinhample to create a sleek Scandinavian-meets-Japanese hideaway on Melrose Ave. A central skylight, oak, limestone, muted pinks, and “wild but restricted” sprouted grasses are among the elements that set an ethereal mood to match Bost’s artful vegetable–forward tasting menu. The L.A–based couple drew inspiration from their former studio in Antwerp, Belgium, appointing the interiors with playful artworks by Eike König and custom pieces such as sling leather chairs and slatted wood bar carts which are now available to buy as part of the Klein Agency home collection.
Standout features: The interplay between design and food is what sets Auburn apart. Bost and Klein worked with local ceramic and wood craftsmen to create custom plates, bowls, and platters to display artful dishes ranging from early girl tomatoes with box crab to grilled cherries atop koji-aged liberty duck. Twelve seasonal dishes showcased on linen paper menus are arranged from light to complex, savory to sweet, and come in four, six, or nine courses. Conceived by alums of New York stalwarts Death & Co. and Nightcap, the cocktails focus on fortified wines, vermouths, and bitters. Meals finish with pastry chef Dyan Ng’s dreamy desserts like the cloud-like frozen rose parfait or poached strawberry and milky ice cream.
