Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
A card is nice, and flowers are thoughtful. But even better than a gift is an entire afternoon with your mom spent shopping and going out to eat. We've teamed up with our friends over at Eater for sure-fire restaurant recommendations close by some of the city's best gift spots. Stop by the selected shop before your meal to surprise mom with something unique—or take her there so she can pick something out for herself—before enjoying a bite together nearby.
Wine & Dine in WeHo:
· Venokado: It's almost impossible to walk out of this combo wine and gift boutique without laying down your credit card. The wine selection, while small, is unique and expertly-curated and the gift options, like Lafco soaps and candles, Happy Socks, fancy olive oil, chocolates and beautiful cards, are irresistible. (7714
Fountain Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046)
· Salt's Cure: Especially if Mom is visiting from out of town, she deserves a good only-in-LA brunch. Chris Phelps and Zak Walters are always doing something interesting with meat and eggs. Go early for the best seating. (7494
Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046)
Get Spicy in Silver Lake:
· Spice Station Silverlake: If your mom loves to cook, come here to stock up on all sorts of hard-to-track-down spices, herbs, peppercorns, chiles, teas, sugars and salts. Anything can be ground to order. (3819 West Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026)
· Cliff's Edge: Have a hearty brunch with mom on the cheerful patio at Cliff's Edge. New on the brunch menu are baked eggs with goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil and olives. Brunch cocktails will smooth over any lingering resentment from childhood. (3626 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA)
Book It on Sunset:
· Book Soup: In these days of Kindles and iPads, buying a real hardcover book feels nicely indulgent. As one of the best book stores in LA, Book Soup is the place to do it. They've got everything from coffee table books to best sellers to cookbooks. (8818 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
· Eveleigh: Mom might get a little sheepish here, because their spelt hot cakes (with burnt apricot, whipped honeycomb butter, bay leaf maple syrup, $13) are better than the ones she used to make. Comfort her with a cocktail. (8752 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
Fashioned Florals:
· HollyFlora: Flowers are a safe call, and at HollyFlora the arrangements are gorgeous and creative. (2673 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034)
· Red O: Rick Bayless' Mexican temple is doing more than mimosas—all mothers get a free cocktail. There will be a live band during brunch hours, and, of course huevos rancheros verdes and chilaquiles al guajillo. If mom is staying sober these days, the agua frescas are a delicious option.
(8155 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046)
Comforts of Home on Beverly:
· Heath Ceramics: They've been producing pottery since the 40s, and at this showroom space you'll find Heath's sophisticated vases, pitchers, and other home goods. (7525 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
· Eva: Just down the street from Heath, Chef Mark Gold has created a lovely prix fixe for this Sunday. For $39 a person, get four courses including dungeness crab "louie," poached king salmon and a banana split with Benett's ice cream. (7458 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
Pizza and Paper Goods in Santa Monica:
· Arts & Letters: Filled with thoughtful, not-mass-produced cards, stationary and more. Bonus: They also do gift wrapping. (2665 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405)
· Stella Rosa: Because it's pizza week on Eater, we felt that a visit to Jeff Mahin's pizza place was in order. Spend a lazy afternoon shopping on Main Street and then walk over to Stella Rosa for dinner. (2000 Main St, Santa Monica, CA)
Blossoms, Booze and Brunch on Melrose:
· Mel & Rose: They've got wine, champagne and even caviar, but more importantly, they stock an incredible array of hard liquor. (8344 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069)
· Cecconi's: Here's a unique way to give mom flowers—in her food. It all sounds perfect: eggs benedict with squash blossoms, lavender panna cotta and a pot of rose petal tea. (8764 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069)
The Unexpected on West Third:
· New Stone Age: If you have absolutely no idea for what to get for the woman who has everything, this place will offer a suggestion or two. Jewelry, housewares, bath products, random ephemera—you name it, it's here. (8407 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048)
· Churchill: It's unlikely that mom has ventured into this hot new spot. This is your chance to show her off, and eat a great brunch as well. Bonus: the waiters are cute (even moms like eye candy.) (8384 W 3rd St, West Hollywood, CA 90048)
Crafty in Culver City:
· Lundeen's: With beauty products, candles, cards, stationary, jewelry and tchotchkes of all sorts, Lundeen's aims to cover your bases. (9726 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232)
· BottleRock: Let mom go out for brunch with Dad. Then, grab some girl talk over a glass of something special at BottleRock. Get a patio seat and look out onto the lights of downtown Culver City. (3847 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232)
Shopping and Seafood in Santa Monica:
· Anthropologie: There's something oddly soothing about this temple to feminine design. If you know mom's taste, there are contemporary but not overly trend-driven clothes and accessories on offer; but the housewares section, with pottery and textiles, is even more appealing. (1402 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA)
· Blue Plate Oysterette: After pursuing the sales on the Promenade, walk towards the ocean. You'll feel like you've gone on vacation if you get a patio seat at Blue Plate, especially if you each get a lobster roll and then take a stroll along the beach afterwards. (1355 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA
90401)