L.A.'s hottest arrivals in shopping, nightlife, dining, entertainment, attractions, museums, theater, culture, sports and recreation. MAPS of Los Angeles

sweets
Babycakes in L.A.
All-natural and allergen-free baked goods don’t always make the sweetest treats. But New York City-based bakery Babycakes NYC, which just opened a new location downtown, turns out delicious cakes, cupcakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, macaroons and more minus common allergens such as gluten, dairy, casein and eggs. Many confections are sweetened with natural agave nectar, too. Note to cupcake fans: An outpost of Babycakes rival Magnolia Bakery opens shortly in West Hollywood. 130 E. 6th St., downtown, 213.623.5555

SHOPPING
Assouline Opens On Melrose
Assouline, publisher of superelegant art and culture books, opens a boutique on chic Melrose Place. Styled as a Parisian townhouse, the shop offers graphic and illustrated tomes from the Assouline catalog as well as luxury gift items and vintage finds curated by Prosper Assouline. Unique to this location is gourmet dining: Customers can enjoy food and cocktails from Assouline’s next-door neighbor, acclaimed French restaurant Bastide, in one of two themed rooms or on a cozy terrace. 8475 Melrose Place, L.A., 323.782.4212

musicals
Dreamgirls Dazzles Ahmanson Theatre
A new engagement of the musical Dreamgirls stops in L.A. on a national tour—and luckily, it’s at the Ahmanson Theatre for more than “one night only.” Opening March 2, the musical tells the story of 1960s girl group The Dreams, who catapult to fame and see their relationships torn apart by success. Moya Angela stars in the powerful role of Effie White, with Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones and Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson. Dreamgirls won six Tony Awards in 1982 and was adapted into a 2006 Academy Award–winning feature film.

fashion
LA Fashion Week
Paris, Milan, New York...Los Angeles? Yep, just like those other chic cities, L.A. has its own Fashion Week March 17–24. In honor of our fabulous homegrown fashion, here’s where to find the hottest L.A.-based designers, from casual labels to couture.

• Trina Turk offers her Palm Springs-inspired casual sportswear in a blush-hued, Kelly Wearstler-designed space with bubblelike chandeliers. 8008 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.651.1382

• Find dapper shirts, tuxedo blazers and slim trousers by emerging menswear label Band of Outsiders at Confederacy boutique. 4661 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz, 323.913.3040

• Stars such as Reese Witherspoon love couture gowns by Pasadena-based sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte, sold at Opening Ceremony. 451 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.652.1120

• Nony Tochterman dreams up jewel-toned minidresses and feminine separates under her label Petro Zillia. 8218 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.782.0424

• Pink-haired jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino offers sparkly costume baubles and hair accessories at her flagship store. 7957 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.651.5155

• Two edgy design houses—Skingraft and menswear label Elmer Ave—combine in one boutique in down- town’s Historic District. 125 W. 4th St., #102, downtown, 213.626.2662

DINING
Delphine Opens at W Hollywood Hotel
Glitzy Hollywood meets the glamorous French Riviera with the opening of Delphine bistro at the new W Hollywood hotel. The newest addition to the portfolio of Innovative Dining Group (responsible for such dining hot spots as BOA Steakhouse and Sushi Roku), Delphine features a French menu of classic Provençal fare with Mediterranean influences. Dishes include trout meunière, moules frites au Pernod and risotto Milanese with braised veal. Executive chef Sascha Lyon, whose résumé includes positions at New York’s Michelin three-star Daniel as well as Balthazar and Pastis, helms the kitchen.

art
Aztec Antiquities at Getty Villa
Marking the bicentennial celebration of Mexico’s independence, The Aztec Pantheon and the Art of the Empire represents the Getty Villa’s first display of antiquities from outside the Mediterranean, as well as the first exhibition on the Aztec empire to be organized in Los Angeles. Opening March 24, the exhibition draws parallels between the great Aztec and Roman empires of antiquity, showcasing masterworks of Aztec sculpture alongside images of classical gods and mythological figures from the J. Paul Getty collection.

nightlife
Supper Club and Cocktails at Tar Pit
The highly anticipated opening of sleek, 1940s-inspired supper club The Tar Pit has arrived, with a drink menu designed by cocktail maven Audrey Saunders and dishes from acclaimed Campanile executive chef Mark Peel. Signature cocktails include riffs on tiki drinks, like the Jamaican Firefly (dark rum, housemade ginger beer, fresh lime juice and simple syrup), as well as “neoclassical” concoctions such as the Liquorice Whiskey Smash (licorice-infused rye, Benedictine, muddled lemon and mint and simple syrup). Dinner and bar menus feature nostalgic fare such as steak Diane, shrimp Louis and clams casino.