Culver City’s Everything Spaces: Helms Bakery District
Helms Bakery District was an island amid office spaces when I worked in the area in the late 2000s. This is where interior designers shopped, and The Beacon and Le Dijoinaisse fed everyone. Now This district has great food and hosts events, from art’s intersection with sustainability to book releases and events focusing on local issues. Don’t worry. This is still a design mecca where you can see couches and patio furniture IRL.
Helms Bakery was a family bakery that expanded to serve Los Angeles. They were the official bread of the Los Angeles Olympics. From their website:
“First opening its doors in 1931, family-owned and operated Helms Bakery supplied local residents with its fresh-baked bread delivered “Daily at Your Door” for over four decades. While no longer in the business of baked goods, the Helms Bakery building remains a cherished local landmark, recognized for its architectural significance.“
Places to eat
The Helms Bakery District has two well-known tenants. Pasta Sisters and Father’s Office have been longtime residents and offer different things for different crowds. New restaurants are also in the works.
Pasta Sisters
This is your family and budget-friendly option in the complex. Here you pair handmade pasta and sauces in a myriad of combinations. It truly is a carb-choose-your-own adventure. The possibilities are endless– Pesto with gnocchi, spaghetti with clam sauce, Bolognese with tagliatelle, and on and on. The only problem is coming up with that combo before you get to the counter. Not really; they are super nice and will give you suggestions or suggest modifications if the sauce doesn’t go well with the pasta choice.
My favorite is pasta with truffles, which I see has graduated from a secret menu item to a regular staple.
They have a huge patio and a list of Italian wines that are both perfect for warmer nights.
Hours, cost, and other information
- Website: Pasta Sisters
- Location: 3280 Helms (check the website for the mid-city location)
- Order: The smoked salmon and cream pasta, the bolognese, and the off-menu truffle pasta. Cost: $15-$20 + tax and tip for pasta, wine, and beer are also pretty cheap.
- Good for: Everyone and great for larger groups. Pasta Sisters is both kid and dog-friendly.
In the photo is the lasagna.
Note: Pasta Sisters was on my Itinerary for Parents: Arrival Day itinerary.
Father’s Office
On the other end of the complex is Father’s Office. You might know them for two things–a burger voted best in the city several times over and their strict no-ketchup policy. This is more than a burger joint. FO has numerous craft beers on tap and fantastic bar food. Yes, the burger is excellent, but don’t skip the other dishes crafted by local chef Sang Yoon. There is a bit of everything here Spanish tapas, salads, and a great fried chicken sandwich.
I love this place for groups. They do not accept reservations, and there is something for everyone. I haven’t had issues coming to Father’s Office with eight people and grabbing one of the long tables on the patio.
Note: This is a 21+ establishment all day. They check IDs at the entrance. No kids, no dogs other than service dogs. Very different from the family-friendly Pasta Sisters.
Hours, cost, and other information
- Website: https://fathersoffice.com/location/culver-city/
- Address: 3229 Helms
- Cost: Arancini $12, The Office Burger $19, salt and vinegar tater tots $8
- Other: They do not take reservations.
Things to do
Shopping
This is where you come if you are done with IKEA. Helms has a good collection of interior design, furniture, lighting, and places to help build out your kitchen and bathroom.
There is a lot to choose from between Room & Board, Scandinavian Designs, H.D. Buttercup, and more. Like The Platform, these tend to be higher-end, but places like H.D. Buttercup have periodic sales. It is great to be able to see, touch, and measure things in real life. How do you know if your couch is comfy online?
Arcana Books
This place is an art book collector’s dream. Find new and rare exhibition catalogs and monographs on your favorite artists. Their collection is vast, hitting on everything from 50 Years of Hip Hop to Cindy Sherman, punk fashion, and the art of The Shining. Pick up zines, letterpress art, and cards.
Stay tuned for book signings and other events.
Hours, cost, and other information
- Website: https://www.arcanabooks.com/
- Address: 8675 Washington Blvd.
- Other: Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Entertainment
This is what tipped the scales to make the Helm’s Bakery District a Culver City Everything Space. Hiding inside one of the buildings facing Washington is a museum and multi-use hall for events, film screenings, and community meetings.
The Museum & Gallery
Exhibitions at the museum, gallery, and events space all focus on architecture, nature, and sustainability oftentimes marrying the three.
Past events and exhibitions:
- War Time Graphics
- In Harmony with Nature–an art show and fundraiser for the Tree People
- James Hubbel
- The landscape design of Platform Park
The Helms Bakery District
Hours, cost, and other information
- Website: https://helmsbakerydistrict.com/
- Address: 8800 Venice Blvd
- Other: There is actually parking!
- Other: Helms Bakery’s events schedule can be found here.
You could easily spend an entire day visiting only these Culver City Everything Spaces. If you want to know when there is an update to this page–like if Lukshon is coming back–subscribe to my newsletter.