Foodprint Walking Tour

I’ve been spending lots of time in the Arts District lately, and I’ve been spending lots of time eating my whole life, so I’m happy to announce the perfect combination of my two erstwhile pursuits: I’ll be co-hosting a food-focused walking tour of the area on Saturday, December 8 with the Foodprint Project.

The Foodprint Project is an ongoing exploration of food and urbanism founded by my good friends Sarah Rich and Nicola Twilley. As part of the weekend’s festivities they’re hosting a conference at LACMA on December 9 (which is free and open to the public) that will examine topics like culinary cartography and edible archaeology. And on Saturday, December 8, our walking tour will bring those themes to life as we examine the “foodscape” of one of the most food-centric areas of Los Angeles. The Arts District itself is home to a thriving creative community launching plenty of edible startups, but it also borders both the Warehouse District, where food products are still produced using traditional manufacturing methods, and the Produce District, a massive international trade center that distributes most of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the city.

Along the way we’ll visit the coffee-roasting infrastructure of LA’s celebrated Handsome Coffee, check out an artisanal distillery, explore the inside of West Central Produce’s state-of-the-art banana ripening facilities, preview a new local food market, and peek inside the exciting farm-to-table program of the restaurant Bestia. We’ll also be joined by several developers and city leaders, and, of course, there will be a few surprises along the way. And the tour will end with a punch-bowl-punctuated happy hour at Villains Tavern, one of my favorite bars in the city.

The tour is Saturday, December 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the happy hour kicking off at 5:00. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased right here. And be sure to head to LACMA the next day for more helpings of food, cities and technology. Hope to see you there!

Top image: Exterior view of the loading dock at West Coast Fruit Distributors, part of the Produce Market, 1900; USC Digital Libraries 

Beating the Heat

A little over two years ago, I wrote a post about a downtown fountain on a 96-degree day:

In two years, this fountain will sit like a crown on a ribbon of green that reaches from here to City Hall, the white building you can see in the distance. There will be a real public park for downtown LA. And a new museum with great architecture sure to make it a worthy foil to Disney Hall. Which means—and we hope—thousands of people will be crawling these blocks at all hours of the day and night.

That means you’ve got two years to enjoy the silent canyons of Grand Avenue. Two years to experience the vacant plazas, the empty benches, the quiet sidewalks. Especially on this scorcher of an afternoon, I highly recommend paying a visit to these lonely urban geysers for one of their last private performances.

Last week, that park finally opened. As my review in the LA Weekly notes, it’s well-designed, but it will need one crucial element—those people—to make it a truly transcendent public space. Luckily, one part of it has already become one of the most dynamic new places in downtown. And yes, it’s a fountain:

The plaza below a restored 46-year-old Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, once obscured by the ramps of a parking garage, has been transformed into a vast “membrane pool.” An inch of water creates a rippling canvas for a field of choreographed geysers where kids, dozens of kids, in swimsuits and Crocs and sunblock, squeal as they weave between the columns of water. Nearby, fluorescent pink chairs are occupied by smiling, towel-holding parents and buttoned-up city employees, more than a few of whom kick off their shoes and wade into the pool themselves. The whole scene looks even prettier at night.

The fountain plaza — which I’ve dubbed Toddler Beach — is the very best part of Grand Park (formerly Civic Park), a new 12-acre strip of public space that cascades down Bunker Hill from the Music Center to the steps of City Hall. Although sections have been functional since July, the fully-operational park officially opens this Saturday, creating a nice outdoor area in the center of the city and bringing some much-needed amenities like a dog run to the neighborhood. It’s definitely not “our Central Park,” as some have hyped (maybe Bryant Park?), but Grand Park accomplishes a lot, and with very little to work with in this small, park-starved sliver of downtown.

Oddly enough, I wrote about this fountain on a 96-degree day as well. (EXCEPT IT WAS IN OCTOBER.) And wouldn’t you just know it, it’s breaking 90 again today. Most public pools are closed in the fall and the beach is often out of reach, but two of the city’s most incredible, wade-able water features are now spraying within a block of each other in downtown.

I think you know what I’m trying to say here. It’s hot. These fountains are cool.

I did not take the photo of Grand Park, Jim Simmons did, because on the day I went to photograph it, there were dancers rehearsing in the fountain. Which was still cool to see.

Stanley Kubrick at LACMA

Stanley Kubrick was known for transforming genres that he worked in by taking full control of his projects. The exhibition covers the span of Kubrick’s works, starting from his photographs for Look magazine in 40s, and continuing with his amazing directorial practices from the 1950s through the 1990s.

His films will be  portrayed through a selection of scripts, production photography, lenses and cameras, set models, costumes, and props. In addition, the exhibition features two projects that Kubrick never completed: Napoleon and The Aryan Papers.

Exhibit opens for public on November 1, 2012 at LACMA.

Best Dive Bars in SF

What makes a great dive bar? You obviously need to have the bare necessities such as a pool table, a jukebox, and regulars to even be considered among the greats. But it’s usually the intangible things that make a dive bar special. San Francisco is home to some of the best dives in the world. Below is a list of some of the best the city has to offer.

1.   Uptown 200 Capp Street There’s absolutely nothing considered ‘uptown’ about this bar, but good people and good times is what makes this place a winner. Sink into one of the plush couches in the back and you’ll feel right at home here.

2. Benders 806 South Van Ness Avenue  Aside from being an awesome dive for bikers, both pedal and moto, its got a grill in the back serving the best vegetarian bar food in the city. Fried pickles, mac n cheese burgers, and seitan buffalo wings are some perennial favorites.

3. Terry’s Lodge 1368 Irving Street Stop by Terry’s on your way home from a day at Ocean Beach. Filled with locals and weirdos, Terry’s is an Inner Sunset staple.

4.  Li PO 916 Grant Avenue This bar looks like it was pulled straight out of the movie Big Trouble in Little China. On Sunday nights you can get your boogie on at the Sweater-funk party in the basement.

5. Mr. Bing’s 201 Columbus Avenue  Another amazing Chinatown dive. No beers on tap means it’s only for serious drinkers. Also, I’d recommend against playing Liar’s Dice with the bartender unless you’re prepared to face the consequences.

6. Phone Booth 1398 South Van Ness Avenue One of the last few remaining bars that let you smoke inside through a little legal loophole. Phone booth has cheap drinks, velvet paintings, and a chandelier made of Barbie dolls...So 3 thumbs up.

7. Toronado 547 Haight Street  Everyone and their mother knows that Toronado is the place to go for the best beer selection in the city. Just be ready to order when you get to the bar, because we’re waiting behind you.

8.  Lucky 13 2140 Market Street A bit kitsch, a bit trashy, and a bit punk. It’s also dog friendly, so take your four legged friends.

*Steven Le is a native of San Francisco, works as an ER doctor, and lives in the Mission District. When not at any of the above bars, you can find him out and about hunting for the city’s best sandwiches. www.tumblr.com/blog/wichhunter

Pinks' New "Brando" Dog

I admit I have a little bit of OCD when it comes to checking the weather report. I check it every day in order to pick out my outfit. I’m positive it’s from years of sweating uncomfortably when the sun broke out during recess in elementary school because I was told to “look outside” in order to determine what to wear to school. I mean, everyone knows the weather is different in the morning versus the afternoon! Grrr.

Well, with that lovely short story comes some weekend to-dos…and let me tell you, the rain looks as it’s going to pass and the weather is going to be nice and sunny! Hooray!

This Friday on April 27^th, head over to Pinks Hot Dogs from 11am to 1pm to help celebrate the unveiling of the brand new “Brando” Hot Dog. The “Brando” Hot Dog will be a 10” quarter pound all-beef dog topped with mustard, onions and chili and is in honor of Hollywood legend Marlon Brando who would be turning 88 this April. The reason you should attend?? Anyone dressed as the actor will be given a FREE hot dog!!! Supplies are limited, so in order to ensure yourself a dog, RSVP’s are mandatory.

Email your RSVP to dsyatt@ssapr.com to confirm your attendance.

Check the Facebook event page for more details:

Riding the Rails

Last week I was very, very lucky to be invited on a preview ride of the new Expo Line that runs from downtown to Culver City. The line opens April 28 and I almost can’t believe it’s happening—I’ve been writing about this for about six years. More stories and photos coming soon, but here was one of my favorite shots: From the La Cienega station, which is one of the elevated ones, there are some pretty incredible views, including the smudge of downtown’s skyline you can see at the center of the photo. When I moved to LA I never imagined I’d see a train this far west.

Los Angeles Walks!

This past weekend, a 24-year-old woman was fatally struck by a car as she crossed a street in my neighborhood. Although there are far too many accidents like this in LA, they always feel removed from my day-to-day life, like they’re on some foreign street in a distant neighborhood far across town. In this case, since it happened on a street where I regularly walk and ride, I really felt like this could have just as easily been me. While it shouldn’t take a tragic death to get Angelenos to care about pedestrian safety, it seems like this incident has particularly resonated with my neighbors. We all want to do something about it.

As more and more people choose to walk, bike or take transit, there will be more people on our sidewalks and crosswalks. Yet LA needs to undergo some drastic changes—both physically and behaviorally—to adjust to this new lifestyle. Our streets and sidewalks need to become our most prized spaces in the whole city: beautiful, clean, safe places that are designed for all Angelenos—and that includes Angelenos in strollers and wheelchairs, too. Even if we’re just walking to our cars, we’re still using those streets and sidewalks. We are all pedestrians.

That’s why the timing could not be better for the advocacy group Los Angeles Walks. Founded by the talented urban designer and tireless pedestrian advocate Deborah Murphy, Los Angeles Walks is a volunteer-driven organization that works to make walking safe, accessible and fun for all Angelenos. And a group that includes myself, Alexis Lantz, Jessica Meaney, Colleen Corcoran, Michelle Craven and Anthony Crump are now working with working with Deborah under a fiscal umbrella of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to begin a local grassroots effort that supports everyone who walks in LA.

And how better to do that than with karaoke!?

On Saturday, April 21, we’re holding what I’m pretty sure is LA’s first-ever karaoke fundraiser for walking in LA. The event will be at the fantastic Atwater Crossing (ATX) and will feature karaoke hosted by KJ Paul. Food and drink will be available for purchase and some of LA’s most famous pedestrians (maybe even you?) will be belting out songs on the karaoke stage.

Please come out and sing your favorite songs about walking—yes, including that song—and support walking in LA. Tickets start at just $10, but there are also ticket levels that include cool LA Walks buttons (Stroller, $20) and an LA Walks poster (Flâneur, $50). And if you donate more than $100, you’ll get one of the coolest incentives I’ve ever seen: A portrait of you as an LA walker (just like the walkers you see illustrated above) by the awesome Colleen Corcoran! Makes a great Mother’s Day gift!

I’m really looking forward to working with this group to make some real changes to the pedestrian environment, so I hope you’ll join us for a night celebrating the future of walking in LA. And be sure to walk there if you can! Let us know where you’re walking from and we can publicize your route so others can join you.

‘Tis the Season

Each year around this time my attention turns to a certain colorful creature that starts sprouting up all around town. And from the first day of spring until Easter, my Tumblr, Peep This, comes to life with marshmallowy inspiration. Here’s a few updates from this week.

Stuffed fabric Peeps made by my mom. Or you could call these Taxidermy Peeps.

A Peeps-encrusted glazed ham.

And directions for how to make a Peeps necklace.

Enjoy! And if you see any Peepspiration (not to be confused with perspiration), Peep up!

Rodarte Exhibit at LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents the  debut of RODARTE: Fra Angelico Collection. American designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavya gifted 10 fabulous gowns from their Spring|Summer 2012 couture collection to the museum’s renowned Costume and Textiles Department.  At LACMA, the Rodarte gowns are surrounded by classic Renaissance artworks, due to the fact that they were inspired by frescoes painted by the early Italian Renaissance artist, Fra Angelico Rodarte uses a variety of different silk fabrics, sequins, feathers and swarovski elements, breastplates and headpieces to dramatically complete the look of gowns.

Photos: via Lacma.org

Downtown on Ice

How fun would it be to ICE skate next to skyscrapers and historical landmarks in Downtown LA?

Downtown on Ice is fun, affordable, and the perfect activity for the entire family! Or use this time-sensitive outing as a great Date Night… When else do you get to ice skate in sunny California?! It's LA's biggest outdoor skating rink and they just celebrated their 14th season at Pershing Square, 532 South Olive. The facility is open everyday through January 16, 2012 (so hurry up before it gets too hot!).

Skating session costs $6 per hour, skate rentals are $2. If you ride Metro to the Pershing Square you get $1 OFF admission. Take the Red or Purple Line and exit Pershing Square Station to get your glide on.

Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday: 12:00pm to 10:00pm

Friday – Sunday: 10:00am to 10:00pm

The Fräulein in Los Angeles

One of my favorite photographers, Ellen von Unwerth, is having her first exhibit in LA. It closes soon on November 26 and I can't believe that I haven't gone yet. 

Ellen von Unwerth is a contemporary German photographer with very provocative style. She shoots women with strong personalities, sassy and independent who embrace their sexuality.

Having been a fashion model herself, Ellen creates a relaxed, friendly and free environment for her models, which allows her to capture authentic chemistry between her and the models.

Ellen has shot editorials for magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, i-D and many more. Along with publishing several books she has also produced short films and directed music videos, including this one:

Heres the selection of some of her amazing works:

The Fahey/Klein Gallery is located at 148 North La Brea, between First Street and Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA 90036 Hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday

Images via: artpages.org, glamour.com, GQ Magazine, OUT Magazine, huffingtonpost.com, artnectar.com

Small Business Saturday

First there was Black Friday, a day of frenzied on-sale shopping that for me has turned into 'the day I stay away from most places'. Then came the whole world wide web thing, which many thought would never reach the masses (hehe), and Cyber Monday was born. Now there's something for us small folk: Small Business Saturday. While we here at UNIQUE think every day should be Small Business Day, we are excited to spread the word for the 2nd annual event (November 26th). This year after spending time with loved ones, enjoying great food and sneaking in a nice nap during Thanksgiving, how about you support a local small business? Visit a neighborhood shop, buy local produce, get a thank you card for the cook who made your great Thanksgiving feast. But while out and about, what's even more important to me is that you look for locally-made, Made in the USA goods. That will truly help our economy because it's not just the small business/retailer that you're helping but also the supplier (designers/artists/farmers/etc.). Gooooo team!

*Share your story! Please come back and comment/share your tale of Small Business Saturday with us... We'd love to hear from you!

Image by Thomas Hawk

To Do: Tour Downtown Lofts

Okay, okay, you've heard it a lot lately: Downtown LA is becoming a hot-bed for art, design, food, mixology and all-things-cool. People tell you "it feels like a real city" but you're skeptical.However, if you are intrigued with moving to Downtown or just curious to see what is going on, we've got the perfect opportunity to do so!

The Downtown Center Business Improvement District has organized a free housing tour to provide an introduction to the many neighborhoods of Downtown. The tour showcases 6-7 residences that are available for lease or sale, so you can judge what it's like to live downtown for yourself.

Being a Downtown LA resident for almost three years, I love the urban feeling that downtown boasts. People actually walk on the sidewalks here, so there are always people 'out and about', unlike in the rest of the city. You can turn in any direction and go for dinner or find a hot new spot for drinks. One thing that I like is that there are numerous farmers markets held throughout the week, so getting fresh produce is just a walk away. Downtown is truly in its revival state. Plus from what I've heard there are a few big retail destinations slated to open in the next couple of years, which will help complete the area.

If you've ever thought about moving downtown, this is definitely something you should do. The next tour is on November 19, it starts at 10am and takes about 4 hours. It's free, you just need to sign up here.

DTLA Movie Nights

UCLA Film & Television Archive partnered with The Million Dollar Theater on Broadway to bring back movie nights to Downtown LA every Wednesday night.

Most of the screenings will be double features, usually grouped either by same director, sci-fi flicks or film classics. This week features David Cronenberg's The Fly (1986) and Videodrome (1983). Other features include Lawrence of Arabia, Dennis Hopper's Easy Rider, Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein, and 1978 Superman. Last screening of the year will be a Rock Opera Double feature with Tommy (1975) and Jesus Christ Superstar (1973).

Tickets are available at The Million Dollar Theaters box office only, an hour before program start time on the day of the show. Tickets are $10.

The Million Dollar Theater: 307 South Broadway Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Click here for the Full Schedule of the Movies