Category: DTLA

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The Best Deals for Dine L.A. Week

Don’t miss out on some of the best dishes available during LA’s favorite bi-annual restaurant event. Dine L.A. will be gone before you know it and so will these amazing opportunities to try the best in cuisine the city has to offer!

Ma’am Sir

Silverlake

The relatively-new upscale-Filipino spot was one of our picks for the best new restaurants of 2018 thanks to chef Charles Olalia, who first made a name for himself at the no-frills Rice Bar downtown before expanding into this beautifully designed date-friendly Silverlake location. For DineLA, they’re doing a 3-course dinner for $39 that includes a glass of wine.
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Hollywood

Another best-new-restaurant pick, this steakhouse from Jimmy Kimmel’s best pal/BBQ expert Adam Perry Lang’s part of DineLA’s new “exclusive” series, which highlights some of LA’s most high-end spots. It’s worth it here, though: there’s a room especially for dry-aged steaks below the restaurant, and Lang puts intense amounts of care into each cut. The steakhouse’s special menu is a $115 five-courser — pricey, but a huge savings on their traditional dinners.

Fundamental LA/Fundamental DTLA

Westwood/Downtown

The beloved casual mini-chain has locations in both Westwood and Downtown that are great for a quick lunch or a more sit-down-y dinner. Though they’ve got a four-course for $39 option in the evening, Stacey’s pick is for their great lunch deal: $15 gets you a sandwich or salad, a side, and a dessert or a drink.

Eight Korean BBQ

Koreatown

This KBBQ restaurant is known for eight different flavors of pork belly, which usually sets you back $60 — but during DineLA’s, the special menu here drops 4 flavors of pork belly, seafood and soybean stew, and mozzarella fried rice for $39.

Superfine Pizza

Downtown

This new-ish pizza spot’s from the chef behind beloved Italian restaurants Rossoblu and Sotto; here he’s using his deep Italian know-how for thin-crustiness that draws from both the NYC and Neapolitan styles of pie. For DineLA, he’s slinging whole pies with a salad and two drinks for $29, a crazy-good deal for a couple on a casual date-night.

Lawry’s

Beverly Hills

The beloved steakhouse is known for tableside service and old-school hospitality in totally Grandma-friendly digs — in keeping with that trend, the special menu is intent on filling you up for DineLA with BOTH a lobster tail and prime rib (!!). You also get their famous spinning salad, a side, and a dessert for $59 all-in.

Hip Hot

Monterey Park

A Jonathan Gold favorite (of course), this SGV Sichuan spot’s known for their spiciness — in fact, Mr. Gold called said their crab is stir-fried with “ungodly amounts of chiles and szechuan peppers.” If you’re into the heat, though, during DineLA, for $29, you’re getting an app, an entree, soup, dessert, and a coconut water to chill out your palate in between bites.

189 By Dominique Ansel

Mid-City

When Dominique Ansel — the inventor of the cronut and other sweet goodies — opened up his first full-service restaurant last year, the food world took a collective breath: Could he pull off savory as well? The answer’s a resounding yes, although the desserts are still the star of the show to many; at DineLA you’ll get to try ‘em both, since the $49 deal includes three courses (plus coffee!)

The Bellwether

Studio City

Ted Hopson’s bistro-ish spot in Studio City was one of the, uh, bellwethers of the Valley’s emergence as a dining destination. He’s going for broke with their deal, with eight choices on their DineLA menu and patrons picking any three for a $39 dinner: Options include wagyu steak tartare, meatballs, and the cheeseburger.

Fishing With Dynamite

Manhattan Beach

David LeFevre’s tiny seafood spot has been a long-standing neighborhood standby, thanks to its quaint charm and — more importantly — LeFevre’s penchant for getting the best seafood in town, all the time. The raw bar platter’s the longtime favorite, and it’s one of the offerings during DineLA as part of a four-course menu that also includes a glass of bubbly for $59 — a totally ridiculous deal.

Viale Dei Romani

West Hollywood

James Beard-nominated chef Casey Lane’s been an LA favorite for years thanks to Venice’s beloved Mediterranean spot Tasting Kitchen; his new Viale Dei Romani at the La Peer hotel has a gorgeous firepit-abetted courtyard and beautifully plated dishes. The lunch is the go-to for DineLA, but come hungry because $35 gets you four courses: a starter, a pasta, a protein, and dessert.

Courtesy of Thrillist.com

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Weekend Events: January 4-6, 2019

It’s a new year, it’s a new you. Whether or not you followed through on your resolutions so far in 2019, you deserve to treat yourself to a weekend of fun in LA. In the city of stars there is no shortage of thrills. We rounded-up the best “Angeleno” approved events to spruce up your first weekend of the year!

Read below for events happening in and round LA January 4-6.

Discover your inner Angeleno!

Friday, January 4th

First-Time Fridays at LACMA

You haven’t been to LACMA you say? Well luckily for you, LA’s Contemporary Museum of Modern Art accepts this and offers First Time Fridays. This monthly event invites guest to explore the museum from 3:00pm-8:00pm for LA residents. If you let the ticket office know it is your first visit to LACMA, you will receive a free poster and discounts at the LACMA store, LACMA Cafe and C+M.

Click here for more details.

Abbot Kinney First Fridays

AK’s neighborhood block party returns this Friday on the “coolest block in America”. Whatever your craving, you’ll be sure to find something with new and old food trucks joining the event and merchant discounts plus late hours.

Click here for more details.

LA Lakers vs. New York Knicks

NBA tickets to see the Los Angeles Lakers play the New York Knicks are sure to be selling quickly! Fans from both sides of the nation won’t want to miss this exciting regular season game! If you want to be there to catch all of the action you’d better act now. Secure your seats so you can cheer on your favorite team!

Click here for more details

Saturday, January 5th

Watson Adventures’ Thrilla at the Getty Villa

Roam for Romans on a unique scavenger hunt that transports you to ancient Greece and Rome via the Getty Villa. You’ll follow a trail of clues and answer fun, tricky questions. Discover facts you never knew about the odd aspects of gods, goddesses, and the inventors of the toga party.

Click here for more details

Golden Globes Foreign Language Nominee Symposium

Discover the best foreign language films of 2018. This year’s five nominees include Capernaum from Lebanon, Girl from Belgium, Never Look Away from Germany, Roma from Mexico, and Shoplifters from Japan. The symposium will also include a free roundtable with the Directors for each of the nominated films. The panel will be moderated by Mike Goodridge, former HFPA member and VP turned festival director and programmer. Advance sale tickers are available until 5:00pm January 4 but will still be available for standby the day of.

Click here for more details

Bricks LA 2019

Come share your love of Lego and discover hundreds of fan created models at the Pasadena Convention Center ! Enjoy their vendor area with new, used, and unique brick accessories as well as building techniques and panel discussions. It will be a weekend of fun for all ages.

Click here for more details

Sunday, January 6

Annual Carroll Shelby Cruise-In

Come see some of the fastest, rarest and most beloved Shelby’s of all time. The Petersen will celebrate Carroll Shelby’s birthday by having a cruise-in on the third floor parking structure of the museum. All car enthusiasts are invited to participate in the car show and contest. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Click here for more details

A Faery Hunt Magical Adventure

Named by Nickelodeon the “Best Children’s Theater” in Los Angeles, A Faery Hunt delights as a magical adventure. Auntie Angelica leads the audience on a gentle journey to help the Faery royalty! With the help of the audience and the Faeries, it’s a musical filled afternoon with fun, laughs and surprises.

Click here for more details

LA Kings Holiday ICE at L.A. Live Final Day

Just because the holidays are over, doesn’t mean the fun has to be. Don’t miss out on the last day of the LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. Live. Skate your way through the weekend as a family fun activity or date night.

Click here fore more details

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A Handy Guide For The Perfect Day In DTLA

Downtown L.A. is one of the most culturally vibrant, diverse and exciting neighborhoods in all of Los Angeles. As an explorer there’s a lot to see, do, and taste. In fact, there’s so much packed into such a small area you might wonder… where do we begin?

Well, with a little help from  OUE Skyspace LA, We Like LA created a handy guide that clues visitors in to some the best free things to do in the neighborhood, showcases DTLA’s unique history, and culminates in the most spectacular view of Los Angeles you could possibly imagine.

Sound like that might be something you’re into? Good. Now let’s get to it!

The Last Bookstore

The Last Bookstore. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

Marvel at The Last Bookstore

The Last Bookstore boasts one of the largest collections of and new and used books and records in all of California. It’s also one-of-a-kind space that hosts events, talks, and workshops on a regular basis. The main shopping floor is punctuated by massive columns that shoot up towards cloud-high ceilings. On the second level you’ll find more genres to browse, plus a whimsical book archway and corridor that’s more than a little Insta-worthy.

Stroll over to the Bradbury Building

Go a half block up from the Last Bookstore, take a right on Broadway, walk five minutes and you’ll find yourself at The Bradbury Building. With its iron railings, glass ceilings, and unmistakable birdcage elevators, The Bradbury is a living piece of art history that’s made cameos in numerous notable films including Blade Runner and 500 Days of Summer. And the best part? The first two floors of The Bradbury are free to explore during normal building hours.

Grab lunch at Grand Central Market

Directly across the street from The Bradbury Building you’ll find Grand Central Market, a 30,000 square-foot arcade and marketplace that’s been in continuous operation for over a century. Hungry visitors will find dozens of vendors to choose from with options ranging from BBQ and gourmet coffee to oysters, ramen, seafood, and LOTS more. Take your time examining all the options and make it a meal worth remembering.

Angels Flight Railway

Angels Flight Railway. Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Take a ride on Angels Flight

Just northwest of Grand Central Market is another historic marvel: Angels Flight Railway. Once billed as “the world’s shortest railcar” Angels Flight was original built in 1901 as a practical means to transport Bunker Hill residents to the rest of Downtown south of Hill Street. After periods of on-again, off-again service, Angels Flight is back up and running offering one-way fares for just one dollar. Take a ride and experience life as an early twentieth century commuter on your way to your next location.

Interior of The Broad. Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.

Spend an afternoon at The Broad

Downtown’s largest art Museum features over 2000 works its collection, including a pair of world famous Infinity installations designed by artist Yayoi Kusama. The Broad offers free general admission, and advance online tickets are distributed for reservation on the first of every month. Although reservations are recommended, same day tickets are available through an onsite standby line with first-come, first-served access.

Enjoy the views at OUE Skyspace

Now that you’ve had a chance to take in some of the sights up close, there’s no better place to marvel at the splendor of it all than at the stunning perch of OUE Skyspace. From nearly 1,000 feet above the city in the iconic US Bank Tower, OUE Skyspace LA is the premiere destination for panoramic, 360-degree views of Los Angeles. Enjoy the thrill of a ride on the world’s first ever Skyslide or grab a drink at the all new Skyspace bar. We honestly can’t think of a better way to cap the day than with a trip to Skyspace. The view is just the beginning!

And keep in mind there’s no better time to visit! Right now, Skyspace is giving away a family fun-day four pack for We Like LA readers. Enter to win by commenting on THIS @WeLikeLA Instagram post. This pass includes unlimited Skyslide rides for kids and access to all levels of the attraction. Also remember that Skyspace is offering a special promo code that gets you $5 off any ticket, so even if you don’t win the giveaway, you’ve still got a great chance to save!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkQvUcQhwBq/?utm_source=ig_embed

Wherever your adventure takes you, we hope this guide has been a useful tool in helping you plan your own perfect day in DTLA. Mostly we just want you to open your eyes and take a look.

We have a feeling you’re going to like what you see.

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

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‘Cat Art Show’ Returns to DTLA

The biennial Cat Art Show is returning to Los Angeles for the third time, filling DTLA’s Think Tank Gallery with kitty-inspired work from over 100 different artists, starting Thursday, June 14.

Cat Art Show’s Susan Michals, who also founded CatCon, is a former journalist and current cat enthusiast. She said she created these feline-centric events as a way for people to connect in the real world as opposed to the virtual one, and to share experiences together. After all, cat videos have siphoned countless hours of our time, but it’s nothing compared to gathering with your fellow cat lovers to look at a trove of cat art.

“Cats are beautiful creatures, both inside and out, and have been revered since the days of ancient Egypt,” Michals says. “They can be found in museums the world over.”

She points to a 2015 Brooklyn Museum exhibit, Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt, which contained a bevy of objects including sculptures, amulets, and even cat-shaped wooden coffins meant to house cat mummies. The exhibit toured to a handful of other museums, including the Smithsonian in D.C. in 2017. According to Antonietta Catanzariti, a curatorial fellow with the Smithsonian at the time, Egyptians did not worship cats as gods, contrary to popular belief. They were actually associating the behavior of cats—the way they might hunt or protect their families—to specific deities.

“For some people, it’s quite hard to see how that works, but then when you think about how a cat you own has a hunting attitude or is more relaxed, it can be related to Egyptian gods and goddesses,” she told the Washington Diplomat. “Don’t think of Egyptians as worshipping animals, but as observing the natural world.”

It’s not so far off from associating a cat with, say, grumpiness or the desire to buy a boat. So when you think about it, humans have, in a way, been making cat art and cat memes for a long, long time.

Dr. Paul Koudounaris, “Mewcifer” Photo: Cat Art Show

Cat Art Show has grown over the years, now featuring more artworks than ever before. While they saw some 4,500 guests in 2014, Michals says they’re expecting about 10,000 visitors over the course of this year’s 10-day run. These guests might find work from “godfather of pop-surrealism” Mark Ryden, German photographer Ellen von Unwerth, and Los Angeles’ own Dr. Paul Koudounaris, who will also present a lecture on cats throughout history on June 21.

Michals has several pieces she’s excited to see in this year’s show, including Tiffany Sage’s painting “Apollo and Garfield,” in which an orange tabby is cradled by a person in a Garfield mask. There are also two pieces from Serbian painter Endre Penovác, whose watercolor cats bleed into the paper like a passing apparition. Scott Hove, who previously installed a ‘cake maze‘ at Think Tank Gallery in 2016, now offers a cat sculpture in the same style, called “Kittycake.”

Some of the artwork is political, like Rose Freymuth-Frazier’s “Divine Intervention,” in which a fluffy, white cat with amber eyes places one paw on a stuffed Trump toy. Other pieces are more playful, like Penelope Gazin’s “Pussy Princess,” in which a beautiful woman in a green gown wears a similar fluffy, white cat on her head.

“I love Jayne Mansfield and [the piece] reminds me of her, plus it’s got a great camp quality to it that reminds us to lighten up and have a laugh,” Michals said.

Proceeds from the Cat Art Show will benefit two different charities: Kitten Rescue, a volunteer-run rescue for homeless kittens and cats, and the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which, among other efforts, offers funds to low-income pet owners for emergency animal care. (If you ever feel like becoming a volunteer at Kitten Rescue, their Atwater Village no-kill sanctuary always needs people to help socialize and care for their animals.)

And yes, Michals does have a cat of her own: a Maine Coon named Miss Kitty Pretty Girl, rescued from a South Central shelter when she was just eight weeks old on what was to be her last day. Miss Kitty is now 13 and Michals calls her, appropriately, “The Muse.”

Alexey Sovertkov, “Triptych” Photo: Cat Art Show

Cat Art Show opens today, June 14, at Think Tank Gallery, located at 939 Maple Ave. in the Fashion District. The exhibition runs through June 24.

There will be a public opening on June 14 from 8 to 11 p.m. with a full cash bar, vegan food via Beyond Vegan, and a photo booth from Vetted Pet Care. Tickets are $10. Starting June 15, gallery hours will be daily from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free on weekdays and $5 on weekends.

On June 21 from 7 to 10 p.m., Dr. Paul Koudounaris will present his lecture, Feline Frolic: An Evening of Famous Feline History with PURRlesque PURRformances by Vanessa Burgundy and Iza La Vamp. Cash bar. Tickets are $20.

On June 23 from 7 to 10 p.m., there will be a closing party with adoptable kittens from Kitten Rescue LA and a photo booth via Vetted Pet Care. Tickets are $25 and include two cocktails. Find all ticketing info here.

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

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New Rooftop Movie & Music Series Coming to DTLA

A new rooftop music and film series is coming to Los Angeles, this one boasting excellent views of downtown. Skyline Sound + Cinema is a partnership among The Bloc, ALT 98.7 and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and it kicks off June 21 with a sing-along screening of The Greatest Showman.

The Bloc is the result of massive renovations to Macy’s Plaza and Broadway Plaza, which converted what Curbed LA referred to as one of the city’s ugliest buildings into a pedestrian- and transit-friendly, open-air plaza with retail, restaurants, and more. The Bloc will also contain Los Angeles’ first Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, though no official opening date has been announced.

In the meantime, the Austin-based theater will host a summer rooftop series on the Bloc’s massive roof featuring music curated by ALT 98.7 followed by a film. Each screening has room for 800 guests, according to a release.

The inaugural event will feature music from singer-songwriter Cary Brothers. Then, guests are invited to sing along with the 2017 musical drama The Greatest Showman, which stars Hugh Jackman in a loose retelling of circus entertainer P.T. Barnum’s life story.

Future events are planned for July 12, July 26, and August 9, but screening details have not been announced.

The Greatest Showman screening takes place on Thursday, June 21. Doors are at 6:30 p.m., music from the Cary Brothers is at 7:30 p.m., and the screening begins at 8:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be available until 9:30 p.m. via variety of vendors. Tickets are $25. 21+.

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

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Arts District's Newest Museum Set To Open This Weekend

This weekend a familiar local art institution is opening in a fresh space, under a new name.

On Saturday, Sept. 9 The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA), formerly known as the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA), will open the doors on a new 12,700-foot facility located on the south side of the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles.

ICA LA’s new digs include 7,500-square-feet of exhibition space, a designated area for public programs, plus offices. Still yet to open is a cafe, which is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2018. And here’s the part you’ll want to note: Admission, both for the opening celebration and ongoing visitation, is free!

ICA LA Courtyard

“now I’m going to tell you everything” is the inaugural project for ICA LA’s courtyard wall on 7th Street. Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.

After opening in 1984 SMMoA had spent it’s final 17 years as a tenant of Bergamot Station before shutting down in May 2015. For the past two-plus years former employees of the museum have been focused on looking for a new home, along with a strategy to rebrand and generate the operating funds necessary for a new endeavor. Now, all the hard work has come to fruition.

ICL LA has defined it’s mission as to “support art that sparks the pleasure of discovery and challenges the way we see and experience the world, ourselves, and each other,” according to the museum’s new website.

To launch that vision the museum will open with three exhibitions, all running through December 31, 2017:

– Martín Ramírez: His Life in Pictures, Another Interpretation features approximately 50 drawings and collages as part of the artist’s first presentation in Southern California.

– Sarah Cain: now I’m going to tell you everything is the inaugural project for ICA LA’s courtyard wall on 7th Street (see photo above).

– Abigail DeVille: No Space Hidden (Shelter) will be the artist’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles.

Additionally, the opening weekend of Sept. 9-10 includes several special activities, tours and talks to welcome the public to the new space.

Saturday features:

  • Bilingual guided tours of Martín Ramírez: His Life in Pictures, Another Interpretation at 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m.
  • Matchsticks and Mashed Potatoes workshop on collage drawings and alternative image-making in the spirit of Martín Ramírez from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Performance by Los Jornaleros del Norte (The Day Laborers of the North) at 5 p.m.

Sunday features:

  • Migrar storybook reading and art workshop with Spanish-language children’s bookstore LA librería and Book Arts LA from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • A conversation with leading scholars of Latin American art and culture: James Oles, Rubén Gallo, Josh Kun, and conservator Harriet Stratis, moderated by Elsa Longhauser, discussing the life and work of Martín Ramírez from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
  • An interactive dance class by Cambalache, featuring Maestro Cesar Castro, Xochi Flores, Chuy Sandoval, and Juan Perez from 4 to 5 p.m.

ICA LA is located at 1717 E. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90021.

Opening weekend (Sept. 9-10) hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ongoing hours thereafter will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wed. – Fri., and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sat.-Sun. Admission is free.

For more information on visiting ICA LA, or to help plan your visit, be sure to visit theicala.org.

Article courtesy of We Like LA.

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Angels Flight Set To Reopen This Week

The four-year wait is over: the Angels Flight funicular will reopen to the public on Thursday, August 31.

The famed downtown Los Angeles landmark has been undergoing renovations lately, following Mayor Eric Garcetti’s March announcement that the self-proclaimed shortest railway in the world would be operational again by Labor Day.

As detailed by Los Angeles Downtown News, a public-private partnership was formed by ACS Infrastructure, engineering firm Sener, and the non-profit Angels Flight Railway Foundation to create the Angels Flight Development Company. The AFDC has spent about $5 million updating the funicular, and is currently awaiting final approval by the California Public Utilities Commission. The last few months have seen an emergency stairway added to the rail line, along with an upgrade to the motors and other systems.

“I will be here riding it myself. That’s how confident I am in these engineers,” Garcetti said at the March press conference ahead of the overhaul.

Angels Flight originally opened at Hill and Third Streets, one block north from its current location, in 1901—only to close in 1969.

Original_AngelsFlight_DropIn_1200.jpg
The original location of Angels Flight at 3rd and Hill before its 1969 closure (left) and the present day 3rd and Hill (right). (Photos via Wikipedia (L) and Google Maps (R))

Since reopening at the base of California Plaza in 1996, the railway has faced something of a rocky history. In 2001, one of the cars derailed and slid down the track—it resulted in the death of one man and the injuries of seven others. Angels Flight closed for nine years following the incident as its operators dealt with legal settlements and approval by the CPUC. The funicular reopened in 2010, only to derail again in 2013, this time to no injuries. Thursday’s opening will mark the first return to public operations since then.

“People have worked very hard together to make sure it comes together and that safety is guaranteed,” Steven DeWitt of ACS Infrastructure told Downtown News.

Tickets for the funicular will be $1 (a doubling in price from 2013), and TAP Card holders will be able to purchase a ride for 50 cents. DeWitt told LAist that regular operating hours will be daily from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Article by LAist. 

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