Discovering Downtown LA

New art gallery

webcubic — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:58:06 +0000

Sandy Bleifer is hosting her inaugural opening of her New Downtown Gallery.

Thursday, December 9 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Downtown LA Gallery 617 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles 90017

Little Tokyo

webcubic — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:13:45 +0000

When I was growing up, we frequently went to Little Tokyo. There was Sunday school at the LA Union Church, Chinese food (huh, Chinese in Little Tokyo?) at San Kwo Low, shoes at Asahi. When I started working, there was sushi at Tokyo Kaikan.

Over the years Little Tokyo changed a lot. Most of what I remember as a child is gone. In its place is the New Otani Hotel (it is another hotel now) and the Thousand Cranes restaurant, Japanese Village Plaza, and the loss of some character and charm.

We made a visit there recently and walked through the Japanese Village Plaza. This is one of the better shopping areas – it is clean, has a variety of shops and restaurants, and close to parking. Walking through the plaza, our granddaughters found the Hello, Kitty store. We didn’t buy anything there, but in about 45 minutes we were back to make buy trinkets.

We walked along 1st first for a block or so. Tokyo Kaikan was gone. Asahi Shoes was gone. But Bun Ka Do was still there. I noticed another change. I remember stores selling high tech equipment – cameras, calculators,digital watches, etc. We found only stores that sold sunglasses and trinkets.

There are a number of stores along Weller Court, which is near the New Otani. We didn’t get a chance to go there on this trip. It is generally less busy than Japanese Village Plaza.

There are a number of restaurants in the area, as you would surmise. The good news is that most of them have “A” stickers in them. The Thousand Cranes in the former New Otani hotel is the best that we remember. But we didn’t have time for a meal this trip.

For a good destination, consider Little Tokyo. If you live in Downtown Los Angeles (for example, at the Little Tokyo Lofts) you are only a few blocks from this area. Downtown living is a pretty good thing.

– Contributed.

New stadium?

webcubic — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:26:55 +0000

There are ongoing discussions about a new football / soccer stadium in the area of the convention center and Staples Center. What do you think?

Taste of the World Festival

webcubic — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 03:59:42 +0000

The Los Angeles Taste of the World Festival was to have been a unique series of events to be held annually in Los Angeles County to celebrate the food, music, art, culture and dancing from the countries and cultures found throughout the United States. Things change.

According to the festival’s website this event has been cancelled.

Visit the website to find out more and when the festival will be rescheduled. http://tasteoftheworldfestival.com/

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial Project

webcubic — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 03:12:46 +0000

The USC Institute for Genetic Medicine Art Gallery is extending invitations to the opening reception for the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Memorial Project.

DATE: Saturday, November 6 TIME: 4pm – 6pm

The USC Institute for
Genetic Medicine Art Gallery
2250 Alcazar Street, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Downtown Art Walk successful

webcubic — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 06:01:00 +0000

We heard on the news last night that the Downtown (Los Angeles) Art Walk was a successful. Where people were thinking recently that the “art walk” was in jeopardy, last night’s success have people thinking of expanding the event.

Today’s edition of the Los Angeles Times has an article on the Art Walk. Check it out!

Make the downtown area a destination!

Clifton’s new owner

webcubic — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 05:52:31 +0000

The downtown landmark, Clifton’s Cafeteria, will have a new owner. Several sources identified Andrew Meieran as the new owner of Clifton’s Cafeteria. Cafeteria fare will continue to be served.

69th annual Nisei Week festival

webcubic — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:34:26 +0000

The 69th annual Nisei Week festival will conclude in Little Tokyo this weekend. The even runs this year from August 15-23, 2009.

Go to http://www.niseiweek.org/ to learn about the activities and especially that are scheduled for this weekend.

Downtown ambassador

webcubic — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:53:09 +0000

On the second Saturday of each month you can be a Downtown ambassador. You can invite your non-Downtown friends to a Downtowners’ Dinner Party in your home or at a restaurant in Downtown LA! (Your fellow downtowners are welcome too.)

Show off your cooking skills, share your local favorite hot spots, or even set up a Downtown Dinner Hop.

See you there!

Recent new finds

webcubic — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:43:24 +0000

Exploring for new restaurants, we found these two recently.

Octopus Japanese Restaurant 727 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90017

There is a vibrant atmosphere at the Octopus Restaurant, which offers the finest authentic and fusion Japanese cuisine. It provides stunning contemporary décor, exquisite presentation, the freshest sushi, a world-class selection of premium sake, and hearty bento boxes.

Origami Bistro & Bar 257 S. Spring St. #101, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Origami offers Euro/Asian fusion dishes served tapas style along with the freshest sushi, and famous Kobe steaks. Dishes can be described as a wild culinary ride that blends European, Asian, and Latin sauces and techniques, leaving a memorable experience with every bite.