Little Tokyo Walking Tour, via the Japanese American National Museum

Posted by M. Johnson on May 22, 2013

L.A. Magazine just did a whole thing on various Walking Tours available throughout the city (not available online).  I plan on working through them all over the course of the next couple of months.

This Walking Tour of Little Tokyo (Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum) was the first one I saw when assembling the latest version of the Calendar.  This one I might have to do.

Los Angeles has itself a new Mayor: Eric Garcetti.

Posted by M. Johnson on May 22, 2013

From the Los Angeles Times:

Three-term City Councilman Eric Garcetti’s relentless campaigning paid off early Wednesday as he decisively won a hard-fought race to become Los Angeles’ next mayor, scoring well with voters across the sprawling city and even challenging rival Wendy Greuel on her home turf in the San Fernando Valley.

 

Garcetti took 54% of the vote compared with 46% for Greuel in preliminary results, ending speculation that the race was so tight that a winner might not be known for weeks. Some mail-in ballots must still be counted, but they are not expected to significantly change the results.

“We have sent a message tonight and that message is that L.A. is ready to put the recession in the rear-view mirror and to become the city of opportunity that I grew up in once again,” Garcetti said early Wednesday in thanking his supporters.

 

Turnout was about 19%, a bit higher than the initial numbers in the March primary election, but still among the lowest on record. About 345,000 ballots were cast in city races.

 

The election also ended the one-term political career of City Atty. Carmen Trutanich, who was soundly beaten by former Assemblyman Mike Feuer, and swept Ron Galperin, a little-known Century City lawyer, to victory as the city’s next controller.

KCRW: Roy Choi on SPAM; Filipino Food in LA; Sushi Etiquette

Posted by M. Johnson on May 21, 2013

KCRW in Los Angeles did a program on the Los Angeles Food Scene, and it’s available for download and Podcast. Roy Choi was a part of the program, talking up his love of Spam.  (Made me think about one place in particular.)

There’s other stuff, of course:

Marvin Gapultos shares some of his favorite Filipino dishes from his new cookbook The Adobo Road, and Roy Choi discusses his unabashed love of SPAM. Los Angeles magazine dine editor Lesley Barger Suter offers tips on sushi etiquette and where to find some of the best sushi in LA. Jonathan Gold enjoys a deconstructed eggplant parmesan at Riva Bella, and Jason Neroni talks about his new wave pasta techniques at Superba Snack Bar. Plus, LA Times writer Jessica Gelt takes a new social media ride sharing app for a spin during peak drinking hours. At the market, Laura Avery talks to Matt Strom about the apricots at Frog Hollow Farm and Amelia Saltsman is inspired by a 1911 recipe from the LA Times for a savory cherry salad.

Arroyo Chop House

Posted by M. Johnson on May 21, 2013

The best red-leather, first-class, star-of-the-show-is-your-steak, this-is-how-it’s-done restaurants in all of Southern California.

We’ve updated our post on the Arroyo Chop House…

Posted by M. Johnson on May 21, 2013

Went back to the Arroyo Chop House, after a visit from my dear ol’ Dad. As always the food and the service were all first class.

But this update (made to the Important Safety Tip section) tells you why even though the Arroyo Chop House may just have the best bread in town…maybe you shouldn’t order it.

Let’s just say there are limits to the human stomach.

COMING SOON! Breaking Ground: 20th-Century Latin American Art at the Norton Simon Museum

Posted by M. Johnson on May 20, 2013

…and the good news is, we’re getting even more Latin Art. This time at the Norton Simon Museum.

From the Norton Simon Website:

In celebration of Latino Heritage month, the Norton Simon Museum presents an exhibition of works from 20th-century Latin American artists. Spanning a 50-year period from 1931 to 1985, the featured artworks demonstrate how artists broke new ground, leaving behind or drastically altering artistic conventions to explore diverse forms of modernism.

Norton Simon, you’re not trying to compete with LACMA, are you?

If you, please continue...after all, more art for us.

Today! Flavorful Shortcuts to Indian/Pakistani Cooking demostation and tasting at the Pacific Asia Museum

Posted by M. Johnson on May 19, 2013

Pasadena’s very own Pacific Asia Museum will be hosting a program featuring Farhana Sahibzada’s new Cookbook: Flavorful Shortcuts to Indian/Pakistani Cooking TODAY at 2pm.

Indian Dance @LACMA

Posted by M. Johnson on May 17, 2013

This something you don’t see everyday, especially at an Art Museum.

The Shakti Dance Company will be performing their piece Devadasi: The Eternal Dancer at the Bing Theater on May 18th, 2013, at 7pm.

Apparently, the dance tells the story of the Devadasis, translated as Servants of Gods in Sanskrit, which are figures in Hinduism. Basically (and I’m getting this from Wikipedia), the Devadasis are girls who are married to Hindu Deities and have to…well…dance in their temples for the rest of her life.

Doesn’t sound like much of a good deal on the face of it, but apparently the girls enjoyed a pretty high Social status as a result.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown COMPLETE Koreatown Episode

Posted by M. Johnson on May 16, 2013

Yeah, let’s see how long this lasts.  Until then, enjoy!

My main, number one criticism of this episode? I don’t know if I’d describe A-Frame as being in Venice (as he did), it’s really in Culver City…at least to l’il ol me.

Tomorrow night! Jazz @LACMA: The Wolfgang Schalk Quartet

Posted by M. Johnson on May 16, 2013

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)’s Friday night Jazz Concerts continue tomorrow night featuring the Wolfgang Schalk Quartet.

The wild, weird Ice Cream Flavors of the Nation’s Capital.

Posted by M. Johnson on May 15, 2013

No, this is not an L.A. Story, but it’s worth thinking about, as it’s about to get hotter than all get out…

Via my hometown, Washington Post, the weirdest, most interesting Ice Cream Flavors in the Nation’s Capital.

We’re getting some Central African Art @LACMA! Yes!!

Posted by M. Johnson on May 15, 2013

Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you, LACMA. We got our Stanley Kubrick. We got out Italian Masters. We got our Treasures from Northern China.

Finally, we’re getting us some African Art!

Barnes and Noble (The Grove location)

Posted by M. Johnson on May 14, 2013

One more spot to see the Stars (who have books to sell) while you’re in Los Angeles.