Urban Living in California

Photo: One of three route options from LA Streetcar, Inc.

Article from blogdowntown by Eric Richardson

Last summer I had the extreme privilege of visiting my friend in Hawaii. He was a most kind and gracious host, taking me and my two friends all over the main island to some of the best places to eat. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so well in such a short period of time. Coming back to L.A., I yearned for the fresh ingredients and inspiring flavors I found in my meals in Hawaii. With any luck, my search will end with Hawaiian Chicken, a newly opened restaurant located in L.A.’s Chinatown. Hawaiian Chicken’s main specialty lies in their purportedly delicious huli huli chicken, which is cooked over a pit of mesquite charcoal on a slow turning spit. Seasoned with a mix of secret spices, owner Eugene Hong’s chicken has been described to be perfectly crispy on the outside, amazingly moist on the inside, and tasty without being overwhelming. To find out more about Hong’s new restaurant, just refer to the L.A. Downtown News article “Big Chickens Keep On Turning“.

The puppet theatre that is! From September 7 through October 14 Ahmanson Theatre located on Grand Avenue in Los Angeles will be showing the Tony Award winning program Avenue Q. Co-created by Bobby Lopez and Jeff Marx, Avenue Q centers around the daily lives of several characters all living on the same street in New York – oh, and they happen to be puppets. Wanting to find a creative way to attract more people to musicals, Lopez and Marx created Avenue Q to help bridge people’s disbelief at the notion that real humans spontaneously burst into song. Witty, provocative, and bitingly humorous, Avenue Q brings a breath of fresh air to the musical theatre. L.A. Downtown News article “Puppet Regime” details more on the subject.

For ticket purchasing information visit the Ahmanson Theatre website.

Los Angeles has always been known as a place where you can work and more recently, has started to become known as a place where you can live and eat as well.  But what about work out?  For many health-conscious Angelenos, staying in top physical shape is an important part of their daily lives.  With dense residential structures a gym only several blocks away suddenly becomes an inconvenient drive in a city limited in parking.  For residents in the Toy Factory and Biscuit Company Lofts, this will no longer be the case.  Eric Gillman’s Physique gym is not only conveniently located inside the Toy Factory Lofts, just across the street from Biscuit Company Lofts, but it also specializes in high tech equipment and personal training, all at a reasonable price.  Located in the heart of L.A.’s urban development, Physique provides a service not easily attained by city residents.  Los Angeles Downtown News provides a more in depth look at Gillman’s promising new gym in their article “Building a Physique“.

Right before the cold of winter sets in, it is not uncommon that Angelenos are plagued by the fiercest heat of the summer.  The unrelenting sun of the past few days has made traveling into the city a most unpleasant task.  But what about those who reside within the city and are forced to withstand the unbearable heat?  Is there no refuge for these sweaty souls?  Perhaps the answer lies within the cool confines of the nearest paletería.  For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a paletería is any location that sells the fresh and delicious paleta popsicles indigenous to the Mexican culture.  A wonderland of both fruity and creamy flavors, paleterías are becoming more and more of a popular sight in the heavily Latino populated city of Los Angeles.  However, their Mexican roots have in no way deterred non-Latinos from indulging in this icy treat.  In fact paletería owners are eager to share this little piece of home with everyone.  Made by hand everyday with only the freshest of ingredients, it is hard for anyone to resist such an enticing dessert.  The Los Angeles Times writes more about this culinary phenomena that is slowly but surely taking root in our melting pot culture.  It even includes a recipe to make your very own paleta from the comfort of your home.

ICY, SPICY, COOL

Handmade paletas — Mexican ice pops — have traditional flavors and cutting-edge style.

By Betty Hallock

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