Questions for the People of Los Angeles

[JorgeC]

downtown up to Echo Park is a very close drive. You'll be fine. If you check out the "Best Bars in LA" thread you should find lots of stuff to do in downtown for food and drinking. Angel's Flight did go up from 25 cents to 50 cents but still a must.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

That hotel is not in downtown LA but in K-Town, which is actually perfect. You're a 5 minutes drive from The Echo, and you're across the street from the Wilshire/Normandie subway station, which will take less than 10 minutes to get downtown. Lots and lots of stuff to walk to both by your hotel, and downtown.

EDIT: That hotel is also about a 15 minute walk from the Wiltern.

EDIT 2: K-Town = Korea Town btw

[kreutz2112]

Sweet. Thanks guys. Just booked the hotel. Staying April 16 - 19. Looks like Wild Beasts tickets are still available too. Double sweet. Anyone else going to that show? I may try to go to other shows that week too, but my goal is to try and use those 4 days to detox, cleanse and rest before I have (get) to go back to Coachella.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Am I reading that right? You're going to both weekends? You kids are dedicated. As Drinkey mentioned you're dab smack in the middle of K'town there. Drinkey might disagree with this, but for the most part, I'd avoid any non-Korean cuisine in K'town. You're much better off heading just slightly east to downtown or slightly North/NorthWest to Hollywood, West Hollywood and the small adjacent neighborhoods.

A few miles west of your hotel on Wilshire is the Miracle Mile neighborhood where you can spend a day enjoying LACMA.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

For the most part I agree, especially since there is so much awesome Korean food, although an AMAZING little Italian place opened recently on 3rd and Ardmore called All' Angelo
http://www.yelp.com/biz/all-angolo-los-angeles

It's very cheap, and VERY good. The group of 4 I went with stuffed our faces and we can't wait to go back. They don't serve alcohol, but you can bring your own wine for no charge.

[JorgeC]

i'm going to the Wild Beasts show. I'll be getting there early for Superhumanoids.

[bmack86]

I'm thinkin' on doing the Wild Beasts show as well.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Anything fun going on Wednesday? I've got some family in town for the day. They're in their 20s. We're doing drinks/dinner downtown (Silo and Perch), but depending upon everyone's schedule we may have a couple of hours to kill in the late afternoon/early evening. I was going to suggest MOCA but it's closed on Wed. Suggestions welcome. Nothing west of Beverly Hills.

[Mugwog]

About a year or two ago my favorite indian spot in Hollywood closed down (Bombay Grill - Santa Monica/Martel by T. Joe's) - they made the best chicken tikka masala I've had in my life. Did some technique where they reddened the meat. No idea how they did it but it was savory.

Any recommendations from you folks?

[bmack86]

It's not the same type of indian (all vegetarian, south india style), but Paru's on Sunset is out of this world. My Indian family used to take me there all the time when I was in college. They make some really excellent dishes that are so huge in flavor.

There's also a place in Westwood on Pico called Jaipur that may be more what you're describing. I've never done the Tikka Masala there because I'm more of a curry/spicy sorta guy, but everything I've had there has been truly exceptional. This was another place my Indian family loved.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Electric Lotus on Los Feliz is fucking AMAZING

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

What are your favorite quiet (or relatively quiet) outdoor spots in LA? Places where you're away from the throngs and the noise? After living here just over two years I'm starting to find that the density, noise, clutter is getting to me. A dream vacation used to be a visit to some cosmopolitan city like Paris or Hong Kong. Now, I'd love somewhere quiet, open and green. Well, that's not happening for a while, so in the mean time, what you got?

Griffith Park is always nice; especially when not full of visitors.
Hikes at Runyon Canyon as well.
The Annenberg House on the beach in Santa Monica is beautiful and surprisingly empty each time I've visited.

What else?

[algunz]

Sturtevant Falls near Pasadena. I think that's how you spell it. It's been a long time since I've been out there, but it was a really nice hike.

[Mugwog]

Rat Beach in Palos Verdes n Muholland Dr

[JorgeC]

Huntington Library.

[Goatchella]

What are your favorite quiet (or relatively quiet) outdoor spots in LA? Places where you're away from the throngs and the noise? After living here just over two years I'm starting to find that the density, noise, clutter is getting to me. A dream vacation used to be a visit to some cosmopolitan city like Paris or Hong Kong. Now, I'd love somewhere quiet, open and green. Well, that's not happening for a while, so in the mean time, what you got?

Griffith Park is always nice; especially when not full of visitors.
Hikes at Runyon Canyon as well.
The Annenberg House on the beach in Santa Monica is beautiful and surprisingly empty each time I've visited.

What else?

Just drive towards the mountains...get to the 101,134 or 210 and check out different mountain locations from Malibu canyon to big bear.

[ods..]

Huntington Library.

Yes. And the Gardens!! One of my fav spots in the city.

Hit Pie and Burger on your way out/back. Mmmmmmm Pie and Burger.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Well, that was my fault. I should have been more specific. I meant central Los Angeles, not the greater Los Angeles area. Still, great suggestions. I haven't been to the Huntington since I was a kid.

[ThomThom]

The Getty Villa is serene.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Descanso Gardens is really pretty!
http://www.descansogardens.org/

[ThomThom]

For a quick fix and a way to get out without having to drive so far I usually just go to the Silverlake Reservoir and chill out on their large grassy area, otherwise it's the Getty Villa or bust.

[PlayaDelWes]

What are your favorite quiet (or relatively quiet) outdoor spots in LA? Places where you're away from the throngs and the noise? After living here just over two years I'm starting to find that the density, noise, clutter is getting to me. A dream vacation used to be a visit to some cosmopolitan city like Paris or Hong Kong. Now, I'd love somewhere quiet, open and green. Well, that's not happening for a while, so in the mean time, what you got?

Griffith Park is always nice; especially when not full of visitors.
Hikes at Runyon Canyon as well.
The Annenberg House on the beach in Santa Monica is beautiful and surprisingly empty each time I've visited.

What else?

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/0...round_la_1.php

[CaseSensitive]

About a year or two ago my favorite indian spot in Hollywood closed down (Bombay Grill - Santa Monica/Martel by T. Joe's) - they made the best chicken tikka masala I've had in my life. Did some technique where they reddened the meat. No idea how they did it but it was savory.

Any recommendations from you folks?

Have you been to Bollywood's in Studio City (off Ventura)? Order just chicken tikka (not tikka masala). Chicken tikka is flavored with tandoori so it is magenta, tikka masala has masala sauce on it, which is fine, just too heavy for my taste. Also, they have the friendliest service of any restaurant. Mmmmmm....naan

[ThomThom]

For Indian I recommend India Sweet House in West LA, Crown of India and Paru's in Hollywood, as well as Electric Lotus in Los Feliz.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Love Electric Lotus!

[PlayaDelWes]

One of the best weeks to be a sports fan in LA.

Thursday
Kings host Coyotes – Staples Center

Friday
Lakers host Thunder – Staples Center
Dodgers host Cardinals – Dodger Stadium

Saturday
Stage 7 of Tour of California (Ontario to Mt. Baldy)
Clippers host Spurs – Staples Center
Lakers host Thunder – Staples Center
Dodgers host Cardinals – Dodger Stadium
Chivas USA vs. LA Galaxy – Home Depot Center

Sunday
Stage 8 & Overall Finish of Tour of California (Beverly Hills to LA Live with 5 lap circuit downtown)
Kings host Coyotes – Staples Center
Dodgers host Cardinals – Dodger Stadium
Clippers host Spurs – Staples Center

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Not such a great week to be a driver in LA.

[RageAgainstTheAoki]

Okay, today has to officially be the most gorgeous day of the year thus far. Low 70s. Cool breeze. Crystal clear blue skies (for once!). Air smells... clean. Even Koreatown looks nice. I don't want to be back inside doing work.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Hrm - it's 81 but feels hotter here in the valley.

EDIT: yesterday was a totally gorgeous day to spend outside in Pasadena though.

[sonnyboy11]

Ya it really was perfect today. I worked out then laid by the pool. All those lucky girls getting to see my pale body. Hell, I'm so pale I'm practically sporting a greenish hue!

...but yea, a seriously beautiful day.