Biltmore Hotel

Live at LA Live

I visited LA Live to see what people were doing out on a Sunday night. Check out what the newcomers and the regulars are saying about the center of the Entertainment District.

Copy paste the link below and click on the Version #2 egg


http://aviary.com/artists/jp90033/creations/la_downtowner#versions


Jessica Perez

sounds of the GRAMMY MUSEUM

Take a quick walk with me through the Grammy Museum in downtown's LA Live. If it sounds good to you, check out the website at www.grammymuseum.org.

Rachel Sulprizio

grammy museum.egg on Aviary.

A voice fit for a King

Bob Miller, announcer for the LA Kings, has lots to say about talking.

-Rene Vela

The Voice of the LA Kings.egg on Aviary.

New Regal Theater Premiers with Michael Jackson's This Is It

The Regal Theater at LA Live opened on Wednesday Oct. 28 with the premier of Michael Jackson's This Is It. For the first week that's the only movie that was showing. I went for the 4:10 showing of MJ's This Is It, which shows MJ's last few months rehearsing. It’s kind of boring for those who aren’t huge fans, but for those who are, it’s more than worth it to go watch it. It’s like having a backstage pass to watch your favorite performer do his thing.

The prices for adult tickets are $11 and snacks are a little higher as well, but not very different from other places. A large popcorn, a soda and a slushi were about $18. Parking is $5 if you get it validated when you buy your ticket. So if you plan on going there on a date, be prepared to spend at least 50 bucks.

The theater is really nice inside and out... from when you get in line to when you're sitting in a row of steep seats in a room that seats hundreds. The fact that it’s brand new and expensive really shows. The outside has big lights that spell out regal 14 and on each floor there are big windows all around the outside which allow people to see all the lights from the buildings outside.

The inside has a lot of space and beautiful purple crystal fixtures hanging from the ceiling. The service was pretty good. Everyone, at least the people we spoke with, was nice and actually tried to help (telling us to get our ticket validated, guiding us to the right floor/room…). They sell snacks on each level (I believe there are 3), which makes it more convenient for the movie goers. They also show the number of calories for each snack on the menu, which is something I’ve never seen before. It’s an interesting idea, but if I would have actually read how many calories I was about to consume, I wouldn’t have gotten anything.

The parking wasn't out of control, but when we left it was about 6-6:30 and there were way more cars than when we got there. There was a long line waiting to get in the parking structure and we had to go behind the parking structure in order to get out of there. What time you go really makes a difference.
The seats were comfortable, the building was nicer than any other theater I've been to and the traffic wasn't bad at the time we went. There was really nothing bad about it and I'll be seeing more movies there.



Amara Velador

Wurstkuche

800 E 3rd St
213 687 4444



At the urging of my Swiss mother I ended up at Wurstkuche which translated, means "sausage kitchen" in German. It is located in the depths of downtown tucked deep in an area that a few years ago many wouldn't have dared to enter, but on this day we happily waltzed into this part of town with wonder and excitement. Its so hip, so "New Yorkish". I went in pretty much without any preconceived notions. The exterior has that old farmhouse feel. The cool barn like doors lead you into a small little non descript area where you place your order. It all seemed pretty simple until you look a bit closer
Rattlesnake and Rabbit with jalapeno Sausage? Yeah, you read correctly, in addition to the standard bratwurst and kielbasa they also serve an array of "Exotics" Including Buffalo, Alligator and Duck sausages.
Once we placed our order, we headed back down a long dark hallway to the dining area which was incredibly cool. If you don't consider yourself a cool person, being here just makes you feel cool. I had the bratwurst topped with caramelized onions and spicy peppers, it was very hearty and flavorful. We shared the fries that came with your choice of two dips they were great(a bit rich and I felt the need to drink water, but still yummy).
They have a bar that serves 24 different beers on tap as well as a variety of other beers from around the world. The most popular being the German Franziskaner. They also serve Duvel Green which is a more rare Belgian beer.
I enjoyed my lunch here and left feeling pretty cool. Word has it the evenings are even cooler.



Yvonne Maisonette Cohen

Street Chow...Do you dare?

Sure Downtown LA’s full of innovative, classy restaurants with modern menus and posh décor, but in case you didn't know it, it’s also home to some of the tastiest, cheapest and fastest treats out there…and I’m not talking fast food. These delicacies include fresh fruit salads, churros, corn on the cob, and the famous bacon wrapped hot dogs all coming from entrepreneurs we call street vendors.

Walking through the streets that house the very crowded Fashion District, I came across a number of street vendors yelling out whatever chow they had for sale. Although many may find street food to be an unsanitary and unhealthy choice for a meal, I, like many others, couldn’t help myself.

As soon as I took a whiff of the bacon cooking and veggies grilling, I knew I found my first course: the bacon wrapped hot dog.

Although the combination of a white bun, pork wiener wrapped in bacon, and a grilled medley of onion and bell peppers was not on my diet plan, I had found my new guilty pleasure. In addition to the grilled medley stacked on top, today I added ketchup, mustard, and a side of grilled jalapeno for nibbling. Additional ingredients include mayonnaise, relish, and guacamole. The service was fast, every bite was delicious and all for $3, or two for $5.

For dessert I walked to the corner of Maple and 11th where I came across a man selling churros. He did not have a licensed cart like my hot dog vendor did so I was taking more of a risk with this one, but I do love me some churros! The bag of 3 small churros was $1. They were sweet smothered in cinnamon and sugar, but a bit cold and stale—the down side to buying off a man with no cart to keep them warm in.

I’m pretty game about trying new food, and I’m no stranger to street goodies, but if you’re worried about disease and sanitation, I advise you to buy off of licensed food handlers only. In most cases they are required a total of four permits, which should be posted on their carts or trucks. These vendors are tested, regulated and inspected by several health and safety parties. To sample for yourself, you can visit hundreds of street vendor-friendly areas in LA, but you can bet the Downtown Fashion District will have a variety seven days a week. Eat at your own risk!

For a map of the Fashion District click on link
http://local.yahoo.com/info-20463238-la-fashion-district-los-angeles


Jessica Perez