Inner City Arts
Wow! I have never actually been here but my neighbors rave about it. They get to do projects with the Inner City Arts people at Para Los Ninos in Downtown LA. One, who is a fourth grader, brought home a canvas she had painted and it was amazing. I am looking to attend their teacher workshops in the Fall. This place is doing awesome work in the heart of our city.
Kipp La Prep
They are very rigorous and they place their programs in lower income communities to prepare students for college. But, I know many kids who have thrived and enjoy the school. I know some who have not liked the amount of homework and have stopped the school but most of the kids like it. The benefits must outweigh the costs or the kids right now are willing to push.
Vroman's Bookstore
I love this bookstore. Outside of Powell's City of Books in Portland, OR, this is my favorite bookstore. It is not a big chain, it has a great Architecture selection, including Craftsman-style photo books and Frank Lloyd Wright stuff. There is a good Children's book selection and they just opened a stationery store on the corner next to the theater. They also get some pretty cool people in there to sign there books.
Zona Rosa Caffe
I love the coffee drinks here but tend not to go because I usually can't find parking or seating here. It is tucked away on El Molino near the Pasadena Playhouse in a narrow space. But, when I have gone, I like to go upstairs because they have big, plush couches and reading material available.
Sam Woo Bar-B-Q
I go here with co-workers or a friend who works in Chinatown and usuallly they help me order. I like this place a lot and have been adventurous to try the salty pork dishes or even squid or there is this dish with egg and a kind of broccoli vegetable thing that is so bitter. But, they do have more familiar dishes like Beef with Broccoli or CHow Mein noodles. The service is pretty good although there has always been a lot of people here and so it is fast-paced.
Lollicup Teazone
Boba! Boba! Boba! This place is so close to my house and it sells good quality, chain-style boba drinks. I always tell myself I am going to risk it and get a taro snow bubble but I usually stay safe and get the Mocha Snow Bubble or Almond Milk Tea with Boba. The whole experience of boba is something everyone should try once.
El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historic Park
Learn about the history of our City of Angels, buy a churro or a bionico or maybe even a sombrero, and tour some of the museums located here. The Chinese American Museum, the Sepulveda House, Iglesia de La Reina de Pueblo de Los Angeles are some of those places you can visit for free, ( I think). Its rather fascinating to see how cultures co-existed and collided at the same time.
Roark Graphic Supplies
...I went here for my drafting supplies with my studio classmates. It is in the middle of the part of downtown that is at a crossroads, if you will, and it spotlights the changing dynamics in Downtown LA.
Mitsuwa Marketplace
My friend introduced me to this grocery store and I love it. Its the only place to get Kona Coffee Mochi Ice Cream and some other items that I don't know the English name for, I just know it by its packaging. You can also get Miso Paste, fresh fish and Pocky sticks in all different flavors. It is at one end of a small mall in Little Tokyo but parking is free.
Taqueria El Sol
I love the food but even more I love the design. It's colorful with all the chairs and tables carved intricately with birds and suns and other tropical inspired themes. I admit I don't know the name of the particular area in Mexico this kind of craftsmanship comes from but its truly amazing. Its in Boyle Heights near Mariachi Plaza but alas no mariachi perform here.
