Los Angeles Maps

by Erik Olsen on

I have a rather bittersweet relationship with Los Angeles. On the one had, having lived there for most of my life, I feel like I know what the city has to offer culturally/historically, and I have always felt the town comes up wanting. To me, LA is a one industry town: TV/Film and if you are only mildly interested in these two things…or haven’t dedicated your lief to them…then you might not find LA the most inspiring place. That’s how I feel. But then again, living here in New York, I’m always hearing people bash the city, and more often than not this comes from people who either haven’t visited it, or have gone, but only saw Hollywood Boulevard, Disneyland (not even in LA!) and other tourist hot spots. To these people, I vigorously defend LA and protest that there’s much there to see and experience. See, I’m kinda mixed up?

All this is to direct you for the moment to an interesting resource I stumbled upon that shows lovely old historical maps of the City of Angels. I spent some time gazing at these beauties and found that they reveal much about how the city has developed and matured. Maps are often a great way to understand a place: how it was settled, how it developed, how people might have thought differently about it. these maps, if even in a small way, accomplish that. Kinda cool to check out if you’re from there (like Neil and myself) or not.

Tongdang Thai Kitchen – Brentwood, CA

by Adrienne Wilson on

There is no shortage of Thai restaurants in Los Angeles. In fact, there is an overabundance of places tucked in here and there, and around the corner from almost any neighborhood in the city. To taste test them all is a feat I can only dream to accomplish one day, but for now I cling to my favorites and venture out to a new one when the right opportunity presents itself. My most recent sampling comes from Tongdang Thai Kitchen located in Brentwood. While the food didn’t knock my socks off I wouldn’t not recommend it to someone in the area with a taste for Asian cuisine.

I ordered the Red Pineapple Curry with Chicken (pictured to the right) which was affordable, tasty and felt like a pretty healthy choice. The interior smelled of an assortment of Thai aroma and dishes making their way from the server’s hands to the tables that ordered them. Brightly colored in red and gold, spacious, open and highly welcoming the atmosphere is a huge plus for this Thai spot. The staff is super polite and will even teach you a bit of the language if you throw out a word or two. Overall, a nice place to fill up after raiding the shops in Brentwood.

Tongdang is located at 11677 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, CA 90049. Ph. 310-820-3200. Hours of operation are 11:30 AM to 10 PM daily.

Hollywood: Movies in the Graveyard

by Adrienne Wilson on

Long ago Erik mentioned a cool little place to stalk some of Hollywood’s A-list celebs while touring the streets of Los Angeles. Back then I remember being pretty surprised when he directed our attention away from the Star maps to point us to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, but it makes good sense now though. Known as the Resting Place of Hollywood’s Immortals the cemetery also plays hosts to some 1,200 plus guests on Saturday summer nights looking to check out a DJ spinning tunes, drink wine, be merry and watch a film after dark while lounging around the tombstones. Got goose pimples yet? So hanging with the deceased under the stars might not be the dinner date of choice for all prancing around Hollywood on their vaca, but if it sounds like the thing for you checkout Cinespia.org for details on the Saturday night screenings.

Tomorrow night I’ll be heading over with a few friends to watch Dressed to Kill starring Michael Caine and Angie Dickinson at 7:30 PM. Can’t make it this weekend? Other upcoming screenings include Manhattan on July 29th and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure on August 5th. Should you still fail to be convinced by my blurb or the one from DailyCandy featured a few weeks back, then check out Neil’s piece on Los Angeles’ plethora of free entertainment. Just keep in mind summer is almost over. What cool things will you have done with yours?

Photo of the Day (7/8/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on


Today’s photo is a B&W store front shot by Frank Jackson. Judging from the diverse range of food offered on the inside, I’d say this shot was taken in Los Angeles, but I could be wrong. Something about the picture just makes me laugh at how much I’ve never really been a fan of one stop food destinations. Places like China Latina or Buddah’s Amigo are hard sales. It’s got to be either tacos or Chinese food, not both in the same establishment. However, there is one exception to that rule, but that restaurant is in Tampa, FL and they serve both Cuban and Greek food. Check out more of Frank’s work by going here.

Los Angeles Gallery Featuring the Works of … Dennis Hopper

by Karen Walrond on

And you thought
Dennis Hopper was only known for acting, easy riding, and epic drug use:  turns out, he’s an artist as well. 
The Telegraph is reporting
that Dennis Hopper’s work is currently on exhibit at the Ace Gallery, in Los Angeles.  The work includes Hopper’s
photography and paintings — examples of hobbies which he has enjoyed, apparently, since he was 9 years old.

"I was always into art," says Hopper. "Being an actor, I had the time. It’s all part of the same
sensibility. I cannot imagine an artist who doesn’t want to be involved in the arts, and I think of acting as an
art."

His work is apparently appeals to collectors as well — according to The Times, during opening night at the
gallery, "Mr. Hopper sold five billboards, making $1 million (£575,500) in a few hours."

The
exhibit continues through July 1st.