Break Room 86

Go Metro and Discover Koreatown On the Purple Line

05/19/2016

Discover Los Angeles

Two of L.A.'s top hotels are conveniently located across the street from the Wilshire/Normandie station. The 388-room Line Hotel opened in January 2014 at the site of the former Wilshire Hotel. The Line combines its Mid-Century Modern heritage with an industrial-chic twist. Following a $5-million restoration, the Hotel Normandie's 91 rooms have been restored to their original Roaring 20s flair, with new, vintage-inspired furnishings, fixtures and tile work of the era.

Union Station

The Guide to the Metro Red Line: Part Two

05/16/2016

Esther Tseng

Served by both the Red and Purple Lines, the Wilshire/Vermont station is accessible to educational institutions such as Southwestern University and Robert F Kennedy Community Schools. Above the station is a mixed-use transit village development, with apartments and retail space in a building designed by architecture firm Arquitectonica. Dedicated platforms for eastbound trains are located on the upper level and westbound trains stop on the lower level.

Korean BBQ favorites like Soowon Galbi and Soot Bull Jeep are located a half-mile from the station. The Prince is as famous for its Korean-style fried chicken as it is for its classic decor and appearance on Mad Men.

Howard Johnson Los Angeles is conveniently located a block from the Wilshire/Vermont station.

"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios Hollywood

The Guide to the Metro Red Line: Part One

05/16/2016

Esther Tseng

Currently the northern-most station on the Red Line, the North Hollywood station also acts as a connector to the Orange Line, which was opened in 2005 and acts as transport into the San Fernando Valley.

The NoHo Arts District, which has many theatres and art galleries, North Hollywood Park, and many shops and restaurants are all accessible from the North Hollywood Station. The Federal Bar, Laemmle's NoHo 7 (which shows many indie, foreign and art house films), Idle Hour, Little Toni's, and the historic El Portal Theatre are a short walk away from the station.

Ooey Gooey Fries at Chego!

Where to Dine Near Dodger Stadium

04/11/2016

dine L.A.

It's time for Dodger baseball, which also means it's time for the iconic Dodger Dog and other Dodger Stadium fare. Outside the landmark ballpark, there are perennial go-tos like the classic French Dip at Philippe The Original or drink specials at the Short Stop. Read on for more dining options near Dodger Stadium in Chinatown, Echo Park and Silver Lake. Note: outside food is allowed at Dodger Stadium, so the guide includes take out options as well.

Downtown L.A. viewed from the Arts District

A Visual Walking Tour of the Arts District in Downtown L.A.

11/04/2015

Esther Tseng

Not sure what to do in downtown Los Angeles?  Stop by The Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles, one of the hottest neighborhoods in the DTLA area. From the area’s beginnings as Jean-Louis Vigne’s vineyard to an orchard growing mostly oranges and grapefruit, by the late 1800s it became an industrial center for railroads and manufacturing. Eventually, the railroads gave way to the trucking industry and industry moved to other L.A. County areas like Commerce in order to build larger buildings to accommodate their growing businesses.

In the 1970s, artists braved dangerous conditions and began to occupy the area’s dilapidated buildings, having been priced out of areas such as Venice and Hollywood. Eventually, they opened art galleries and began to develop these buildings themselves, thereby preserving a big part of L.A.’s industrial history.

The area again underwent another downturn in the 1990s before being saved by Joel Bloom and his supporters, who officially renamed the area the “Arts District.” Today, it is home to many creatives, including those in green technology, architecture and entertainment. Read on for a visual walking tour of this burgeoning urban oasis.

Mariachi Plaza

Taking In the Culture of East Los Angeles

09/18/2015

Javier Guillen

One of L.A.’s oldest neighborhoods, East Los Angeles has a lineage of culture that can be found in its shops, businesses, and community. No stranger to change, East L.A. has been the subject of recent transition. While community members have pushed to improve quality of life, they also stand on the front line protecting the neighborhood’s vibrant history and traditions. Quietly sporting some of the best restaurants (by far the best tacos), unique stores, budding businesses, and landmark locations, East L.A. is fundamental to the heritage of Los Angeles.

Cappuccino at Daily Dose

The Best Places for Coffee in the Downtown L.A. Arts District

09/08/2015

Discover Los Angeles

Since Urth Caffe opened in 2008, the Arts District in Downtown L.A. has become affectionately known as the “Coffee District,” home to some of the top third wave coffee purveyors in the city. Read on for the best places in the Arts District to get your caffeine fix and more.

Bradbury Building in Downtown L.A.

The Guide to the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles

08/09/2015

Tanja Laden

There's a reason why one of Downtown L.A.'s most vibrant districts is called the Historic Core. Located between Hill and Main Streets and 1st and 9th Streets, this eclectic neighborhood showcases many of the things that originally put Los Angeles on the world stage, including lovely parks, ornate movie palaces and other architectural marvels. It's also where visitors can experience places that have helped contribute to L.A.'s more contemporary reputation as a food and arts destination. With no shortage of beautiful buildings, cutting-edge art galleries, trendy bars and gourmet restaurants, the Historic Core is where L.A.'s golden era meets modern times.

Assorted sashimi at Asanebo

The Best Sushi Restaurants on Sushi Row and Beyond

08/06/2015

Clarissa Wei

Los Angeles is a wonderful place to be if you’re a Japanese food aficionado. There are entire neighborhoods dedicated to cuisine: Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, Sawtelle Japantown on the Westside, and the suburban Japanese culinary destination in the South Bay.

Sushi Row is a stretch of Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley that's named from the area's many raw fish specialists. Often overlooked when it comes to the conversation of sushi in Los Angeles, are the restaurants along Ventura outside of Studio City. While the majority of them are heavy on the rolls and cater to a more Westernized crowd, it’s a good choice for happy hour or if you’re planning an epic food crawl. Read on for the best sushi restaurants on Sushi Row and beyond.

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