L.A. Music Center: Disney Concert Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall (corner of S Grand Ave & 2nd St)

First in a post series about the Los Angeles Music Center.

Perhaps it's because of my childhood enjoyment of Lego bricks that lay the foundation for my continued wonder of architecture when traveling. That wonder continues with the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles and part of the city's Music Center. It is a perfect example of a building that sparks stares, curiosity and diverse comments.

Concert Hall steps leads to upper lobby.

Tours open the mystery of the unusual building for those interested in architecture or the performing arts. A garden park, an amphitheater, a porcelain rose-shaped fountain are among the worthwhile hidden delights to see within the structure's stainless steel curves. Explore the walkways on the building and spectacular views of Los Angeles appear. A must-see attraction. The only thing that would round off the tour is a performance at the center but that would have to be saved for another day.

Ground level lobby. Columns shape like tree also serves as air
conditioning ducts.

One of the interesting stories from the tour is about the highly reflective surface of the stainless steel exterior. It caused residents of nearby condominiums to suffer glare and rooms to become unbearably warm. This in turn caused air-conditioning costs for affected units to skyrocket. The building also caused hotspots on the sidewalk to raise temperatures to 140 °F (60 °C). The solution was to dull the suspect panels.

Main auditorium

Completed in 2003, the main auditorium of the $274 million building seats 2,256 seats. The hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale.  See the next post for photos of the garden park and views from the concert hall. Another post features the concert hall in popular entertainment.

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, some of his other well known designs include the Experience Music Project in Seattle, Washington and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.

Curved walls & walkways lead to the center's amphitheater and park

Since all other visitors were doing the self or guided tour of the Concert Hall and I was the only lined up for the complete tour of all venues of the Music Center, I found myself having a private tour. All the photos in this post are from this 2009 tour.

A maze of walkways and stairs.

The Music Center includes the following venues: the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. Three complimentary tours are offered. Two are of the Concert Hall, one guided and self-guided audio tour. Each run about 60 minutes. The third is the Symphonian tour, a guided tour of all four venues that runs about 90 minutes. It should be noted tours may be limited due to performances at the venues.

Another tour group heading to the viewing area of Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Visit the music center for the tour schedule as each tour does not occur daily. Click on these links for online brochures: History & Architecture of the Music Center; Architecture & Garden Highlights of Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Bacon! @ Wolfgang Puck L.A. Bistro

Wolfgang Puck L.A. Bistro at Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk.

Not to waste my visit to CityWalk since Universal's theme park was not on my agenda, I got to experience Wolfgang Puck L.A. Bistro for lunch. The location is one of several casual dining restaurants by the famous chef. What struck my appetite was seeing bacon wrapped meatloag under Wolfgang's Classics menu. Any moment and any meal is good if it includes bacon.

The restaurant is ultra casual but it's Sizzler Restaurant like service was a surprise. Orders are placed at a counter near the entrance and the order brought to your table. This brings up a question: is it fast food or it is not? One distinction being customers would normally tip in a restaurant with traditional table service. I've come to learn one selling point of the restaurant is a full-speed lunch but full-service dinner.

But back to the important thing: the food. The bacon wrapped meatloaf is something I could eat everyday. Each piece was a tender morsel. The gravy was rich and enough not to smother but to enjoy with every bite of the generous slice of meat loaf. No complaints here about the crispy onion rings on top offering texture to contrast with the mashed potatoes.

Yup, I couldn't wait to dig hence the disarray and missing portion.

The menu also includes selections of wood stone oven pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and entree salads. Most entree selections range from $6-$16. The meatloaf is $14. By the way since a server refilled my drink I left the standard gratuity. I enjoyed the dish and I was in an extremely good mood. Ah the pleasures of bacon.

More info at wolfgangpuck.com. Opens at 11am daily. Takeout and delivery service offered. Online ordering available.

There has to be a joke there! Woody tell me!

Seeing this sign at Universal Studios Hollywood I thought there must be some joke there. We know it's for safety purposes but have you ever noticed that there's just as much complaining as fun at an amusement park. Best to make fun of it all than ruin the experience. Try these on for size:

Amusement parks are mis-named. They should be called "Wait in Line" parks.

I love amusement parks. It's the only place you can lose your kids and make it look like an accident.

They say last year 20 million people went to the park. That must have been the day I was there.

What adults like most about rollercoasters is being able to sit down after waiting in line for two hours.

Isn't it strange that when you're finally tall enough to ride all the rides at the amusement park, you have enough sense to not want to?

Humor courtesy of halife.com

One Stop Away: Universal Studios Citywalk

This post is an extension of prior posts about activities when visiting Hollywood. With the Los Angeles Metro Subway system, Universal Studios Hollywood & CityWalk is only one stop west from the Hollywood/Highland station.

But here's the rub. The subway does not exactly stop at the entrance to Universal Studios. Upon arriving at the Universal City metro station, visitors have to cross the street to the base of Universal Hollywood Drive then wait for one of the trams for an uphill rice to CityWalk. Then of course upon leaving there is the wait for the tram which can be lengthy when there is a large exodus from the park.

Once in the park, all the trappings of this popular amusement park is yours. On a visit last year I bypassed the park and instead explored the entertainment complex called Universal Studios CityWalk. It's essence is pure diversion, a contained world of cinemas, dining, concert venue, night spots and stores filled with goods targeted towards impulsive shoppers.

Serving as an entrance plaza to the amusement park, the 23-acre CityWalk opened in 1993 and expanded in 2000. Those wanting to attend a concert by today's popular artists may want to check out the calendar for the over 6,000 seater Gibson Amphitheatre.

Visit citywalkhollywood.com for more info. Click here for a map. Universal Studios also includes a CityWalk at its Orlando location.

By the way those wanting to find Mercado Chocolate Loco which was featured in the Food Network's series "Unwrapped" may be disappointed to find the shop closed. It was known for retailing in Mexican confections, chocolate covered jalapenos and habanero brownies.

It's Sugar, one of the largest candy stores ever, featured on the Food Network's "Kid in a Candy Store" series is still open. Though it may appear the shop carries every candy available, the selection did not include nostalgic candies that can be found at other large candy stores such as Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City.

Bottom line is the shops and restaurants support the experience at the entertainment venues and amusement park. Without either, CityWalk becomes a minor diversion.

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel: Panorama Suite

The circular feature on top of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel that is sometimes mistaken as a revolving restaurant or ballroom is in actuality a luxury room called the Panorama Suite. Similar to a 'presidential suite', this room is 3,594 square feet with a 270-degree view of the Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Sign and Downtown L.A.

Panorama Suite floor plan

Other features include floor-to-ceiling windows, a baby grand piano, an oversized Jacuzzi in the master bathroom, a dining table for ten. The suite can be configured from one to four bedrooms.

Thinking of knocking on door of the guests occupying the room. Think again. The suite is located on the 20th floor which is an exclusive club floor only accessible by key card 24/7.

So the big question: how much is the hotel rate for the suite? Renaissance, which is a Marriott Hotel brand, does not advertise the rate. The best I could find was a 2006 New York Times article reporting the rate at the time was $7,500 per night. Must be nice if you can afford it. For the masses it's just wishful thinking.

(floor plan & interior images: Renaissance)

On The Boulevard: Hollywood Walk of Fame

This is one of a series of posts called "On the Boulevard" about attractions on Hollywood Boulevard.

Part of the fun of visiting Hollywood is seeing stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Though appearing endless, the line of stars stretch 2.4 miles on Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Celebrating the achievements of the entertainment industry with over 2,400 stars since 1958, don't be surprised finding yourself saying 'who' often with the importance of many icons fading into the past.

The stretch of Hollywood Boulevard fronting Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood & Highland has become prime real estate for the Walk of Fame. Stare are presented in double rows instead of a single line with some high profile stars moved here from their original placement.

Visit the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce website to find the stars of your favorite celebrity. The site also explains the requirements for receiving a star. Among recent honorees with stars include actress Reece Witherspoon and singer Christina Aguilera. Upcoming ceremonies will present stars to Colin Firth and Alec Baldwin.

On The Boulevard: Grauman's Chinese Theatre & Forecourt

Theatre facade along Hollywood Blvd.

This is one of a series of posts called "On the Boulevard" about attractions on Hollywood Boulevard.

The original. This was the main reason why tourists used to brave a seedy world to visit Hollywood. Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 and ever since has been one of the most sought after theatres for movie premieres. See the related post about "The Fighter" premiere. Now with the rejuvenation of this portion of Hollywood, tourists are unlikely to hesitate to visit.

Theatre entrance.

The Chinese motif adds a distinction to this movie house that beckons back to a time when movie theatre architecture design was also an art. The most iconic portion of the theatre is the entrance comprised of two gigantic coral red columns topped by iron masks with a bronze roof above and two giant Heaven Dogs guarding at ground level.

But what cemented (literally) the theatre's legendary status is the forecourt immortalizing celebrities with footprints, handprints and autographs with the most recent being Cher in November 2010. The first footprint ceremony took place in 1927 for Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

The theatre also offers tours which I plan to attend upon my next visit to this part of Los Angeles. Next door at the Hollywood & Highland Center the theatre operates the Mann Chinese 6 Theatres playing the latest movie releases.

Visit manntheatre.com for more information. The website includes a map of the forecourt. Tours are offered every 30 minutes daily except during special events. Visit the theatre or book online for tickets Tickets are Adults $12.50; children $8.50.

Sample of footprints in the forecourt.

Beard Papa Sweets Cafe at Hollywood & Highland

Beard Papa Sweets Cafe at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

I decided to publish this post since the Beard Papa brand of creme puffs aren't as well known as I thought. Despite 300 locations worldwide, 250 of which are in Japan, Beard Papa is still a growing name in the United States with less than 30 locations most which are located in California and Hawaii.

Beard Papa began in Japan in 1999 and is known for their trademark choux pastry specialties filled with vanilla, chocolate and other specialty flavors that vary by location. In Hawaii, filling choices offered have included haupia and lilikoi. These cream puffs are likely to be among the best you've tasted and will satisfy an appetite for some instant gratification.

Here is how L.A. weekly described these delights at the Beard Papa Sweets Cafe, Hollywood:  "You have undoubtedly had other cream puffs in your day — damp, irregular spheroids of pastry split and filled with shelf-stabilized whipped cream — but the Beard Papa model is a different object altogether: crunchy where the standard cream puff tends to be elastic, round where the others are squat, injected to order with amplified doughnut custard flecked with tiny seeds, and dusted with powdered sugar. There is a distinct aftertaste of browned pie crust in a Papa puff where you usually encounter a vague, sweet smack. But as with a proper bagel, there is a tempered chaw under its thin, friable skin, and a subtly rich jolt of egginess that seems to rush straight to the pleasure center of the brain. 

A vanilla cream puff, green tea drink with tapioca
pearls & the remains of a fondant au chocolate.

Papa puffs are undoubtedly delivery systems for astronomical quantities of saturated fat, but the only thing it is possible to do after inhaling one is to immediately start in on another, until the box is empty, your stomach is full, and your sugar crash can be felt clear to the other side of the Tehachapis. If Papa puffs were any more addictive, they would be illegal in 38 states, the bearded, pipe-smoking mascot would be as suggestive as the Zig-Zag man, and puff-dumping codicils would be the subject of G7 trade negotiation."

The cream puffs are priced at about $2.50 each and specialty puffs slightly more. Other sweets such as thin stick cheescake, fondant au chocolate, mont-blanc and mochi ice cream are offered; selections may vary by location. Combine it with a coffee or a cool drink and lounge at one the tables outside at the entrance to the Hollywood & Highland Center. Eatery is open from 10am. More info at .muginohointl.com.

On The Boulevard: Tip the Costumed Crusaders

Do you see Superman,  2 Spidermans, Supergirl, Captain Jack, Elmo,
Davy Jones and the masked man from the "Scream" films.

This is one of a series of posts called "On the Boulevard" about attractions on Hollywood Boulevard.

One of the obvious happenings on Hollywood Boulevard fronting the stretch between Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood & Highland Center are the costumed performers offering to pose for photographs.

One important thing to know is these performers cannot ask for money for posing in photographs. They can be offered a tip for the service. Controversy due to tactics employed by some performers demanding money from tourists resulted in the boulevard being swept clean of performers in summer 2010 by L.A. police. By November, the costumed characters were allowed back on the street.

Do you see Jake & Neytire from "Avatar", Sponge Bob and
Barney the Dinosaur.

If you must take a photograph with one of these costumed characters, you may want to consider how well their costume is kept and made. Characters with detailed makeup rather than a mask obviously take their performance seriously. If you have children, be prepared that this may feel like Disneyland to them and the young ones will want a photograph with every favorite character they see. Finally be prepared to tip. There is even a flickr fan group that can give you some idea of whom you might see on the boulevard.

Most costumed performers front the Kodak Theatre or Grauman's.

One of the more fun aspect are the characters who actually look very like the real celebrities. One that was particularly impressive is the Tom Cruise look alike costumed like the character Maverick from the film "Top Gun" complete with Ray Ban sunglasses. I've come to learn that the performer (Jerome Leblanc) has built a reputation on resembling Cruise.

Above & below: Tom Cruise look alike Jerome Leblanc
(image credit: top, LCF; below, LAC)

We Offer the Letter 'A' for Your Dining Pleasure

A curiosity of visitors to restaurants in Los Angeles County are the conspicuously placed letters on the restaurant's doors and windows. The bright blue letter 'A' as pictured above at the Hollywood Pizzeria Express at the Hollywood & Highland Center, is part of a grading system to inform patrons about the health inspection result of the restaurant.

An 'A' indicates a score of 90 or higher on a restaurant's most recent inspection. News reports indicate the system in force since 1998 has significantly reduced food-borne illnesses in the city and increased sales at restaurants with favorable ratings.

The system came as a result of a television documentary called "Behind the Kitchen Door" that revealed on hidden camera unsafe food practices at top Los Angeles restaurants. Other counties employ similar systems. Does your city?

On The Boulevard: El Capitan Theatre

Dec 2010, "Tron: Legacy"

Dec 2010, "Tangled" plays the venue.

This is one of a series of posts called "On the Boulevard" about attractions on Hollywood Boulevard.

The El Capitan Theatre, which opened in 1926, is now the signature movie house for major Walt Disney films and premieres. As Disney had done with the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York (which exclusively houses Disney stage musicals), the studio joined forces with Pacific Thetres in 1989 to fully restore the theatre to its East Indian design grandeur. In June 1991, Disney's live-action adventure "The Rocketeer" re-opened the theatre.  In the age of multiplexes, the theatre's marquee of colorful neon and lights echo movie palaces of yesterday.

Today movie audiences have the opportunity of purchasing VIP tickets online that include a reserved seat, popcorn and drink. Expect to pay $25 for such an admission on weekend nights.

Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store is located next to the theatre. The shop is supposed to resemble an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. However with the array of Disney souvenirs, it will appeal to kids rather than to nostalgic adults.

More info at elcapitan.go.com and disneysodafoundtain.com. Hours for restaurant and studio store varies. Inquire in person.

Sep 2009, the theatre hosted "G-Force"

On The Boulevard: Roosevelt Hotel

2010

This is one of a series of posts called "On the Boulevard" about attractions on Hollywood Boulevard.

The Roosevelt Hotel is another popular property for visitors staying in Hollywood. But the hotel itself becomes an attraction for its unique Spanish style architecture that echoes back to the Hollywood of yesterday. The hotel, which opened in 1927, has the distinction of hosting first Academy Awards in 1929. Today the hotel's Teddy Nighclub attracts a regular trendy crowd.

The hotel is managed by Thompson Hotels. More info at thompsonhotels.com for rates. The hotel is located across from Grauman's Chinese Theatre at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and N. Orange Drive.

1927 (image: myloveofoldhollywood)

On The Boulevard: Jimmy Kimmel Live

This is one of a series of posts called "On the Boulevard" about attractions on Hollywood Boulevard.

Located across the street of the Kodak Theatre is Jimmy Kimmel Live. Besides being the studio for the late night talk show on the ABC network, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now part of the of the El Capitan Center. The structure was built in 1922 and originally called the Hollywood Masonic Temple to serve as headquarters for the Hollywood Freemasons.

For tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live, visit 1iota.com or call 1-866-Jimmytix. JKL airs on the ABC television network weeknights 12pm/11pm Central.