10 Best of Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown LA, pic by Derek Sieg

I love living in downtown LA. It's got a certain je ne sais quoi that's not LAish...more Williamsburg off the Morgan stop on the L train in 2004. That's right; Little Tokyo and the Arts District is teeming with emo hipsters in love with their art projects, their hair, and their pseudo disdain for American Apparel. The Sci-Arc students, the business tycoons valeting their Land Rovers at R-23 and Metropol (and now the French bistro Church & State) all reeks of the Chelsea District before Jeffrey, Bodum, and Pastis.

Anyway, in no particular order, here are ten of the best things about living on this side of paradise:

1. Little Tokyo Spa and Shiatsu on 211 S. Central and East 2nd. (Little Tokyo). This little hole in the wall offers the most amazing shiatsu for a cheap price.

2. Ay Caramba! Mexican Restaurant's chile rellenos. Humble owner Isaac also makes a killer cucumber lemonade. Located right next to Bloom's General Store on 714 Traction Ave. (at 3rd).

3. The vegetarian Pho and steaming hot giner-limeade drink at Blossom Vietnamese Restaurant on 426 South Main Street.
 

T.O.T Restaurant on 2nd St., Pic by Shasta McBride

4. The running track at Los Angeles State Historic Park, otherwise known as The Cornfield. 1245 N. Spring Street. Also check out Farm Lab's community garden project there.

5. The Mediterranean plate at Groundwork's Coffee shop at 811 Traction Avenue as well as their lavender-rose ice tea.

6. T.O.T. has got to be my favorite, most frequented Little Tokyo sushi spot. It's their sans souci atmosphere, the very sweet and very nice waiters, and their spicy tofu bowl. I'm telling you. It's just where it's at. So skip the long wait at Daikokuya and make a dash for T.O.T. Just don't take my favorite booth. Arigato Gozai Mas.

7.Tennis on top of the World Trade Center via the YMCA on South Figueroa and 4Th. It's the land that time forgot with old-school tennis rackets lining the walls and ancient electronics running tennis games world-wide.

Downtown grafitti art, pic by Derek Sieg.

8. The modern design and comfy seats at the Imagin-Asian Theater on Main Street between 3rd and 2nd.

9. The burlesque dancers' routines at Bordello. 901 E. 1st. Street.

10. The stuffed barolo braised short-rib burger at the bouganvillea-covered back patio of Blue Dahlia. The magical garden setting will ensure a lunch break much longer than you should take. 738 East Third Street.