Chef Joshua Siegel wanted to create a true neighborhood restaurant when he opened the Park in 2008. Because of its strong word of mouth, excellent special offers and, of course, amazing food, the Park was just named one of the 15 Neighborhood Gems In and Around L.A. by Zagat.
When we initially moved to the area, the Park was one of the first restaurants we visited, and it remains one of our favorites; we eat there at least once a month. After a long day, being welcomed by manager David, seeing the familiar black-and-white checkerboard floor, the collection of well-worn cookbooks available for perusal in the foyer and original paintings on the walls are all such welcome sights. I have been to the Park for brunches, lunches and dinners and tried all of the staples that remain on the menu throughout the year. The majority of the menu changes with the seasons, but some of the stand-out seasonal dishes tend to return every year (like the amazing New England clam chowder with bits of smoky bacon and the refreshing watermelon salad with feta).
Chef Josh prepares a special appetizer and entree every weekend. Specials that we most recently tried were a delicious and unique Smoked Brisket Salad with organic plums, aged gouda, watercress, picked onions and barbecue sauce vinaigrette and a Grilled Wild Salmon with salmon tartare in a sesame miso cup, a crispy green onion pancake, soy sesame dipping sauce and sautéed pea shoots. Every Sunday the special is Beer Battered Fish & Chips, which is outstanding. The fish is battered just right – not too heavily. The hand-cut fries are always the first to disappear from my plate because everyone at the table can't stop eating them, and the homemade cole slaw and tartar sauce are perfect compliments to the meal.
The Park Burger
Earlier this summer, the Park hosted Monday sushi nights with $5 rolls, but the main draws are always Speakeasy Tuesdays (3-course prix fixe meals for $15), Wednesday Burger Nights ($5 for a 7-ounce sirloin burger or homemade veggie burger and a side. Yes, $5!) and Friday Supper Clubs ($25 for any appetizer, entree and dessert on the regular menu).
One of the can't-miss Tuesday meals is the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with biscuit, gravy, collard greens and mashed potatoes. There is always a vegetarian option offered as well (usually mac and cheese on fried chicken night). Without fail, my son always orders the Park Burger. The homemade pickles on it are addicting. The veggie burger is good too. I usually always order it with a side of potato salad if I'm at the Park for lunch. Other favorites include the Roast Jidori Half Chicken with delectably crispy skin coated with demi-glace and served with French fries and arugula, the heavenly Caesar Salad (with anchovies, of course!) and the Szechuan Fried Calamari with spicy sesame-soy glaze.
Whether the dishes are Asian-infused, Mediterranean or down-home American, Chef Josh concocts an array of flavors that dance harmoniously on one's palate. I've never had a bad experience at the Park, and it continues to be a true L.A. Haven for me.
For reservations and more information, call 213-482-9209 or visit thepark1400sunset.com.
Earl Lee is a legend akin to that suave Dos Equis man. Earl is all-American, though, with a hefty dose of Indy 500 swag to him. This Earl Lube piece, at the entrance of the 2 freeway on Glendale Boulevard in Silver Lake, is an ode to vintage advertising, like most of Earl Lee's propaganda found around Los Angeles.
Access at Sunnynook Drive and West Legion Lane (Atwater Village/Los Feliz)
"See, there's a heron there!"
Mike Andrews' enthusiasm is infectious as he spots one of the large grey birds during our walk along the Los Angeles River. From the moment we met at our predetermined starting point of Proof Bakery on Glendale Boulevard and over the course of our 10-minute trek to the riverbed, the musician/film score composer's lust for life – his love for where he's from, where he is now and where he's going – is evident. He bursts with stories about the city. He doesn't just tell me the name of one of his son's favorite dishes at a local restaurant (the potato balls at Porto's). He tells me about the establishment's owner, her life and how the restaurant came to be. Maybe it's because he's a California boy through and through, but I think he's also just innately inquisitive about his surroundings.
"I've been jumping all around California since I was a teenager. I grew up in San Diego, then went to college at Berkeley. I started making records after school, so I was in L.A. and in San Diego for a little bit, then back to San Francisco," he says. "I came back to San Diego, lived down by the beach and toured a lot. Then I started working with movies, moved to Los Angeles and started Donnie Darko."
Mike (under the name Elgin Park) played guitar with a funk and jazz band in San Diego, the Greyboy Allstars, who were asked to score director Jake Kasdan's feature debut, Zero Effect, in 1998. The next year, Mike began another professional relationship that would prove to be as long-standing as his with Kasdan, when he worked on the music for "Freaks and Geeks" for executive producer Judd Apatow. But the project that really brought Mike to international prominence was his score for Donnie Darko, especially his cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World" with his childhood friend Gary Jules on vocals. By this time Mike was settling into life as an Angeleno.
"I lived in Downtown, at the Molino Street Lofts in the '90s, but I just felt locked in concrete. I grew up on the beach, so I couldn't take it. Then I moved to Glendale, and I felt like I was in some city that wasn't in California," he laughs. "I like that Glendale is away from the scene. I've always had an aversion to living around people that were just like me. I lived in Hollywood for a while, and I felt like I was 'in the biz.' You find yourself in any city finding those three or four things to do and just circle around them. Occasionally I branch out, but it's just nice to make a bigger place feel small. Finding that little triangle of where to eat lunch, get coffee, take a walk – all those places were inhabited by writer/director/actors [in Hollywood], and to me, it just felt weird."
In seeking those neighborhood spots around him, Mike discovered his haven of the L.A. River walk.
"This trail is so mellow. It's so peaceful, but the highway is right there. I guess it just sort of tunes out because it's like white noise," he says. "I come here once a week at least, sometimes more."
Most of the restaurants Mike likes to eat at are on the east side as well.
"We just found a great restaurant in Pasadena called Ración. It's a tapas place and is really good. La Cabanita is awesome, an old-school Mexican family restaurant. It's delicious and family oriented. We have our little guy, and he likes to make noise and spill stuff," he says with a laugh. "We go get pho a lot at Glendale Pho Co. and Viet. We like to go Downtown, too. We just went to the Flying Pig Cafe, another tapas-y joint. It seems like everybody's doing that: the little plate where you both have a bite, and it's over [laughs]. It just seems like those are the people who are caring about what they're making. Anywhere it feels like 'I'm going to make some real food out of some real stuff and be particular about it' is good."
After the success of Donnie Darko, Mike continued to put the same focus he does on finding quality food on picking projects like Miranda July's Me and You and Everyone We Know, the Duplass brothers' Cyrus and Jeff Who Lives at Home, Bridesmaids and the theme for "New Girl." He worked again with both Kasdan (Orange County, The TV Set, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and Bad Teacher) and Apatow (Funny People, The Five-Year Engagement). When signing on to a film, Mike looks for a certain something in those he collaborates with.
"It's just a type of person: People who have a strong sense of self, who like to look at their work relatively independent of other people and aren't afraid to be non-referential," he says. "I love working with new filmmakers, first-time directors, too, because they don't have a rule book. As you develop your art, people tend to be like, 'oh, this is the way we do it; we don't do this or that.' When you start working in that world, then it's limiting. I'm just working from intuition, if the intuition is already boxed in by someone's preconception of what it's not supposed to be, it limits me in my ability to be inspired."
Even after all these years of scoring for film and television, each job comes with its own set of hurdles to overcome. Mike admits that his latest project, The Reluctant Fundamentalist (set for release in 2013), with acclaimed director Mira Nair was one of his most challenging.
"She's a very strong woman and very much like I am, in that, she is wildly both distracted and focused in her art. She's a perfectionist, constantly trying to make things better even if it's outside the realm of possibility – which I think is great because you have to do that in order to get better," he says. "Of course collaborating with someone who's in India editing is very difficult. They're twelve-and-a-half hours ahead. I would call her at the end of the day when I was fried, and it was the beginning of her day so she was either in yoga or starting her day with a flood of ideas. Or it was my morning and I was trying to get a real dialogue with her after she worked 14-16 hours editing and dealing with all these issues. And it was an independent movie, so there wasn't a ton of money. Everybody takes a hit on an independent movie. You just deal with it for the sake of having more freedom."
Having the freedom to not only pick his film scoring projects but work on his own personal music is something that Mike relishes. Aside from producing albums for other artists like Brendan Benson, Metric and Inara George, Mike released his solo debut, Hand on String, in 2006. He releases his sophomore solo effort, Spilling a Rainbow, next week (Aug. 14).
"My personal records are mostly for me and people I care about. They're so personal to me; maybe someone else would relate to them in a personal way. They're cathartic, and it's fun to do just whatever I want because I don't spend a lot of time doing whatever I want," he laughs. "I really love my work. I love making movie stuff. I'm very fortunate to be able to do that, it's just a different kind of work. It's like being an architect. You create something that represents you, but it's in the context of someone else's needs and designs – trying to fit my sensibility in a collaborative form within the context of someone else's art/entertainment."
Spilling a Rainbow documents Mike's transformation as he became a parent. From finding out his wife was pregnant while at the dentist ("Dentist") and scoring one of their prenatal ultrasounds ("Music For Cell Division") to those first days of being a dad ("Waiting for You to Wake), he shares it all on the album.
"I waited a long time to have kids. Being an artist is very me-oriented, and finally having someone come into your life – besides, obviously a relationship – that doesn't even allow you to think of yourself is just such a relief," he says with a laugh.
One song that illustrates the joy he's found in fatherhood is about blowing bubbles, "Bubbles in Space." The video for the track, directed by his longtime friend Josh Hassin, is animated by a collection of drawings from art students.
"My friend Jeremy [Farson] teaches at the High Tech High International, which is a school in San Diego that focuses on science and art. I told Josh that I didn't really want to be in the video, so he came up with the idea to do an animated video, and it ended up that Jeremy's class would do the drawing," Mike shares. "Josh shot me for three hours one morning, along with all of our children at the beach. He edited that together, gave it to Jeremy's class and they drew everything. I was really pleased with it, that kids got to make something and it was a labor of love like my record. It was good times amongst friends making something cool."
Mike brings the same philosophy to organizing his August residency at Bootleg Bar.
"I'm going to have a couple collaborations with a few people, it's always different. I just have people come to my house, and we work on some songs. Either we interpret some of their songs or we do a cover that we're both interested in." He adds, "I'm going to try and do some kind of screening because they have a screen in the other room. Maybe score some stuff live or show some images and put some of my music that no one's ever head before in it. Just have fun with the night, make it a place where all the people I used to hang out with can get together because I don't get to go out very often. It's an opportunity to go out and be social and play music."
As for the future, Mike is forever open to whatever comes his way.
"I try not to tell myself, 'this is what's going to happen' or 'I'm really going to go after this thing' because I always feel like anything you really go after, it just sets you up for disappointment. I have always said, 'I'll keep playing, writing songs and just see where it leads me. And if worse comes to worse and I need to make a living, I'll just get a job,' and that was pretty much the extent of it," he says. "It seems like anytime you try to focus on a target, it's like you're missing all the other things that could happen. Stuff just comes at me and I deal with it whether it be a song, a movie, a person. It makes it easier I think, doesn't it? [laughs] Maybe it's the course of least resistance, but it's proved to be pretty good. The only thing is dealing with the psychology of not knowing ever what's in the future, which I've gotten used to over the last twenty-five years that I've been making records and music."
Spilling a Rainbow is currently available. For more information, visit elginpark.com.
This was L.A. Weekly's first attempt at an annual outdoor festival in Downtown, which only happened two more times before they stopped and turned it into an indoor show called L.A. 101. This premiere Detour was awesome, though. The area surrounding City Hall was blocked off, as three stages, food and vendor booths were set up and festivities lasted from noon to midnight. And, oh, what a lineup: Basement Jaxx, Queens of the Stone Age, Mike Patton's Peeping Tom (introduced by Danny DeVito), of Montreal, Blonde Redhead and !!! among others.
But the main reason I was there was to see Beck. He had just released his 10th album, The Information, and I hadn't seen him perform in years, so I was pretty excited. The first strains of "Loser" erupted from the speakers, but no musicians were on the stage. Instead, there was a huge backdrop showing footage of puppets that looked exactly like Beck and his band performing the song. It was priceless. The real-life band appeared about halfway through the song to actually finish it up.
The rest of the set was a good mix of old and new – from "Devil's Haircut" to "E-Pro" and "Nausea." One of my favorite moments was the reconfigured-to-be-more-'80s "Where It's At." It was just the perfect mix of a magical environment (I remember looking at the moon during the song and thinking how beautiful it was.), crowd energy and the right song for an "aah moment." Then, a dinner table – complete with wine glasses, plates and silverware – was placed on stage. The band sat down and used the dishes to play percussion in between Beck strumming his acoustic and singing "The Golden Age" and a bit of "One Foot in the Grave."
Winding the set to a close, the group left the stage and a video came on of the puppet version of Beck going through the festival earlier in the day, joking and interviewing the crowd. It was a hilarious end to a fun and unique set from one of Los Angeles' most innovative musicians.
Cindy Crawford, Ferre 3, Malibu 1993
(The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles,
Gift of Herb Ritts Foundation)
Get with THE PROGRAM
THURSDAY, AUG. 2
ART
Herb Ritts L.A. Style @ The Getty (Brentwood)
If you haven't visited this exhibit of the fashion and celebrity photographer's work, now's your chance since it's been extended through Sept. 2. Known for his distinctive black-and-white style and aesthetic of incorporating facets of L.A. life into his work, Ritts remains a photo icon.
FRIDAY, AUG. 3
CULTURE
First Fridays on Abbot Kinney (Venice)
Every first Friday of the month Abbot Kinney Boulevard all of the merchants stay open late and food trucks and people from all over the city pack the block. You can find jewelry vendors, musicians playing in art galleries and bars to sit down in and enjoy a drink at the end of the night.
MUSIC
HARD Summer @ L.A. State Historic Park (Downtown)
The fifth annual festival returns as a two-day event, kicking things off with the likes of Bloc Party, Boys Noize, Miike Snow, Chromeo, Little Dragon tonight. Saturday's headliners include Skrillex, Nero, Bloody Beetroots, Squarepusher and A-Trak.
Rachel Weisz in 360 (courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
FILM
In Theaters This Week 360 interconnects the lives of individuals around the globe, portrayed by a cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Ben Foster; Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg in Celeste and Jesse Forever; Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Billy Nighy and Jessica Biel in the Total Recall remake. Also in theaters: The Babymakers; Craigslist Joe; Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Pulp Fiction @ Devil's Night Drive In (Downtown)
Some of my fondest childhood memories are summer nights spent at the drive in. Devil's Night brings back the drive in movie theater every summer in Downtown. Tonight's selection is Quentin Tarantino's crime extravaganza, Pulp Fiction. It's BYOB, but the Angel City Derby Girls are on hand as car hops to deliver snacks right to your car.
FOOD
Evan Kleiman: Pies @ The Market at Santa Monica Place (Santa Monica)
The Gourmandise School welcomes the best-selling author and "Good Food" host, as she doles out tricks and tips on how to make the perfect pie. Plate By Plate @ Vibiana Cathedral (Downtown)
The annual benefit features a silent auction, music, a mixology challenge, a cooking demo by Wilshire's Executive Chef Nyesha Arrington ("Top Chef") and tastings from some of L.A.'s best restaurants, including Providence, Picca/Mo-Chica, Jar and Playa/Rivera.
MUSIC
The New L.A. Folk Festival @ Zorthian Ranch (Alta Dena)
Join bands like Beachwood Sparks, He's My Brother She's My Sister, Spindrift and Dustbowl Revival at Zorthian Ranch (built from junk, spare parts and relics of legendary parties). Explore the grounds, visit all its animals, listen to music and have fun square dancing.
MONDAY, AUG. 6
MUSIC
Aerosmith @ Hollywood Bowl (Hollywood)
Aerosmith is one of those bands that everyone should see at least once in life, and with a setting like the Bowl, it should be an unforgettable night.
TUESDAY, AUG. 7
FOOD
The JC100: Julia Child Restaurant Week
Marking the centennial of the beloved chef, restaurants across the country are celebrating a week in her honor (culminating on Aug. 15, what would have been her 100th birthday). Take for example, Vertical Wine Bistro in Julia Child's birthplace, Pasadena, which is featuring a special menu with some of her staples: Salade Nicoise, Boeuf Bourguignon and Mousseline au Chocolat.
Buddy Guy (Derrick Santini)
MUSIC
Buddy Guy @ Greek Theatre (Griffith Park/Los Feliz)
The Chicago blues pioneer is not only one of the greatest guitar players ever, he's one of the best all-around entertainers. His performances inspire a plethora emotions: laughter at his in-between song jokes and hijinks, tears from his emotive lyrical delivery and, of course, taking your breath away with awe-inspiring solos.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8
BOOKS
Emily Giffin @ Barnes and Noble (The Grove)
The author of beloved chick lit novels, like Something Borrowed and Something Blue, discusses and signs her latest, Where We Belong. The book deals with two women, their families, love and loyalty.
FOOD
25th Anniversary @ The Bagel Broker (Mid-City West)
The bagel shop celebrates its anniversary this month with a slew of special events, discounts and deals. If you go in dressed for 1987 today, you can get six free bagels. If you graduated in 1987, bring in your yearbook on Aug 15 and get a free dozen. Aug. 22, those married for over 25 years get a free pair of matching bagel sandwiches. And on Aug. 29, anyone born in 1987 gets a dozen for free.
3149 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles (Atwater Village)
There are so many record stores in my neighborhood, even just within walking distance. Jacknife Records & Tapes stands out among the others because they truly go out of their way to make each person who walks through their door feel welcome. It doesn't matter how your hair's cut or what you're wearing – if you've crossed the threshold it most likely means you love music, and that's the only criteria here.
Goodies purchased at Jacknife
Originally opened by David Gunderson last year, Jacknife is now under the ownership of Trevor Baade, who is usually at the counter giving recommendations, engaging in musical discourse or just saying hi to everyone who comes by. Sometimes I might not look forward to vinyl shopping excursions because they take time (There are so many sections of records to go through!) and wind up costing a lot. But I really do look forward to going to Jacknife, and I think Trevor's great attitude has a lot to do with it.
Let's face it, if you're looking for rare, collectible records then
you're going to be spending a lot of money. That being said, I feel like
everything is fairly priced at Jacknife. Vinyl can run from $3 used to
around $20 new. The most extravagant purchase we've made there was $40
for Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, and Trevor even threw in the Billie Holiday Story Volume I that we were also going to buy for free.
Jacknife
has everything placed into clearly marked sections by genre. They have a
cool collection of tapes and 8-tracks for sale too. I've seen
everything from Stevie B, Danzig and Nirvana. Also to be perused are
racks of vintage clothes (T-shirts, jackets and hoodies), toys and other
collectibles.
This electric box mural at Micheltorena Street and Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake is by an artist called TumbleVision. He painted another electric box at Sunset Junction that looks exactly like an electrical socket, which kind of gives me flashbacks to when I stuck a key in a socket pretending it was a car ignition when I was 3 and got electrocuted. I prefer this particular streetlight-themed box, especially the side with the illuminated yellow light inhabited by a bird family.
