There is always something new opening up in Los Angeles. But the real test is staying power – and how innovative, or in many ways, how special a place can be. Right now, there is a culinary renaissance happening across the city. But especially in the corridor stretching from Chinatown through downtown LA to Koreatown. It’s still hard for me to believe Koreatown was ground zero to the 1992 LA riots. I remember watching the chaos play out on TV. The place was literally engulfed in flames and it’s safe to say the community has rose from the ashes. Below you’ll find a fun combo activity. All you need is a car.
Lunch at Pok Pok LA
I ate a few years back at the original Pok Pok, celeb chef Andy Richter’s Northern Thai restaurant based out of Portland, Oregon. It was incredible and well worth the longer-than-anticipated cab ride from downtown Portland (seriously, I was wondering if I made a bad decision as I passed through the burbs). The meal was filling, the price — while a bit pricey for what you’d expect for Thai food – seemed well worth it. I think we’ve become so accustomed to paying dirt cheap prices for Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc, that it seems shocking to pay more than a few bucks. But this place is an experience and would never expect to pay the same as say, the hole-in-the-wall greasy take-out joint down the street. Just go in with that mindset, and you’ll be good.
The spartan interior of Pok Pok LA, famed check Andy Richter’s latest venture to hit Los Angeles’ Chinatown.
Two must order items on the menu: Khao Soi Chicken and Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings.
You’re not going to find the typical Thai dishes here. The menu specializes in Northern Thai (think spicy, but dishes can be adjusted). They also have a massive drink menu – from some creative alcoholic concoctions. I was enthralled by a beer slushy machine on the floor by the bar. It’s in the shape of a wooden barrel ands swishes with ice. Seriously, it looks like a prop on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney. Pok Pok also serves sparkling vinegar drinks. It’s unlike anything I’ve had — slightly sweet/mostly tart. I downed two including a mandarin and tamarind (with the tamarind tasting much better in my opinion!). Be brave and try it out. Or if not, there is always that beer slushy!
LOCATION
978 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 613-1831, pokpokla.com.
PRICES
Drinking food, $3-$15; grilled things, $13-$18; one-plate dishes, $15-$20.
HOURS:
Lunch from 12-3PM daily. Dinner begins at 6PM Monday thru Friday and at 5PM Saturday & Sunday. Serving “Drinking Food” (or bar food) midday and after 10:30 PM Friday & Saturday.
More info:
http://pokpokla.com
Showtime – Korean Style
A few months back, the mega-theater chain CGV opened their first US-based theater — in Los Angeles. And pretty much nobody heard about it. But this place is the ultimate deal on Tuesday with movies just $6 total! I mean, two tickets are less than 1 that I pay for the theater at The Grove. I’m sold!
The place is located on the top level of a shopping center with Japanese home goods on the first floor and a mixture of noodle places and bakeries scattered throughout. Like many of the theaters in LA, it offers reserved seating (which I love). And the place has a lot of other quirky attributes. First, the snack bar has the typical popcorn, sodas, etc. But it also sells those indistinguishable dried snacks and brightly packaged candy you’d see at any asian grocery. And they also have premiere seating aka “love seats” in the back of every theater where you can pay extra to cuddle up in privacy without an arm rest getting in the way. We skipped the romance and stuck to the cheap seats! Finally, they have something called Screen X, where they project the movie not just on the front screen but the walls all around you. Sounds trippy – but it’s not always happening. In fact, they didn’t have any movie on Screen X while we were there. But the idea is that you’re right in the middle of the action. Dramamine not included!
View from above looking down into the Koreatown mall home to CGV Movie Theater.
The wall of snacks you surely won’t find at your AMC Theater.
Screen X in CGV Cinemas in Koreatown Los Angeles. Movie surrounds you on all sides. I feel sick just thinking about it!
LOCATION
621 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
PARKING
Entrance to lot located off of Western Ave
Parking entrance
PRICES
Tickets are normally $14.50 each. Except on Tuesdays, tickets are all $6 total. What a deal! Be sure to check that the movie is in English (unless you speak Korean, this will be slightly challenging, to say the least). Also many of the films are sub-titled in Korean.
More info: http://www.cgvcinemas.com/index.asp
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