estebanandjulie
By Tara de Lis
It's easy to think of Los Angeles as "La La Land," a place where perfect-10 models and their beach bum boyfriends do little more than deepen their tans while waiting to be discovered by Hollywood. But L.A. is not nearly as one-dimensional as outsiders seem to think. The city is going through a renaissance, and it's affecting everything from what we eat and drink to culture and transportation.
Photo caption: Before arriving at its permanent home at the California Science Center, the Space Shuttle Endeavour was taken through the streets of Los Angeles.
Most people associate Cirque residencies with Las Vegas, which has been the home of O and Mystère for more than 15 years. L.A. now has a signature show of its own in the form of IRIS, A Journey Through the World of Cinema, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. (tel. 323/308-6300; www.cirquedusoleil.com). Pronounced "ee-rees," it takes place, fittingly, at the Dolby Theatre, also the home of the Oscars. Like any Cirque show, the production quality is impressive -- to the tune of $120 million. Some insider tips: Don't arrive late. Act one is by far superior to act two, and it grabs you right from the get-go. The best seats are in the front rows of either the first or second mezzanines. Resist the temptation to sit in the orchestra -- too far forward and you'll have to crane your neck for the aerialists. Too far back and you'll miss the full scope of the finale. Check out Goldstar (www.goldstar.com/los-angeles/events) for reduced-price admission tickets.
Photo caption: Cirque du Soleil's IRIS, A Journey Through the World of Cinema at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
SoCal's space trifecta is complete, now that the Space Shuttle Endeavour is a permanent part of the California Science Center, 700 State Dr. (tel 213/744-7400; www.californiasciencecenter.org); it joins the ranks of Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), 4800 Oak Grove Dr. (tel. 818/354-1234; www.jpl.nasa.gov) and the landmark Griffith Park Observatory, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. (tel. 323/913-4688; www.griffithobs.org). The epic Endeavor caused a photo frenzy worthy of Brangelina when it landed in town aboard a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) on September 21. From October 11 to 14 it paraded through 12 miles of city streets -- view photos and maps here -- to its new home, a brand-new pavilion constructed for the orbiter, which opened to the public October 30. Admission is free, but a timed-entry ticket is required, and can be reserved for a nominal fee either online or over the phone.
Photo caption: The Space Shuttle Endeavour at its Grand Opening Ceremony at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California.
You'll find it in Santa Monica at Bike Center, 1555 2nd St., Unit A, (tel. 310/656-8500; www.bikeandpark.com) -- actually, there's two of them. Both are located in downtown, near what will eventually be a stop on the Metro Expo Line. Amenities at the main facility include repairs, secure bike parking, showers and lockers; most services are limited to members (monthly passes start at just $15), but rentals and the bike valet are open to the public. The second location, 1502 4th St., (tel. 310/656-8500; www.bikeandpark.com) is strictly members-only. Regarding the Metro Expo Line, the Culver City Station officially opened in June 2012; the extension to Santa Monica is projected for 2015.
Photo caption: Biking along the Santa Monica Bike Path. Santa Monica, California.
Fans of Bravo's hit reality cooking competition, Top Chef, will find a lot to like about dining out in L.A. Two former winners, Ilan Hall (Season Two) and Michael Voltaggio (Season Six) are both chef/owners at their respective L.A. restaurants, the very eclectic Gorbals, 501 S. Spring St. (tel. 213/488-3408; www.thegorbalsla.com) and molecular gastronomy-focused Ink., 8360 Melrose Ave. (tel. 323/651-5866; www.mvink.com). Other "Fan Favorites" here include the charming Fabio Viviani at North Hollywood's Firenze Osteria, 4212 Lankershim Blvd. (tel. 818/760-7081; www.ffirenzeosteria.com), and "Malibu Chris" Crary at Santa Monica's Whist, 1819 Ocean Ave. (tel. 310/260-7511; www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com). You'll also find "Team Euro's" Stefan Richter, who owns Stefan's at L.A. Farm, 3000 Olympic Blvd. (tel. 310/449-4000; www.lafarmrestaurant.com) and All-Stars finalist Antonia Lofaso, the toque at Black Market Liquor Bar, 11915 Ventura Blvd. (tel. 818/446-2533; www.blackmarketliquorbar.com).
Photo caption: Crispy duck with braised red cabbage and pretzel dumplings at Stefan Richter's restaurant, Stefan's at L.A. Farm, in Los Angeles, California.
It's easy to think of Los Angeles as "La La Land," a place where perfect-10 models and their beach bum boyfriends do little more than deepen their tans while waiting to be discovered by Hollywood. But L.A. is not nearly as one-dimensional as outsiders seem to think. The city is going through a renaissance, and it's affecting everything from what we eat and drink to culture and transportation.
Photo caption: Before arriving at its permanent home at the California Science Center, the Space Shuttle Endeavour was taken through the streets of Los Angeles.
Photo caption: Cirque du Soleil's IRIS, A Journey Through the World of Cinema at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Photo caption: The Space Shuttle Endeavour at its Grand Opening Ceremony at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California.
Photo caption: Biking along the Santa Monica Bike Path. Santa Monica, California.
Photo caption: Crispy duck with braised red cabbage and pretzel dumplings at Stefan Richter's restaurant, Stefan's at L.A. Farm, in Los Angeles, California.