DTLA - Staycation

Today, Larry and I drove downtown to the L.A. Central Library to see the exhibit, "To Live and Dine in L.A."  It was outstanding! The installation is very clever. There are tables resembling the type of table you'd sit at for a certain style of restaurant.  Within these tables are show-cases with menus of the era. There is a lazy susan table for numerous Chinese and Polynesian restaurants. 

Entrance to "Live and Dine in L.A."

We loved Kowloon! It was on Pico between Robertson and La Cienega

Grandpa Katz's favorite L.A. Deli. Now it's an Ethiopian Restaurant

Quite a contrast between the old Library and the modern exhibit space!

The graphics along the walls of the Getty Gallery are papered with dining scenes and building exteriors of Los Angeles restaurants from long ago. There are videos to look at, menus to peruse and wonderful memories to revel in. Yes, you should definitely see this exhibit. It runs through November 13th. The accompanying book by Josh Kun is excellent too.

It was getting to be lunch time so we drove up toward the edge of Chinatown and ate at the Homegirl Cafe.  I hadn't been here in awhile, but the food was as great as ever. Larry had the three tacos and I had a grilled cheese, chile relleno sandwich on Homeboy 3-grain bread. Of course we each had the cucumber, lime and mint drink! Everything was delicious.

We hopped over to Olvera Street to the Pico House Art Gallery to see an exhibit of Leo Politi's work. Politi was well-known in Los Angeles. 

His children's books and illustrations are legendary. This exhibit encompassed not only his illustrations, but paintings, sculptures and woodblock prints. If you're visiting Olvera Street, this is an excellent show to see while you're there. It's only up through the end of July.

"Three Women" by Leo Politi

"Angels Flight" by Leo Politi

We wandered down Olvera Street and then back to the car.

Some couple! This guy is the opposite of bad-ass Vato in his scarf and sweater!

We started to drive home. When we passed Union Ave., I remembered that Home Depot was having their Hawaiian Days tiki sale ONLY during the month of July. So, we stopped down at the Depot on Union. 

There are Home Depot tikis, then there are tikis by Los Angeles artist Danny “Tiki Diablo” Gallardo. We bought one. Hopefully, this will be inspiration for Larry to straighten up our backyard and create a deck/patio area!

We shall call him "Diablo Danny"

So far, I'm having a great vacation!