So good!

If you love Korean food or food in general, you have to try this place: Kobawoo.
I tried the bossam (steamed pork wraps), grilled fish, and acorn noodle salad (hehe, these pictures were taken off Yelp).  How have I grown up in Koreatown all my life and not tried this place? 

Vegan baked goods

I wasn't always sure about vegan baked goods because I imagined they wouldn't taste as good without delicious things like butter, eggs, and milk . . . but I've been trying more of them lately and have been surprised by how good they are.

I tried this vegan lemon tea cake at a bakery in Atwater Village last week and it was a pleasant surprise. I also had an amazing vegan cookie at an Easter church picnic.  Back to the picture . . . I was in the area for a work assignment and took a short break at Proof Bakery.  I sat on the sidewalk and enjoyed my cappuccino and cake, while imagining I was on a European vacation . . . and after 15 minutes I proceeded to tackle the many tasks I needed to accomplish that day.  It was a nice 15 minute vacation on a Monday :)

Public Art Everywhere

One aspect of Los Angeles that I love is that it is such a rich canvas for public art.  I recently discovered Folk Art Everywhere, a movement aimed at displaying local art throughout the city at spaces meant to cultivate community.  I recently visited one of Folk Art Everywhere's spaces at Mercado La Paloma, a great public space with eateries and other small businesses (I highly recommend eating at Chichen Itzen).

Close-up of the mural outside of Mercado La Paloma by Elizabeth Eve.  You can see it from the 110 North.

The Cochinita Pibil at Chichen Itzen

LA Commons is also a great non profit aimed at telling the stories of diverse communities through the work of local youth partnering with professional artists.  Their mission is to tell the stories of immigrant communities all throughout LA such as Koreatown, Thai Town, Chinatown, and others through public murals, installations, and other cool projects.

And finally, this is an installation I stumbled on upon a recent trip to Santa Monica:

'Cradle' by Ball Nogues.  Image from www.designboom.com

It's a public installation on the side of a parking lot.  You can read more about it here: 'Cradle'.  It's really cool in person.  I'll have to get a closer look at it the next time I'm in Santa Monica.  I believe it won an award.