United‘s lounge: their guacamole is wonderful, so is the clam chowder.
The open lounge is very pleasant and calm for the many hours we’re here. Perhaps they’re the only lounge that has no time limit, as of now.
The agents are very helpful at front desk. UA app can get you in if you forget your credit card.
Unlike Amex’s Centurion lounge – 3 hour rule, this lounge is lenient in terms when you can check in – our flight is 9 hours away. Last time with Centurion in Buenos Aires, although it was transfer and does NOT fall under the 3-hour rule but the manager there insisted their 3-hr rule.
Bathroom stalls, at time, could use some cleaning. No shower.
The wine glasses can use some improvement – I know I’m asking a lot -:)
Today, arriving at LAX airport‘s Terminal B: Two things stand out: the global entry – we’re the only one or the first two, didn’t have to stop, just walked (especially sweet after what I’ve been through at Saigon airport); and luggage cart is free: JFK charges for using their cart – at least till a few years ago – my last time there. Bathroom could use a little more cleaning.
This lounge feels old, tired and crammed, it was packed at 8:30am on a Thursday. I finally found a table that has a vacant seat – thank you for sharing. Not a complaint but just don’t see this full often.
The serving staff is super.
The shower has no wait, it feels better than the club.
The dark room provide lounges for people to take a rest.
Right before boarding, I needed to download a document and the airport WiFi won’t do it. When I rushed back to the Lounge, the gate keeper waved me in. By 10am, it calmed down a lot.
Their Opera House is a modern box structure that reminds one of Lincoln Center. It’s next to the Disney Concert Hall, across the W 1st Street. The fountain changes color, which looks cheap. The foyer is small, but the pre-show talk is most wonderful.
The interior is good and the seats are comfortable. Like the Sarasota Opera House, they put English subtitles on a banner above the stage, whereas the Met puts them on the back of the seat with multiple language options.
Inside, there are many vendors. We found the elegant lady who’s operating her booth, whom we met last night at chamber music (who recommended Vespiao). I was happy to see her, but sad at the same time. There’s a slight hesitation before we part: she might be a good friend, or even a mentor. But we also know that we won’t see each other again. So, no phone number was exchanged. We just hugged.
The five-act opera by Charles Gounod (1818-93), whichpremiered in 1867 in Paris. It was based on Shakespeare’s play (The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet) that premiered in 1597.
The production of the opera is great. It’s a packed house. Rolling in bed, half naked: seriously?
They received thunderous applause.
The cast: Romeo is played by tenor Duke Kim (web; Kennedy Ctr), who’s a Korean from Seoul. The first eight singers, two are from China, two from the US, one from Germany / Egypt / Brazil: very international. I’ve a soft chuckle.
I remembered the casting controversy when acclaimed British actor Jonathan Prycewas hired to play the Eurasian pimp role in the stage musical Miss Saigonthat opened in 1989, inLondon’s West End, then in 1990 on Broadway in New York.
Nowadays, China or Chinese-related news is on every page when you open a newspaper. But in the 90s, ‘China’ was a mere Sunday paper subject, appearing on theNew York Times third page, sporadically, next to Tiffany’s ad.
The casting controversy bacj then, began in New York, likely due to the larger Asian population in the US. The playwright David Henry Hwang (1957-) and the actor Bradley Darryl Wong (1960-), both born in California, Los Angeles and San Francisco respectively, led the charge, writing publicly to protest Pryce’s casting.
It was a messy fight. One side felt demeaned and affronted, and the other side insisted on artistic integrity and freedom, while the producer threatened to cancel the show, despite large advance ticket sales. In the end, Mr. Pryce and Keith Burns (as Thuy) went on the stage as planned.
Thirty-five years on, now, an Asian is playing Romeo. I believe he didn’t use eye prostheses or whiten his skin to appear more Caucasian, which Pryces and Burnses had to do in the past.
Just when I thought all was rosy and well. Another casting controversy erupted on Broadway: ‘a white actor to replace an Asian one. The backlash was swift’, this month, essentially three days ago.
A massive histoical building, sits between S Hill Street and Broadway in down town Los Angeles.
Loud music, endless food vendors of various cursines, bathrooms, … I don’t remember if they’ve air conditioning, but we go there whenever we’re in LA when we crave oysters.
This counter has become our go-to place in LA for oysters.
It’s inside the Grand Central Market, on the street level, close to S Hill Street.
Although it’s lunchtime, it is less packed than last time. As we were waiting for our order, a young lady delivered about 30 sea urchins. “They’re the best, fresh from Santa Barbara.”
When our food took longer to finish, one staff member came to ask if we’d like something to nibble on in the meantime. I said mindlessly that I’m considering the urchin. He flinched, then I realized he meant on the house. The spiny creature cost $30 each, just about as much as half dozen of Rockefeller oysters.
The Italian food is fantastic: it looks great and tastes wonderful. We’ve:
fried octopus
Arancino
fried calamari & zucchini
baked veggies trios
A few steps away from the Disney Concert Hall and the opera house (which offer 10% off with a ticket), it features a high ceiling, wood shutters (or wood-like?), an open kitchen, and tiles, with thin stems; it just feels right for me.
We sat by the bar because tables are all booked – it’s an opera night.We learned of this Italian restaurant from two ladies we met at last night’s concert at Disney – go figure –:).
The bartender doesn’t have a fancy shaking motion but is keeping a close eye on us: constantly asking if we need a refill or something. I don’t consider it pushy, even though our glasses are half empty. When the bar area got busy, they asked two people to move to accommodate a foursome.
The only TV monitor is showing sports, witheight events going on simultaneously. I glanced at the volleyball from time to time, but was unable to follow: just too hard with seven other things going on. Maybe just one? Change the channel when someone asks?
They’ve two corporate events going on that night: one with 150 people and one with 50. The hors d’oeuvres look so yummy that it gives me the urge to sneak in, ha ha ha.
By 6pm, the house is packed to the brim. One staff member came looking for wine, which is behind us. He asked the bartender for help – sorry, I don’t speak Spanish, but my best guess is that he couldn’t find the wine his table had ordered.
Desserts are made in-house except macrons.
Oh, the 10% off with the opera ticket, of course, I forgot all about it when paying.
350 S Grand Avenue, &
351 S Hill Street Los Angeles, CA
A little funicular in downtown LA, since 1901. The upper entrance is at California Plaza, 350 S Grand Avenue, and the lower entrance is located at 351 S Hill Street across from Grand Central Market.
The distance of the trace is 298 feet (91 m) over a vertical gain of 96 feet (29 m).
We came here for the 71Above but enjoyed the lobby. After 9/11, many building started to have full force of security, checking ID and so on. Not really against this safety measure, but a relaxed atmosphere does bring back some fond memories before the tragedy.
