Writes of Passage

Terminal B, Los Angeles, CA

… more pix on Yelp & Google Maps

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.

225 S Grand Avenue
LA, CA

… more pix &  videos on Google Maps & Yelp

Will return.

A few steps away from the Disney Concert Hall and the opera house (they offer 10% off with ticket), it has high ceiling, wood shutters (or wood looking?), open kitchen and tiles, thin stems: just feels right for me.

We sat by the bar because all the tables are booked – it’s an opera night. We learned of this Italian restaurant from two ladies we met at last night concert at Disney – go figure -:).

The bar tender doesn’t have fancy shaking motion but is keeping a close eye on us: constantly asking if we need refill or something. I don’t consider it as pushy, even our glasses are half empty. When the bar area got busy, they did ask two people to move, to accommodate foursome group.

The only tv monitor is showing sports, eight events in a frame. I glanced at the volleyball from time to time but unable to follow: just too hard with seven other things going on simultaneously. Maybe just one? Change when someone asks?

The food is awesome: looking great and tasting wonderful. We’ve:

– fried octopus
– Arancino
– fried calamari n zucchini
– baked veggies trios

They’ve two corp events going on simultaneously: one with 150 people and one with 50. The hors-d’oeuvre look so yummy that gives me the urge to sneak in, ha ha ha.

By 6pm, the house is packed to the gills. One staff came looking for wine, which is behind us. He asked the bar tender for help – sorry I don’t speak Spanish, but my best guess is he couldn’t find the wine his table had ordered.

Desserts are made in house except macrons.

The 10% off with the opera ticket, of course I forgot all about it.

Dinning at 71Above, on Nov 19, 2024, we’ve a wonderful view of the LA’s Inter Continental hotel @ 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

633 W 5th Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071

… more pix on Google Maps

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.

633 W 5th St Fl 71
Los Angeles, CA 90071

… more pix and video on Google Maps & Yelp.

Across the street from their wonderful library. This is one of better roof top restaurant and bars. Reservation is needed to the dining tables. We opted for the bar instead. There is a girl at the reception of the US Bank Tower Lewis Brisbois lobby, checking attires. Two elevators later, we arrived at the dark entrance, which showcases the panoramic view of the city and Hollywood Hill beautifully.

The most striking buildings in our view is the Inter Continental hotel downtown @ 900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

I enjoyed their decor, service and food. The sunset is simply marvelous. The handsome bar tender is a seasoned pro, who added commentary after we picked our wine: Mendel Malbec 2021 is the winner! Gundlach Bundschu fm Sonoma County 2022 is good too, but not as good as the Malbec. We couldn’t drink more because we’ve small pre concert hour at Disney Hall – the wine is most likely not as good as 71Above.

A few small plates are all wonderful.

1. Liver mousse
2. pork belly skewer … 东坡肉 -:)
3. Chicharrones

I captured the motion of the bar tender making cocktails and asked if I can post it publicly. He said sure, and thanked me for asking.

他们的东坡肉和咱们的东坡肉有的一比 … 快去申遗 [偷笑]

夜幕降临 瑕疵都看不见了
中国有一白折三丑
美国一黑折百丑

1833 W Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 9006

… more pix @ Google Maps & Yelp

Probably won’t return: the marinaded beef is bit too sweet. (Is there one Korean restaurant that doesn’t serve beef marinaded on the sweet side?)

We walked in at 12 noon and it was all Korean speakers, which is a good sign.

Simple and functional decor, especially like the ceiling design.

The serve sucks on her teeth while taking our order. The bbq plate doesn’t fit well – so be careful, don’t put pressure on it.

The sides: the green salad is wonderful; kimchi is ok; the little chopped side is the best. It’s the first time seeing macaroni in a Korean restaurant.

The bill came before we finished our meal. The hook in the bathroom stall is too high for shorty like me -:)

Parking on site.

425 N Los Angeles St,
Los Angeles, CA 90012

… more pix and videos on Google Maps and Yelp; more here

Free admission, no bathroom and the elevator is out of order. Some interesting and informative exhibits. The Anna May Wong special is going on till 2025.

111 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Downtown

Will return.

Been here a couple of times but never found a concert we liked, until today. I thought the chamber music would played in the smaller venue but in main hall. It wasn’t packed.

The venue is wonderful, especially the outdoor garden. They offered little wine prior to the start and we chatted with a few female concert goers. First two are friends, both widowed and live near by. They suggested Vespiao for dinner. Then two separate female joined us, one Chinese who said she’s on board of the Library, and confirmed the homeless people using the bathroom at the Central Library. She also insisted to talk to me in Mandarin.

First half of the program was modern and second was Beethoven. The acoustic is wonderful.

Interestingly, the ride to the hotel afterward, the female Uber driver has classical music on -:) thank you!

Disney Hall 几次来都没有碰上想听的音乐会. 这次室内乐以为会在其它小室 … 有些空空旷旷

回来的Uber女司机放古典音乐: 第一次. 投其所好 还是自己喜欢不得而知. 下车前特别谢谢了她 [愉快]
开演前的酒会聊天时一人说是说她是洛杉矶图书馆的董事. 俺赶紧问无家可归的事.
嗯 是事实… 苦于无计可施
是呀？I feel your pain. 纽约图书馆好像没有吧? 还是俺out lah

Delta Sky Club @ TPA (Tampa)

… more pix on Yelp & Google Maps

6am for 7:15 flight. The club is convenient located but busy. $50 fee is not really worth it.

Service is good, food is bland. The paper plates and plastic utensils at first, a turn off – but if it’s good for the environment, I’m ok with it. Alcohol serves after 7am -:)

Out of all cups I picked a chipped one -:)

A few passengers have their dogs, which made the place more welcoming.

The flight DL538:

The flight DL538 A321(Neo) took off a few minutes before the scheduled 7:15 departure time. The first class (2, 2) and comfort are full but the rest is half empty. Oh well, better luck next time. However the Delta Sky Club is full, can’t imagine how busier the lounge would be if our flight is full.

The charging ports work well but my screen doesn’t, reset three times and still not working. So they moved to Row 19 by the exit (a lot of leg room…) and watched 1917 by dreamwork; Chinatown, with Jack Nicholson, by … cut off half way: content unavailable. I then moved on to A Gentleman in Moscow.
We touched down at 9:22 local time, 21 min early; gated at 9:34, and off the plane at 9:38.

My seat Comfort Plus was an up grade but the screen didn’t work after three reset. The tall FA moved me to Row 19F which is the main seating area. I jokingly asked him for a refund. He said seriously that no ma’am, you want tv, I gave you a tv … It felt a dress down. He then went on, argued forcefully that I agreed to move, and he did provide service by asking me what did I want to drink. There isn’t a slight of apology. It was quite intimidating and discerning.

Why do I keep running into trouble at Delta? Two encounters this year, both with tall FA … do they just don’t like short people or what -:) Perhaps it’s the time to switch.

… more pix on Yelp.

After a few Chinese restaurants in Orlando, we returned here.

10 minutes after opening and we were not the first one. Efficient and good service, it’s pretty quiet (great). One diner has his lap top up -:)

The chicken feet is wonderful – ok someone might find it unappetizing, and it was me when I first encountered it in Hong Kong many moons ago, but very quickly, I come to enjoy it.

Two rice rolls dim sums are thick thinned and totally tasteless. The crullers should be crispy but theirs were mushy – a no no. Funny, I ordered it the last and the server made a comment as if to agree with me, said “it’s so crunchy …” oh well, better luck next time.