This Ugly Beautiful Newsletter-issue 7s
Summer is coming, last meal cheeseburger, and updates
Dear friends and new subscribers!
Wow! I would love to welcome all new subscribers who found me over the past month. I finally reached my goal of 160 subscribers!
This Ugly Beautiful City’s (aka me, this solopreneur’s) mission is to help people enjoy Los Angeles–whether you are here for a weekend or the rest of your life. (Read this issue to get what This Ugly Beautiful City is about.)
May is one of my favorite months in Los Angeles. It is so full of excitement. This is when the free event schedules are announced, and single tickets go on sale for the Hollywood Bowl!! Speaking of the Bowl, here are my Tips for the Hollywood Bowl. (If you don’t know, now you know.)
In this issue
My first tour!
New posts
I think this cheeseburger would be on my last meal list
GCM Comings and goings
Announcement
Updated posts (there were a lot, so I moved it to the end.)
Chinatown tour
On April 29th, I led eight people on a tour of Los Angeles’ Chinatown. It was a beautiful day to explore and support local businesses. I won’t give you a list because I want you to sign up for the tour in the future, but I will give a couple of highlights.
Tierra del Sol Gallery–This gallery which is part of the Tierra Del Sol Foundation, gives a venue for artists with disabilities to display their work. We went on the last day of Ericka Lopez’s exhibition, Continuous Touch. Lopez is an artist who lost her sense of sight and works in textiles and ceramics. She encourages people to interact with her work. As someone who left a super serious museum, it was a new experience to spend time touching the art.
The curator gave us additional information on how Lopez creates her art–being able to sense and smell the differences between shades of color. (Human bodies are amazing!)
Tea Infused Cocktails–I am always excited when I can share small businesses with others. Steep LA has become a favorite in the past year. By day they serve a list of curated traditional teas served in a modern way. By night they add a tea-infused cocktail program that transforms classics or creates something new. This is a great place to take both your cocktail fans and non-drinkers. I knew I had to end the tour here.
I will announce my next paid subscribers and friends meet up in an upcoming newsletter.
New posts
I shared my very first note.
Best things I ate this month
This feature won out by a slim margin in the poll, so I am going with it! I love talking about food in Los Angeles, so it wasn’t a tough decision. This past month was a celebration month, and some of these choices reflect that. (i.e. many dollar signs)
The list
The vampiro at Angel’s Tijuana Taco (Echo Park location—Multiple locations)--I had the carne asada vampiro once, and I can’t stop thinking about it. They are known for their el pastor, but I love their carne asada. $4.50 for the vampiro.
Gold Bar at Birdie G’s–Birdie G’s does a monthly tasting menu called Smörgåsbird that is truly impressive. In April, they featured a fan favorite that isn’t on the regular menu–the gold bar. This hashbrown cake is lovingly layered with tons of cheese and is the perfect creamy, crispy, salty bite we all crave. I strongly recommend Smörgåsbird for a special occasion date night. They are doing something new and interesting each month. Reserve here. $150 per person + autograt. There is also an $85 wine pairing.)
Beef broccoli pasta at Poltergeist–At first, I wasn’t sure what to think about a restaurant in an arcade, but Los Angeles has great food hiding in strange locations. The beef broccoli pasta is a creative play on the classic Chinese dish. $22. (This is a great group hangout!)
Grilled kinki and onion at Hayato– Hayato is a seven-seat Japanese restaurant using local seasonal ingredients and local crafters and makers. It feels more like an intimate dinner party where strangers tell stories of great meals they have had and their next trips to Japan. The service is incredible. (Yuki-san is the best!)
The grilled kinki is one of several dishes on the current tasting menu. It is a small and fatty fish that, when you grill it, fries in its own fat. It is both tender and crispy.
The Amboy slim thicc cheeseburger at Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers– If I were ever on Mythical Kitchens' “Last Meals” show, this cheeseburger would definitely be on the table. $13
Cool Los Angeles Shit (or just news, I think is important)
You can see the super blooms from space
If any of you are driving to Vegas soon, ZZYZX Road is most likely on your route.
Announcement
On the eve of This Ugly Beautiful City’s four-year birthday, I decided to undergo a major reshuffle. I have been working hard to reorganize the site to curate tourist and local experiences. I am also ramping up my business.
Right now, the blog looks like crap. I don’t recommend Bluehost. (The two are related.)
Updated posts
I went on an update spree over the past few weeks. My goal is to have the most updated information on the blog. I see a lot of Los Angeles websites that have a lot of closed or relocated businesses.
Need summer plans in Los Angeles? These newly updated posts have some great ideas.
The Eames House, or Case Study No. 8–New tour options!
Santa Monica Pier–Deleted information: Sad to hear that the Twilight Concerts won’t be returning to the Pier. Not sure what happened, but Santa Monica is going through some serious growing pains right now. (Does anyone have any hot City of Santa Monica gossip?)
Too many closures in Los Feliz: I had to merge two Los Feliz posts due to a bunch of closures. This post is now updated with new vintage shopping suggestions and entertainment. I am not sure what is happening with the Vista Theater. (Does anyone know?)
Post-pandemic updates: There were a few places I wrote about during the pandemic that has gone back to regular hours with fewer restrictions. Those posts are:
Self-realization Lake Shrine-new procedures
Annenberg Community Beach House–new hours
Other ways to support my work
Share my newsletter with others
Heart this issue
Gift me a coffee if you have used my advice. (Great one-time option if a paid subscription is too much.)
Thank you so much for reading!
Kristen
I learned there is an Angel's Tacos out by me so I am going to try it soon!