dad's birthday: perch & syrup

Perch

488 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, 90013

 213-802-1770

Today's outing is quite special, it's my dad's birthday! My dad, my brother, my brother's girlfriend, and myself, went to Perch in Downtown LA. It was our first time there and it was a super nice experience. When you first arrive to the building, you scratch your head thinking to yourself, "is this the right place?". However, once you take a couple elevators up to the 15th floor, you realize that this is an oasis in a sea of cars and buildings. Perch has an amazing happy hour 4-6p and dinner starting at 6p. The views of the city are quiet amazing, great place to relax and enjoy a drink or two. The food is well portioned, drinks are well served, the dessert menu did not look so appetizing, so we decided to skip on that.  

Perch

Perch

Venue

Perch LA is an elevated resting place. A French inspired rooftop bistro that offers unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles that makes it feel as though you are floating at the skyline. PERCH offers two outdoor fireplaces, various fire pits, lounge and table seating both indoors and out.

Pershing Square from the 15th floor

Ambiance

The ambiance at PERCH LOS ANGELES is incredibly unique at every turn. As you arrive to the 15th floor restaurant you are greeted by beautiful antique inspired furniture, plush lounge couches and incredibly detailed woodwork, which will transport you to French inspired restaurants of old. You can choose to enjoy the fresh, intimate indoor bohemian ambiance or be seated at one of the outside patios with ornate fireplaces, lush landscaping, breathtaking views of the Downtown L.A. skyline and a direct view to the stars above. If you are in search of a more intimate lounge experience, simply move on up to the 16th floor rooftop lounge with ornate furniture and cozy fire pits to enjoy delicious cocktails, great music and an unparalleled 360 degree view of Downtown L.A. PERCH is indeed the premier dining and nightlife destination in Los Angeles where you can indulge in a most comfortable, unpretentious and upscale atmosphere that features live jazz inspired music, while enjoying a sumptuous French cuisine dinner, followed by DJ’s that will keep you swaying throughout the evening.

Scallops, Perch

Cuisine

PERCH Executive Chef Justin Albertson has created a playful menu inspired by French culinary classics utilizing the freshest of seasonal ingredients. The menu consists of items that are meant to be shared as well as meals that stand boldly alone.

Perch

Bar

Whether you want to be inside the main bar under the 30 foot ceilings surrounded by vintage artwork and sweeping archways of windows with a wrap around balcony or on the rooftop with unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles, you will be able to experience a selection of specialty drinks that focus on simple, fresh Parisian inspired cocktails, a wine program that boasts over 25 wines by the glass, a crafted beer selection or even rare selection of Cognacs, Armagnac’s and French Cordials.

www.perchla.com

(Note to my readers: they don't serve Adios and they don't have Patron...)

After an enjoyable dinner, we took a 15 minute walk through downtown to a dessert place called Syrup. 

Syrup 

611 S Spring St

Los Angeles, CA 90014

1(213)488-5136

Mixed Berries Cheesecake, Syrup

This place is amazing, super affordable, huge portion, great atmosphere, and tastes delicious. I had the mixed berries cheesecake, and it left me craving for more. Everything in the display window looked like a slice of heaven. For any of my readers that have a sweet tooth addiction, I would not miss the spot. 

View from the 16th floor at Perch

For more pictures check out my photo gallery: 

www.kriswithakay.smugmug.com

exxopolis and downtown los angeles

photo credit: @grandpark_LA

WELCOME TO EXXOPOLIS

Exxopolis is a sculpture people enter to be immersed in radiant light and colour. Since 1992 Architects of Air's luminaria have enchanted over 2 million visitors in 38 counties around the world.

Exxopolis takes its inspiration from natural geometry and Islamic architecture. The principal dome - the CUPOLA - was inspire by the circular space of the Chapter House of Southwell Minister. Its windows are designed to create a 'stain glass' effect using the Penrose  tilling discovered by mathematician and physicist Roger Penrose.

exxopolis

The luminosity of light and colour inside exxopolis is created purely by the light shining through the coloured plastic. All the individual places have been cut and glued together by hand in our workshop in Nottingham England.

me inside exxopolis 

www.architects-of-air.com

exxopolis 

enter and be amazed...

Exxopolis was absolutely amazing, the colors that we photographed were out of this world. Being inside was space like, something unique and completely out of this world. My mom and I really enjoyed being at this location. We didn't have reservations, but a small 15 minute wait in line guaranteed us stand by tickets.

Have to give a shout out to Grand Park LA's instagram account @grandpark_la for featuring exxopolis which inspired me to go visit this location. 

Music Center

MoCa: Museum of Contemporary Art

250 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

1(213)626-6222

www.moca.org 

MoCA

"Founded in 1979, MOCA is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art. It is committed to the collection, presentation, and interpretation of work produced since 1940 in all media, and to preserving that work for future generations. In a remarkably short time, MOCA has developed one of the nation's most renowned permanent collections. Now numbering over 5,000 works and steadily growing, this invaluable cultural resource provides extensive opportunities for education and enjoyment to thousands of national and international visitors. Today the museum is housed in three unique facilities: MOCA Grand Avenue, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, and MOCA Pacific Design Center." 

MoCa.org

MoCA

ADMISSION

General Admission: $12

Students with I.D.: $7

Seniors (65+): $7

Children under 12: Free

(if you plan on visiting this location make sure you bring your student ID)

Free Thursday Evenings:

Admission to MOCA Grand Avenue is free every Thursday, 5–8pm, courtesy of Wells Fargo.

MoCA

MoCA is a really interesting museum, it's a bit on the small side, but for the experience it's a nice way to spend an hour or two. My mom and I had a fun time here, critiquing the art (she's not a big fan of modern art). Unfortunately only their permanent collection was open on the day we went. If you're expecting a big fancy museum, this might not be the spot for you. 

Tickets can be purchased for same-day admission at the box office at MOCA Grand Avenue and The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. 

The Geffen Contemporary at MoCA:

152 North Central Ave, Los Angeles, Ca 90012

213 - 626- 6222

Geffen Contemporary 

"A former police car warehouse in Little Tokyo renovated by the noted California architect Frank O. Gehry, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (formerly The Temporary Contemporary) opened in 1983. This location offers 40,000 square feet of exhibition space and a branch of the MOCA Store."

Geffen at MoCa

The Geffen Contemporary is an extension of MoCa, and I love modern art just as much as the next person but the this place was not to my liking at all. They did have a rather interesting architect exhibition, but to be quiet honest it failed to grab my attention. If you are interested in architecture, I do recommend going to the Geffen Contemporary Extension. 

Geffen Contemporary at MoCA

Our Lady of Angeles Cathedral 

555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, Ca 90012

1(213)680-5200

Our Lady Of Angeles Cathedral 

"Standing in the midst of downtown Los Angeles, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels serves the total Archdiocese of over 5 million Catholics. As the heart of all 287 Parish Churches and communities, it is the place where the Archbishop celebrates the major Liturgies of the year with clergy, religious and laity. 

Our Lady of Angels Cathedral 

The Cathedral serves as a "model Church for all Parish Churches" in the style and content of its liturgical celebrations. In design, art and furnishings, the Cathedral is rich in cultural diversity in a city in which Sunday Mass is celebrated in 42 different languages. In these first nine years, the Cathedral has welcomed countless pilgrims and visitors. Thank you for being a part of the Cathedral's success story!"

www.olacathedral.org

This cathedral is breathtaking from top to bottom. It was quiet relaxing and tranquil being inside the cathedral with no one there at all. It was a beautiful feeling sitting there in an empty pew, listening to the organist practice for the Sunday mass. I recommend this locations for catholics and non catholics alike. 

Overall, it was a great exeperience coming out to Downtown Los Angeles again. It's been a favorite spot of mine ever since i first came out here. There's always so much to do. I've done some other adventure out here before and there is always new things to discover and explore 

Walt Disney Concert Hall 

LAPD Headquarters 

For more pictures visit my gallery:
www.kriswithakay.smugmug.com

Other Downtown LA Adventures:

exploring downtown la

metro moves dtla

run for a cure

macaroons

beverly hills shenanigans

Well the summer weather has decided to make a late arrival this summer. It's been ridiculously hot here in southern california. Sweating bullets and air conditioner at full blast in the car, today's adventure took us out to 

Beverly Hills, CA. 

- Virginia Robinson Gardens

- Spadena House (Witch House) 

- Beverly Hills Trolley Tour

-Good Shepard Catholic Church

- Beverly Hills Civic Center

- Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial

Virginia Robinson Gardens

Hours: 10a-1p

RESERVATIONS ARE NEEDED (approximately 2 weeks in advance)

Fee: $11/person

www.robinsongardens.org

The Virginia Robinson Gardens are a representation of an early twentieth century estate. Harry and Virginia Robinson were known for their department store called Robinson's and civic philanthropy. They built the main house in 1911, in a Beaux Arts style. The residence is furnished with antiques and artifacts collected from around the world.

The Renaissance Revival Pool Pavilion was built in 1924 and is modeled after the Villa Pisani in the Tuscan region of Italy. Decorative panels of Sgraffito ornamentation adorn the Roman arches at the entry to the pavilion's Solarium. The Pavilion overlooks a long pool with mosaic tile wainscoting.

Virginia Robinson Gardens

The tour last approximately about an hour and a half. 

There is a lot to see and great picture opportunities. If you are going in the summertime like I did, prepare yourself with a bottle of water. 

Overall it was a great experience, and amazing history behind the beginning's of Robinson's May.  

Spadena House (Witch House) 

Hours: all the time? it's a private residency so please be mindful

Fee: FREE

516 Walden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The Spadena House, also known as The Witch's House, is a  story book house in Beverly Hills, Ca. Located on the corner of Walden Drive and Carmelita, it is known for its fanciful design that intentionally cause it to look dilapidated and old, and is a landmark included on tours of the area.

The house was designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver, who went on to play a major role in Storybook architecture. It was originally built in 1921 to serve as the offices and dressing rooms for Irvin Willat's film studio in Culver City, and was moved to its present location in 1934. The converted private home, with its pointy, lopsided roof, tiny windows and stucco with a distressed paint job were then surrounded by an intentionally overgrown English-style garden and a moat-like pond. 

The first residents of the 3,500 square feet (330 m²) home, the Spadena family, lent the house their name. A second family moved in and renovated the interior in the 1960s, making some exterior alterations including a skylight visible from certain angles. The moat began leaking under the second family's ownership and they filled it with dirt, and planted a garden. By the time the house came on the market again in 1997, it had fallen into disrepair. Because of the value of its prime location, it was unable to immediately find a buyer uninterested in a tear down of the property. Consequently Michael Libow, a real estate agent, who did not want to see the home torn down, purchased it and began a gradual renovation. After tall, black fencing was initially placed around the lot, the owner received hate mail from people who thought he was going to tear it down.

The home has been called a precursor to Walt Disney's concept of Imagineering, whereby stage sets become fully realized environments. And, architect Charles Willard Moore once described the building as the "quintessential Hansel and Gretel house."

Spadena House

You can not miss this house if you are in the neighborhood. It's a funny, quirky house that sits in the sea of gorgeous mansions and multimillion dollar homes. 

You are more likely to see a car or two drive by and park while you're there.  

Beverly Hills Trolley Tour

Hours: 11a-4p (trolleys operate every hour, last leaving at 4p)

Fee: $5/adults $1/kids 

Departs from the corner of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way

www.beverlyhills.org

This Trolley Tour is quiet a treat, it's a 40-minute tour that travels around Beverly Hills. The tour shows you a variety of celebrity homes, Beverly Hills "hot spots", and some random fun facts. For $5 you're not going to get a high end tour, but it's a nice little ride around town in a cool air conditioned car. We didn't make our initial 3:00 tour as we planned, so we went to visit the Spadena House, which is located less than 10 mins away.

TIP!: parking can be tricky in Beverly Hills, so make sure you know don't pay more than $2/hour and parking is FREE after 6pm in most locations (check for signs or posting for update parking information) 

- if you're a walker you'll enjoy this next part - 

Beverly Hills commercial district is rather small, so everything is relatively close within a mile or so distance. 

We have walked the Beverly Hills Gardens before, and they're a fun easy breezy walk, however if you keep on walking you'll find some pretty neat treats.

Good Shepard Catholic Church

505 N Bedford Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

This church is absolutely beautiful from the outside.

FACT: Frank Sinatra had his funeral services at this church.

(which we learned from the Beverly Hills Trolley Tour)

Unfortunately we were unable to go inside, but if you are planning to visit this church, check their website, or give them a call that way you can have up to date hours of operation. 

Beverly Hills Civic Center
As we drove around Beverly Hills, I kept spotting this majestic tower with a golden dome.  I was eager to see what it was, so we followed it which led us to the Beverly Hills Civic Center. This is where City Hall, Public Library, Fire Department, and Police Station are are all located for the city of Beverly Hills. Being Labor Day weekend all the facilities were vacant, so there wasn't much to do. We did however snoop around the grounds to see what we could find, and we did find quite a beautiful gem. 




Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial



This beautiful memorial is located next to the fire department, and what a sight it is. The memorial features what seems to be an iron rod from the WTC (no confirmation or signage was found), a replica of the World Trade Center, as well as with benches and water features. This is one of the most well done tributes I have seen for 9/11. 



I had a an amazing time exploring Beverly Hills, traffic is a mess as always but when you're not in a rush and have nothing but time, it's always fun just getting off the couch and enjoying the view.  

for more pics make sure to check out my new photo journal 

www.kriswithakay.smugmug.com

brody's first hike

today on our get off the couch adventure we were joined by my best friend Silvia, and her little guy Brody (real name: Chuy, I nicknamed him Brody before he was even born and it just stayed.) 

We decided to go out for a hike out to the Hollywood Hills, and go see the Hollywood Sign. The great thing about the hike was the fact that the trail is wide enough for a stroller.

The hike was spectacular and the weather was perfect, it wasn't too hot or too cold. The sun was out but it wasn't ridiculously hot to make it unbearable. The view is always beautiful (minus the thick layer of smog)

Brody had fun snacking on his cheerios as he spilled them all over his stroller.

After a long hike through the Hollywood Hills, Brody was knocked out. 

I had a great time traveling to Hollywood, and enjoying a good hike catching up with a friend. I also had a great bonding experience with Brody. I look forward to many more adventure outings with these too.

& always remember it's always a good day to get off the couch...