Looking for a Piñata in L.A. ? Try Central and Olympic.

     On the south side of Olympic and west of Central are about 2 blocks worth of party supply stores. Not the usual type that carry ribbons and bows and plastic utensils. Rather these are stores that all specialize in Piñatas and 'Piñata Party' supplies. A colorful array that brightens up a bleak industrial area known as the Produce District. You can buy everything from a tamale cooker, loteria games to dried chilies and Mexican treats. By the way parking is a bargain only $3, where else can you find that in L.A. these days.

You can also find some very colorful brooms, do they make housework less dreary?

Hungry, there is a food truck,

and Taqueria 'La Papa Loca'

As always, all images are copyright Peter Politanoff / RedStarImage. Images cannot be reproduced without expressed permission. You are more than welcome to link to this site however.

Seis de Mayo - the day after Cinco!

     It was pretty much a normal Monday morning on Pier Ave in Hermosa Beach. Banks and stores were opening, food and beer trucks making their deliveries. Most of the the decor and trash from the weekends festivities have already been cleared away. Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo. But what set this Monday apart from the usual was the inordinate number of beach cruisers still chained to the racks.
     Perhaps just as it is not safe to drink and drive, it is also not to safe to over-drink and ride. Perhaps the owners hitched a ride with a friend. Perhaps some took a cab. Some may have even spent a night with a total stranger, waking up wondering how they got were they are. Others may have simply been forgotten ("dang I could have sworn I rode my bike, I don't see it so I guess I'll walk home"). They all gradually disappear from the racks as the hours and days pass. But occasionally there is that one, that sits and sits waiting to be claimed, just rusting away. Looking at these images you wonder, which one might that be.

As always, all images and text are copyright Peter Politanoff, cannot be reproduced without expressed consent. You are certainly welcome to link to this post however.

All images shot with Fuji X-E1 w/ Leica 28mm Elmarit and Leica 90mm Elmarit lenses.

The King Eddy Saloon - Sold!

     At the base of the 120 year old King Edward Hotel stand the last great dive bar of Skid Row. The King Eddy Saloon, 131 E 5th Street LA, has been a local hangout since 1933. Although the sign inside says “Where nobody gives a shit about your name”, the Saloon has served the likes of Bukowski, Fante and Chandler as well as the skid row locals.

     I read some really sad news yesterday, as posted in the LA Times - the King Eddy Saloon has been sold. One of the new owners stated that he “intends to kick the dust off and bring it up to date, so that others can learn about its legacy” - sounds like a tourist attraction in the making.

     The King Eddy (with LA's oldest Liquor License) will remain in its current incarnation through the end of the summer.

     Time will tell!   For those who have been there and for those who won’t be able to see it before the transformation. Here are some shots I took last year.

All images shoot w/ Canon 5D mkII and Zeiss & Canon lenses.

My Charles Bukowski Link

My Skid Row Link

My Musso & Frank Link

As always, all images and text are copyright Peter Politanoff, all international restrictions apply. Cannot be used for commercial purposes without expressed consent.

Saturday Night at MOCA 2012.04.28

Here are some images I shot last night, up and down Grand Avenue, and landing at MOCA for the Member's opening of the 'The Painting Factory'.

As always all images are copyright Peter Politanoff, and cannot be used for commercial purposes without consent!

Eating Japanese - Torihei

In my continuing series  "Eating Japanese", I've found another restaurant to write about. Fortunately it was located in Torrance (not far from home), in the strip mall next to Mitsuwa Market. The best description I could come up for Torihei is a Japanese Tapas restaurant. Their website describes it as" Yakitori Robata Dining", not only do they serve yakitori, but also izakaya dishes, oden and sashimi. I should mention also the beer, sake, and shochu! Here are some images I shot with iP4 and Panasonic GX1.

A storm was threatening, although forecast was for later in the evening.

Since we didn't have reservations, we had to sit in the back area. I would like to note, we were the only non-Japanese patrons. For me that is always a good sign of authenticity.

Although the menu was in Japanese the order forms were bilingual, and located in a tall glass on the table.

Fortunately I had researched not only their website but some of the dishes they served before arriving.

Xiao long boa was incredible!!

The yakitori in general was outstanding.

Finished the dinner very satisfied and determined to come back very soon.

As always all images are copyright Peter Politanoff / RedStarImage, and cannot be used for commercial purposes without explicit consent.