Posts Tagged ‘90004’

Breakfast at Paris Baguette in Koreatown

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Was waiting for the light to change so I could walk across Western Avenue when I spotted this in the window of Paris Baguette behind me.

Breakfast at Paris Baguette

Coffee and Croissant for A Dollar and 90 Cents!

Isn’t that a great deal? That’ll get you inside. But they do have other goodies like kastera, sweet-potato rolls and sandwiches. They even have Welch’s grape juice!

As you can see in the reflection, HK Super is right across the street. Inside the supermarket, Bosco Cake Salon has a small counter that also sells Western-style pastries like kastera, sweet-potato rolls and soboro. Slightly cheaper, but you do pay for the ambience at PB.

파리바게뜨: 125 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Telephone Number: (323) 467-0404
Staffed in front by bilingual Korean-American teens.
Hours Open: Monday-Saturday 6:30 AM – 9 PM. Sunday 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Patbingsu at Paris Baguette in Koreatown

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Pat Bing Su (팥빙수, 팥氷水, patbingsoo) is the most popular summer treat in Korea.

팥 (paht) are red beans, and 빙수 (bingsoo) refers to the shaved ice on which the beans are placed. Milk is drizzled on, and other toppings are added such as ice cream, strawberries, kiwi, bananas, cereal flakes…

Patbingsu at Paris Baguette on Western Avenue in Koreatown

Paris Baguette on Western Avenue in Koreatown sells pat-bingsoo for the price of around $4.90. Click on the photo to enlarge!

Address:
125 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Across the street from HK Supermarket
Phone number: (323) 467-0404

Kim Sun Young for Hair and Nails in Koreatown

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

This is one of the popular and flourishing beauty complexes in Koreatown. As far as I know they started out with just hair cuts. Now they’ve got several buildings in this strip mall — having branched out to skin care and other services. This is where I have my hair done (my “designer” or stylist is Robin Lee who looks like Yoko Ono!) and just recently my nails.

Kim Sun Young Skin Care on Beverly Boulevard

A manicure costs 15 dollars and a pedicure $20. They’ve got a wide collection of OPI colors, and there’s a sterilizer on site, though I haven’t directly seen the cuticle cutter taken out of it. I give them the benefit of the doubt — I’ve not gotten a fungus infection like Paula Abdul with her Vietnamese manicurist. Also, they give you a free manicure after doing 10 with them.

Shampoo, trim and blow dry is around 30 dollars. More complex services like dye coloring and hair strengthening (Magic Straight) are expensive and can set you back $200-300, which is still cheaper than at Japanese hair salons. Do call for an appointment, although it’s not uncommon that they can see you when you call in the morning. They open 10 AM or earlier.

Address: 300 N Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Corner Beverly Boulevard. Phone number: (323) 467-4247
Korean speaker will answer but can manage to take simple English info like dates and time. Don’t be scared.

Nat King Cole Post Office in Koreatown LA

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

One of the post offices in the Koreatown area in Los Angeles is called the Nat King Cole postal station. In 1948, the famed singer resettled in the exclusive Hancock Park neighborhood, which is just a few blocks west of Western Avenue where this post office is located. What was once the Oakwood post office was renamed in honor of Nat King Cole by an act of Congress during the presidency of the younger Bush.

Nat King Cole Post Office in Koreatown LA

Public Law 107-271 (116 Stat. 1755-1756) designates the U.S. Postal Service facility in Los Angeles, California, at 265 South Western Avenue, as the “Nat King Cole Post Office”. Enacted in 2002. Implemented in 2003.

Surrounding the area are mostly Korean-owned businesses with Mexican and Salvadoran laborers. The sign outside the building identifies it as the Nat King Cole post office, but inside there’s little of distinction except for a few famed portraits of the singer, like the one above. The set-up actually looks pretty measly…

An automated postal machine is on site, which is really convenient, as there’s always a slow-moving line for the windows manned by human postal employees. The workers are surprisingly helpful and nice, but the machine handles simple transactions (stamps, package weighing, postage issuance) more quickly and efficiently. You can also rent PO Boxes here.

Address: 265 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Corner of Western Avenue and 3rd Street

Regular Business Hours. Monday-Friday 8:30 am -7:00 pm.
Saturday 8:30 am -5:00 pm. Sunday closed.

On Friday, July 3, regular mail delivery services will be available. However, most Post Offices will close at 12 noon, and most collection times will be advanced to noon. There will be no regular mail delivery on July 4. Only Sunday/Holiday Premium Express Mail will be delivered. Regular mail delivery, retail services and collections will resume on Monday, July 6.

LA Safeway Self-Storage in Koreatown

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Address: 116 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
A few blocks north of Wilshire Boulevard, before Beverly
Same building as Hanmi Unhaeng (Korean Bank)

LA Safeway Self-Storage in Koreatown Los Angeles

LA Safeway Self-Storage in Koreatown

The manager speaks mostly Korean, but they have a new Korean-American clerk named Eugene who speaks fluent English.

Hours Open: Mon-Sat 8 am-6 pm; Sunday 10 am-2:30 pm. Phone number: 213-738-9048. Auction of contents of abandoned storage units scheduled for July 29 (Wednesday), 2009.

Mung Puppy Store in Koreatown, Los Angeles

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Maltese, shih tzu and yorkie puppies…
Mung Puppy Store for Pet Grooming in Koreatown

Mung Puppy Store in Koreatown, Los Angeles

멍애견카페 is actually Mong Pet Cafe. 멍멍 (mong-mong) is ‘doggie’ in Korean. Grooming starts at $35, which includes shampoo, hair trimming, nail clipping and teeth brushing. If you’re wondering where young Korean-American women have their dogs dyed pink, here is your answer. Other colors available too.

Right next to frame shop 표구제작 (액자). Metro PCS nearby.

Address: 184 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone number: (213) 382-8811

Recycling in the Garden with Yvonne Savio

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Recycling in the Garden with Yvonne Savio
Recycling in the Garden with Master Gardener Yvonne Savio
Wednesday, July 8, 2009. 6:30 – 7:45 pm.

A film of Huell Howser’s visit to Yvonne Savio’s beautiful garden will be shown. Ms. Savio is Master Gardener Coordinator from the UC Extension Office for L.A. County. She will offer tips for recycling in the garden and handouts to take home. Please call to reserve your place in this free program for adults as seating is limited.

Wilshire Branch of the Public Library – LAPL
Phone Number: (323) 957-4550
Address: 149 N. Saint Andrews Place, Los Angeles, 90004

Surprise Craft Program at Wilshire Library

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Surprise Craft Program with Sherri : Saturday, June 27 @ 1 pm.
Meant for Adults Patrons of the Library

Surprise Craft Program at Wilshire Library

Bring your enthusiasm as your creative brain is sure to be stimulated in this free program to all. Please sign up to reserve your place. Email: wlshire@lapl.org or call (323) 957-4550.

Wilshire Branch of the Public Library – LAPL
Phone Number: (323) 957-4550
Address: 149 N. Saint Andrews Place, Los Angeles, 90004