I continue to explore different areas in LA that I’ve just never taken the time to get to know, and I’ve really loved having the time to do it! A lot of this exploration has been Downtown, but never have I walked around DTLA as much as I did last week. I was meeting friends for lunch at Grand Central and then had plans that night to see Judy Blume speak at a theater in Little Tokyo, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to spend the entire day downtown, exploring Little Tokyo and the Arts District. I’ve been to dinner and museums in the area, but have never taken the time to walk, explore, and really understand these parts.

At Grand Central I decided I wanted to try something new. I’ve had Wexler’s, Eggslut and Madcapra Falafel, so this time I went for one of the less trendy spots – Tacos Tumbras a Tomas. Possibly the largest tacos I’ve ever had – you get a lot for the $3 price tag. I opted out of the tongue or goat in favor of the more traditional carne asada and carnitas. Not my favorite mexican lunch ever, but very glad to have tried this oft-crowded stand.

After receiving a red notice of “double parking” from the Grand Central parking authorities (please!!), it was off to Little Tokyo for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I somehow managed to find the one block in the entire area with street parking sans meters, so I felt like my parking karma had returned, despite being momentarily rattled by the powerless red notice that I had just received.

I didn’t have an agenda really, other than a few shops I knew I wanted to stop into. I was immediately ready for dessert, so I started this adventure with a stop into Fugetsu-Do Confectionary, where they make delicious mochi. I bought a package of Peanut Butter (pink mochi filled with actual crunchy peanut butter), and one Strawberry (mochi filled with strawberry flavored filling, a small dollop of chocolate on the top and a little jelly crane cutout on top). I’m not a fan of mochi as a topping for things like frozen yogurt, but these beautiful pastry packages are perfect – not too sweet but just sweet enough to satisfy a craving.

  

Much of my afternoon was spent between 1st and 3rd Streets and San Pedro Street and The LA River. Japanese Village Plaza is in the center of Little Tokyo, an outdoor mall or sorts with stores, coffee shops, etc. Fun fashions, Japanese housewares and products, and of course no Japanese mall would be complete without Sanrio!

  

I walked into some of the sneaker stores, like RIF L.A., which reminded me of stores in NYC where the shoes are wrapped in plastic. Unfortunately most of these stores were just men’s – very few cool kicks for women.

After spending a couple hours in this area, I went to the Arts District – just a couple blocks away. I spent a lot of time on 3rd Street at stores like Poketo, Apolis, and Alchemy Works. Blacktop Coffee, connected to Alchemy, was aesthetically my favorite. Their tables were just tree stumps, surrounded by similar seats and other wood chairs. It is a stark contrast to the very urban street, but shows signs of what’s to come in this neighborhood. The mix of restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques is only expanding down here with lots of construction happening to continue this effort.

  

On my way back towards Little Tokyo I happened to run into my friend, Daniel, crossing the street. I had an hour to kill before dinner so it was perfect timing! Instead of going to read my book at a coffee shop we ended up taking a walk in search of good coffee. Daniel yelped and led us on a wild goose chase, but it was great to walk from Little Tokyo up to the Disney Hall and back in a loop. I never quite understood how close and walkable everything is Downtown, and this walk really helped me to ‘get in the map.’

We finished our DTLA loop back in Little Tokyo and stumbled upon Cafe Demitasse, just blocks from where we started initially. A deliciously subtle Shiso Iced Tea for me…but I now want to go back to try the Lavender Hot Chocolate and the Black Sesame Lemongrass Latte!!

From coffee I rushed off to meet another friend, Alexis, for some dinner and Judy Blume. The sushi bar at Hama Sushi was quick, delicious, and pretty cheap. Judy Blume was quick, witty, and for me, nostalgic. Listening to her talk about her career made me want to go back and read all of the classics again. I’m going to start by reading her new book, In The Unlikely Event, but from there I wouldn’t be surprised if Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret immediately follows it :).

A long, but really fun day in LA, practically in my backyard. I love that I now feel like I know this part of town, and I love that there are places that I didn’t get to in Little Tokyo, like some Japanese Gardens, that will definitely bring me back here for further adventures. I’m not quite done with the big adventures of this Laid-Off Life, but I’m perfectly happy to play in this sandbox until the next big one comes along.