ladowntowner Archives

Chill Out! LA’s Coolest Ice Cream, Gelato & Shaves

Hot summer days just scream for ice cream…or gelato, sorbet, and other chilled treats. Since ancient times, overheated humans have been preparing cold desserts and beverages by harvesting ice and storing it in caves and underground caches. Ice cream, which is typically made with milk, cream, sugar, and flavoring, is churned by a machine to incorporate significant amounts of air, creating a more whipped texture. Italian-style gelato, comprised of milk, cream, sugar, and a flavoring, is slowly stirred by a machine while freezing, result in very little air being whipped in.

In Japan, a dessert known as kakigori has been made for centuries by storing ice formed in the winter, then shaved in the summer to make luxurious concoctions for aristocrats. Today these crushed or shaved ice desserts are known as shave ice.

Dairy not working for you? Many purveyors offer vegan and gluten-free options that feature the same creamy richness, flavor and texture of traditional ice cream, without the drawbacks of dairy. So go ahead and chill out with LA’s coolest ice cream, gelato and ice shaves!

McConnell’s Grand Central Market 317 S. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

For 70 years, McConnell’s has been making dense and pure-flavored ice creams, with smooth, consistent texture and a rich, velvety mouth feel – all made from scratch with a few, simple ingredients. McConnell’s mission is to produce the finest ice creams in the world, in the most responsible and sustainable way possible. In the process, they aim to enrich and enliven the communities in which they operate, and leave the world just a little bit “sweeter” than they found it.

Little Damage 700 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Billing itself “LA’s finest soft serve ice cream,” Little Damage is a small family owned business that draws its inspiration from the rich cultural fabric that makes Los Angeles special. Rather than offering a conventional selection, Little Damage offers a rotating menu of unique recipes that allow you step outside of your comfort zone and get a little adventurous, such as their famous charcoal cone. At least one vegan option is always be included in the rotation to accommodate those who are dairy free. Guests are invited to capture their best moments in the free photo booth.

Coolhaus 8588 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

French’s Mustard is debuting a Limited Edition Mustard Ice Cream in honor of National Mustard Day! Developed with Coolhaus Ice Cream, the unconventional flavor was created to bring together two all-American classics – ice cream and mustard – -in a surprising yet delicious offering. Served with an accompanying pretzel cookie, French’s Mustard Ice Cream is available at Coolhaus’s Culver City location Aug. 9-11.

Salt & Straw 829 E. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The bright, spacious Arts District Salt & Straw scoop shop is an outpost of the popular ice cream concept from Oregon, known for inventive flavors and farm-sourced ingredients. The founders chose the name Salt & Straw because the ice cream is handmade, in small batches, the way ice cream was made traditionally. Back in the day, ice cream makers used rock salt to make it freeze, then it was packed in straw to keep it cold. Dairy-free options are available.

Gelato Festival America Pacific Design Center West Hollywood, CA 90069

Sept 28 -29 Experience the delicious taste of artisan gelato and celebrate the summer’s end at the Gelato Festival, held in the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue. Bsides all the gelato you can eat in one day (flavors are limited), guests will enjoy Gelato Festival games and contests, with plenty of prizes to be won throughout the weekend – all included in the price of the ticket! Make sure you cast a vote for your favorite gelato flavor and the chef who created it – the winner will continue the journey towards the final of the Gelato Festival World Masters 2021.

Chinchinkurin 350 E. 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Chinchinkurin is known for Hiroshima Okonomiyaki, an elaborate dish consisting of about 11 layers of various types of vegetables, moderate portions of protein, a decent layer of carbs, and a few layers of extra flavor, along with the famous Otafuku sauce that brings it all together.Whew! After this flavorful meal, you’ll be ready ti cleanse your palate with a refreshing bowl of shave ice!

Majordomo 1725 Naud St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Majordomo specializes in California cuisine inspired by LA’s different food cultures and the bounty of Southern California products. The eclectic offerings range from white sturgeon caviar to seafood, noodle & rice dishes, steak, and ribs. After all that sumptuous dining, try their seasonal flavor of kakigori (shave ice) on the dessert menu. Guests are allowed to bring their own wine for a corkage fee is $30 per 750 mls for the first two bottles and $50 for each subsequent bottle.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream started in the Spring of 2008 out of a buttery yellow truck on the streets of NYC. The founders set out to revive the classic American ice cream truck and the art of traditional ice cream making, using ingredients perfected by nature, not science. Van Leeuwen Classic and Vegan ice creams are made with just a handful of fresh ingredients. Each flavor is a celebration of some of the world’s best artisan producers and farmers, both local and from around the world. In case you want to try this at home, you can pick up a copy of the “The Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Cookbook,” sharing over 100 vegan and classic recipes along with stories from the past decade.

Divine Dips Ice Crème 601 S. Los Angeles Street, DTLA 90014

Say goodbye to icy, bland, dairy-free ice cream concoctions and say hello to Divine Dips Vegan Ice Crème! After years of hands-on research, Divine Dips Vegan Ice Crème came up with the same creamy richness, flavor and texture of traditional ice cream, without the drawbacks of dairy. Skillfully crafted from a blend of organic coconut milk, cashews, nut milks, and other all-natural ingredients, Divine Dips are gluten free and contain no dairy. The product is sweetened with agave nectar, a low glycemic sweetener, providing just the right amount of sweetness without spiking blood sugar. Not just for vegans — anyone who enjoys richly indulgent frozen desserts will crave “a Dip of the Divine.”

Thrifty Ice Cream at RiteAid Various locations around DTLA

If you’re looking for a quick pick me up on a hot afternoon, slip into the closest RiteAid and grab a tub of their legendary Thrifty Ice Cream. Since 1940, Californians have cherished Thrifty Ice Cream’s quality ingredients, award-winning recipes, and incredible value. Now for the first time ever, eight signature flavors are offered at a store near you.

Shoot the Moon! Where to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing

In 1969, NASA launched its most daring mission – sending astronauts to land on the moon and returning them safely home. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the lunar surface, and cultural attractions across LA are celebrating one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

APOLLO 11- The Immersive Live Show Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Drive Pasadena, CA 91103

Apollo 11 is a ground-breaking new show with an original story inspired by the Apollo missions. The show is performed by cast of 20 and presented in the spectacular custom-built theatre, the Lunar Dome, with 40,000 square feet of 360 degree video projections, and props that simulate a rocket launch, including a life-size re-creation of the lunar landing module. This truly immersive experience tells the story of the moon landing from the perspective of the 400,000 people who worked together to put astronauts on the moon and bring them safely home.

Apollo 11: First Steps Edition California Science Center 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Fasten your seat belts and get ready to be lifted off to the moon in this adrenaline-filled, immersive experience on the California Science Center 7-story IMAX screen! In this special giant-screen edition of Todd Douglas Miller’s critically acclaimed Apollo 11 documentary, created exclusively for science centers and museum theaters, the filmmakers reconstruct the exhilarating final moments of preparation, liftoff, landing and return of this historic mission—one of humanity’s greatest achievements and the first to put men on the Moon. With a newly-discovered trove of never-before-seen 70mm footage and audio recordings, Apollo 11: First Steps Edition joins Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, the Mission Control team and millions of spectators around the world, during those momentous days and hours in 1969 when humankind took a giant leap into the future.

America in Space Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Aug. 15 In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by David Newman, presents “America in Space.” Hear how Hollywood’s composers have been inspired by the achievements of American space travel. A mix of music, film clips, and archival footage will tell the story of our push to explore beyond Earth’s atmosphere, from the thrill of the space race to the possibility of missions to Mars. Experts from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena will join the orchestra to underscore the impact of California’s scientists and engineers on our achievements in space.

Yesterday’s Tomorrowland Today Winslow Garage 3540 Winslow Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Get ready for a Retro-Rocket Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing! Yesterday’s Tomorrowland Today is a group show that explore the hopes and shattered dreams of postwar America’s ‘Atomic Age’ and how that legacy affects us today. The exhibtion features xerox artwork (both new and vintage) by West Coast alumni of Club 57, the infamous neo-Dada performance/art space that existed in New York’s East Village from 1978-1983, and was the subject of a recent retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Many of the artists featured in this new show, including the curators, had work in the MoMA exhibit which also highlighted the early careers of Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring.

Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Columbia Memorial Space Center 12400 Columbia Way Downey, CA 90242

View the newest exhibit about the Apollo 11 program on display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. The exhibit highlights the important contributions that Southern California made to getting us to the moon! Presented through the generous support of Aerojet-Rocketdyne. The Columbia Memorial Space Center (CMSC) is a science museum owned and operated by the City of Downey, California. The site of the museum is the former Boeing/Rockwell/North American plant where all of the Apollo Command/Service Modules were built and the Space Shuttle was conceived.

Apollo 11 Alumni Talk LA Central Library Central Library 650 W. 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071

Sept. 22 The Columbia Memorial Space Center is visiting various branches of the LA Public Library with activities tied to the Apollo program. Join a panel of distinguished former aerospace professionals from the Apollo era, eager to share their recollections, from the personal to the professional. These are the people who designed and built the spaceships that took us to the Moon! Hear the story of humanity’s greatest technical achievement from those who made it happen. This discussion, which will be held in the Taper Auditorium, will be moderated by the President and Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Ben Dickow.

JPL Free Public Tours Jet Propulsion Laboratory 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109

The JPL Public Services Office offers tours free of charge for groups and individuals on an advance reservation basis. Visitor parking is also available free of charge. All tours commonly include a multimedia presentation on JPL entitled “Journey to the Planets and Beyond,” which provides an overview of the Laboratory’s activities and accomplishments. Guests may also visit the von Karman Visitor Center, the Space Flight Operations Facility, and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility. For tour schedule call (818) 354-9314 or email tour.reservation@jpl.nasa.gov

CalTech Live! California Institute of Technology 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125

For over 50 years, Caltech’s public events program has offered the Caltech family and the community at large a gateway to world-class scientists, artists, and speakers, making the Institute one of Southern California’s acknowledged cultural centers. CaltechLive! offers top-flight events at multiple locations on campus, including science lectures, performing arts, folk music, and chamber music. As part of its commitment to being an active institutional citizen, Caltech provides multiple outreach programs that benefit students, educators, community partners, local businesses, local government, and campus neighbors. Each collaboration Caltech undertakes with community members is driven by the individual engagement of participants from Caltech. Their personal passion is the key ingredient to the history and traditions that distinguish Caltech’s presence in the community.

Summer Reading! Explore DTLA’s Public Library, Bookstores & Literary Events

Lazy summer days are perfect for cracking into a good book! There’s nothing like a juicy beach read, addictive mystery novel, or the latest bestseller to while away a sunny afternoon. DTLA is a bookworm’s paradise – from the venerable Los Angeles Central Library to major specialty stores, quirky collectible destinations, bookstores cum gallery and performance space, and even a literary book fair!

Looking for some inspiration? Here’s a list of 20 beach reads you won’t want to put down. And don’t miss The Library Book by Susan Orlean – this summer’s must-read which chronicles the devastating Los Angeles Public Library fire of 1986 and its aftermath, along with lots of tasty historical tidbits.

Los Angeles Central Library 630 W. 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071

An essential DTLA resource, the Richard J. Riordan Central Library is both a leading public research library and a major architectural landmark. Comprised of the original 1926 library now called the Goodhue Building and a 1993 addition named for former mayor Tom Bradley, it ranks with the Bradbury Building and Union Station as a treasure of the city’s historic downtown. The library has been designated a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument (#46) and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the mother-lode of books, archites, and reference material, the Central Library has an amazing events program including movies, lectures, readings and classes.

The Library Store 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Library Store is operated by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth in Los Angeles. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library and promotes greater awareness of its valuable resources. Shop the carefully curated collection of books, tees, totes, stationery and much more. All sales benefit the Los Angeles Public Library.

The Last Book Store 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

A true DTLA treasure, The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store, housed in a stunning 22,000 square-foot space in the Spring Arts Tower. According to owner Josh Spencer, the name was chosen with irony, but seems more appropriate with each passing day, as physical bookstores die out like dinosaurs from the meteoric impact of Amazon and e-books. In addition to over 250,000 new and used books on two floors, including the Arts & Rare Book Annex, the shared space includes tens of thousands of vinyl records and graphic novels, and a huge mezzanine level featuring the Labyrinth Above the Last Bookstore, Gather Yarn Shop, and the Spring Arts Collective gallery shops.

Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. Suite M Los Angeles, CA 90013

Since its founding in 1963, Hennessey + Ingalls has grown to become the largest art, architecture and design bookstore in the Western United States. In 2016, the store moved to its current location in DTLA’s booming Arts District. A landmark in the visual arts community, Hennessey + Ingalls counts many of the country’s leading architectural firms as clients, along with museums, collectors, art galleries, students, interior designers, graphic design firms, and schools. Even if you’re not an industry professional, it’s fun to browse the store’s in-depth selection of books, including art, art history, architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, and landscaping.

LITLIT: Little Literary Fair Hauser Wirth Schimmel 917 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

July 20-21 LITLIT, or The Little Literary Fair, is a two-day book fair celebrating independent booksellers, book publishers, and book makers from Los Angeles and beyond. Hosted by the Los Angeles Review of Books and Hauser & Wirth Publishers, LITLIT brings together the eclectic contemporary in publishing, creating a unique opportunity for independent publishers to offer a range of books, while sharing their missions with Angelenos of all stripes. Presented in partnership with the 2019 LARB Publishing Workshop, LITLIT is an exciting addition to the landscape of summer activities for the culturally curious. Programming throughout the weekend will include interviews and panel discussions with publishers, authors, artists, and community organizers. Free and open to the public.

Kinokuniya 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street #205, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded in 1927 in Tokyo, the Books Kinokuniya chain spans 68 locations in Japan and 28 stores overseas, including the popular location Little Tokyo’s Weller Court. Kinokuniya offers an extensive selection of manga, graphic novels, art and design books, cookbooks, travel books, and children’s books. Calling all fans of animation director Hayao Miyazaki! Kinokuniya is the official retail partner of Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli and carries merchandise shipped directly from Japan, including DVDs, books, stationery, puzzles, pins, stuffed animals and more.

Now Serving Far East Plaza 727 N. Broadway, Unit 133 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded by Ken Concepcion, former chef de cuisine at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, and his wife Michelle Mungcal, Now Serving carries a melange of new and used cookbooks, including out of print editions. The cookbooks are organized in geographical deparments such as the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe, and categories like pastries and baking, beverages, general food writing, and reference books. Now Serving also offers gourmet kitchen tools like Japanese knives, new and vintage cast iron pans, and chef’s apparel. Check their schedule for in-store author events and book signings.

These Days 118 Winston St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Owned and operated by longtime DTLA residnets Stephen and Jodi Zeigler, These Days is a gallery, store, and publisher located in downtown Los Angeles. Since its first exhibition in 2014, the gallery has exhibited a diverse range of work including abstract paintings by photographer Nick Waplington, photography by Gusmano Cesaretti, Lookout & Wonderland’s collaborative fiber art project, and Ian Reid’s photographs of New York’s BDSM community. Though their interests are varied, These Days’ embrace of creative rebellion and nonconformist culture, communities, and artists is apparent in everything they curate. In 2016, These Days began publishing with work by Gusmano Cesaretti, Ian Reid, Sean Maung, and Estevan Oriol. The store features collectible and out-of-print photography books, zines, art and design objects.

Ooga Booga 943 N. Broadway #203 (upstairs) Los Angeles, CA 90012

Ooga Booga started in 2004 as a tiny shop in Chinatown Los Angeles specializing in independent art, books, music, and clothing. Over the past decade-and-half, the store has organized events, performances, film screenings, and readings at this space and in satellite projects such as Swiss Institute NY, Kadist Foundation SF, and Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Philadelphia. Ooga Booga occasionally publishes books, zines, records, tapes, and art editions. In 2008, Ooga Booga created a free online database of art book printers, in response to frequent requests from customers for advice on book publishing and art printing.