DOWNTOWN WEEKLY THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 19. NO. 11 OCT 19 - OCT 25 2023
DTLA make over
art hearts fashion
CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
SALONS BY JC JC
OPENS AT METROPOLIS
FLAVOR & FLAME AT
NIKU X
DTLA BURGER WEEK
THE PURPLE FRINGES OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY
on the cover:
ART HEARTS FASHION:
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PHOTO: MR TRIPLE X BY ERIC ROSETTE POWERED BY ART HEARTS FASHION GETTY IMAGES: ARUN NEVADER
THE CHOSEN ONES
DTLA WEEKLY
editor and chief KERI FREEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Keri Freeman JACKSON ROBERTS REBECCA DENNING jamiie herrera abel weiss cathy chu
photography GARY LEONARD shawn smith eric epperson keri Freeman
VIDEO Production @kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla
social media art hunter
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SALONS BY JC OPENS AT METROPOLIS...4 ART HEARTS FASHION...6 HOSPITALITY MATTERS..8 DT APPETITE: NIKU X...9 DTLA BURGER WEEK...10 DTLA WEEKLY Special thanks to... All rights reserved. DownMAYOR OF LOS ANGELES town Weekly is a news, event, & Council district 14 LIFESTYLE & Hospitality FREE resource. No portion THE CITY OF LA ofcommunity this publication may be reproARTS DISTRICT duced without express written CHINATOWN permission from the publisher. WEEKLY, in support of local CIVIC DISTRICT DTLA residents, businesses, workers and BUNKER HILL visitors of Downtown Los AnEXPO/USC geles, publishes DTLA WEEKLY. HISTORIC CORE Readers are recommended to LITTLE TOKYO make appropriate inquiries before wagering any sum in relaFASHION DISTRICT tion to any ad, article or feature FINANCIAL DISTRICT published herein. DTLA WEEKLY will not be liable to any person SKID ROW for loss or damage incurred or SOUTH PARK suffered as a result of his/her WAREHOUSE DISTRICT accepting, offering to accept or any invitation or advice THEGRAWN following contained in any ad, article or ARTWALK NEWS feature published herein.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES WEEKLY
DTLA NEWS l EVENTS l LIFESTYLE I HOSPITALITY P.O. BOX 86601 - DTLA CA 90086 - WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM 888-732-DTLA (3852) @DTLAWEEKLY
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4 DTLA MAKEOVER: SALONS BY JC BY KERI FREEMAN
VOL 19. NO. 11 OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2023 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
DTLA MAKEOVER SALONS BY JC OPENS AT METROPOLIS
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ringing a touch of added luxury and creativity to one of the most soughtafter neighborhoods in the city, Salons by JC, pioneers of the salon suite concept, will celebrate the grand opening of of their newest salon inside the Metropolis complex. How It Started… Salons by JC are well-known for their innovative salon suite concepts, offering an array of hair, beauty, and wellness services all in one convenient location. The idea behind this venture was to create a space where highly skilled professionals could operate within their own private salon suites. This unique model allows for a personalized and intimate experience for clients while fostering entrepreneurship among beauty and wellness experts. Salons by JC Downtown LA, the latest addition to their portfolio, embodies the vision of enhancing beauty and wellbeing in the bustling city. It boasts a team of 30 dedicated professionals, each with a passion for their craft. The goal is clear: to make DTLA’s residents look and feel more fabulous than ever.
@STYLEDBYSYDNI - PHOTO COURTESY - SALONS BY JC
How It’s Going… Known for its four towers of high-end residences such as Thea, it’s Hotel Indigo, restaurants, nightclub, rooftop lounges and emerald green wrapped condos, this location couldn’t be more fitting for a venture that redefines beauty and wellness in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. To commemorate this significant milestone, Salons by JC Downtown LA invites the community to an exclusive Open House Party on October 19th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This event promises an unforgettable experience, with delectable food, refreshing drinks, and an opportunity to mingle with the incredibly talented professionals who call Salons by JC Downtown LA their home.
and individuality. Salons by JC Downtown LA is not just a salon; it’s a community of passionate professionals dedicated to making our clients feel extraordinary. We invite everyone to join us on October 19th for a celebration of beauty, wellness, and the spirit of Downtown LA,” says Nelson Chan, Franchise owner of Salons by JC. The concept behind Salons by JC Downtown LA goes beyond the conventional salon experience.
It empowers professionals to run their own businesses, ensuring that each client enjoys a unique and personalized service. With a commitment to making DTLA residents look and feel fabulous, Salons by JC Downtown LA is set to “We are thrilled to bring the first salon become a hub of creativity and selfexpression. @salonsbyjc suites to Downtown Los Angeles, a city that thrives on innovation
DTLA APPETITE: THE PALM BY KERI FREEMAN
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6 DTLA MAKEOVER: ART HEARTS FASHION BY KERI FREEMAN
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ART HEARTS FASHION CELEBRATING 10 YEARS ON THE CATWALK
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he official 2023 Los Angeles Fashion Week powered by Art Hearts Fashion promises iconic runway moments, diverse creativity, and high-end fashion in celebration of its 10-year anniversary.
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rt Hearts Fashion kicks off Los Angeles Fashion Week, running from Oct. 19th through Oct. 22, 2023, at the historic Majestic Downtown in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles. That’s an entire weekend of photographers, models, event planners, designers, influencers and fashionistas embarking on a remarkable journey into an industry as innovative as it is vivacious. Founded and currently led by Erik Rosete, a prominent Latin American serial fashion entrepreneur and fashion designer (Mister Triple X) who is a Los Angeles native. To celebrate a decade of influencing fashion in Los Angeles, the production company is dedicating a series of runway shows to leading Mexican and LatinX designers, many of whom are also based in Southern California. These designers include globally recognized and emerging talents such as Mister Triple X, Black Tape Project, Giannina Azar, Coral Castillo, and Walter Mendez. Marking a decade of inspiring designers, showcasing brands, and adding glamour to downtown LA, Art Hearts Fashion will feature several prominent Bravo TV’s Project Runway designers as well. This star-studded lineup includes celebrity fashion designer Michael Costello, Bravo TV’s Project
PHOTOS COURTESY ART HEARTS FASHION
Runway S19 Winner and Hulu’s STITCHED designer, Coral Castillo. The event will also reunite fellow Project Runway designers, including Ukrainian celebrity fashion designers Natalia Fedner and NIZIE by Nizie Emirshah while other Project Runway season winners Kentaro Kameyama, Mondo Guerra, and Richard Hallmarq will showcase their new collections during the four-day runway show festival. To further diversify this celebration, LGBTQ+ designers will take the stage as well. Richie Rich will introduce a new 90’s themed streetwear collection under his new fashion brand, Richerette, while West Hollywood’s celebrated gay designer, Argyle Grant, will reveal a new luxury men’s swimwear collection during Los Angeles Fashion Week. On Saturday, the spotlight will be on swimwear favorites from Vichi Swim. This year’s Los Angeles Fashion Week welcomes new and exciting brands for the first time. This includes Priestley Garments by Rhonda Priestley, a luxury women’s fashion brand based in LA, and Squadz Place, a Tokyo streetwear
fashion-themed brand that is debuting a new collectible doll line with six unique dolls. This innovative collection of fashionforward dolls is available on Target.com across the U.S. An interactive runway show will bring these dolls to life, marking Squadz Place’s West Coast debut.
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Art Hearts Fashion has embraced a global perspective, and this is evident in the participation of prominent Asian designers based in West Hollywood. Names such as Alexis Monsanto, Kentaro Kameyama, Selenee, and Michael Ngo will host runway fashion shows, promising to dazzle audiences.
In keeping with the evolving fashion landscape, the runway will also see innovative sustainable and eco-friendly fashion brands. Love For Upcycling will make its presence felt, and before and after the runway show, clothing donations will be accepted to be repurposed by the brand’s designer, Jose Alexander, for future fashion collections.
To conclude Sunday’s LAFW shows, Art Hearts Fashion will celebrate Black designers, including Angela Dean Couture, famous for creating Madonna’s iconic bullet bra in 1987, along with Cross Colours and Tell The Truth by Rainy Womack. Serbian designers, Morphium Fashion, and Formidable by Mina, will also present their new collections on Sunday evening. De Florencio by Nino Cutraro, an edgy LA-based fashion designer, will add a creative rockstar streetwear collection for men to this year’s Los Angeles Fashion Week. The event will also feature a beautiful art gallery pop-up curated by Six Summit Gallery, showcasing dozens of local LA artists.
Innovation goes beyond fashion and extends to globally recognized beauty, food, and spirits brands partnering with Art Hearts Fashion for the 10th Annual Los Angeles Fashion Week. Beachwaver will serve as the official hair styling brand for all models, and Billion Dollar Brows is the official makeup partner for Los Angeles Fashion Week powered by Art Hearts Fashion. To help celebrate a decade long of showcasing LAs top designers, sponsors, including Empress 1904 Gin, Feel Great Be Great Lifestyle, Koe Kombucha, Japonesque, The Makeup Light, Real Her Cosmetics, Simply Mixology, Smart Water, and Coca Cola, will provide drinks, refreshments, and gifts to front row and VIP attendees. Last but not least, the official afterparty venue for Los Angeles Fashion Week powered by Art Hearts Fashion will be hosted at the newly opened Level 8, located in the Moxy/AC Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, at 1254 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
8 HOSPITALITY MATTERS: BY KERI FREEMAN
VOL 19. NO. 11 OCT 19 - OCT 25, 2023 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
hospitality matters:
can downtown la win the hospitality game?
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ou’ve got the glitz; you’ve got glamour, with spinning carousels and flying chandeliers, wine, spirits, and the most grandiose cuisine. Within your walls are delicacies that can only be enjoyed in this part of the world. So what’s missing?
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arlier this month, DT Weekly conducted a survey in our local community group DTLA UNCENSORED where we asked the question, “Is Downtown LA dead?” We were surprised at the answers we received. In some of the comments, DTLA UNCENSORED group members commented “yes,” some said “yes, but it’ll come back.” While most of the comments were, “Hell, NO. DTLA IS NOT DEAD,” followed by “Our hospitality scene, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs are still a thing to be had.”
Although they should all work together to make guests feel special, the main server will be responsible for most of your memories.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHUBBY CATTLE
So what exactly was great service? Instead of relying on another survey, we turned to the experts. “It’s not just about the table… it’s about everything that goes on” – Nelson Braff, Managing Partner of Hunt and Fish Club. And it was so true. The glitz and the glamour weren’t enough; hospitality was about receiving and entertaining guests in a way that made them feel well taken care of. And there were many elements, from the initial greeting to the moment guests checked out our coats that helped rack up hospitality points.
So we began to ponder. If the future of Downtown LA was holding on by a hospitality thread, how could we, as hospitality professionals, ensure that thread became the strongest thread in the world.
Well, DTLA had the first part down. Nine times out of ten restaurants we reviewed over the past seven years, our hostesses were elegant, professional, graceful, and had no problem proudly leading us to our seats. As long as they didn’t sit us directly staring into the sun or exposed to the elements, across from the bustling kitchen or odorous restroom, our hostesses proved they knew how to make a great first impression.
The more we stirred the pot, the more we came to realize. It all boiled down to service.
“Good hospitality is heard, but great hospitality is felt” – Nathan Sno, Chef/ Entrepreneur, Author.
With the future of diners possibly being charged automatic service fees up to 18%, more and more diners would start to expect service to be as crisp and sweet as a crème brûlée.
A great server should, for sure, be able to tell a guest everything about the restaurant and the menu, pronouncing any foreign titles correctly and uttering, without thinking, the ingredients of the dish. Hey, knowledgeable servers, give yourself 10 points! Timing is everything. The great server should show up anywhere between one and five minutes with an introduction and ask if the guest would like something to drink. Servers, give yourselves a point if your guests don’t get impatient, having to look around the room or interrupt other servers to help find you. Oh no, there’s no sugar for the coffee, or the busser took your only fork. Or worse, you need a drink refill but the server seems to be gone for good, yet somehow manages to pop up every time you’re about to make that winning point in a conversation. No point. You know what feels like a dozen tiny fishes swimming in our boots? An attentive server who doesn’t make you feel rushed. Appreciates your presence with a smile, isn’t overly flirtatious with your date, nods, or even laughs with you and wants only to share the secret of contentment held within each dish. 10 points for the servers who seem more excited about what their guests are going to dine on than the guests themselves.
“Secret to service is understanding service only gets you 49% of the way there. We do train like crazy to get the right food to the right customer at the At most fine dining restaurants in right temperature at the right time… Downtown, you’ll have two to three servers but hospitality, as we define it, is the at any given moment, refilling glasses, way that person feels is 51%” – Danny clearing tables, taking and bringing out Meyer, Founder, Unity Hospitality orders, making small talk. Group.
DTLA APPETITE: NIKU X by KERI FREEMAN
flavor and flame at niku x
iku X is located following a short escalator ride to the second floor of the Intercontinental Hotel, aka Wilshire Grand Center, Los Angeles’ tallest building.
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Vegas, celebrated as one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the country. With Niku X their mission is to alter and elevate the perception of the classic ‘Yakiniku’ (meaning grilled meat) and bridge the cultural gap between Japanese and American traditions with this immersive dining experience. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHUBBY CATTLE
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he Inside of Niku X’ 9,000 squarefoot space is adorned with tile mosaics, lavish interior designs and state of the art Robatayaki grills located in the center of each table. It’s on these scorching hot grills, servers take on the flame separated by patricians that hide each dinner party within the rows of Niku X’ comfy booths. The restaurant also provides a full bar, private rooms with matching earth toned dining hall taking up the remainder of its extravagant space. Notably, first timers excited for the chance to indulge in the world’s most savory Wagyu cuts and seafood selects may anticipate a lively and engaging ambiance, however Niku X presents a calm educational, culinary journey that takes on a more serious note with hushed conversations and focused gazes for what each table has in store.
Their sustainably sourced Japanese A5 Wagyu from Niku’s privately-owned farm is the centerpiece. Add a touch of dry ice, and the experience becomes as mystical as it is timeless dating back to a centuriesold country style of cooking traditional to northern Japanese fishermen. The culinary experience at Niku X is elevated further by the expertise of Michelin-starred chef, Shin Thompson, renowned for his acclaimed Chicago restaurant concepts, Bonsoirée and Furious Spoon Ramen. Executive Chef Shin Thompson PHOTOS COURTESY KEVIN DE LEON emphasizes their commitment to transparency and conscious food preparation with an open kitchen and a friendly kitchen staff.
“Our menu curation is meant to transport guests one course at a time. Our certified Japanese A5 Wagyu is sustainably sourced from our privately-owned farm. We are proudly transparent and conscious Knowledgeable servers explain the in our extensive process and origins of each cut, and with the most preparation of Yakiniku. Part of our delicate twist of the wrist, escort such cuts story is showcasing Niku X’s specialty to Robatayaki grill which seem to invite cuts that combine traditional flavors the flames to dance. This ritual demands with a modern and multicultural spin,” just enough time to sear the cuts before says Executive Chef Shin Thompson. they are taken away from the flame, and laid alongside small plates filled with Chubby Cattle International, founded the artisanal produce and farm-to-table by Haibin Yang and David Zhao ingredients rich with the flavors of Japan (Forbes 30 under 30 Alumni) is behind and the sauces they will soon be topped Niku X. Just another prized addition to with. The aromatic newly dressed cuts their remarkable portfolio of tech-forward, are then handed over to the diner for high-energy establishments, including individual consumption. the immensely popular The X Pot in Las
Behind the bar, Niku X presents a seasonal cocktail program including mocktails with a focus on Asian-inspired ingredients. Niku X, also boast a curated wine collection spanning from old to new world wines. Recently, the savory restaurant launched a Yakiniku Tasting menu complete its 11 prefixed courses menu that feature rare seafood combinations and taste of wagyu from all around the world. The main course highlights 6 different cuts of wagyu with different flavor and texture profiles for diners to enjoy. Great for groups of 2-6 guests their seasonal yakiniku menus are subject to change daily. Truly memorable and worthy of suggestion, Niku X excels in creating an unforgettable downtown LA dining experience. @niku_x
DTLA APPETITE: DTLA BURGER WEEK by JACKSON ROBERTS
VOL 19. NO. 10 OCT 12 - OCT 18TH, 2023 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM
DTLA BURGER WEEK SET TO SIZZLE IN DOWNTOWN LA
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rom the creators Categories to Help Savor Every Last Bite... of DTLA Coffee Week, DTLA The Greatest Burger in Downtown: A quest to find the ultimate burger in the Pizza Week, and heart of the city. DTLA Vegan Juiciest Burger: Weekend, comes DTLA Sink your teeth into the juiciest, Burger Week, Downtown mouthwatering creations. Weekly’s mouthwatering Best Presentation: new way to support local It’s not just about taste; it’s about the businesses in Downtown visual delight too. Los Angeles. Best Food Truck Burger: The polls are open! Cast your vote to explore this triple stacked self-guided culinary tour of the city and help crown the winner “Greatest Burger in Downtown LA”. DTLA Burger Week, presented by DTLA Weekly, returns, promising a feast for burger enthusiasts ready to indulge in a flavorful celebration of pure, unadulterated, burger goodness. Downtown Los Angeles is about to sizzle. Starting from November 10th to 17th, DTLA Burger Week offers a unique opportunity for burger lovers to try new flavors and cast their votes for their favorite Downtown LA burgers. Whether a fan of classic beef burgers, adventurous bison, or plant-based alternatives, this event has something for everyone.
Celebrate the mobile kitchens and their delicious offerings. Best Sauce: A recognition of the sauces that elevate burger flavors.
Best Plant-Based: For those embracing a more sustainable dining experience. Best Buns: The unsung heroes that hold it all together. Best Slider: Mini delights with a big impact. Best Toppings: The creative art of combining the most innovative burger toppings. Best Priced: Recognizing affordability without compromising taste.
Restaurants, caterers and mobile kitchens in the area are encouraged to participate this DTLA Burger Week. For chefs, to get in on the action, burger makers pay a small entry fee before November 10th, 2023, granting weeks of intense social media support, article shares, and eye-catching window decals to draw in the crowds set up by DT Weekly. In the days leading up to the event, DTLA Weekly will launch a dynamic campaign across social media, online platforms, and their newspaper. Expect videos, photos, articles, and newsletter shares showcasing all the burger participants, making your burgers the talk of the town. Savor the Flavor of DTLA Burger Week With DTLA Burger Week, Downtown LA is set to become a burger lover’s paradise. Don’t miss the chance to explore the diverse world of burgers and cast your votes for your favorites. It’s not just about the food; it’s a celebration of culinary creativity and community spirit. DTLA Burger Week coming November 10th-17th. For official ballots visit: www.dtlaburgerweek.com
HOSPITALITY MATTERS by KERI FREEMAN Cont....
hospitality matters:
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But who are these culinary wizards nbeknownst and how do they make these delicious to many, a lot ingredients commit to their will? Putting hours a day into their crafts, of the “finer with devotion to our satisfaction, diners” have Downtown chefs are worthy of our a kitchen applause. Bravo. 10 points. manager. They keep Oh, the Bartenders the time so everybody’s Oh Lord, have mercy. It’s always hit and miss with them. In the bars food comes out hot and downtown, they can be warm, looking great. They may oflukewarm, hot, or downright cold. even set the last pieces however, the coldest of garnish before sending Usually, mixologists are the ones really into a dish on its way. making drinks and less into making Make no mistake, the kitchen of a successful restaurant is a highly stressful place. But it’s the kitchen manager and the servers’ jobs to make sure not one drop of that stress gets relayed to the guests. If at any point, a kitchen malfunction causes a guest’s discomfort, say the kitchen is out of a menu item perhaps, it’s always best to make it up to them with a culinary gift. Nothing mends the wounds of disappointment more than hearing your server say, “Here’s something complimentary of the chef.” This could be a small appetizer or dessert at the end or maybe even an extra glass of wine, which happens rarely but does happen. This is going to earn the establishment at least 5 to 10 hospitality points. Ode to the Chef With some of the most legendary chefs in the country, Downtown Los Angeles sure is tasty. “It’s not just a job, it’s not a career, it’s a lifestyle. So it’s got to be, not just something you want to do, it has got to be the only thing you want to do” – Ollie Dabbous, Author, Cofounder, and executive chef, Hide Restaurant.
conversation over trivial things like personal affairs, business, or pleasure, and sometimes they lack a sense of humor. But, boy, can they make a solid cocktail. Is it us or doesn’t it seem like some bartenders train to ignore guests for as long as they possibly can? In Downtown LA, our bars fill up quickly, and you can witness the bartenders locked in concentration. They will not raise their eyes. They are on a mission and they will walk right by you until that sudden moment when they stop, stare right at you, and utter those 3 magic words, “What cha drinking?” Now, if a bar isn’t too busy, sometimes you’ll get a warm-cozy bartender that can relate to people well, is good at working for tips, and likes to take shots right along with you. That’s always a bonus. In fact, if you’re a bartender that seldom takes a shot with the guests, give yourself 5 more bonus hospitality points. Cocktails seem to come out a little bit slower than whisky shots, but that’s just due to the anticipation. Cocktails should taste good, and they should be potent.
With so many ingredients able to go into a modern-day cocktail, there should be no reason why such a yummy drink on an empty tummy should ever leave a person with a clear mind and focus. After one cocktail, one should not only be tipsy but ready to order another one. If that’s not happening, and you end up ordering four cocktails with no effects, that bartender doesn’t like you. No points. Like it or not, there are rules to the hospitality game when it comes to providing great service. But don’t take our word for it; ask the world’s leading hotelier, Horst Schultz, who has said time and time again, “Service starts the minute you interact with the customer… that moment has to be excellent. I care for you, you’re important to me, you can trust me.” Our great quote for the history books would be this, “Always remember, happy people are the best people. See you at the table downtown!” – Keri Freeman, Author, Publisher, Food Critic @kerieatsdtla