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“LOS ANGELES IS SPREAD OUT,
AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS LIMITED.”
NO (bleep).
♪♪♪
OH, IT'S MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, ALWAYS WITH HIS SHIRT OFF.
JUST STEP INTO THE VAN. I GOT SOME NICE FISH FOR YOU.
(man) YEAH.
(man) WE JUST PASSED A BIGGIE, YEAH.
(Anthony) THIS, BY THE WAY, IS (bleep) AMAZING.
L.A.--CLEARLY I'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG.
WHO TOLD US ABOUT THIS PLACE? IT'S GREAT.
♪♪♪
(man) ♪ 24 HOURS TO GET BACK TO YOU ♪
Closed Captions provided by Scripps Networks, LLC.
Captioned by Closed Captioning Services, Inc.
(Anthony) (bleep) KEEPING IT REAL.
I'M FLYING IN TO L.A.
TO GET PITCHED ON SOME NEW COMPETITIVE REALITY SERIES
THAT I AIN'T GONNA TOUCH WITH A 10-FOOT POLE.
I LIKE L.A.X., BECAUSE I PREFER DIRECT FLIGHTS
LIKE MOST SANE PEOPLE,
BUT THE LEGENDARY L.A. TRAFFIC MEANS WHERE YOU STAY
HAS A BIG EFFECT ON WHICH AIRPORT YOU USE.
LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL'S ON THE WEST SIDE.
LONG BEACH IS DOWN SOUTH.
AND BOB HOPE AIRPORT IS UP IN BURBANK.
IF YOU'RE ANYWHERE
ON THE EASTSIDE OR IN THE VALLEY,
FLY INTO BURBANK. IT'S SO MUCH BETTER.
WHILE THERE ARE SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION,
THEY ALL PRETTY MUCH SUCK.
YOU KNOW, I TRY AND USE THE SUBWAY,
BUT IT DOESN'T GO WHERE I WANT TO GO.
METRO--NOT THE EASIEST THING TO USE IN THE WORLD,
AND A CAR JUST GIVES YOU A LITTLE FREEDOM,
AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT L.A.'s ABOUT.
NOBODY WALKS IN L.A. EVERYBODY DRIVES.
THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.
AND YOU NEED A CAR ANYWAY,
SO YOU CAN PULL UP TO THE DRIVE-THRU
AND ORDER OFF THE SECRET MENU.
(Anthony) I LAND AT L.A.X.,
STOP AT THE IN-N-OUT BURGER OUT BY THE AIRPORT.
OH, IT'S SO GOOD.
(man) DOUBLE-DOUBLE ANIMAL STYLE.
AND A CHOCOLATE SHAKE.
ANIMAL STYLE IS CODE FOR COOKED WITH, LIKE, MUSTARD
AND GRILLED ONIONS, PICKLES, LETTUCE, TOMATO,
AND EXTRA SPREAD, WHATEVER THAT IS.
IT'S A RITUAL, IN A WAY, FROM THE AIRPORT,
ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT, IN-N-OUT BURGER.
MMM.
THEY ALSO MANAGE TO COOK EVERY DAMN BURGER FRESH TO ORDER,
AND THEY'LL COOK IT WHATEVER TEMPERATURE YOU WANT IT.
THE ONLY AMERICAN CHAIN WORTH A DAMN.
THESE THINGS ARE EVEN GOOD COLD AND CONGEALED,
TAKE IT FROM ME.
THEY ALSO TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES LIKE HUMAN BEINGS
AND MAKE VERY GOOD FRENCH FRIES AND SHAKES.
TAKE THAT, EVIL CLOWN.
OH, THAT'S GONNA STAIN.
MMM.
AND TO MY QUARTERS.
I ADMIT IT, I'M A PROFESSIONAL AT THIS BY NOW.
I HAD SHIRT READY TO GO IN THE BACK.
I HAVE BEEN TO THIS RODEO BEFORE.
WE SHOT HERE FOR “NO RESERVATIONS.”
I THINK I WAS DRIVING A, UH, LIKE A 1969 BUICK IMPERIAL.
I DESERVE A PORSCHE, AND I DESERVE
TO GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A *** ***
WHILE HIGH ON CRACK AND GET AWAY WITH IT.
(bleep) THIS IS LOS ANGELES. I'M ON TV (bleep).
I AM A LIAR. I AM ***.
I USED TO TALK (bleep) ABOUT L.A.,
‘CAUSE THAT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTED TO DO
AS A NEW YORKER.
I GO OUT WITH A USUAL NEW YORK ATTITUDE,
THINKING, AH, IT SUCKS OUT HERE. THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.
IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD. IT'S CORRUPTING.
IT'S LA-LA LAND, LOTUS LAND, BA BA BA.
BUT I LONG AGO AGREED
TO SUCK THE SCABBY (bleep) OF THE GREAT TELEVISION SATAN,
SO REALLY, I AIN'T HARDLY NO ***
WHEN IT COMES TO L.A. OR HOLLYWOOD
OR JUST BEING A BIG, NASTY MEDIA ***.
TALK TO ME ONE DAY LATER
AFTER DRIVING AROUND IN A NICE CAR WITH THE TOP DOWN.
I'M THINKING, I CAN LIVE OUT HERE. OH, YEAH.
SO I CAN ADMIT IT NOW.
I LOVE IT OUT HERE.
I LOVE THE PALM TREES, THE STRIP MALLS,
THE PACIFIC OCEAN,
THE WHOLE QUIRKY “STRAIGHT OUT OF A MILLION MOVIES” THING.
SOME OF THE STEREOTYPES
YEAH.
AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
WE ARE NOT UNFRIENDLY. WE'RE NOT RUDE.
AND WE'RE NOT STUCK IN OUR OWN WORLD.
JUST DON'T PUT YOUR CAMERA IN OUR FACE,
AND WE'LL ALL GET ALONG.
IS L.A. A CITY OR SOMETHING ELSE?
IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER, DOES IT?
IT IS 468 SQUARE MILES OF SOMETHING
WITH 114 DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.
E.HO.
THE VALLEY.
LITTLE TOKYO.
VENICE BEACH.
KOREAN, THAIS, SALVADORANS, MEXICANS, EVERYTHING.
NONE OF THOSE PLACES ARE ACTUAL CITIES UNTO THEMSELVES,
BUT THEY'RE THESE SMALL POCKETS AND AREAS AND NEIGHBORHOODS
KNOWN FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE,
THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SETTLED THERE,
AND THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.
I AM A HOTEL ***-- THIS IS WELL-KNOWN--
MEANING, I AM SERIOUSLY LOYAL TO
AND ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT
THE FEW HOTELS IN THE WORLD THAT I GENUINELY LOVE.
AND I LOVE NO HOTEL MORE DEARLY
THAN THE CHATEAU MARMONT.
IT'S CLASSIC, HAS BEEN SINCE 1929,
SURVIVED FIVE MAJOR EARTHQUAKES
AS WELL AS GUESTS LIKE JIM MORRISON,
JOHN BELUSHI, HUNTER THOMPSON
CHECKING IN, SOME CHECKING OUT.
THE MAIN HOTEL
IS LIKE, LEGENDARY, DARK, COMFORTABLE.
IT'S INFORMAL.
YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE STAYING AT KOOKY UNCLE'S PLACE.
GENERALLY, ANYBODY CAN GET IN HERE
AS LONG AS YOU BEHAVE
ACCORDING TO CERTAIN UNDEFINED RULES.
YOU DON'T GEEK OUT ON WHO YOU MAY OR MAY NOT SEE HERE.
YOU DEFINITELY DON'T TAKE PICTURES.
AND YOU JUST DON'T BEHAVE LIKE A--LIKE A (bleep).
YOU WILL BE TREATED THE SAME AS
THE FAMOUS GUY AT THE NEXT TABLE.
AT SOME POINT,
FOR NO SPECIFIC REASON I COULD EVER FATHOM,
THEY STARTED PUTTING ME IN ONE OF THE LEGENDARY BUNGALOWS...
WELCOME TO MY HAPPY PLACE.
(laughs)
ABOUT AS DISCREET AS IT GETS.
LIVING ROOM, FIREPLACE,
GUEST ROOM, GUEST BATHROOM,
BEDROOM.
THIS IS THE HAUNTED BUNGALOW, BY THE WAY.
WE TRY NOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT HERE.
OWN ENTRANCE,
SO I CAN JUST PULL RIGHT UP,
PUT MY CAR IN THE GARAGE,
SLIDE RIGHT IN,
AND START DISMEMBERING PROSTITUTES.
IF IT'S A BEACH YOU NEED, THE HOTEL SHANGRI-LA
OVER IN SANTA MONICA ON OCEAN AVENUE IS REAL NICE.
LOOK OUT THE WINDOW, AND THE PACIFIC IS RIGHT THERE,
AS IS THE VENICE BEACH BOARDWALK.
YOU GOT A FIREPIT ON THE ROOFTOP,
SOLAR-POWERED POOL,
6-PERSON SHOWER IN THE ROCK ‘N ROLL SUITE--
DON'T ASK--AND LIKE THAT.
THESE GUYS OPENED IN 1939,
AND THEY, TOO, HAVE ENTERTAINED V.I.P.s LIKE--
WOW, THE DALAI LAMA STAYED HERE?
WOW. THAT'S KIND OF WEIRD.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO HOLE UP CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT
AND ARGUABLY THE BEST OF THE IN-N-OUT BURGERS,
THERE'S THE CUSTOM HOTEL ONLY A MILE AWAY.
YOU CAN KEEP TABS ON YOUR FLIGHT FROM THE L.A.X. LOUNGE,
WHICH IS DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE AN AIRPORT V.I.P. CLUB.
YES.
ALSO, IF YOU'RE INTO DRESSING UP
LIKE A PAN AM STEWARDESS CIRCA 1960
AND GETTING SPANKED OR SOME (bleep),
THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE TO DO IT.
OR POOL, ALL YOUR BASIC NEEDS.
WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE,
I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE L.A. THAT MUCH.
I DIDN'T WANT TO MINGLE. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE OUT THERE.
SO IF, LIKE ME,
YOU'RE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH EVEN BEING HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE,
THIS IS THE PERFECT HOTEL.
YOU CAN HIDE HERE. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU'RE IN L.A.
YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING, 360 DEGREES.
YOU'VE GOT YOUR OWN LITTLE YARD.
AND THEY CAN'T SEE YOU,
AND THAT'S TRUE ANYWHERE IN THE HOTEL.
THERE'S NO HOTEL LIKE THIS IN THE WORLD
AS FAR AS I'M CONVINCED.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE HOTEL.
AND WE'RE RIGHT ABOVE THE SUNSET STRIP.
ALL OF THAT IS OUTSIDE THE HIGH HEDGES,
THE TREES, AND THE WALLS.
IT DOESN'T EXIST.
THIS IS CAMPUS, AND IT'S-- YOU CAN BE TOTALLY FORGIVEN
FOR NEVER WANTING TO LEAVE CAMPUS.
JUST WATCH THE DRINKS. THEY'RE EXPENSIVE.
I LOVE THE BEACH.
L.A. BEACHES--UH, NOT SO MUCH.
AND IF YOU'RE LUCKY, YOU MIGHT SEE BEN AFFLECK
CHASING HIS HAIR ALONG THE BEACH LIKE A BIG TUMBLEWEED.
OH, IT'S MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, ALWAYS WITH HIS SHIRT OFF.
THERE'S OWEN WILSON, THE BUTTERSCOTCH STALLION,
WORKING ON HIS SIGNATURE HUE.
HEY, DOESN'T JIM ROCKFORD
KEEP HIS TRAILER AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE?
AROUND HERE, ONCE YOU STOP LOOKING GOOD
WITH YOUR SHIRT OFF, THEY KILL YOU.
MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED.
MY CELL PHONE'S GOING OFF, AND I WANT TO BE VERY L.A.
(laughs)
I WOULD SAY BEING FROM LOS ANGELES,
SOMETHING I LIKE ABOUT LOS ANGELES,
WE LIKE TO EAT IN PICNICS.
WHAT L.A. HAS BECOME PREMIER AT,
THE BEST, IS FOOD TRUCKS,
AND THE PHENOMENA REALLY MOVED UP
BECAUSE OF TWO GUYS IN PARTICULAR.
ONE OF THEM, OF COURSE, IS THIS GUY--
LUDO LEFEBVRE.
I'M NOT AMERICAN. I'M FRENCH.
BUT I KNOW HOW TO COOK (bleep) CHICKEN.
MAYBE YOU KNOW HIM FROM SUCH SHOWS
AS “LUDO BITES” AND “TOP CHEF.”
HE STARTED OUT DOING HIGH-END FRENCH,
THEN DEFECTED FROM THE WHOLE MICHELIN STAR THING
FOR THE INFINITELY MORE DEMOCRATIC AND FUN
GUERILLA FRIED CHICKEN.
(Anthony) HOW ARE YOU, MAN?
WELL, YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
YEAH.
HOW DO THEY FIND YOU?
AND YOU KNOW...
TOO MUCH.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CITY?
OKAY WITH WHAT? I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE GOT A PERMIT AND...
THAT'S--THAT'S AMAZING.
A LOT OF CITIES ARE REALLY CRACKING DOWN ON THIS.
NO.
SO I HOPE YOU LIKE FRIED CHICKEN.
YOU DO?
CHICKEN IS MY PASSION. I LOVE CHICKEN.
REALLY, THAT'S ALL THEY SERVE--
CHICKEN WINGS, CHICKEN STRIPS, CHICKEN BALLS,
NOT TESTICLES, POTTY MOUTH,
BALLS, LIKE ROUND, FRIED BITS OF CHICKEN.
SO THAT, THAT'S OUR CHICKEN PéPITE.
RIGHT.
AND AFTER, WE FRY THEM.
(Anthony) HELLO.
THAT'S MY SON.
HI.
HOW ARE OUR LITTLE BALLS?
WITH CLASSIC BISCUIT--
WHICH LUDO CAN HARDLY PRONOUNCE,
BUT SURE (bleep) KNOWS HOW TO MAKE--
BAKED WITH HONEY AND LAVENDER.
BISCUIT. THAT'S GOOD, HUH?
NOT BAD FOR A FRENCH GUY, HUH?
IT IS A SERIOUS LEFT TURN FOR A CAREER, THOUGH.
I MEAN, THIS IS CLASSIC AMERICANA.
BUT YOU KNOW, TONY, BEFORE, I WAS VERY SELFISH,
AND SOMETIMES YOU FORGET TO COOK FOR PEOPLE.
AND I REALIZED THAT MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY,
YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY
AND NOT JUST TO COOK FOR MYSELF.
CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH-- BATTER-FRIED CHICKEN,
COLESLAW WITH RED WINE VINAIGRETTE,
BéARNAISE SAUCE ON GOOD BREAD?
OH, THAT'S INSANELY GOOD.
OH, THAT'S GOOD ANY TIME OF DAY.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING FOOD TRUCKS,
HERE'S ANOTHER GUY, THE GODFATHER, REALLY,
WHO ELEVATED THE WHOLE THING
INTO THE STRATOSPHERE OF HAUTE CULTURE--
ROY CHOI, MASTER OF KOGI BBQ.
BACK IN 2008,
KOGI BBQ STARTED SERVING MEXICAN-STYLE TACOS
USING KOREAN COMPONENTS
LIKE GALBI SHORT RIBS AND KIMCHI.
THESE ARE NOT TRUCKS, REALLY,
BUT ELUSIVE OBJECTS OF DESIRE.
(man) TWO SHORT RIB TACOS AND ONE SPICY PORK.
(Roy) TACO CARNE PUERCO, CARNE PUERCO.
MUY CRISPY, MUY CRISPY.
OTHER KOREAN/MEXICAN MASH-UPS
INCLUDE BURRITOS WITH HASH BROWNS AND EGGS,
SPICY PINEAPPLE TORTAS,
AND THE BLACKJACK QUESADILLA--
SPICY PORK, CARAMELIZED ONIONS,
CHEDDAR JACK CHEESE WITH SALSA VERDE.
YOU WANT IT. I KNOW YOU DO.
WE DO HAVE THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD OF ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
EXCEPT MAYBE MEXICO.
WHICH IS WHY EVEN IN LITTLE TOKYO
YOU CAN FIND SEÑOR FISH,
SERVING SEA BASS, YELLOWTAIL, MAHI.
ANGELINOS COME HERE FOR THE ENSENADA-STYLE FISH TACOS--
LIGHTLY BATTERED, DEEP-FRIED,
CORN, NOT FLOUR, TORTILLAS,
FISH, CABBAGE, HOT SAUCE, AND GUACAMOLE--
CLASSIC MUST-HAVE IN L.A.
WHAT'S UP, KRISTINE? DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?
(Kristine) I DON'T KNOW IF ANTHONY WANTS TO TRY--NO--
OOH.
YES, BUT I'LL TRY IT ANYWAY, ‘CAUSE THAT LOOKS GOOD.
THANK YOU.
HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS-- PERFECT DESSERT.
WHOA. THAT'S COMPLETELY AWESOME.
15 YEARS IN L.A.--
WHAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT BEING OUT HERE?
YOU KNOW...
WHY CAN'T I GET WITH THE PROGRAM?
I COULD LIVE OUT HERE IF I DID A GAME SHOW,
ABOUT 90% MORE BARBECUE-CENTERED SHOWS
AND WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON.
(clock ticking)
WHEN I GREW UP, I WATCHED ALL THE TIME,
YOU KNOW, UH, WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE SHOW,
UH, UH, MALIBU-- WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE SHOW?
YEAH, VOILà, YEAH.
I WATCHED “BAYWATCH,” SO WHEN I ARRIVE IN L.A., YOU KNOW,
THE FIRST DAY, TRUST ME, I WENT ON THE BEACH.
BUT I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED
BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY SHOW ON TV.
IT WAS A BIG LIE.
I DID NOT SEE TOO MANY PAMELA ANDERSON ON THE BEACH.
I LIKE YOU.
I SHALL CALL YOU “OXY.”
HE'S COMPLETELY (bleep) UNCONSCIOUS.
HE'S ON THE NOD.
HE'S OUT THERE RIDING A HIGH A MILE WIDE.
YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. WELCOME BACK TO REALITY.
LAY OFF THE DOPE, MAN.
OH, GREAT. TAKE A BIG (bleep) CRAP. THAT'S NICE.
SUN, SURF,
THOUSANDS OF WOMEN WITH IDENTICAL *** AND NOSES--
RIGHT NOW L.A. HAS THE BEST ART ON THE PLANET EARTH.
THERE'S ALSO, LIKE, MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES.
ART GALLERIES-- ONE OF MY FAVORITE ONES
IS LA LUZ DE JESUS AT THE SOAP PLANT.
THE LA LUZ DE JESúS GALLERY
FEATURES NARRATIVE PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE,
WORK BY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAN ARTISTS.
ADMISSION IS FREE,
AND THE THEMES, THIS IS INTERESTING,
RANGE FROM SUBJECTS LIKE SEX AND DEATH.
SO IT'S A FUN ALTERNATIVE
TO A WORLD WHERE IT'S SOMETIMES TOO EASY TO THINK
THAT MICHAEL BAY'S WORLDVIEW IS ALL THERE IS.
GOING TO WACKO AND GET A BOOK.
AFTER ART, THERE'S THE PREMIER EMPORIUM
OF POP CULTURE IN LOS ANGELES SINCE 1974...
BEST-KEPT SECRET IN LOS ANGELES IS WACKO.
WIND-UP TOYS, TIKI COLLECTIBLES,
YOUR 1-STOP SHOP FOR HIPSTER ACCESSORIES AND BRIC-A-BRAC.
AND I LOVE BRIC-A-BRAC.
(Anthony) FEEL BETTER NOW?
AH, WELL, HAVE A NICE DAY.
♪♪♪
LOS ANGELES IS NOT,
I FOUND OUT WAY TOO LATE, ABOUT HOLLYWOOD AT ALL.
IT'S ABOUT KOREANS.
VISIT KOREATOWN.
IF YOU DON'T MAKE THAT A PART OF YOUR AGENDA, YOU MAY MISS IT,
AND IF YOU MISS KOREATOWN, YOU MIGHT MISS THE PULSE
AND THE BEAT OF, YOU KNOW, A MAJOR PART OF OUR CITY.
HOME TO THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION
OF ETHNIC KOREANS OUTSIDE OF SEOUL,
IT IS, I WILL TELL YOU, FROM PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE,
A WHOLE OTHER WORLD
AND A DELICIOUS ONE.
ROY CHOI SUGGESTED WE MEET AT HAM JI PARK
FOR A TASTE.
WHEN I CAME TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THE FIRST TIME,
IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT,
AND THERE WERE ALL OF THESE REALLY CROWDED BUSINESSES.
I GET OUT OF THE CAR, AND THERE'S DOORMEN OUT FRONT.
THEY'RE LIKE, “NO, NO, NO. THERE'S NO RESTAURANT HERE”"
YOU KNOW, “NO OUTSIDER IS WELCOME”"
YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE, BUT THERE ARE STILL LATE-NIGHT SPOTS
RIGHT.
FIVE YEARS AGO, NOBODY WAS COMING TO KOREATOWN, YOU KNOW,
UNLESS YOU REALLY KNEW, OR YOU CAME WITH A FRIEND.
AND THEN NOW YOU GO TO, LIKE, KOREAN BARBECUE SPOTS,
RIGHT.
THERE'S, LIKE, YOU KNOW, 50 WHITE GIRLS OUTSIDE.
YEAH.
THE MEAL STARTS WITH BANCHAN, OR SIDE DISHES.
MM-HMM.
AS TRADITIONAL KOREAN RESTAURANTS,
BECAUSE THESE TYPES OF PLACES FOR KOREANS
ARE MAINLY JUST A STRAIGHT CARNIVORE.
OH, THAT'S RIGHT.
THIS PLACE IS FAMOUS FOR THREE DISHES IN PARTICULAR--
SAMGYEOPSAL, PORK BELLY YOU GRILL AT THE TABLE,
DAEJI GALBI, PORK SPARE RIBS
MARINATED IN SPICY PEPPER PASTE,
AND GAMJATANG, WHICH TRANSLATES TO POTATO SOUP
BUT IS REALLY PORK NECK STEW.
OH, THAT'S GREAT.
YEAH, THEY'RE KNOWN FOR THIS. IT'S CALLED GAMJATANG.
USUALLY YOU FIND THIS SOUP EITHER IN COLLEGE TOWNS
OR TAXI STANDS, YOU KNOW, WHERE ALL THE TAXIS GO AND EAT.
OH, YOU GOT ALL THIS GROOVES OF SLOW-COOKED MEAT IN THERE.
THE FLAVORS ARE SO EXPLOSIVE.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE SEEING SUNLIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THERE'S SUBTLETY IN SOME THINGS, BUT MOST OF OUR FOOD IS LIKE...
POWERFUL, POWERFUL STUFF, MAN.
INSTEAD OF THE USUAL KOREAN BARBECUE OR BIBIMBAP,
TRY YU CHUN.
THEIR HOUSE SPECIALTY IS A COLD NOODLE SOUP
CALLED CHIC NAENGMYEON.
BLACK NOODLES ARE MADE FROM THE KUDZU VINE,
KNOWN AS THE VINE THAT ATE THE SOUTH.
THEY SOFTEN THE NOODLES IN BOILING WATER,
THEN SHOCK THEM IN COLD WATER TO STOP THE COOKING.
YOU WANT CHEWY NOT MUSHY.
ADD SESAME OIL, PICKLED WHITE RADISH,
CUCUMBER KIMCHI, HOT PEPPER PASTE,
JULIENNE FRESH CUKE,
COUPLE OF SLICES OF BOILED BEEF,
A HARD-COOKED EGG, SESAME SEEDS,
AND FINALLY ICE-COLD BROTH.
HEAVEN.
HAVE THEM CUT YOUR NOODLES WITH A SCISSORS IF INEBRIATED
FOR MORE EFFICIENT BOWL-TO-MOUTH DELIVERY.
(slurps)
AND DRINK BROTH STRAIGHT FROM BOWL.
THERE YOU GO.
IT'S ALWAYS AN AWKWARD MOMENT WHEN PEOPLE SAY,
“WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN L.A.”"
YEAH.
I MEAN, AS FAR AS SAYING, “I'M GONNA GO TO A RESTAURANT,”
I MEAN, IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT HERE IN L.A.
WHY ISN'T L.A. LIKE SAN FRANCISCO OR CHICAGO
WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS, I THINK.
BUT...
MM-HMM.
KOREAN, THAI, INDIAN, JAPANESE, HONDURAN, EL SALVADORAN,
AND ON AND ON,
AND SO THE BONES OF THE CITY ARE NOT EUROPEAN,
AND I THINK THAT'S A BIG THING TO DO WITH L.A.
THERE'S NO EUROPEAN ROOT HERE.
THAT'S THE BEST EXPLANATION I'VE EVER HEARD.
THE WHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE.
IT'S JUST NOT--NOT GEARED TOWARDS EUROPE.
WE'RE COMING FROM A DIFFERENT PART OF THE WORLD
RIGHT.
AND THEN ALSO ‘CAUSE L.A. IS SUCH A HUGE CITY
YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO EXPLORE IT.
SO IF YOU'RE ONLY HERE FOR TWO, THREE DAYS,
YOU'RE GONNA EXPLORE AN AREA
KIND OF LIKE WHERE YOU'RE STAYING AT, RIGHT?
EVERY OTHER CULTURE IN THE WORLD WAKES UP AND SAYS,
RIGHT.
“AND HOW MANY TRAINS DO I HAVE TO TAKE TO GET THERE
TRUE. RIGHT.
BECAUSE ONLY ONE GUY IN THE WORLD IN ONE ALLEY
BEHIND ONE POST ON A CERTAIN DAY WHEN HE'S THERE
ONLY MAKES THIS, RIGHT?
BUT HERE IN AMERICA, IT'S ONLY OUT OF CONVENIENCE AND...
YEAH.
YOU GET IN THE CAR.
(speaking indistinctly)
AND DRIVE HALFWAY ACROSS MALAYSIA.
YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
ITALIANS, YEAH, ALL ACROSS THE WORLD.
YEAH. RIGHT.
BARS CLOSE AT 2:00 A.M. IN L.A., ALLEGEDLY.
IN KOREATOWN,
IT'S A MORE PERMEABLE LINE THEY SAY.
(woman speaking Korean)
A WORN BILLBOARD DISPLAYS NORTH AND SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENTS
SMILING AT EACH OTHER FROM ACROSS THE NATIONAL FLAG.
DAN SUNG SA-- BUILT ALMOST ENTIRELY OF WOOD
IN THE STYLE OF THE POJANGMACHA,
OLD-SCHOOL,
RECOGNIZABLE TO ANYBODY COMING OVER FROM THE OLD COUNTRY
OF A CERTAIN TIME AND PLACE.
(Roy) MAKGEOLLI.
THIS IS A FERMENTED RICE DRINK. IT'S AN OLD PEASANT DRINK.
THEY USED TO FERMENT IT KIND OF LIKE KIMCHI.
AND YOU JUST DRINK LIKE THIS.
AND THIS STUFF GETS YOU WASTED.
YEAH.
YOU SHOULD.
(speaking indistinctly)
HOW?
YOU DON'T JUST GO IN, LIKE,
AND JUST, LIKE, SWARM AROUND LIKE A MEAT MARKET
AND TRY TO PICK UP A GIRL, LIKE... (whistles).
YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T DO THAT.
YOU GET A BOOTH OR A TABLE, AND THEN YOU GET
SO IT'S LIKE BOTTLE SERVICE.
IT'S ALL BOTTLE SERVICE.
BUT THE THING IS YOU DON'T PICK UP ON GIRLS.
NICE GIRLS WITH FAMILIES LOOKING FOR A MAN?
LOOKING FOR A MAN.
LOOKING FOR A MAN FOR TONIGHT, YEAH.
I HAVE PERSONAL QUALMS ABOUT THE SYSTEM,
BUT IF YOU'RE A GIRL YOU CAN JUST GO IN, GET A TABLE,
LIKE, NOT PAY ANYTHING,
AND THEY BRING YOU FOOD AND DRINK,
BUT YOU HAVE TO CONSENT TO, LIKE, BEING DRAGGED BY THE WRIST
AROUND TO, LIKE, VARIOUS PAYING MEN'S TABLES.
AND YOU, LIKE, TALK TO THEM.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE SPEED DATING
EXCEPT, LIKE, THE GIRLS HAVE NO AGENCY.
YOU COULD GO SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT
AT, LIKE, THE PRINCE FOR SOME LAID-BACK LOUNGE-Y FUN.
OPENED IN THE ‘20s
AS A STEAK HOUSE IN THE WINDSOR HOTEL,
KOREAN OWNERS TOOK IT OVER IN THE ‘70s
BUT KEPT THE WONDERFULLY ODDBALL VINTAGE DéCOR,
ONE OF THE BEST-PRESERVED INTERIORS IN L.A.
YOU COME HERE FOR PITCHERS OF BEER
AND KOREAN-STYLE FRIED CHICKEN...
THIS CHICKEN IS A VERY, VERY FAMOUS CHICKEN.
SERVED WITH WHITE RADISH, CABBAGE, PICKLED JALAPEÑOS,
AND HOMEMADE HOT SAUCE.
TAKE YOUR RICE FLOUR WRAPS CALLED DUK BO SAM
AND ADD A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING.
(woman) OKAY.
OH, WOW. THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME.
CHICKEN GIZZARD. AND THIS IS SPICY OCTOPUS.
MMM. CRUNCHY. MMM.
WHEN YOU SAID BAR FOOD, I THOUGHT, LIKE, TAPAS, NOT--
YEAH. KOREANS EAT A LOT.
HERE'S A QUESTION-- SO YOU GO OUT WITH THE GUYS,
HAVE A FEW DRINKS, MEET SOME GIRLS.
BY THE TIME YOU MEET THE GIRLS
AND YOU'RE (bleep) FACED.
AND YOU'RE (bleep) FACED.
I WOULD HAVE SERIOUS PERFORMANCE ANXIETY.
I'M GONNA GO HOME. MY BELLY'S GONNA BE OUT TO HERE.
YEAH, THERE'S NOT MUCH SAVOIR FAIRE, YOU KNOW.
IT'S LIKE, YOU'VE EATEN ALL THIS GARLIC.
YOUR SHIRT'S OPENED UP. YOUR HAIR IS ALL MESSED UP.
AND YOU GOT WHISKEY (bleep).
YEAH. (laughs) THAT'S HOW WE GET IT ON.
(laughs)
I PREPARE SOME SUITABLY RACIST AND ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS
FOR MY ARRESTING OFFICER,
PREPARED TO DRIVE HOME DRUNK, HOLLYWOOD-STYLE.
(clock ticking)
TELLING LOCALS FROM TOURISTS
IS GENERALLY PRETTY EASY.
MOST TOURISTS TEND TO DRESS A LITTLE BIT MORE
LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT--
THE SHORTS, THE BUTTON-UP HAWAIIAN SHIRTS,
THE HATS, THE *** PACK, THE WHOLE THING.
BUT PRETTY MUCH L.A. IS A VERY BIG WORKOUT, HEALTHY,
GYM, HIKING, RUNNING, WHATEVER,
SO PEOPLE WHO--WHO ARE FROM HERE,
THEY'RE EITHER DRESSED TO GO SOMEWHERE AND DO SOMETHING,
OR THEY'RE DRESSED FOR WORKING OUT.
WHILE OUTSIDE THE LUSH, GREEN, PROTECTIVE FOLIAGE
OF THE CHATEAU,
THE REST OF L.A. GOES ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS,
ON CAMPUS I AM FAR FROM THE MADNESS...
AH.
SERENE.
OOH, SNOOKI FOUND A MAN.
HE SEEMS NICE.
HERE'S TWO MORE OPTIONS.
PHILIPPE'S IS A PERSONAL FAVORITE
AND OF COURSE, THE KING EDDY SALOON.
LOCATED IN CHINATOWN A FEW BLOCKS FROM UNION STATION,
PHILIPPE'S IS BEST-KNOWN FOR THEIR FRENCH-DIPPED SANDWICHES.
IT'S SET UP LIKE AN OLD-SCHOOL CAFETERIA DINER.
AND YOU CAN GET A CUP OF COFFEE FOR A SHOCKING 10 CENTS.
BUT THE BREAKFAST GUT-BUSTERS OF CHOICE
ARE THE CAKE DOUGHNUTS--
NO SUGAR, NO ICING, NONE OF THAT,
JUST THE ROUNDEST, PLUMPEST DAMN DOUGHNUTS IN L.A.
OR HEAD OVER TO SKID ROW 50 BLOCKS DOWNTOWN,
ALLEGEDLY FREE OF SEBASTIAN BACH.
THERE'S THE KING EDDY SALOON.
THEY START POURING HERE AT 6:00 A.M.
THE LIQUOR YOU WANT AND VERY LIKELY NEED
IF YOU'RE SHOWING UP CRACK OF 6:00.
SUCH LEGENDARY SPORTSMEN AS RAYMOND CHANDLER
AND CHARLES BUKOWSKI WERE SAID TO FREQUENT THE ESTABLISHMENT
WHERE BLENDER DRINKS ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE FOUND,
BUT BEER AND WHISKEY, YOU GOT IT.
I WON'T BE NEEDING THIS, BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
I'M STAYING RIGHT (bleep) HERE.
“IF YOU SPEAK SPANISH,
“YOU'LL HAVE AN ADVANTAGE WHEN TRAVELING IN L.A.
ABOUT 44% OF ANGELINOS SPEAK IT AS A FIRST OR SECOND LANGUAGE.”
GOT THAT, ESE?
“IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF CELEBRITIES
“WHILE IN HOLLYWOOD, DITCH THE STAR MAPS GUIDE
AND CATCH A TELEVISION TAPING INSTEAD.”
WHAT KIND OF SICK (bleep) WOULD DO THAT?
ALL RIGHT, A LITTLE BREAKFAST.
IT IS A TRAGIC FOOTNOTE TO MY MEDIOCRE CAREER
THAT ONE OF MY BIGGEST SUCCESSES
PUTTING ANYTHING ON A MENU ANYWHERE
WAS THIS THING--
A RIFF ON AN ESTABLISHED EGG RECIPE.
ALWAYS CRACK EGGS ON A FLAT SURFACE, NEVER ON THE RIM.
YOU GET LITTLE PIECES OF STUFF IN THERE.
I PUT IT ON THE MENU AT A WEST VILLAGE SALOON
BACK IN THE ‘70s.
SIMPLEST THING IN THE WORLD--
BACON, A LITTLE BUTTER, EGGS, SCALLIONS,
SWIRL IN SOUR CREAM.
NOW YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF,
“WHY IN A PERFECTLY GOOD HOTEL WITH PERFECTLY GOOD FOOD
WOULD YOU WANT TO COOK?”
WELL, ‘CAUSE YOU CAN. I MEAN, THERE'S A KITCHEN.
PLUS, IF YOU'RE LIKE ME,
AND YOU'RE TRAVELING ALL THE TIME,
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE REALLY DOING THE LAYOVER THING,
LIKE, YOU'RE STAYING IN A LOT OF HOTELS,
IT'S NICE TO DO SOMETHING KIND OF VAGUELY NORMAL.
LITTLE THINGS LIKE COOKING FOR YOURSELF,
YOU KNOW, THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
RETIRE TO THE VERANDA.
A LITTLE THING LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, IT AIN'T MUCH.
IT'S SCRAMBLED EGGS.
I FEEL LIKE A HUMAN BEING AGAIN.
♪♪♪
13 HOURS UNTIL MY PLANE
AND UNCHARACTERISTICALLY FOR ME
I'M HEADING TO HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD,
THE VERY HEART
OF THE DESPERATE, TOURISTY, MORONIC INFERNO.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY AMAZING ABOUT CELEBRITIES?
THEY'RE NOT JUST SHORT, BUT THEY'RE REALLY TINY.
THEY'RE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SKINNY,
BECAUSE THE CAMERA ADDS 10 POUNDS, BELIEVE ME,
SO THEY ARE ALL FREAKISHLY SKINNY AND TINY,
SHORT WITH HUGE HEADS.
THEY'RE LIKE (bleep) E.T.
BIG HEAD EQUALS SUCCESS, DIRECT PROPORTION.
TINY BODY, BIG, BIG BOBBLE HEAD.
I MAY NOT GIVE A (bleep) ABOUT THE WALK OF FAME,
BUT I DO LOVE A GOOD GRIZZLY HOLLYWOOD-RELATED DEATH,
AND THAT'S WHAT SCOTT MICHAELS AND HIS DEARLY DEPARTED TOURS
SPECIALIZE IN...
(Scott) WE'RE ABOUT TO TURN
ONTO THE GLAMOROUS HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD.
THE LOCATION AND SORDID DETAILS
OF EVERY LURID MISHAP AND TRAGEDY
FROM THE NOTORIOUS TO THE OBSCURE
IN THIS CITY OF ANGELS.
YEAH.
SHE FILMED OVER 121 MOVIES.
SO THEN HOLLYWOOD SORT OF STOPPED CALLING.
AT THE END SHE WAS DRINKING HERSELF TO DEATH.
SHE LIVED IN THIS APARTMENT BUILDING CALLED THE AFTONIAN.
AND NO DOUBT SHE WOULD TAKE HER LITTLE PET DACHSHUNDS ON WALKS
OUT THESE VERY DOORS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
NOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RUMORS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MARIE.
YEAH, NICK LOWE.
NICK LOWE.
RIGHT.
HER DOG DID INDEED TRY TO WAKE HER UP.
SHE HAD BITE MARKS ON THE BACKS OF HER LEGS.
OH.
OH.
LIKE KENNETH ANGER'S BOOK “HOLLYWOOD BABYLON.”
THE DOG DIDN'T EAT HER?
WE HAVE SOME POSTMORTEM SHOTS?
(man laughs)
THERE YOU GO.
PEOPLE CRACK JOKES ABOUT HER ALL THE TIME,
YEAH, BUT IT'S A REALLY GOOD STORY.
I PREFER THE ANGER VERSION.
WHY LET THE TRUTH GET IN THE WAY OF A GOOD STORY?
MAN, IT JUST TOTALLY LET THE AIR OUT OF MY BALLOON.
LENNY BRUCE DIED ON THE CRAPPER AT LEAST?
OH.
SO DID-- WAIT, ELVIS, LENNY.
JUDY.
BUT ELVIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS SITTING ON THE TOILET
THAT WAS ACTUALLY USING THE TOILET.
THE REST OF THEM WERE JUST SHOOTING UP.
IF DEAD CELEBRITIES ARE NOT YOUR THING,
HOW ABOUT DEAD ANIMALS?
NECROMANCE IS A WONDERLAND OF TAXIDERMY,
A NORMAN BATES THEME PARK
SPECIALIZING IN AN A-LIST OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.
YOU GOT YOUR BIG GAME TO YOUR BUTTERFLIES.
OOH, A BABY DUCK.
THE HOBBY SHOP DEALS WITH SKULLS AND BONES
AND ANTIQUE MEDICAL SUPPLIES,
WHICH MAKE, I CAN TELL YOU, THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFERS
FOR THAT SUICIDAL GOLF CHICK YOU WANT TO IMPRESS.
THIS IS YOUR CAT SKELETON. KEEP IT STRAIGHT UP.
TELL HER YOU LOVE HER WITH A HOME TREPANNING KIT.
(man) OH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
ALBERT DEKKER.
ALBERT DEKKER.
ALBERT DEKKER?
HE WAS A CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYMAN.
REALLY?
THEY FOUND HIM DEAD IN HIS BATHTUB.
HE HAD A NOOSE AROUND HIS NECK
AND HANDCUFFS THAT WERE HANDCUFFED BEHIND HIM.
IN HIS HANDCUFFS WERE THE ROPE THAT LEAD TO THE NOOSE
SO HE COULD MANIPULATE IT FROM BEHIND.
HE HAD TWO HYPODERMIC NEEDLES
STICKING OUT OF HIS RIGHT BUTTOCK,
TWO SUN RAYS DRAWN AROUND HIS NIPPLES WITH LIPSTICK,
THE WORD (bleep) SUCKER WRITTEN ON HIS CHEST,
AND ON HIS OTHER BUTTOCK WAS THE WORD “WHIP.”
(laughs)
(laughs) WELL.
(clock ticking)
ACTUALLY MY CAR-- I HAVE AN OLD LEXUS,
PROBABLY MORE BEAT-UP THAN I AM.
WELL, I GOT ME A ‘93 FORD EXPLORER.
I WEAR ‘EM OUT, AND I'VE CRASHED FOUR OF ‘EM, UNFORTUNATELY.
(laughs)
AND IT'S A BLACK VOLVO, WHICH I LOVE VERY MUCH.
ALL THIS DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT IS OPPRESSIVE.
I GOT TO GET CREATIVE.
HELLO. YEAH.
SO HOARDERS--HOARDERS ARE BIG NOW.
THAT'S WHAT THE KIDS WANT TODAY, SHOWS ABOUT HOARDING.
SO HERE'S THE PITCH-- “GHOST HOARDERS.”
THEY'RE HOARDERS, BUT THEY'RE DEAD. GET IT?
WE SEND A TEAM IN TO, LIKE, I DON'T KNOW,
HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOARDING.
AND MAYBE WE CAN DO THE SHOW IN NEW JERSEY,
SO IT CAN BE LIKE “GHOST HOARDERS OF NEW JERSEY.”
I'M GUESSING ABOUT $50,000. HOW MUCH COULD IT COST?
YEAH, WE'LL SHOOT IT OVER THE WEEKEND.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
WHAT DO THEY HAVE A LOT OF IN L.A.
THAT YOU MOST PROBABLY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF?
ANSWER--GOOD MEXICAN FOOD.
I'M TALKING MEXICAN FOOD LIKE IN MEXICO.
OVER IN ATWATER VILLAGE,
HOME TO GENERATIONS OF MEXICANS AND FILIPINOS
THERE'S THIS PLACE--
TACOS VILLA CORONA.
IT'S ONLY A COUPLE OF MILES,
BUT THE DISTANCE KEEPS MOST TRAVELERS AWAY.
UH, WOW, LET'S SEE. WHAT SHOULD I HAVE?
(Anthony) PERFECT.
EVERYTHING, YEAH. THANKS.
FAMILY-RUN, HOLE-IN-THE-WALL,
ALL THE MARKS OF QUALITY.
MARIA AND FELICIA FLORES CHURN OUT TACOS AND BURRITOS
FROM A CLOSET-SIZED KITCHEN.
AND YOU'RE LUCKY IF YOU CAN EVER GRAB
ONE OF THE VERY FEW SEATS.
THEY'RE CREAMY. IT LOOKS GOOD.
MMM. OH.
WOW.
WHY ARE THESE SO AWESOME?
GENTLY. GENTLY.
MMM. THE TORTILLAS ARE AMAZING.
WHO TOLD US ABOUT THIS PLACE? IT'S GREAT.
FAST, DELICIOUS FOOD
CAN BE FOUND, AND CHEAP, ALL OVER L.A.
CHECK OUT THE ROADSIDE FRUIT STAND
WHERE THEY THROW FRESH-CUT FRUITS LIKE MANGO, COCONUT,
PINEAPPLE, WHATEVER THEY GOT AT HAND
INTO A PLASTIC BAG ALONG WITH SOME SALT, CHILI, AND LIME--
5 BUCKS' WORTH OF SPICY, FRESH, TASTY
AND ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD FOR YOU.
WHAT'S THAT?
OH, YEAH. CHORIZO PAPAS BURRITO.
MAYBE I'LL GET A BREAKFAST BURRITO, MAYBE JUST ONE BITE.
YEAH, WHAT THE HELL.
OH, YEAH.
HERE'S WHY THEY SERVE BREAKFAST ALL DAY HERE--
THE PAPAS BURRITO.
HOLY CRAP. THIS IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.
THAT'S--THAT'S A TORPEDO.
POTATOES, CHORIZO, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.
IF I EAT THIS WHOLE THING,
THEY'LL BE VISITING ME ON THAT DEAD CELEBRITY TOUR.
WOW. I COULD EAT THIS WHOLE THING.
BUT THAT WOULD BE WRONG, VERY WRONG.
WELL, I THINK WE LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY.
THAT WAS GOOD, REAL GOOD.
AND THESE CUSTOMERS
LOOK SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE... (whispers) HIPSTERS.
(normal voice) COME ON IN.
HOW ARE THESE HIPSTERS FINDING THIS PLACE?
I'LL BE A MAN-ON-THE-STREET REPORTER.
I WILL INQUIRE. HOW SHOULD I ADDRESS THEM?
AS “BRO”? (laughs) “DUDE”? WHICH WOULD BE APPROPRIATE?
THE WAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS PLACE, ACTUALLY,
WAS THAT THE BEASTIE BOYS
USED TO HAVE THEIR RECORD LABEL OFFICE ACROSS THE STREET,
AND WE BOTH HAD A NUMBER OF FRIENDS
THAT WORKED THERE OVER THE YEARS,
AND THEY WOULD ALWAYS EAT AT TACOS VILLA CORONA,
SO WE STARTED EATING THERE, TOO.
GOOD TRAFFIC TODAY.
(bleep) AWESOME.
I SPOKE TOO SOON.
ANYWHERE YOU GO, EXPECT TRAFFIC.
YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR RADIO STATIONS, YOUR CDs,
AND YOUR BEVERAGES READY TO GO,
BECAUSE YOU'LL BE ON THE 405, THE 5, THE 101, THE 10,
THE 60, THE 90 AT SOME POINT IN YOUR LIFE FOR A LONG TIME.
INSTEAD OF SITTING ON THE FREEWAY
I WISH, I WISH I WAS AT BOOK SOUP...
BOOK SOUP IN L.A. IS AN INSTITUTION.
IT'S THE BOOKSTORE THAT I'VE BEEN COMING TO
SINCE I WAS PROBABLY 6 YEARS OLD.
ONE OF THE LAST GREAT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES.
EVERY SHELF IS PERSONALLY CURATED
BY THE WELL-READ STAFF.
THEY HAVE AN AMAZING AND ESOTERIC COLLECTION
OF UNSURPASSED L.A.-RELATED WEIRDNESS,
A GREAT AND RARE POCKET
OF WONDERFUL AND STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL.
AND THEY'RE A MAJOR STOPOVER
FOR ALL THE HEAVY-HITTING AUTHORS TO READ.
EVERYBODY LOVES THIS PLACE.
HEY, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
OH, RIGHT, IT'S L.A. I GOT TO BE NICE.
THERE'S, LIKE, ROAD RAGE OR SOMETHING OUT HERE.
THEY MAY LOOK LIKE GENTLE CALIFORNIANS,
BUT SOME OF THEM ARE HEAVILY ARMED.
(clock ticking)
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR VALET MONEY TO GO.
I FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO BASICALLY VALET EVERYWHERE.
IN THE LAST YEAR I'VE PAID ABOUT $400 OF PARKING TICKETS,
SO MAYBE I'M NOT THE BEST PERSON TO ASK ABOUT PARKING.
♪♪♪
THE PALMS ARE KIND OF SINISTER AT NIGHT, AREN'T THEY?
THERE ARE CERTAIN RESTAURANTS
THAT EMANATE A MAGNETIC FORCE,
PLACES ALMOST DESIGNED WITH MY SPECIFIC LIKES,
LOVES, AND COMPULSIONS IN MIND.
IN THE FAIRFAX DISTRICT
BORDERING HOLLYWOOD AND BEVERLY HILLS
A FEW DOORS DOWN
FROM WHERE LARRY KING FARTS INTO HIS BANQUETTE AT CANTER'S
THE SEEMINGLY COUNTERINTUITIVE ANIMAL,
A “CARNA-***”-CENTRIC RESTAURANT
SPECIALIZING IN ALL THOSE GOOD BITS,
GIVING LIE TO ALL THE STEREOTYPES
ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE EAT OUT HERE.
JON SHOOK AND VINNY DOTOLO
HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD THING.
THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF MENU THAT CHEFS DIG.
THEY EITHER WANT TO EAT IT,
OR THEY WISH THEY COULD GET AWAY
(Vinny) THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.
WE KNEW WE WERE TAKING A HUGE (bleep) RISK.
THIS IS WHO WE ARE. THIS IS THE THINGS THAT WE LOVE TO EAT.
PEOPLE WHO DRIVE IN FROM OUT OF TOWN,
OTHER CHEFS, COLLEGE KIDS,
AND IT'S JUST LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE,
‘CAUSE THAT'S ORIGINALLY WHAT IT WAS FOR.
IT WAS JUST A NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT.
MARROW BONE ROASTED, TOPPED WITH CHIMICHURRI
AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS
AND SERVED WITH BRIOCHE TOAST.
WHOA, THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S AWESOME.
THAT'S LIKE A BRIOCHE, RIGHT? NICE.
THAT SWEETNESS REALLY WORKS WITH THE CHIMICHURRI.
AFTER MARROW BONE, THERE'S CHICKEN HEARTS,
HAMACHI TOSTADA,
COCONUT SWEETBREADS, AND PIG TAILS, MY FAVORITE.
OH, NICE.
CRISPY RABBIT LEGS, LEMON AIOLI,
RADISHES, AND BEANS JUST BLANCHED AND SPLIT.
MMM. THAT IS REALLY GOOD.
YOU GUYS ARE NOT (bleep) AROUND.
NO.
I THINK, LIKE, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF
IS YOUNG, NEW GENERATION L.A.s., LIKE, THEY'RE GOING BIG.
ACID, SALT, FAT-- IT'S ALL GOT TO BE THERE.
IF I WASN'T ALREADY SPECTACULARLY HAPPY HERE,
I MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO TRY ONE OF TWO DINNER-ONLY SPOTS--
KOKEKOKKO AND RED MEDICINE.
KOKEKOKKO IN LITTLE TOKYO IS MY KIND OF PLACE,
THE JAPANESE IZAKAYA
WHERE MASTER CHEF TOMOHIRO SAKATA
GRILLS YAKITORI OVER TRADITIONAL WHITE CHARCOAL
FLOWN IN FROM THE KYUSHU PREFECTURE OF JAPAN.
CHICKEN LIVERS, HEART, THIGH, SKIN,
AND IF YOU GET THERE EARLY,
ASK ABOUT THE OFF-THE-MENU STUFF
LIKE THE SUBLIME BONJIRI, THE CHICKEN BUTT, IF YOU WILL,
‘CAUSE THAT-- THAT RUNS OUT FAST.
REGULARS SIT OUT AT THE COUNTER,
SO MAKE YOURSELF A REGULAR.
FOR LATE-NIGHT NONTRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE
THERE'S RED MEDICINE IN BEVERLY HILLS.
IT'S A MODERN TAKE ON FRENCH AND VIETNAMESE
INVOLVING VERY CREATIVE USES OF HERBS AND FLOWERS.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME PRETTY AMAZING-LOOKING PLATES
PAINSTAKINGLY PREPARED BY CHEF JORDAN KAHN AND CREW--
ARTICHOKES, OCEAN TROUT,
FOIE GRAS, SWORD FIN SQUID.
(bleep) I GOT TO GO TO THIS PLACE,
OPEN LATE UNTIL 2:00 A.M.
AND VERY POPULAR WITH FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY TYPES...
MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT RIGHT NOW IN LOS ANGELES
IS PROBABLY RED MEDICINE.
WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN, MY FRIENDS.
BACK AT ANIMAL, HOWEVER,
I'M JUST TUCKING INTO MY FOIE GRAS LOCO MOCO.
(Anthony) NICE.
THIS IS A TAKE ON A TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN DISH,
AND THEY JUST DO THE SPAM, THE EGG,
THE BURGER, AND THE RICE.
WE PUT SOME FOIE GRAS IN HERE.
SPAM AND FOIE-- THAT'S A BOLD CONCEPT.
(laughs)
OH, YEAH. THIS IS NOT WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE.
I WAS AWARE OF WHAT PARTS OF THE ANIMAL
(Vinny) RIGHT.
RIGHT.
IT'S BEEN A REAL SURPRISE. IT'S NOT ABOUT EUROPE AT ALL.
YEAH.
YOU NEED A CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE.
I-I NEED A CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S LICENSE?
(laughs)
(clock ticking)
I NO LONGER PARTAKE,
BUT IF I HAD TO PICK MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BAR IN LOS ANGELES
IT WOULD BE THE WHITE HORSE.
THE EDISON.
CRAZY HOOK.
(laughs)
THERE ARE A FEW LEGENDARY INSTITUTIONS
IN EVERY CITY,
A MUCH-LOVED, MOSTLY LOCALS,
“COULDN'T EXIST ANY PLACE BUT HERE” KIND OF A PLACE.
JUMBO'S CLOWN ROOM IS ONE OF THEM,
A LAST REFUGE FOR THE ANCIENT ART OF BURLESQUE.
THIS AIN'T NO STRIP CLUB.
THE GIRLS HERE TAKE THEIR ACTS VERY SERIOUSLY
AND (bleep) ATHLETICALLY,
AND I MEAN THIS ABSOLUTELY SINCERELY.
THIS IS A PLACE I'D BRING A DATE.
IT'S A LOT OF FUN,
ATTRACTING A GREAT MIX OF TYPES.
IT'S MORE OF LIKE A BAR, OBVIOUSLY.
YOU CAN TELL THERE'S A LOT OF CHICKS
COMING HERE AROUND 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON WOULD BE PERFECT.
YEAH.
THAT (bleep) HAS GOT TO BE HARD TO DO.
THERE'S SOMETHING, LIKE, REMARKABLY WHOLESOME
YEAH. YES.
YEAH, IT'S VERY CHARMING.
TEQUILA.
OOH.
IF BEER OUT OF A CAN IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT,
THERE IS THE VARNISH IN DOWNTOWN,
A SPEAKEASY HIDDEN AWAY IN THE BACK OF COLE'S RESTAURANT
WHERE THE BARTENDERS ERIC ALPERIN AND CHRIS BOSTICK
ARE PUTTING ON A SHOW OF THEIR OWN.
THE SPOKE SPIRITS AND FRESH JUICES, PURéES, AND SYRUPS--
THE DRINKS MENU IS SHORT AND SWEET,
BUT THE BARTENDERS' CHOICE IS OFTEN THE WAY TO GO.
HERE WE HAVE A QUEEN'S PARK SWIZZLE,
TRINIDAD-STYLE MOJITO--
SUGAR, MINT, LIME, WHITE RUM,
AND THEN WE HAVE ANGOSTURA AND PEYCHAUD'S BITTERS
TO FLOAT ON TOP.
WHEN YOU DRINK IT, JUST PUSH THE BITTERS DOWN
AND GET IT ALL INTEGRATED. IT'S PRETTY NICE.
TAKE A CHANCE. ME? I'M MORE OF A JUMBO'S GUY.
(cheering)
♪♪♪
THAT WAS AMAZING. (laughs)
SHE DOES?
SHE TOLD ME, YEAH.
(Anthony) I THINK WE'VE LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY.
WE'VE LEARNED YOU GUYS OPERATE A REALLY AWESOME RESTAURANT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
L.A.--CLEARLY I'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG.
JUMBO'S CLOWN ROOM-- THIS IS A FINE ESTABLISHMENT.
THIS IS FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN.
(laughs)
(cheering)
MAYBE DON'T BRING THE KIDS.
WELL, TIME TO GET THE (bleep) OUT OF DODGE.
I GOT A RED-EYE TO CATCH.
I'VE COME TO LIKE YOU, MY FRIEND.
YOU MAY BE A LITTLE ***-Y,
BUT YOU HAVE YOUR GOOD POINTS.
IT'S GOOD OUT HERE. PERIOD.
MATTER SETTLED. BUT I DON'T HAVE TO LIVE HERE.
FOR ME, L.A. STILL AND LIKELY ALWAYS WILL BE
AN EXOTIC WONDERLAND.
BABY, I DON'T CARE.