Taking L.A For Granted: Unveiling The New Chinatowns and Thai Taste Trekking

Living here in this daily struggle we have accepted as life--from home to work, anticipative activities to spontaneous situations--it can get quite easy to get stuck and not notice a lot of stuff around us, usually obscure to us, but brimming with history if given the chance.

All those Asian signs you pass by, in their native language with no translation next to them for example, are hinting at something. Most likely being Chinese or Thai since L.A is home to the biggest population of them outside of their homeland. Who knows, that factory in the corner that you pass by, while going around in circles looking for Jonathan Gold's latest find in the foreign lands (to most of us) of San Gabriel Valley might actually be the birthplace of Hula Hoops, Frisbees's and and those crazy, zany Water Wiggles (Wham-O toys first manufacturing plant was right off of San Gabriel Blvd).

We are lucky enough however, to have such diligent people like Kim and Richard Cooper from Esotouric, and the hard hands of Karen Mack over at L.A Commons to get us out of our routine vicious repetition though.

Of course, food was included somewhere in all this, nibbling on Dim Sum samples and taking it up several notches than it already is by taking whiffs--not drinks--of paired wine (damn "lily-white" protestant founders) brought to us by Wing Hop Fung's wine adept Dore Kraus, in Monterey Park. Enjoying the intangible experience of the the Thai "Yum" gastronomical philosophy (perfect balance of salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors) courtesy of the mutually passionate Chef Jet Tila at Red Corner Asia in Thaitown. Yes L.A has a "Thaitown"...

Wing Hop Fung
725 W.Garvey Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Open 7 days a week
Tel: (626)227-1688
Fax: (626)227-8880
Email: info@winghopfung.com

Red Corner Asia
5267 Hollywood Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Almost "All You Care To Eat": Whole Foods (Arroyo Prkwy)

It's just what you expect: two floor's of guiltless--but expensive--bliss!!!

A Juice Bar, Seafood Bar, Hot Food Bar, Sandwich Bar, Salad Bar, Dessert Bar, Bread Bar, Pizza Bar, Raw Food Bar, Tapas Bar...even a Hot Nut Bar! (went back for that warm Garlic Rosemary Brazil Nut every time their was a different clerk)

I actually came with the intention to work here just so I can get the 25% discount, but to no avail.

A Flagship store indeed.

I still didn't buy anything though...

Whole Foods Market
465 S. Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena
(626) 204-2266.