By Carole Dixon

As one might expect, there are tons of Korean BBQ joints and large food court malls in the area just east of Hollywood, but the face of K-Town is changing rapidly thanks to the renaissance on the corner of Wilshire and Normandie. Sprawling LA also lends itself well to staycations — not just because Uber is getting expensive and unreliable, but sometimes it just takes more than a few hours to conquer an area and soak it all in.

The Hotel Normandie

This recently refurbished historic hotel is raising the bar for a classic property with affordable prices.
For architecture buffs, this cultural landmark was built in the 1920’s by famed architects Walker & Eisen, who also designed the Fine Arts Building (1925), the Gaylord Apartments (1926), the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (1926), and the United Artists Theater (1927). The ‘Renaissance Revival’-style hotel has brick facade and a multi-million dollar restoration, while keeping the original aesthetics such as the cozy lobby entrance with a library, sprawling staircase, high-beam ceilings, fountain, and baby grand piano.

Dining

It hasn’t hurt that one of LA’s beloved chefs Gary Menes has opened a tiny 12-seat veggie themed counter style dining venue on the side of the hotel, or that Cedd Moses from 213 Nightlife is about to open a bar next door. Just off the Normandie lobby, Cassell’s has become a major draw in just a few short weeks for old-school burgers and malts. The Aspen Ridge burgers are ground fresh twice a day and achieve the ultimate carmelization when placed on the super hot grill that was originally owned by the founder, Al Cassell, back in 1948. Other throw-back touches in include house-made Thousand Island dressing and a rotating pie case for desserts, which holds everything from classic apple to banana crème drizzled with dulce de leche.

The Line Hotel and Entertainment

Around the corner at the modern Line Hotel the vibe is grey concrete walls and clean lines. There are also three dining options from Roy Choi such as his rooftop Commissary by the pool or Pot (yes, that’s a pot leaf on the wall in the restaurant), with steaming bowls of uni dynamite rice or the noodle of the day in a spicy broth with chicken or prime rib.

The lobby has a buzzy bar and Café that is open all day where you can grab a rice crispy treat laced with Froot Loops or a hot dog in savory pastry with spicy sriracha sauce. At night, DJ’s spin and turn the lobby into a more club-like atmosphere. Soon the Houston Brothers of No Vacancy and Dirty Laundry fame will be opening another nightclub-style bar in the hotel adding to the after dark allure.

Other notable newcomers in the area worth checking-out:

• Saint Martha tucked away in a strip mall serving inventive food and extensive wines by the glass.
• EMC for happy hour seafood sliders and their popular raw bar.
• Not new but still noteworthy: Taylor’s for steaks and martinis that won’t break the budget for your stay.

Extracurricular Activities:

For shopping, you’re close to the garment district downtown or trendy Silver Lake boutiques. You can also hit up LACMA for world-class art exhibits and artifacts. For photography shows by well-known local artists, such as Mark Edward Harris, check out the Perfect Exposure Gallery at 6th and Normandie.