Where to Eat: Contemporary Peruvian Comfort Food @ Los Balcones, Hollywood

The Eats: Northern Peruvian comfort food with an international flair, featuring dishes like ceviche and Arroz con Pollo (chicken with rice)

The Location: Hollywood

The Vibes: Earthy, authentic, intimate, chill

Good for: Alone, Dates, Groups (small and large)

When-To-Go: Opens daily at noon; closes at 10 p.m. (Sunday & Monday), 11 p.m. (Tuesday – Thursday) and midnight (Friday & Saturday)

The $$ Factor: Appetizers, $12+; Entrees, $20+; Cocktails, $14+

The Names behind the scenes: Chef Michelangelo 'Miguel' Aliaga

The 4-1-1: Los Balcones also features weekend brunches and daily happy hours, 4 - 7 p.m.

Parking Situation: Nearby metered and limited free parking

I’ll Be Back…: For the Lomo Saltado!

If you had to take a wild guess, what do you think a restaurant's average lifespan is?

A 2018 USA Today article notes that most establishments typically only last for five years before shutting down, with 90 percent closing within 12 months of opening.

So, it says a lot that Los Balcones on Vine St. in Hollywood has kept its doors open for 14 years and counting, even expanding its footprint across two new locations — Studio City in November 2018 and DTLA later this year.

But succeeding at longevity doesn’t mean that this one-room Peruvian restaurant has remained unchanged over the years. In fact, it’s had at least three renovations. The latest one has brought in rich textured woods, soft lighting and a color palate that’s reflective of native Peruvian color schemes — lots of muted reds, browns, oranges and yellows.

It also means the menu has evolved over time. Two years ago, the restaurant took a seasonal approach, rotating out items each quarter. And now, since March 2019, Chef Michelangelo “Miguel” Aliaga (pictured below with me) has been involved, bringing his own distinctive touch to the forefront. Originally from northern Peru with 10 years of professional culinary experience in Italy, he’s artfully blending traditional Peruvian dishes with international influences.



“We’re trying to put the discipline of European technique with Peruvian cuisine — that is our mission,” Chef Aliaga explained to me when I stopped by, earlier this month. “It’s European techniques, but not the ingredients.”

Paying homage to this South American country means you’ll find choclo — a native Peruvian corn that has a very large kernel — infused in a variety of dishes, such as in the thinly sliced sea bass tiraditos, pictured below.



It also means many dishes are reminiscent of comfort food that’s traditionally found in Northern Peruvian households, including the Arroz con Pollo, pictured below. Crispy chicken confit, prepared the French way of slowly cooking meat, lays on a bed of cilantro rice. It's all topped with a chilled, zesty salsa criolla, which comprises spices, tomatoes, onions, peppers and sliced jalapeños.



And the ceviche, pictured below — a dish that actually originated in Peru (who knew?!) — is made how it would typically be within the country: massive chunks of seafood and sweet potato are topped with onions, peppers, lots of lime juice, and not surprisingly, choclo corn.



In the Lomo Saltado entrée, flavors of Peru and China artfully merge. Sautéed beef filet gets doused in an Asian lee kum kee oyster sauce, accompanied by rice, roasted tomatoes and a Peruvian staple — the potato (apparently, Peru has more than 3,000 different potato variations!) Thick Kennebec fries are served soft and dense on the inside, and lightly salted and crisp on the outside.



But Chef Aliaga isn’t saying out with the old, in with the new, completely. A few Los Balcones staples from before his time actually remain, including the Fried Brussels Sprouts, pictured below. I learned that apparently, there was such an uproar from diners when they were temporarily unavailable, that they were ushered right back onto the menu in no time. They're similar to how many places these days are preparing Brussels Sprouts — crispy and slightly sweet. Yet they have their own distinct flavor, thanks to the addition of crunchy peanuts and a tangy aji amarillo yogurt sauce.



Rounding out the menu is a variety of cocktails, ranging from the pisco sour, a popular Peruvian libation, to creative inventions, like the Tamarind & Smoke, with mezcal, Jarritos tamarind-flavored soda, tamarind syrup and a chili rim. Personally, I loved Los Balcones’ fruity take on a pisco sour, called the maracuya sour, pictured below. Passion fruit gets added to the classic blend of pisco — a.k.a. Peruvian brandy — frothy egg whites, simple syrup, bitters and lime juice.



So the next time you’re up for trying out Peruvian food and cocktails, head over to Los Balcones in Hollywood. You’ll get fantastic, filling dishes, all in a welcoming ambiance.

See you there soon!

For more information: 

Website, Instagram

Disclosure: I received complimentary services; all views and opinions reflected are my own and not influenced by any other third-party sources.

Where to Be Merry: Soul of a Nation - "Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983" @ Broad Museum (Los Angeles)

The Merriment: A temporary art exhibition featuring the work of 60+ black artists, spanning two decades, from 1963 to 1983

The Location: Downtown

The Vibes: Educational, inspiring, thought-provoking, emotional

Good for: Alone, dates, groups (small and large), all ages

When-To-Go: Tuesday – Sunday (museum closed Mondays); FREE exhibition entry on Thursdays

The $$ Factor: $18, Adults; $12, Students with valid ID; Free for kiddies 17 and under

The Names behind the scenes: Artists including Betye Saar, David Hammons, Dawoud Bey, Roy DeCarava, Wadsworth Jarrell and so many more

The 4-1-1: General admission to the Broad Museum is free, but entrance into Soul of a Nation isn’t; purchase tickets in advance online to avoid lengthy lines to enter the museum! It’s also worth checking out the permanent exhibition on the top floor. There’s hundreds of art from famous artists such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and from other #WilsonsGuide favorites like Kerry James Marshall

Parking Situation: Nearby garage parking for a fee

I’ll Be Back…: For the jazz nights and gallery talks throughout the summer!

My invite for the grand opening of Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983 exhibition at the Broad Museum on March 23 — which just so happened to have The Carters and Ava DuVernay attend — *clearly* got lost in the mail (hey, it happens). So even though I really wasn’t invited didn’t have the opportunity to see the exhibition when it first opened, I made it a priority to stop by, during a recent trip back down to L.A.

Located on the first floor of the Broad Museum in DTLA, Soul of a Nation gives us access to hundreds of pieces of artwork created by more than 60 black artists, spanning two decades, between 1963 and 1983. From black-and-white photographs to colorful collages, larger-than-life paintings and complex sculptures, all types of art — big, small, traditional, abstract and everything in between — grace the space. The exhibition’s layout is chronological, neatly arranged into 12 different rooms. Each room represents a particular artistic style, time period and/or geographical region(s). We begin our journey in the “Spiral” room, with artwork from the Spiral Group that formed in 1963, and we wrap up in the “Just Above Midtown” room, which touts artists who were part of the Just Above Midtown art gallery in NYC, during the ‘70s and ‘80s. Fortunately, you can revisit rooms along the way, in case you want to catch another glimpse of a particular piece.

Similar to how the mediums are quite diverse — from photos to oil paints — so too, are the various subjects that each artist focuses on. Artist Betye Saar pays reverent homages to spiritual rituals of ancestors while others like Wadsworth Jarrell proudly portray prominent leaders, like Malcolm X in his Black Prince portrait (1971). Even mundane moments in every day life and ordinary people are captured, such as Emma Amos’ oil-on-canvas depiction of Eva the Babysitter (1973). pictured below.

Many pieces evoke strong emotional feelings, as they highlight many of the injustices blacks endured throughout our country's history. Anger, shock and disbelief engulfed me, as I viewed the inhumane mistreatment of the man in David Hammons’ Injustice Case (1970) faces. He’s gagged and hands bound behind his back while sitting in a chair — exactly how Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale was handled during his 1969 trial. With pieces such as Black First, America Second (1970), pictured below, Hammons’ also has us considering how to construct our identity: why must one identity come before the other? Will this order ever change? Who decides when/if it does?

In addition to the variety of mediums and subject matters sourced, there’s also a variety of geographical locations represented, from Chicago to New York and Los Angeles.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the various rooms within the exhibition:

• Spiral – Showcases artwork from the 15-member Spiral Group, formed in 1963, right before the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
• Art on the Street – Has artwork such as magazine covers and collages, from artists involved in Chicago’s Organization of Black American Culture and from Oakland’s Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.
• Figuring Black Power – Highlights works from the Black Arts Movement, which stemmed from the Black Power movement and originated in the northeast U.S., eventually spreading throughout the nation.
• AfriCOBRA in Chicago – The African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists — a.k.a., AfriCOBRA — was a Chicago-based artist collective focusing on the Black family, leveraging bright colors and incorporating text and mosaic-like shapes into its art. Below is Jarrell’s portrayal of Malcolm X, in Black Prince, that I previously referred to.
  
  
  
• Black Light – Shows off brilliant black-and-white photographs from Roy DeCarava, the first director of the Kamoinge Workshop formed in 1963, and other photographers like Dawoud Bey. 
• Los Angeles Assemblage – Includes sculptures made by various L.A. artists in the aftermath of the 1962 Nation of Islam Mosque police shooting and 1965 Watts Rebellion.
• Three Graphic Artists – Reveals the works of Charles White, David Hammons and Timothy Washington, initially shown at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
• East Coast Abstraction – Reveres artists hailing from New York City and Washington, D.C. like Ed Clark and William T. Williams, who focused on abstract painting in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
• Black Portraits – Displays artists who intentionally depicted portraits of Black Americans, from all walks of life. This was probably my favorite room, which includes one of my favorites, Barkley Hendricks’ What’s Going On (1974), which is a direct response to the Marvin Gaye song with the same name.
  
  
  
• Improvisation and Experimentation – Follows the evolution of abstract art in the early 1970s, which included incorporating mixed media techniques by artists like Alma Thomas.
• Betye Saar – Presents three-dimensional pieces by the L.A.-based artist Betye Saar, who blends technology and historic items within her art.
• Just Above Midtown – Features works from this nonprofit art gallery that operated in the ‘70s and ‘80s to support and amplify contemporary Black artists’ works.

All in all, Soul of a Nation captures a multitude of interpretations of the black experience not only during these two decades, but also from past centuries and even the potential future. It’s interesting how so many of these pieces feel are so incredibly timeless and still relatable to this day, sometimes unfortunately so. For example, as depicted in Benny Andrews' Did the Bear Sit Under the Tree (1969), aren't we still fighting our country for basic rights such as equality? 

So the next time you’re looking to dive into art for a few hours, learning more about black experiences captured in incredible, creative ways and the rise of black artistry throughout the '60s through '80s, stop by this beautiful exhibition. But don’t wait too long; Soul of a Nation is only here for a few more months, until September 1, 2019.

See you there soon!

For more information:

Website, Facebook, Instagram

What's going on is sourced from The Atlantic

Wilson's Words of Wisdom: June Round Up (Father’s Day 2019, Los Angeles!)

It’s been quite some time since I’ve written a special Father’s Day post — five years to be exact — but thinking about all of the fun, cool stuff that can be enjoyed with fathers of all ages inspired me to share some last-minute ideas for anyone who might need them. From hip-hop infused pizza dinners to educational wine classes and more, here are seven things to do with uncles / dads / father-like figures this upcoming Sunday, June 16. 

Have any exceptional ideas for Father’s Day activities? I want to hear them! 

Leave your suggestions in the comments below! 

Where to Drink: 1950s Cocktails @ Birds & Bees, DTLA

Take Pops back to his era via a trip into DTLA’s hidden, underground lounge, Birds & Bees. The décor pays homage to the ‘50s decade, with sleek orange couches, retro lamp fixtures and other knick-knacks from the time period, while the bartenders excel at craft cocktails that have nostalgic names, like the Sam Cooke and Gregory Peck. While technically closed on the actual Father’s Day, stop by Friday and/or Saturday evening.

For more information

Where to Eat: Hip-Hop & Pizza @ Delicious Pizza, Mid-City

Ever find yourself busting a rhyme with your dad or debating who was the greatest rapper of all time? Then take him to Mid-City’s Delicious Pizza, a haven for old school hip-hop heads where the genre seeps into everything from the food to the music selection and décor. Opened four years ago by Mike Ross, the longtime music exec who co-founded the original record label Delicious Vinyl, this laid-back eatery has more than 15 different pizzas to pick from, plus wings, salads and a funky cold sangria. Your dad will appreciate the "antique" boom boxes and photos of legendary albums like Def Jef’s Soul Food displayed throughout. 

For more information

  

Where to Be Merry: Exercising @ The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Help ensure that you’re celebrating many more future Father’s Days by whipping el padre into tip-top shape at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City. Aside from paying for parking, this local exercise destination has plenty of ways to exercise for free, while offering up sweeping views of the city — from Santa Monica all the way to downtown and beyond. Sprint up the switch-back trails, climb the grueling 282 stairs or invent your own workout routine at the top of the overlook. Bring the whole fam, as all ages are welcome.  

For more information

Where to Be Merry: Pedal Boating @ Echo Park Lake

Speaking of outdoor activities, Echo Park Lake offers pedal boats to rent so you can cruise amongst a beautiful wetlands oasis of lotus flowers, gorgeous views of downtown and charming Spanish-style homes, and wildlife — like cranes, geese and ducks. Pack a blanket for a low-key picnic on a grassy knoll before or after going out on the lake, and don’t leave without grabbing elote —that’s grilled corn drizzled with mayonnaise, lime juice, cojita cheese and chili. So good!

For more information

Where to Drink: Wine Classes @ The Blending Lab 

Pay the big guy back for all the days he made you go to school when you didn’t want to, by insisting he returns to class. The Blending Lab is a no-frills, off-winery wine tasting room in the Mid-City area that features wine blending class on Fridays and Saturdays. Learn the art of proper wine-tasting and experiment with making your own red wine blends. Plus, you can even take home your very own blend for an additional nominal fee. Classes are completely sold out for Father’s Day weekend, but spaces are available for the following weekend. 

For more information

Where to Be Merry: Family Fest @ Boomtown Brewery, Arts District

Arts District’s Boomtown Brewery is pulling out all the stops, with activities planned for both kiddies and grown folks alike this Father's Day. In addition to what you’d expect to find at a brewery — loads of beer on tap — there will also be face painting, a bounce house and even a tie making craft station. Rounding out the event, which takes place noon – 6 p.m., will be various food vendors. It’s free, and no reservation needed — simply show up!

For more information

Where to Eat: 9th Annual Father’s Day Brunch  @ Abbey Food & Bar, West Hollywood

Photo Credit: The Abbey Food & Bar

While the Abbey Food & Bar may be internationally known as an iconic gay bar, just as significant is the role it’s played in advocating for various diverse social issues, too. It’s frequently supported local communities in need for almost 30 years, whether through its annual “Christmas in September”  that has raised funds for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, or now through its 9th annual Father’s Day Brunch, to help RaiseAChild and Pop Luck Club LGBTQ foster and adoption organizations. There will be a breakfast buffet with staples like scramble eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, pancakes and a special Abbey potato hash. It’s $16 for adults, $7 for the kiddies (and yes, it’s kid-friendly during brunch!). 

For more information