The Special - Exploring Downtown L.A.'s Creative Edge

Exploring Downtown L.A.'s Creative Edge

03/04/19 • 25 min

From painters to chefs, documentary filmmakers to dancers, the population of downtown Los Angeles is an eclectic mix of artists and creators of culture. In this episode of “The Special,” we tour the city with entrepreneurs who are making L.A. a thriving destination for art, design and food. Join our host Minya Oh, a.k.a “Miss Info,” as she tours us through an urban farm, an apron factory (with a zipline) and the Los Angeles Flower Market.

We’ll sit with creatives from the neighborhood, including entrepreneur Ellen Bennett, and artist Stephen Seemayer, as the chef Josef Centeno artfully prepares a meal incorporating the area’s freshest ingredients in bold and unexpected ways. For more information and behind the scenes photos, visit nytimes.com/thespecial.

BMW’s first ever X7 inspired “The Special” by bringing together a new collaboration between two expert storytellers — The New York Times’s T Brand Studio and The Infatuation for the first time. Together, they examine culture and food in a way that only they can. Sponsored by BMW.

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Making Connections In Seattle

Seattle has transformed from a logging town into one of the most desirable cities in the USA. But for newcomers, it can be difficult to meet new people. It’s a phenomenon known to the locals as “the Seattle Freeze.” In this episode of “The Special,” we meet Zac Reynolds, a chef using unique flavors to spark conversations among customers at his restaurant Cook Weaver. We hear from Reynolds about his use of diverse ingredients, including locally-made Ethiopian Injera, and how he puts his own spin on Eurasian fusion food. Along the way, we tour Seattle’s pop culture museum, fishing ports and a pinball arcade.

We’ll sit with culture makers from the neighborhood as chef Zac Reynolds prepares dishes featuring injera.

Next Episode

Minneapolis: Cold Weather Creates Unique Culture

Minneapolis is evolving. The weather may be frigid, but it's a welcoming and inclusive environment in which creativity and diversity are valued. In this episode, we'll explore the melding of Nordic, Somali and indigenous flavors to enrich the city's culinary scene.

We’ll sit with artists, activists and chefs as Alex Roberts from Restaurant Alma creates a hearty and unexpected dish featuring local ingredients. We learn how the city is culturally evolving and what role these artists play in that evolution everyday. For more information and behind the scenes photos, visit nytimes.com/thespecial.

BMW’s first ever X7 inspired “The Special” by bringing together a new collaboration between two expert storytellers — The New York Times’ T Brand Studio and The Infatuation for the first time. Together, they examine culture and food in a way that only they can. Sponsored by BMW.