Larchmont rings in Lunar New Year, El Coyote marks 95 years
CITY COUNCILMAN HUGO SOTO-MARTÍNEZ (far right) speaks at Lunar New Year alongside (from left) business owners Jing Gao and Stephanie Hjelmeseth and American Born Chinese Foundation founder Bonnie Hyde.
No, it wasn’t your imagination. Larchmont Boulevard was closed to cars Feb. 22 for the first ever Larchmont Lunar New Year Community Celebration. The holiday took place Feb. 17, marking the start of the year of the Fire Horse, which in Chinese tradition symbolizes independence, innovation, and significant change. The community wanted to celebrate, so the street was blocked off, the shopping tents pitched, the f
CHRISTINA CHUNG and daughter Olivia enjoy the street scene.
amilies numerous, and the lions on the prowl! Revelers up and down the street could sample Asian cuisine, clothing, games, and books, or participate in crafts at over 40 booths that were designed to bring awareness to Asian cultures and history.
The jam-packed street performance schedule for the day included a dulcimer player, a lion dance, kung fu demonstrations, and a children’s fashion show. The lion dance (similar to a dragon dance) was performed by the Lau Martia
l Club, a seventh-generation, family-owned martial arts club. The 2,000-year-old tradition brought dozens of onlookers toward the stage. After the performance, the lions hit the pavement, where merrymakers followed them up and down the street helping the lions to chase away bad luck and usher in prosperity.
It was clear that adults and children were having a grand old time as they gobbled up s
SNOW CONES were on the menu at the Lunar New Year celebration.
now cones, crafted one-of-a-kind art pieces, and squealed with delight (and a bit of trepidation) at the sight of the bold and colorful lions wandering the street.
The event was supported, organized, and brought to life by Suá Supérette owner Stephanie Hjelmeseth and her partner Jing Gao; American Born Chinese Foundation founders Bonnie Yi Hyde and her husband, Brett Glatman; and the office of CD13 Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez.
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EL COYOTE OWNER Margie Christofferson, center, celebrates with Miracle Mile residents residents Marcella and Jay Kerwin.
El Coyote Mexican Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard celebrated its 95th anniversary March 5. Diners and regulars flocked to the location for 95-cent enchiladas and tacos, a mariachi band, a bit of birthday cake, and plenty of good vibes. The restaurant has been an L.A. staple since 1931, with customers returning again and again for cheese enchiladas, rice and beans, chicken and beef tacos, sizzling fajitas, friendly waitstaff and of course their famous and perfectly strong margaritas. The iconic landmark has been featured in movies and television shows throughout the decades, including Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and MTVs docudrama “The Hills.”
Owner Margie Christoffersen represents the third generation of her family to maintain the Los Angeles hotspot, after her aunt and uncle and her parents before her.
Marcella Kerwin, a regular, said, “El Coyote has a way of making everyone feel like family—a place where so many of us have shared meals, laughter, and memories. We are so lucky to have it in our community.”
LONGTIME STAFF, Trini, and regulars enjoy a sweet treat to ring in 95 years of El Coyote.
We at the Larchmont Chronicle look forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary in five years. In the meantime, L.A., there are plenty of tacos to go around! See you at the Coyote!
Category: Entertainment
