Marcus Troy's 5 Cool Things I Saw This Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 4)

Image via Complex Original

WHAT: $28 Market Burger

WHERE: Market Restaurant at the JW Marriot, Los Angeles

WHEN: Saturday (Jan 29), 2:30 p.m.

I’ve developed a new habit of asking the wait staff what’s the best thing on the menu. I’ve gotten a bit lazy at restaurants and hate reading menus. I guess part of me also wants to test the waiters to see how on point they really are. The lovely Amanda told us that The Market Burger was the best thing on the menu, so we ordered up. We were kind of excited as our plates arrived because she hyped it up a bit. The presentation was cool so I had to twitpic the first bite.

WHAT: Signed Walter Payton poster

WHERE: 930 Chung King Rd., Los Angeles

WHEN: Saturday (Jan 29), 5:25 p.m.

It was really random to come across a signed poster of Walter Payton, arguably the greatest running back to play in the NFL, in a convenience store window so deep in Chinatown. I’m pretty sure the poster has been there for at least 20 years.

WHAT: Drawing of Mother Teresa as a G
WHERE: Kunsthalle L.A., Los Angeles
WHEN: Saturday (Jan 29), 6 p.m.
My friend Tim Yu took us to the “Crack of Dawn" exhibit at Kunsthalle in the heart of Chinatown. The art gallery by Ambach & Rice has many great works by artist Eric Yahnker. My favorite piece has to be the drawing of Mother Teresa as the Godfather. He actually synthesizes the face of Mother Theresa and Marlon Brando as The Godfather, as well as a Native American chief. How crazy is that? Too bad I don’t have any place for this in my living room. "Crack of Dawn” runs till February 20.

WHAT: Hyde Lounge at the Staples Center

WHERE: Level C of the Staples Center, Los Angeles

WHEN: Sunday (Jan 30), 12:30 p.m.

Talk about a great experience! The folks at Nike invited us out to watch the game in the prestigious Hyde Lounge at the Staples Center. We ate nachos, tacos, and drank to our hearts content. It sucks that the Lakers lost but it was still worth the experience. If you get the opportunity to experience the Hyde Lounge, make sure you order the chocolate cake because it is fantastic and will blow you away.

WHAT: 3D artwork featuring Kobe

WHERE: The Nike Vault in the Staples Center, Los Angeles

WHEN: Sunday (Jan 30), 6 p.m.

After the game we spent some time with Kobe and famed director Robert Rodriguez at the Nike Vault. They took the opportunity to discuss shoes, movies, and Kanye West. We were then allowed to walk into this secondary room where I got to take pictures of this amazing 3D artwork of Kobe’s face. I’m not sure if this qualifies as paper mache but I do believe the pieces were stuck together with glue. Nonetheless, the artwork was pretty dope.