The Americana at Brand

Din Tai Fung Is Causing Drama in Los Angeles | Eater

"A glitzy outdoor shopping center opened in 2008 and developed by Caruso, intentionally evoking a Main Street–style, curated atmosphere: choreographed Bellagio-style fountains, a trolley, a whimsical steampunk parking-lot elevator, full-service restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory, and high-end retail. Its paid parking and carefully staged public spaces create a calming, familiar environment that signals a more curated, affluent audience; the property’s ownership has also been selective about who can use the space for public expression. From 2013 until a recent relocation, it housed the San Fernando Valley outpost of a major Taiwanese dumpling chain, and that tenant’s departure to the indoor mall across the street became particularly notable in local gossip." - Ryan Bradley