Touring Downtown WIFI: Urth Caffe
Ed Fuentes
New York Cheesecake and mild Vanilla Latte / Arts District's Urth Caffé
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — You know the name, we talked about the opening, and we sent word that the Urth Caffé has been adapting to Downtown's way to cafe.
Now that WIFI is up and running and the cafe is open until 10pm, we can add this Arts District bakery juggernaut on the blogdowntown WIFI tour.
PROS: Solid connection, great environment and a staff more than happy to shed its Westside ethos of discouraging lingering--once the lunch rush is done. Just enough outlets are scattered and in reach. The counter facing Hewitt is trickier. It’s like playing hide-and-seek with your power source. Don’t worry laptopper, you will prevail.
CONS: Price ... but frankly, it’s worth it. Why? There’s a bakery on site. Try the cheesecake.
ABOUT THAT BAKERY: You know the menu: fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and breakfast items for the morning crew. Ah, but the cheesecake.
THE WILD CARD: The 10pm closing time has slowly caught on and makes the Art District Power Lunch spot a night time hangout for locals, USC County General Medical Students, as well as student from the USC campus. It's so popular that they have run out of pastries on some evenings.
ADD ANOTHER WILD CARD: The inevitable question is “When will Urth Caffé be open until midnight?”
That's now on the radar of co-owner Shallom Berkman. He continues to listen to customers and is considering extending hours until midnight on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. That’s according to manager Marie Escobar, who so far has been accurate in measuring the pulse and progress of the café that is growing organically with the neighborhood.
Oh, and have the cheesecake.
Urth Caffé / 451 S. Hewitt (near 5th) / Arts District / (213) 797-4534 / 7am - 10pm Everyday
Edgar Varela on January 12, 2009, at 09:33PM – #1
This place is great, in only a couple short months they have built a comfortable neighborhood establishment that is warm and welcoming. The place feels like its been there a long time and you have friends there. This is my Wi-Fi/Coffee/Pastry/Lunch choice. Great job Shallom, Marie and the rest of the Staff.
Shelley Noble on January 13, 2009, at 01:27AM – #2
Having Urth downtown is like a long-standing dream come true. Paul and I have loved their food and drinks with a hot-coal passion for over a decade and have already treated several sets of our guests to the new location 4 minutes from our home!
Somebody pinch me!
bromike666 on January 13, 2009, at 06:41AM – #3
It blows my mind that 2-3 years ago this street looked like something out of Night of the Living Dead.
Bachatatera on January 13, 2009, at 09:13AM – #4
Their baked eggs are delicious. Great place to come to on weekends.
Chris Vazquez on January 13, 2009, at 04:18PM – #5
pinches Shelley Noble
Cool, gonna check it out sometime. The picture attached above...pure evil dude!
benjamin on January 13, 2009, at 07:46PM – #6
looks yummy!!!!!