Food & Nightlife

Hotels Hope to Be a Neighborhood Hang

By Eric Richardson — November 12, 2009 — 8 Comments

Paul Rossi Eric Richardson

Paul Rossi hopes 2010 will be the year he makes a lot of Downtown friends. As Director of Food and Beverage for the JW Marriott at L.A. Live, he sees locals as an important part of the clientele for the restaurants and bars he's preparing inside the hotel and condo tower.

"I know I need that mix," Rossi told blogdowntown on Wednesday. "I can't survive on just what's in house. I'm looking to be the place everyone wants to go to." — Continued Inside...


Mendocino Farms' New Financial District Location Opening Monday

By Rich Alossi — November 11, 2009
8 Comments

Mendocino Farms' New Financial District Location Opening Monday

It's not uncommon to find a line of hungry office workers snaking around California Plaza during the lunchtime rush, the scene drawing onlookers wondering what could possibly attract such a presence. For those in the know, Mendocino Farms is nothing short of a way of life.


Soi 7 at Maison Opens on 7th

By Eric Richardson — November 09, 2009 — 11 Comments

Soi 7 @ Maison Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| 7th street's Restaurant Row designation got a little more real this week, as Soi 7 at Maison opened next door to Bottega Louie between Grand and Olive.

The restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Mandel Lofts, offers a modern take on thai cuisine and includes a sake bar and tea room. — Continued Inside...


Counter Culture: Langer's Deli

By Ed Fuentes — October 29, 2009
6 Comments

Langers Deli

|VIDEO| Ever since the Red Line opened in 1993, Norm Langer has never shied away from crediting the subway for saving his family’s deli. While Langer's is located adjacent to MacArthur Park, its proximity to the first subway stop outside of Downtown makes it just a few steps away from 7th and Figueroa or the Civic Center.


Nickel Diner on Food Network this Evening

By Ed Fuentes — October 19, 2009
6 Comments

Guy in Disguise

Not that Monica May and Kristen Trattner have been lacking in press coverage for their Nickel Diner, but the Main Street eatery will make a national cable appearance this evening, October 19, at 10pm on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."


Friday: 7+Fig BBQ Honors Public Safety Officers

By Eric Richardson — October 15, 2009

serving the public

Looking to venture back out for lunch now that the days of rain have ended? On Friday the Downtown Center BID hosts its 10th Annual Public Safety Appreciation Barbecue at 7+Fig. The event, which runs from 11am to 2pm, honors those who keep Downtown safe. Prime rib sandwiches are again being catered by Morton's The Steakhouse, with pasta and side salad from...


Ralphs Teams With Homegirl Cafe to Offer Downtown-Produced Salsa

By Eric Richardson — October 09, 2009 — 3 Comments

Ralphs / Homegirl Cafe Press Conference Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| As speeches started to drag on at a Friday morning press conference to announce that Ralphs would start offering a pair of salsas from Homegirl Cafe, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's attention visibly wandered. He wanted to try the salsa.

Given the chance, the Mayor offered his feedback. "The morita. I like it hotter," said Villaraigosa. "They're both very good." — Continued Inside...


Eat a Tasty Dessert, Help a Downtown Clinic Provide Breast Cancer Screenings

By Eric Richardson — October 01, 2009
2 Comments

Farmeeohs

Who knew helping people could be so tasty? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and all month The Farm of Beverly Hills will be donating the proceeds from special pink-centered Farmeeohs to the Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center, located Downtown at Pico and Olive.


DineLA Launching Fall Restaurant Week; Food Truck Making a Downtown Stop on Friday

By Eric Richardson — October 01, 2009 — 3 Comments

dineLA Press Event Eric Richardson

After a successful spring campaign, dineLA Restaurant Week returns on Sunday for its first fall run. Over 200 restaurants around Los Angeles -- and just over 40 Downtown -- will be participating in the program, in which eateries offer meals at three set price points.

To promote the program, dineLA has jumped on the food truck craze. Chef John England of Rosa Mexicana hops aboard on Friday, offering free samples at 7th and Hope from 11am to 2pm. — Continued Inside...


Meet Your Morning Piano Player

By Ed Fuentes — September 25, 2009
6 Comments

george

Skid row residents, garment workers and flower vendors who grab bacon and eggs or pancakes at the Corner Kafe tend to make the order "for here." They want to listen to George, the morning piano player with a full repertoire. "Hey, can you play 'We Are the World'," asked a man with a neck full of tattoos and a plate full of biscuits and gravy. George nods and...