Food & Nightlife

Sandwich Shops Offer Signs of Two Times

By Ed Fuentes — September 30, 2008
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Two Downtown eateries mark anniversaries this week, one celebrating a year in business while the other honors a century. Sandwich Shop and Philippe The Original come from markedly different times, but the two share a sense of branding that reflects the Downtown in which they opened.


Tiara Cafe Gets AAA Mag's Stamp of Approval

By Eric Richardson — September 30, 2008
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Tiara Cafe in Westways

Fred Eric's Tiara Cafe (127 E. 9th) gets a nice write-up in the October 2008 issue of Westways magazine, a print publication from the Automobile Club of Southern California. The mag particularly highlights Tiara's dinner hours, quieter after the Fashion District crowd heads home.


As Opening Nears, Cole's Neon Gets Relit

By Eric Richardson — September 23, 2008 — 12 Comments

Cole's Neon Gets Relit Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| Closed since early 2007, Cole's took another step toward its return today as neon gas was brought back to life in the famed bar's restored sign.

Cole's, of course, is one of two Downtown establishments to claim the invention of the french dip. The beloved sandwich will return, served from a large, new carving station located directly inside the front doors. Also back unchanged is the original 40-foot mahogany bar. — Continued Inside...


The Nickel Makes LAT Column One

By Ed Fuentes — September 20, 2008 — 8 Comments

IMGP4163.JPG Ed Fuentes

For 40 years to the month, LAT's "Column One" has sat on the front page, a staple that features local, national, and international stories of interest.

Today, Monica May and Kristen Trattner make the front page with Cara Mia DiMassa's "The Nickel dishes up a big helping of downtown L.A.". It's a great account of the two owners' journey to open up a restaurant in a block that was known by its negatives. — Continued Inside...


Redwood Still Has Downtowners Saying 'Ay-Matey'

By Ed Fuentes — September 19, 2008
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Ricky, the Pirate

September 19th is Talk Like A Pirate Day and the only Downtown place to celebrate the makeshift national holiday is the ocean rebel themed Redwood Bar and Grill. The shipmates will be judging the "Best Dressed Pirate" contest and “Best Pirate Joke” will be decided by Captain Christian Frizzell. The famous 2nd street watering hole may have a different decor...


Showbiz Ribs Rubbing Downtowners the Right Way

By Ed Fuentes — September 11, 2008
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Showbiz Ribs

It didn't take long for people to find Showbiz Ribs when it held its soft opening on August 14th. A crowd of carnivores were waiting outside the door, GM Bill Cook recalls. "We didn’t even have time to finish writing the menu board. All it said was ‘ribs’ –– and we ran out." The eatery is well stocked now, and Downtowners will want to take as much note of the...


Nickel Diner Adds Dinner Hours for Art Walk

By Eric Richardson — September 09, 2008
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The Nickel Diner opened just under two weeks ago to rave reviews. From day one it's been the spot, where one could pretty much bank on finding a familiar neighborhood face. While it's still serving just breakfast and lunch while getting the kitchen up to speed, this Thursday the Nickel adds dinner hours to feed a hungry Downtown Art Walk crowd.


Chow Downtown: Chimay Tasting at Morton's

By Dave Bullock — September 02, 2008
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Chimay

|Photo Gallery| Last week Morton's Steakhouse at 7+Fig hosted a Chimay tasting replete with appetizers and complimentary glasses. Chimay is a monk-brewed, small-batch beer from Belgium that has been brewed using the same recipe for hundreds of years. Jay Baum was on hand to describe the beer, brewed using traditional methods by Trappist monks. Baum is a regional sale representative...


The Nickel Diner Opens on Main Street

By Ed Fuentes — August 27, 2008
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welcome to the nickel

|Photo Gallery| Well-wishers and stakeholders welcomed the Nickel Diner to Downtown today, and the steady breakfast and lunch crowd made the pace just right for today’s soft opening. Nestled on a block of Main Street that is still softening its rough edges, the Nickel Diner is a throwback to the days when small diners dotted downtown and served no-nonsense food in comfortable...


Art Walk Opening Doors for Diners

By Ed Fuentes — August 14, 2008
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ready for biz

The Great Steak’s Robert Davtian is the cheese steak entrepreneur who looks like he came straight from Philly. In reality, he's from Glendale, and he opened his place two months ago. This Thursday he plans to keep his café open past 5:30pm, in hopes of grabbing an Art Walk crowd. That’s good news for those who want to grab a quick bite in between exhibits....