viewfromaloft

Can't go wrong with these Downtown LA Cupcakes

 

By Helen Ly. VFaL contributor.

 

When I moved to downtown Los Angeles in 2004 to attend CSULA, a food court with pizza and Chinese food under hot lamps were a needed inexpensive lunch option, even if they came with flashbacks of high school cafeterias or hanging out at the Orange Julius at a local mall.

The flashback has ended, thanks to the renovated FIGat7th who  caught up with downtown. The food court now reflects downtown’s taste for trend and culinary preferences. Oleego by Park's BBQ revisted; The Melt specializes in fancy grilled cheese, and Mendocino Farms opened another outlet for artisan sandwiches inspired by “sustainable farming.”

 

Still waiting to open is The Flying Pig Café, a gourmet food truck putting down another brick and mortar homestead. Also planned is  Pazzo Gelato and City Tavern, says the website.

 

How business will be sustained remains to be seen, but one thing is certain; after lunch hour people will wait in a long line for Sprinkles Cupcakes.

Sushi Dinner Specials Mark Takami Sushi & Robata's 5th Anniversary

Loading up on sushi selections is a good way to start off Art Walk this Thursday. (Or sooner).  Takami Sushi & Robata is marking their fifth year in downtown Los Angeles with dinner specials that offer five selections for five bucks each for five days. It began Sunday and runs until August 9.

Baked King Crab Roll, King Crab baked in a Dynamite Sauce and rolled in Soy Paper. (Normally $16 each)

 

Garden Roll, Veggie Roll with Lettuce, Red Onion, Bell Peppers, Micro Greens, Sesame Soy Dressing. (Normally $13)

 

Spicy Yellowtail Roll, Spicy Yellowtail & Cucumber wrapped inside out in soy paper. (Normally $11)

 

Crunch Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Avocado, & Cucumber, topped with Tempura Crunch & Eel Sauce. (Normally $14)

 

Penthouse Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll on Soy Paper, Tempura Crunch inside, topped with Avocado. (Normally $14).

Takami Sushi & Robata I 811 Wilshire Blvd

Prices good during dinner hours and not valid with other promotion offers.

MF Gourmet Opens at Grand Central Market

MF Gourmet, short for Meat Fish Gourmet, now has a stall at Grand Central Market.

During the summer, Chef Tyler James Cyre was delivering bakery goods to Perch and found a parking spot outside Grand Central Market. He quickly ducked in the open air marketplace to get change for the meter, and the bustle of the enivrons, he knew he found a place for his breads and his business, MF Gourmet. 

The European culinary bakery will now be a neighbor to the indigenous tortas and chinese food.  The soft opening is off and on, and may be as soon as Friday, Sept. 2.

But for certain, with Grand Central Market and The Patrón Spirits Company, MF Gourmet will have a big presence Thursday, Sept. 8, with Downtown LA’s Edible Artwalk. Local culinary artists will gather and socialize, even carve an ice block or two, to raise money for Friends of The FCI, a non-profit arm of The French Culinary Institute.

Downtown LA’s Edible Artwalk I  RSVPs by Sept. 6th are required. 21 + only  I Thursday, September 8 I 7pm to 11:30pm I 317 S Broadway

Photo by Helen Ly for viewfromaloft

Where Does A Downtown Cop Eat?

Captain Blake Chow taking lunch orders at Pete's Cafe during Tip-A-Cop 2009, a LAPD sponsored fundraiser for Special Olympics. Chow was assigned as Commander in late 2009 and currently assists in overseeing LAPD's Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. His duties include handling major public events around Downtown, and putting out fires during riotous post-Laker championship celebrations.  Photo: Ed Fuentes

TIPS FROM COPS: They grow up so fast. A daughter of one of my many cousins will be in L.A. for a final stage of testing for and with the Los Angeles Police Department.  Since moms are always moms, I was asked what a potential recruit can see or eat at a planned diversion to Olvera Street.

It is not uncommon for L.A.'s birth place to be the go-to destination for those not familar with Downtown. Yet it had me wondering where cops working in the city dine?  After all, they rely on knowing the streets.  A quick note was sent to LAPD Commander Blake Chow asking if he can tip me on some of his favorite places. His first response: “Healthy or not-so-healthy?”

Either; after all, you are the commander.