Hermon
Monday, January 30, 2012
Photo by Valentina Silva
By Valentina Silva
A decent donut is a fairly easy find, but a stellar one? That can be an enigma unless you’re willing to drive to Inglewood or Glendora, which is quite a commitment to quench one little donut craving. It’s not like there’s a shortage of donut shops on this side of town. They’re as ubiquitous in this corner as any other in Los Angeles—just pull into any strip mall, and you can probably emerge with a bearclaw or cruller in seconds. No sweat. But, let’s be honest: it will most likely be just so-so, all kinds of ho-hum, a little waxy, on the dry side, too dense, or just plain eh.
You deserve better.
That’s why I’m letting you in on the best kept donut secret in Hermon. If you passed by it, you wouldn’t even give it a second glance. There’s no gigantic, beacon-like donut sign to reel you in, no buzz to spark your curiosity… nothing.
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The once low-key strip of storefronts at the northeast corner of Sunset Boulevard and Micheltorena Street has in recent years attracted some upscale tenants, including Lark Bakery, The Hive Salon and Stark waxing studio. Now, the one-story building across from the Micheltorena Elementary playground is preparing for new and expanding businesses.
The former dry cleaner at the corner has been replaced with the new studio – and future store – for handbag designer Clare Vivier, who already shares a storefront around the corner with jewelry designer Kathryn Bentley. Meanwhile, the narrow storefront next door is being converted into what neighbors say will be restaurant. The restaurant owners could not be reached but apparently they plan to feature grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu.
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Toasted Lemon Chiffon Cake/Valentina Silva
By Valentina Silva
I’ve heard great things about Proof Bakery but never the pleasure, so when a friend suggested lunch there, I said “Oooh! Sure.” I don’t get to see Atwater Village on weekdays or by sunlight too often, but since I started working from home (no more east-to-west commute!), I’ve been trying to squeeze in local lunch spots.
Proof Bakery doesn’t bowl you over on first sight. The small, unassuming space is all clean lines, modern airiness and marble tables. The dessert case/counter doesn’t have Marie Antoinette-esque decadence of many bakeries these days, so there aren’t the stacks and piles of cakes and cobblers of, say, Huckleberry in Santa Monica. That said, the restrained set of offerings does hit the right sweet and savory notes—think chocolate chip cookies, cheese and chive biscuits, croissants, tarts and morning buns.
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The Eastsider in November reported that chef Jasmine Wolf and Northeast restaurant and bar owner Rudy Martinez teamed up to transform Martinez’ former Highland Park bar – Marty’s – into a full fledged restaurant called Cafe Lobos. But, after undergoing a renovation inside and out, the York Boulevard restaurant has apparently shut down after only about two months in operation. The Cafe Lobos Yelp listing said the restaurant is closed and visitors to the cafe’s website are greeted with this message:
Cafe Lobos Highland Park is relocating. Please look for us at the Little Lobos Cafe in Beverly Hills and coming this March, the Lobos Truck!
What happened? Wolf, a Highland Park resident, said she will soon be issuing a statement about the fate of the cafe and a new location. The Eastsider has contacted Martinez, who also owns Mia Sushi in Eagle Rock, for comment.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Photo by Valentina Silva
By Valentina Silva
I’ve had a three prevalent/overwhelming cravings throughout my pregnancy: peanut butter, shredded wheat cereal and wet burritos. Of the food-obsessed trinity, the wet burrito urge is my favorite as it plays right into my blogging schemes, allowing me to “research” various versions around town. My latest and greatest discovery is the adobada burrito at Highland Park’s El Huarache Azteca Restaurante.
El Huarache is one of the most prized restaurants on York Boulevard—it’s always packed, and it’s hard to find many who will deny its superiority. As the name implies, they’re most famous for their huarache, an oblong-shaped slab of fried masa covered with cojita cheese, meat (avocado in this case because we ordered it veggie), crema, lettuce and onions. And, yes, their huaraches are good, but to me, their adobada burrito shines even brighter.
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A city planning commission on Wednesday let stand a decision that would allow Fix Coffee in Elysian Heights to serve beer and wine and host live entertainment, according to residents. The East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission voted 4-0 against an appeal filed by Susan Borden, one of the residents who has opposed an effort by Fix Coffee to obtain the necessary city and state permits.
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After more than a year of remodeling and changes in chefs and menus, the former Phoenix Bakery in Echo Park has been transformed into Red Hill, a restaurant by Jason Michaud, who also owns Silver Lake’s Local restaurant. Red Hill opened for dinner late last week and diners have begun to leave their first impressions of the Echo Park Avenue restaurant on Yelp! While some complain about the view and brights lights of the Little Caesars Pizza across the parking lot, Red Hill’s food and drink menu have so far been well received. Said Erika N:
Pulled Pork Ragu Pappardelle was amazingly tasty. It was rich in flavor and the pasta was made in house. The mushroom risotto was creamy and the mushrooms were extremely fresh. But, I’m no mushroom expert so I’m not sure what kind they were. (I didn’t trip out though so that eliminates one type). All I remember from the flatbread was that it had some spicy mole. The half chicken was crispy on the outside and cooked to perfection. Very juicy. The potatoes that were a side to chicken were like crack…
Click here for another Yelp review.
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Chango Coffee is a scruffy Echo Park coffeehouse that has served as a magnet for neighborhood hipsters. Susina Bakery & Cafe is known for its high-end baked goods served out of a glossy Beverly Boulevard storefront. Now these two very different cafes have merged after the owner of Susina took over Chango at the first of the year, according to an employee working for Susina owner Jenna Turner. The cafe will soon stay open until 7 p.m. but it’s still too early to say whether the Chango name will remain and how the menu might change, said the employee.
“It’s definitely not going to be Susina II,” he said of the cafe at the corner of Echo Park and Delta avenues. “We are cleaning it up and keeping it funky.”
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Eagle Rock mac ‘n’ cheese lovers should save up their calories. Larkin Mackey is closing his Mac & Cheeza outlet downtown and plans to open a quick-service outlet in his Eagle Rock restaurant, Larkin’s Joint. S
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