Quaint might be the best way to describe Jackson’s Market. Situated off the beaten path on Jackson street in Culver City, it’s easy to miss the market if you’re not looking for it already. A couple unassuming tables, accented by large umbrellas offer a preliminary view of the market, although the best qualities of Jackson’s reveal themselves once you step inside.
The other week I had the best popsicle of 2011. It was one of those mango fruit popsicles that come in the clear plastic wrapper that are in the big blue ice chests at the liquor store. It was delicious. Almost went back for another one. Since then, my appreciation for popsicles has increased ten-fold although I haven’t found one that’s quite wowed me like that mangosicle a few weeks ago. Enter Bar Gelato. I’ll be honest, I’ve never tried one of these, but have you ever seen a better looking popsicle? With flavors like hazelnut, strawberry sorbeto, and madagascar vanilla it’s hard to deny the potential joys of having one of these in your hand. Available at most Wholefoods in California, you’ll probably end up paying two to three more dollars than you want to for these, but then again it may just be worth it.
It’s hard to miss the neon green installations as you pass by The Groundfloor Cafe on Spring Street. Eye catching to say the least, the spacious eatery unifies art and food in a stimulating environment. Opened as a gallery seven months ago the Groundfloor Cafe functions as a simple cafe that doubles as a creative space.
It’s not always easy knowing where to eat in L.A. With millions of eateries throughout the city, it seems as though Yelp and friends are often times the best bet to discover cool places to eat. While we fell in love with places like Cafe Brasil and the Golden State Cafe before we decided to feature them on Wine & Bowties, Thai Patio was an exception to the rule. Passing by it numerous times throughout my years in L.A, seeing a restaurant full of people around 2am is usually a good indicator of the quality inside. Alongside David and Cole, we checked out Thai Patio today to see what all the fuss was about.
Stepping inside the doors of Gram & Papa’s earlier this week, I must admit it wasn’t the food that caught my attention first. “Why is everyone in here good looking and fashionable?” I thought to myself. Although G&P’s may resemble a lunch scene out of Entourage, this pleasantly hip eatery manages to deliver when it comes to offering fresh sandwiches. Sponsored by sneaker staple Undftd, with artwork from L.A. native Estevan Oriol and Mister Cartoon lining the walls, Gram & Papa’s serves as an artistic haven as well as a sandwich spot.
“Who doesn’t need to know how to make perfect scrambled eggs?” While perfect may be subjective, I have to admit, Wylie Dufresne’s scrambled eggs look pretty delicious. Scrambling six eggs with a touch of chives, cream cheese and crumbled day old bread the wd~50 chef teaches us how to make a staple of American breakfast.
It’s funny how shit you used to hate comes back around on you sometimes. Those things are always so forgiving. Spinach and I have that sort of relationship. I told her I never wanted to see her again when I was like 7. So she dipped. But for some reason we always ran into each other as we got older. Usually just at parties and stuff. I’d be drinking and she’d always just be sitting there. Sometimes she’d ask me if I wanted to go get coffee or something, but I’d always decline.
I’ll be honest though. It was jealousy that brought us back together. I saw her out with another guy one night. She was so well dressed. She looked flawless. I texted her a few days later to hang out and she was down. She brought over some nuts and cheese and we reconnected. We’re cool now though. We still see other people and stuff, but we both know that what we have is special.
It is crazy how things come back around though. I guess it really is true. If you’re really meant to be with someone you’ll find your way back to each other. No matter what.
Words By B. Williams
We all knew it would only get better. But taking a look around at where we were at already was a sight to see in itself. Beautiful music, sunny days and positive vibes everywhere. Behind the scene at hand was a group of passionate and dedicated folks, and as impressive as it was watching them work, it felt like this was just the beginning.
This long weekend’s Jazz Reggae Festival, as expected, was an experience, complimented by good food, gorgeous weather, and a sell out crowd. For Jam Day, Little Dragon made an impression, highlighted as usual by show-stealing performance from lead singer Yukimi. Headliner Lupe Fiasco lit up the stage with a barrage of hits and personal favorites, and Lee Fields and The Expressions brought a taste of classic soul. Maybe most notably though, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, accompanied by a full instrumental ensemble, brought out an all-star cast of soul and hip-hop favorites, including Bilal and Talib Kweli. I think I speak for a lot of us when I say “Get By” was a highlight of the day.
Reggae Day didn’t disappoint either. Gyptian had the girls going crazy, all the way through “Hold Yuh”, and Steel Pulse closed out the festival with a thorough collection of classics, from “Roller Skates” to “Steppin’ Out”. As I mentioned before, the entire experience, from quality artist sets, to tasty food, to positive energy was the result of a pretty extraordinary effort on the part of a few individuals. Special thanks to the Jesse, Cole and the Jazz Reggae Staff.
Living in the wild is so life or death. Us humans have created such a peaceful existence comparatively. It’s like “Damn, I might die trying to eat lunch today?” Or “Damn, I’m bout to get stung by 100 bees to get my favorite snack?” For the honey badger it seems as though life is full of perilous traps as acquiring a meal might mean fending off hyenas and wild boar. That is until the honey badger meets the honey guide, and the rest is history.
Many people say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. As your first meal of the morning, it sets the tone for the rest of the day, while welcoming fruits into your morning diet. For residents of downtown Los Angeles, the Stray Cat Café might just be one of the best places to start your day from, offering delicious food with an easy going atmosphere.
I’m realizing it’s important to find a fruit that works for you. Something you can eat like candy even though it’s not. Personally, bananas, blueberries, and melon do it for me, but you’ve gotta find the right fruit for you, because they’re good for you. With high levels of potassium and low amounts of sodium, bananas help prevent high blood pressure while also helping to strengthen muscles. Additionally, bananas have the power to relieve stress by normalizing the heartbeat and maintaining the body’s water balance. So like I said, bananas are cool, but find the right fruit for you.
Shoutout to San Francisco. Aside from capturing the World Series, SF is winning for their progressive outlook on life, culture and society. Recently the San Francisco Board of Supervisors agreed to ban the sale of happy meals at McDonald’s restaurants. The ordinance marks the first time a major city in the U.S. has banned restaurants from offering toys with high-calorie meals that contain significant amounts of fat and sugar.
While the ban limits the sale of toys, the ordinance doesn’t ban toys from being served with happy meals altogether. If the total calories of a meal add up to less than 600, and under 35% of the calories come from fat, toys can still be given out with McDonald’s meals. Although a bit lenient, the ban still drastically effects the sale of happy meals, where a cheeseburger, small fry and drink add up to 640 calories.
I have yet to find my neighborhood café. For many writers I feel like finding the right café is much like finding the right pen or notebook. It has to suit you well. And quite frankly, I desire a bit more from a coffee shop than what Starbucks or Coffee Bean have to offer. I want a vibe. I want comfort. I want free wifi and a complimentary scone just for stepping in the door. Perhaps I am asking a lot out of a café, but in fact there may be some that may actually meet my criteria.
A block off the beaten path of Main Street in Santa Monica, 212 Pier offers patrons a relaxing environment to escape for a while. Walls lined with intellectual literature combat the superficial stigma that characterizes much of Los Angeles, while book titles like “Best Short Plays of 1988″ provide endless knowledge for those who dare to seek it. In fact, the reading selection at 212 Pier is a bit intimidating, so I’d suggest pulling the BYOB and bring your own book. A perfect place to relax or do a little studying, read on for a look inside 212 Pier.
You’d probably pass it by if you didn’t know already. Settled unassumingly on Rose Street, a few blocks from busy Lincoln Avenue, Venice Beach Wines offers an eclectic array of wines, beers, and edibles. Opened two years ago as a full restaurant, the intimate space gives patrons the opportunity to converse in an ultra relaxed setting, providing a welcome departure from the normal chaos of Los Angeles. Recently, Tiago and I had a chance to visit Venice Beach Wines, to sample some of their menu items while learning more about this unique dining space.
First Fridays in Venice Beach just feels right. Perhaps it’s the energy. An assortment of sizes, shapes, and ages line the streets of Abbot Kinney, as galleries, bars and food trucks open their doors to jovial crowds. In a lot of ways it’s a breath of fresh air. Perhaps it’s the authenticity. Or the feeling of it all. By people for people, rather than by them for us. There’s a magic in the air of Venice on the first Friday of every month. One you don’t catch too often in the city of angels. You never know who or what you’ll see. Old friends, new friends, pretty girls, good music. What more do you need?
