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.

Whether you’re from Culver City or not, Jackson’s feels like your neighborhood market, the place you’ve been going to for years where everyone knows your name. On top of a full fledged delicatessen, Jackson’s also functions as a market, housing much of your basic cooking necessities alongside an extensive selection of drinks. But Jackson’s true magic lies in its sandwiches. Upon entering, you are encouraged to create your sandwich from a checklist of items. Choose your cheese, choose your meat, choose your accessories and sign your name. It’s that simple. So now you have your custom built sandwich, and maybe a drink and some chips, what do you do next? Step outside to Jackson’s backdoor patio. It’s one of the best places to spend an afternoon.

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.

TCHO Chocolate

Kiwi Sorbetto

For more information visit Bar Gelato.

Photos By Max Gibson

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.

Currently showcasing the art of a L.A bred sculptor Gerardo Hacer, the origami inspired installations simply known as, The Fold are presented throughout the space, as Groundfloor’s gallery is showcasing the artist’s work through October 12th. On the surface it appears as though Hacer’s work is created whimsically, as if the unique pieces hold no rhyme or reason. But upon closer examination, Hacer’s installations are really a practice in the minimalist form of origami. Taking metal, that is then folded and welded by hand, Hacer focuses on a single shape, (and its inverse) to create his distinctive pieces.

While art may serve as the central focus of Groundfloor’s efforts, the spaces cafe also offers a pleasant environment to work and dine. In the mornings the traditional French breakfast of a coffee, a croissant and fresh orange juice is a great way to start the day. Especially when the juice is freshly squeezed in front of you, and together it hits for $5. Another standout item is the Provencal Sandwich, that combines tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, pesto and balsamic glaze on a light french baguette. Also offering a selection of French pastries from chocolate mousse and banana pudding to chocolate chip cookies and blueberry scones, the space offers an authentic taste of France in the center of downtown Los Angeles.

For performing artists, be sure to check out Groundfloor on Wednesday nights for Open Mic night.

Ground Floor Cafe
443 South Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.624.3010
Open Daily: 10AM – 8PM

Photography By David Yu & Max Gibson

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.

Nestled within the long block known as Thailand Plaza on Hollywood Blvd, Thai Patio is probably the most noticeable restaurant as you drive down the street. Big open windows allow passers by to peer in on diners sitting at row upon row of wooden tables. With live music starting at 7pm every night, Thai Patio offers a lively experience no matter what night you go.

Crispy Duck Salad

However, on this particular day, we chose to do lunch. The best thing about lunch at Thai Patio are the prices. With tons of items at $4.99 and even more at $5.99 it’s easy to be satisfied at Thai Patio without breaking the bank. Everything we ordered was on point. The Crispy Pork salad was surprisingly delicious, with crispy pork pieces topped with onion, cilantro and spicy lime juice. In addition the Pad See Ewe was also above average. Noodles, pan fried to perfection alongside chopped eggs, soy sauce and broccoli rounded out the simple dish. But above all, the Thai Barbeque Chicken reigned supreme. Sure it was tasty, but at $4.99 it’s hard to find a better value meal. Grilled chicken legs, plus rice, plus salad and fried wontons? Easily one of the premiere lunch dishes. While we feasted on mostly meat dishes today, the patio also offers a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, from their noodle options to their soups.

In summation, Thai Patio is great. A solid place with affordable prices. Although the lunch menu offers a lot of value, Thai Patio might be even better on the late night. After the bars close, alongside two or more friends, Thai Patio is that spot to recap your night, eat well and make memories in the process.

Pad See Ewe

Thai Iced Tea, on point but a little sweet

Roasted Duck Curry

Thai Patio
5273 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.466.3894
Sunday – Thursday 11AM – 1AM
Friday – Saturday 11AM – 3AM

Photography By David Yu

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.

Alongside the formidable David Yu and his friend Arlo, we hit up Gram & Papa’s around 2:30 on a Thursday afternoon. After a short wait in line, we ordered quickly and grabbed an open table. It’s important to note that Gram & Papa closes at 3pm and is closed on weekends which can affect the dining experience a bit. As they were sold out of the pressed ciabatta bread, we were given french rolls instead. So come before 2pm to ensure your sandwich has the proper ingredients. For us, the Cuban was the standout sandwich. While slices of house roasted pork and ham accompany pickle and swiss cheese, it’s the mustard that adds the pleasantly unsuspecting kick to every bite. Everything coming together on a breadbar imperial bun.

In addition to the Cuban, the steak house salad offers a nice mixture of greens and meat. With a combination of steak, tomato, parmesan shavings and green beans, the steak house is a lighter option for those that are looking for it. At close to $10 a sandwich, Gram & Papa’s can’t quite be the everyday spot, although alongside a good group of friends it’s hard to go wrong for a good meal.

Banh Mi Roasted Pork Sandwich

Steak House Salad

Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich

Gram & Papa’s
227 East 9th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213.624.7272
Monday-Friday 8am-3pm (Closed Weekends)

“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.

But in all seriousness, the spinach salad is one of those meals that is perfect for the short arsenal. Because 1. You’re eating spinach, and 2. It’s about as difficult to assemble as a PB&J. Take some washed spinach in leaf form and sprinkle some feta cheese over it. Add some salad dressing, the young balsamic or the champagne pear and you’re good to go. If you want to step it up a notch, a lot of folks throw in some dried cranberries and walnuts to the mix. But if you really want to master the spinach salad, just use your imagination.

Photography By Max Gibson

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.

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.

Photo By Camila Marie

Photo By Camila Marie

Photo By Camila Marie

Thanks for the good times

Malted Belgian Waffle

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.

Situated within the thriving arts community of downtown Los Angeles, The Stray Cat pays homage to creativity as the café’s walls are lined with vibrant art from various artists. Providing a constantly changing decor to create a welcoming environment, the colorful paintings are what you first notice when you step inside, the art providing a human touch to the downtown eatery.

Yet while the celebration of art is a major selling point for the café, the affordable menu is what makes you come back for more. With all but two items on the menu coming in under $10, it’s easy to satisfy your hunger without breaking the bank at Stray Cat. Stand out items include the Orange Flavored French Toast (pictured above), topped with strawberries, mango, bananas and raisins. As well as various omelette options, highlighted by the smoked salmon and avocado omelette that’s nothing short of delicious. Also open for lunch and dinner, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable dining option in the heart of downtown.

Stray Cat Cafe

Fine herb omelet with oyster mushrooms

Orange Flavored French Toast

Stray Cat Cafe
500 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA
Tel. (213) 891-1144
8am – 5pm Daily

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.

Personally, I think this is a great step forward for San Francisco, as other cities will hopefully adopt the same outlook. It’s a stretch to say all big money corporations are bad, but those that use the desires of children for monetary gain need to have a look in the mirror. What are your thoughts on the ban? Is this a good idea for other cities to adopt? What do you think McDonald’s should do as a response to this? All thoughts are welcome.

Photos By Tiago Sperotto

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.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with 15% off on all food items from 7-12pm, it’s easy to appease your wallet and schedule at 212 Pier. With a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, 212 offers a unique place to grab a quick meal. Additionally, 212 serves an array of pastries that are sure to hit the spot. While the Tomato Basil Pasta is next on my list of items to try, Chef Dave’s Cheesecake is my current favorite. Made of Belgium Chocolate Espresso and a tad of cream cheese, the only problem with Chef Dave’s Cheesecake is its unfairly small size. I suggest getting two. For fans of all things organic, 212 also features a wide selection of organic coffees and teas. Nothing on the menu tops $10 before tax, making 212 Pier recession friendly as well.

With a focus on community through the celebration of art, 212 Pier hosts open mic nights on Thursdays from 9-2pm with movie nights on Fridays. Additionally, the café welcomes artists to showcase and sell their art for commission, as vibrant paintings are positioned throughout the café. Luckily for folks like myself, 212 is also computer friendly, with over 20 outlets available for use. Although I’d recommend going upstairs and to the left for the best chance of snagging seats next to outlets. While lounges and cafés are plentiful in Santa Monica, 212 Pier stands out for its originality and comfort. Stop by anytime, literally.

212 Pier
212 Pier Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-5275
Open 24 Hours

Photos By Tiago Sperotto

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.

For starters, Venice Beach Wines is your quintessential date spot. Soft orange candles, positioned on wooden chairs and benches provide a warm atmosphere for diners to enjoy. Nothing is overwhelming at Venice Beach Wines, as soft reggae accompanies intimate conversations. Offering selections of wines from Spain to France and even Croatia, the restaurant provides options for wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Additionally, the beer selection hardly disappoints, with hitachino white rice ale from Asia, and a rotating selection of 12oz. bottles, the diverse array of beverages echoes the eclectic nature of Venice.

On the food front, there are more than enough tasty options to satisfy the palette. For appetizers, the bosc pear salad and bruschetta dishes are delicious and perfect for those looking for a light meal to accompany their drinks. If looking for a heartier option, the lambwich is another dish that flirts with excellence. Consisting of rotisserie lamb, topped with melted tomatoes, onions and hints of mint between two slices of toasted bread, the lambwich makes for edible bliss with each bite.

While Venice Beach Wines is great for after work drinks, the weekend also provides for great times as the restaurant serves Sunday brunch from 9-2. With mimosas and sangria available for diners, the Sunday Brunch is the perfect place to meet up with friends on the last day of the weekend. With menu items ranging from $4-12, it’s easy to find something tasty that’s also within your budget. If you’re looking to enjoy good company in a comfortable environment, Venice Beach Wines is for you. Another place to enjoy good food with friends.

Venice Beach Wines
529 Rose Ave. Venice, CA. 90291
Tel: 310.606.2529
Mon-Thu: 4p – 11p | Fri: 4p – 12a | Sat: 9a – 12a | Sun: 9a – 11p

Yesterday I had the most delicious melon of my life. It was so good the world stopped with each bite. You know when you taste something so good you just have to stop and give thanks? It was fucking exquisite. It was so good I had to come home and write about it. So here it is. In actuality, what I tasted was an Orange Flesh Melon, a hybrid between a honey dew melon and a cantaloupe. Available at your local farmers market, the orange flesh has the sweetness of a honey dew, while maintaining the creamy orange appearance of a cantaloupe. Better yet, the orange flesh melon is in season from May to October, so there’s no better time than now to hop on board. Anywhere between $1 and $3 you’ll never break the bank copping a melon, and better yet, you can do so much with it. Make sorbet, whip up a fruit salad, or just have it plain. Having a melon in your fridge is like having Jordan on your team. You can’t lose.

I was kinda on the fence about this one. Lightweight made my stomach churn, but hella interesting at the same time. It’s crazy to me how the different stages of food welcome different life forms to it. When they’re ripe, we can fuck with it. And when they “go bad” they “go good,” for bugs and bacteria. It’s also hella interesting to see what foods go first. While the strawberries are the first to go, it seems like that squash put up the best fight. That is a squash right? And why did the apple on the left go before the apple on the right? And at the end of it all, the onions were out there acting like nothing happened. Pops could probably tell you what’s going on here better than I can, but an interesting sight nonetheless. Stay ripe.