,

New vegan spot takes over former Mooi location, opening soon!

Twitpic by kindkreme

Raw-vegan restaurant Mooi may have closed down in January, but that hasn’t stopped a couple of its former investors to open up a new vegan stop in the same location.

The owners of Millie’s are teaming up with vegan ice cream company KindKreme to open a combo restaurant, Sage Vegan Organic Bistro and KindKreme desserts, in the former Mooi space on Sunset Blvd. and and Logan. While they are technically two different businesses, you won’t have to worry about paying for your dessert on a separate check.

Some new things to expect at the new vegan spot: Raw options are available, but the menu will be also include cooked items, including “vegan comfort food,” as described by Mollie Angelheart of KindKreme. She lists some of the menu items for the Bistro, whose chef once worked at Flore, as “really delicious stuff, really unique food.” Hearing about items from the menu will make any non-vegan hungry: Hearty, delicious items like chili, polenta, portabello mango sloppy Joe sandwiches, falafel, artichoke tarts, mac n’ cheese, salads, and other seasonal food. You can also keep an eye out for Farmers’ Market specials on Fridays.

As for KindKreme, they’ll be tantalizing you with raw cakes and cheesecakes, fudge pies, pudding pies, gluten free cookies from Baby Cakes LA, and even waffles (think turning a vegan waffle into a made-to-order sundae or ice cream sandwich). The only thing she thinks might technically not be vegan in the shop is that they provide honey for your tea – a product Mollie feels particular about as the daughter of an upstate New York bee keeper.

The KindKreme counter will also serve up Groundworks coffee, including cold pressed coffee with house made nutmilk (almond and cocount made at their Pasadena location), fresh juices, espresso, and tea.

Sage Vegan Organic Bistro and KindKreme will be open 11:00 am – 10:00 pm weekdays, open until 11:00 pm on Fridays, and will be offering brunch on the weekends from 9:00 am until 10 or 11:00 pm.

The location could be open as early as this weekend or next week! Like the photo above, they’ve been posting photos of their progress with the renovations on the KindKreme Twitter page. We’ll also keep you posted for their grand opening event once the details are finalized.

And, in case you’re wondering, you can enter the restaurant from the main doors on the corner.

Sage Vegan Organic Bistro / KindKreme is located at 1700 West Sunset Blvd. here in Echo Park.

/713 Comments/by
, ,

Eat at Masa tonight, support Aid for Aids

Masa of Echo Park, along with other Los Angeles restaurants and businesses, is once again participating in Go Eat Go Drink Go Out, a one-day event that raises funds to provide direct and vital support to those impoverished and disabled by HIV/AIDS in our community. This is the fifth year Masa has participated!

On Thursday, February 24 all participating Los Angeles restaurants will donate a portion of their days’s receipts to Aid for AIDs and The Sierra Project. 50% of Masa’s sales that day will be donated.

Please stop by and make a difference!

Details:
Masa of Echo Park
1800 W Sunset Blvd
Thursday, February 24
11:00 am to 11:00 pm

All you have to do is stop by and have something to eat or drink, and Rhonda, Rob, Tom and Julie of Masa will take care of the rest!

/222 Comments/by
, ,

The case of the missing fountain in Angelino Heights

An Angelino Heights resident was surprised to find a hole in his front yard where there once was a beautiful fountain. He posted this warning on the Angelino Hieghts neighborhood Yahoo! forum:

Last night [Saturday, February 19], between 7:30 and 11:00 pm our beautiful, antique fountain was violently ripped-out and looted from our front yard at 1411 Carroll Avenue.

It will be missed not only by us who have so much enjoyed watching the birds drinking and bathing and listening to the sound of running water but also by all the birds, dogs, children and adults who pass by and for whom it has given so much pleasure.

Please contact us if you saw or heard anything. Also, if anybody has a spare fountain lying around in their back yard please let us know.

We’ve read with concern the many recent posts about thievery in our neighborhood. Just so you all know, it’s getting worse.

I’ve had some pretty surprising stuff stolen from my yard (including a VERY heavy rock sculpture). It’s amazing someone will go to such lengths to steal your stuff!

/141 Comments/by
,

For bird lovers: Great Backyard Bird Count on Sunday

Hey bird-lovers! The 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up on Sunday, February 20, 2011. Meet at the Echo Park Lake Boathouse at 8:00 am.

Discover the birds in your backyard, schoolyard or park. It’s fun, it’s free, and it helps the birds. All ages and skills welcome. Your checklist will contribute valuable information for science and conservation.

The bird count lasts about two hours. For more information, contact Judy Raskin at judycalifornia@yahoo.com or call (323) 663-6767.

/47 Comments/by
, ,

Saturday: Family Dance Party at The Echo Center

This all ages, family dance party is open to everyone, and sounds like a lot of fun for families! According to the event announcement, “An LA venue will be transformed into a kid-friendly environment with a live DJ, dancing, face painting, scarves, hula hoops, bubbles and healthy snacks.”

Family Dance Party takes place on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Echo Center will be hosting the event in the basement of the Echo Park United Methodist Church Building, located at 1226 N. Alvarado Blvd.

Cost is $20.00 per family (cash, check, or charge). No family will be turned away for lack of funds.

Click here to download the event flyer (in English and Spanish).

Learn more about The Echo Center by visiting the website: www.theechocenter.org

/612 Comments/by
, ,

Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Tuesday, February 15 through Sunday, February 20

Tuesday
Susan James Cd Release Party Featuring Susan James, Tony Gilkyson/Kip Boardman, Old Californio, Evie Sands, The Quarter After, Double Naught Spycar, Anny Celsi & Nelson Bragg And Others @ Echo
Joseph Arthur, Madi Diaz @ Bootleg Theater
Thurlow Spokes Ep Release Party @ Lot 1
The Singles release party for “Tomorrow I’ll be blue” @ The Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Trmrs, Hindu Pirates @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Wake Up Lucid, The Steelwells, Gypsy Death Star @ Bootleg Theater
Echo Park Juke Joint Presented By Homework, The Downtown Train, Santoros @ Lot 1
Melody In The Round #9 @ Taix Lounge
Live Jazz every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Lucero, Olin & The Moon @ Echoplex
Duniven (Patrick Of Capshuns), Queen Kwong, The Vla, The Delabre @ Bootleg Theater
Little Furry Things, Weird T.V, Shirley Rolls @ Lot 1
Odd Birds @ Taix Lounge

Friday
Marnie Stern, Tera Melos, Power Axe @ Echo
Club Underground W/ Pep Talk @ Echo
Bearracuda @ Echoplex
Mike Viola With Victor Indrizzo And Sean Hurley, Debate Team, Kate Micucci @ Bootleg Theater
Tremellow, Luna Is Honey @ Lot 1
Cave Country, Matthew Van Wrinkle, Fort King @ Taix Lounge

Saturday
Fyf Presents Glass Candy, Austra (Formerly Katie Stelmanis), Bobby Birdman @ Echoplex
Jaxart Presents Speculator, Punk On Mars, Melted Toys @ Lot 1
Artichoke, Lovers & Poets @ Taix Lounge
The Herbert Stanley Bail Orchestra, Psychedelic Future Folk @ The Fretted Frog
Easter Everywhere Records presents: Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus: An evening of experimental and pop performances. Click here for info. @ Pehrspace
Family Dance Party @ The Echo Center

Sunday
Beth Hart With Souls On 11 Feat. Jeff Young & Twinkle Yochim@ Echoplex
Man Or Astroman, Octopus Project @ Echo
Louis And Genevieve, Rick, Anenon @ Bootleg Theater

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

/18 Comments/by
,

In case you missed it: Echo Park in the news

Betty Plasencia Elementary School was on lockdown Monday morning after reports of an armed man on campus. Turns out, there was no reason for alarm. Echo Park Patch.

A shut-down of Sunset Boulevard for paving in Echo Park was a huge pain in the you-know-what for those of us living on the detour routes. The Eastsider LA has the info and photos.

Maria the Goose is getting a lot of news coverage as we get closer to the start of the Echo Park Lake Rehab Project. We caught a glimpse of her favorite human, Dominic, over the weekend at Masa. Among many articles, the Wall Street Journal has a story, as well as the LA Times.

There’s a new pop-up shop opening in Echo Park called Street Art Pop Up. Apparently the exact location is super secret, but plans are to open March 4.

/by
,

Stay local for Valentine’s Day in Echo Park

‘Tis the season of lurrrrve. Shop and eat and love locally this year for Valentines Day, coming up soon on Monday, February 14! Here’s your Echo Park guide:

  • Feeding Birds Boutique always has great stuff and often sales this time of year (and they just celebrated their second anniversary!)
  • Ohana Flowers (1727 Sunset Blvd., near the corner of Sunset and Lemoyne) are usually open 24 hours around Valentine’s Day for all you who didn’t plan ahead.
  • City Sip will be hosting a Valentine’s Day special: Complimentary bottle of bubbly when you spend $60, and $35 per person for their prixe fixe menu (artisanal cheese and charcuterie platter, caprese or mixed green salad, gourmet panini of your choice, OMG Brownie with peanut butter mousse, or red velvet cake with chocolate grenache frosting). Call 213-483-9463 or email us at Info@citysipla.com for reservations.
  • The Park is closed in Mondays, and thus will be closed for Valentine’s Day. But they encourage those celebrating V Day on Tuesday to come in and try out Prixe Fixe Tuesdays – $15 for a three course meal. Tuesday’s special is shrimp cooked in romesco sauce with wilted spinach and roasted potatoes, and banana chocolate chip upside down cake for dessert. They also started taking 1/2 off bottles of wine on Thursdays! Tempting…
  • If your sweetie likes flan, pick up some delicious treats from the Flan King at the Echo Park Farmers’ Market on Fridays. You can also call 323-960-0770 to place a local order and for delivery.
  • Pick up some organic, locally-made macarons at Delilah Bakery. They are made by new Echo Park residents Bernard and Claire Becker. Yum!
  • Masa is also hosting your Valentine’s dinner from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm. $45 per couple gets you: Two glasses of champagne, chilled and grilled shrimp with red pepper heart appetizer, manchego salad, heart-shaped Chicago deep dish pizza, and chocolate creme brulee for dessert.
  • From 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm, Taix is serving up main courses for $35 a pop. The menu includes some delicious courses, like slow roasted prime rib au jus, farmhouse chicken breast, and much, much more. Call (213) 484-1265 for reservations and visit the website for the full menu.

Keep checking back, we’ll add more as we come across it!

/104 Comments/by
,

Echo Park pet news: Lost and found

Two large dogs on corner of Avon and Cerro Gordo

From Echo Park resident Sandy is concerned about some dogs running around in the area:

There are two large dogs that have been hanging around the corner of Avon and Cerro Gordo St. I saw one last night – large, brown, Akita/Shepherd-ish looking dog. Then this morning while I was out with my dogs, I saw the same dog but he had a buddy with him – very coyote looking – brown, large, tall but much thinner than the other one. This time they were coming down Cerro Gordo from Elysian Park headed towards Avon. Two things – don’t know their demeanor – they could be harmless, but they might not be – and it’s always better to be on the safe side and steer clear of loose dogs. 2nd – maybe they belong to some who is looking for them – so thought this would be a good local venue to get the word out about them.

Please email us if you know anything!

Hank the cat is lost

From Echo Park Now reader Alexandra:

…I am searching for my very large orange and white cat – lost Sunday [February 6, 2011] around the intersection of Avon and Baxter. His name is Hank and I would be very sad if he disappeared forever. Any info would be much appreciated if anyone has seen him.

Email Hank’s owner if you have any tips through the Craigslit posting by clicking here.

Foster or adopt a 7-month old pup

Posted recently on the Echo Park Animal Alliance forum is this sweet face:

Sweet little 7 month old Riley is in need of a new foster home this week. He is a lab/pit mix and both affectionate and playful.  He does well with cats and most dogs.  He sometimes struggles a bit with small, male dogs, especially if they have a “napoleon” complex.  He is about 40 pounds and a funny little character!

He is crate trained, fully housebroken, is doing well walking on a leash, loves people and especially LOVES kids.  If you have room in your household for a lovely 4 legged foster child, please let me know.  I will be taking him out to adoption events weekly and can provide food and flea medicine for him while you foster.

Riley has been fixed, vaccinated, microchipped.

Please email us if you are interested in fostering or adopting and we’ll get you in touch with the proper folks.

Read our last Echo Park Pets post by clicking here.

/by
,

Talk a walk with Maria the Goose’s favorite human(s)

Flickr photo via LaCaMod

You may have heard the story about Maria the Goose – the only loveable goose I’ve ever heard of. She may not snuggle with you, but she is very friendly and has become very fond of Dominic, a local who visits her quite regularly and is often seen following him down the street as he speeds away on a moped.

You may have also heard about the goose on KTLA, and the Maria the Goose Facebook page (well, they call her Orange Bill) launched from the recent OK Go music video at the lake.

This weekend, a Hiking Club will meet along with new member Dominic to take a walk around the lake. Hike leader Lee Zebold admits that lately, Maria has also “accepted me, and I am now her friend.”

According to the meet-up page, “Now is your chance to meet Maria and walk Echo Lake with her. She will put on a flying demonstration as well to show off her newly learned abilities (she is young and learning to fly). It will take no more than an hour and should be a hike (walk) that you won’t easily forget.”

As you may know, the lake will be gated, dredged, and rebuilt over a two year process starting in April 2011. We have just a couple of months left to enjoy the lake as we now know it, so take advantage now! And don’t worry, there’s still the second largest park in Los Angeles (Elysian Park) in our backyard, so you won’t be left without some great green space.

The meetup this weekend is on Saturday, February 12 at 9:00 am. No dogs, easy hike for all ages. Meet at 1750 Echo Park Avenue. Click here to sign up on the meet-up page.

/555 Comments/by
,

Homemade cookies, from Echo Park with Luv

Wondering what to score your sweety for Valentine’s Day?

Longtime Echo Park residents Bill Rangel and Bob Hubbert started Over the Moon Cookies in 2010. You may have seen some of Bill’s artwork in the I Luv Echo Park bumper stickers in the area and on one of my previous articles. Now he’s making gourmet, made-to-order cookies for Echo Park and beyond.

They got the company name when a a Los Angeles Pizza customer exclaimed, “These cookies are over the moon!” after she tried their Super Chocolate Chunk cookies.

You can pick up these all-natural, handmade cookies and ice cream sandwiches at Fix Coffee in Echo Park, and Los Angeles Pizza near Chinatown.

You can also, of course, order online at www.overthemooncookies.com, and on Amazon. Call 323-665-0823 or info@overhemooncookies.com for more information and wholesale pricing.

/25 Comments/by
,

Zumba classes at the Echo Park Rec Center

The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) announced in a recent press release it would be supporting a Echo Park Rec Center scholarship program, one which will be funded through a new and very fun series of Zumba classes.

The classes will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 7-8:00 pm at the Echo Park Rec Center gym (formerly the Boys and Girls Club) located at 303 Patton Street. Four, ten-week sessions will be offered at the cost of $40 per person, per session.

Jose Sigala, President of GEPENC, said in the press release, “The goal is to have a minimum of forty participants per session and raise $1,600 for the Echo Park Recreation Center on a quarterly basis. This will provide ongoing revenue for athletic scholarships and help more youth to stay involved with sports in Echo Park.”

Thanks to the generous support of the Silver Lake Medical Center, all instructor and class fees have been 100% underwritten.

Designed for beginners, the classes will be taught by Zumba instructor, Cindy Ruiz.

To sign up for a class, please email bacasigala@earthlink.net

The first session starts tonight (I know, we are late in announcing this!). Here are the session details:

  • Session 1 – February 2, 2011 to April 6, 2011 (with a break the week of April 13)
  • Session 2 – April 20, 2011 to June 29, 2011 (with a break the week of July 4)
  • Session 3 – July 13, 2011 to Sept. 14, 2001 (with a break the week of September 21)
  • Session 4 – September 28, 2011 to November 30, 2011 (with breaks for the holidays in December)
/367 Comments/by
, , ,

Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Tuesday, February 1 through Sunday, February 6

Tuesday
89.9 KCRW presents: Tristen, Hi Ho Silver Oh, Marcus Very Ordinary @ Echo
Iheartcomix, Media Contender, LA Record present: Check Yo Ponytail 2 with Yelawolf, Craze, Das Racist, 87 Stick Up Kids, Freak City, Franki Chan @ Echoplex
Daniel Ahearn, Daniel Bess, Marcus Very Ordinary @ The Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Oh Land, Big Search (7″ Release Show), John Webster Johns, White Fence @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Echo Park Juke Joint: Homework Presents @ Lot 1 Cafe
Live Jazz every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
The Sweet, Fancy Space People, Dante Vs Zombies @ Echoplex
We Barbarians, Lesands, The Union Line @ Echo
Sugar and Gold, Yip Deceiver, Little Birds @ Bootleg Theater
The Health Club, Michael Nhat, Mama’s Joy @ Lot 1 Cafe
Jeremiah and The Red Eyes @ Taix Lounge

Friday
Olafur Arnalds, George Sarah and Strings @ Echoplex
Miguel Atwood-ferguson Orchestra with The Gaslamp Killer, Anna Wise (Sonnymoon) @ Natural History Museum
Echo and Club Underground present: Tennis, Air Waves, Lord Huron @ Echo
Chasing Kings @ Origami Vinyl
400 Blows, Skinwalker, Longmont Potion Castle @ Bootleg Theater
Ad + Jaxart Present: Dirty Gold, Pageants, Honey Loving Cells @ Lot 1 Cafe
Mr. Smolin, Cirque Link @ Taix Lounge
The Silver Lake Chorus First Anniversary show, 7:00 pm, $10 at the door, click for info @ the Echo Park United Methodist Church

Saturday
FYF presents: Forgetters (Members Of Jawbreaker, Jets To Brazil And Against Me), Street Eaters, Dangers @ Echo
Bootie LA @ Echoplex
Under the Covers: A Tribute to The Nerves Release Party, with Tijuana Panthers, Audacity @ Origami Vinyl
The Lexingtons, Princess Frank, Therapy Session @ Lot 1 Cafe
Echo Park Cycles closing down party and benefit, featuring Blackleg. Click for flyer.
Swing Riots @ Taix Lounge

Sunday
Part Time Punks with The Soft Moon, Violet Tremors @ Echo

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

/33 Comments/by
,

Filmed in Echo Park: Avril Lavigne music video

‘Memba all that hubbub in early December when they were filming at the Sunset Bridge on Glendale Blvd. for Avril Lavigne’s music video? Well this was quick – it’s out!

The vintage shop they go into, I believe, is the one on Sunset Blvd. just by the bridge. And then, of course, they move to The Echo!

/567 Comments/by
,

Happy 2nd Birthday, AYC!

Happy 2nd Birthday, AYC!

Celebrate with the amazing bar/restaurant on Thursday, January 27 and take advantage of their two-for-one menu special. Enjoy some wine or a cocktail, some birthday cake, and the super awesome AYC staff and owners (seriously, everyone there is really nice!).

/2 Comments/by