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Echo Park storefronts transforming

A wave of recent restaurant and storefront closures (Villainy, Barragans, and more) in Echo Park has many wondering about the changing face of the neighborhood. But there’s been some new activity in those sad, dusty storefronts that will hopefully make Sunset Boulevard feel a little less empty.

nuvias_new

Photo via Villainy General Store

Former Nuvia’s

This restaurant space, formerly Nuvia’s and then La Botana, has been closed down for nearly two years. Located on the north side of Sunset between Laveta and McDuff, we thought we were getting a gastropub in the space back in 2012. But The Eastsider LA reports some new activity in the space – unfortunately the owners did not provide any details on what kind of restaurant. One things is for sure – we hope it’s not another pizza joint.

The owners expect to open in four months.

Dinette

Owner of Cafe Stella in Silver Lake, Gareth Kantner, purchased the building on Sunset where E’Pack Family Clothing Store plus the Sunset Snack stand is. Well, was. Recently the construction wall (what the heck do they call those?) went up around the storefront, a sign that the transformation into new take-out and dine-in sandwich shop has begun.

Kantner told The Eastsider LA they expect to open in February of this year. In addition to sandwiches like Lobster Rolls and Po’boys, there will be grilled meats, vegetarian dishes, and oven-baked pizzas.

Lassen’s

FINALLY something is being done to the former Save-A-Lot store next to the Walgreens at Sunset and Logan. The grocery chain shut down in March of 2011, and has been sitting vacant ever since. There were pipe dreams of a Trader Joe’s, and what appeared to be decent traction on a Fresh & Easy until the company went bankrupt.

Although we knew Lassen’s Natural Foods & Vitamins was taking over the location back in June, there is now some signage and a lot of activity in the building. We’re not sure when the store will open, however we’re not sure how well-received the location will be in Echo Park – the Lassen family has in the past made donations in support of Prop 8, which many aren’t happy about.

Trencher

Still a work in progress, despite hopes to open in December, Trencher took over a former Mexican/Salvadorian place (before that Phnom Penh’ Vietnamese) on Portia and Sunset. Expect pulled pork sandwiches, open-faced sandwiches, tofu banh mi, sliders, and more. We’re standing by for the opening any day now.

Barragan’s

Barragan’s held it’s farewell party in December, and the change of ownership notification lists The Lost Knight as the new business name under the control of Alan Moore. We’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about what this space will bring… what do you think? For now, the front doors of Barragan’s sit quietly in the shadows.

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Villainy General Store closing for good

villainy_storefront

This is a bit sad news because we’ve gotten to know owners and Echo Parkians Erich Schlieske and Ellen McAlister (eEvil Ink Design) quite well. Villainy General Store opened in the former Echo Curio space almost exactly two years ago, taking on the challenge of renovating the space and that terribly tiny bathroom. Erich announced the store’s closing on the store’s Facebook page, saying:

THANK YOU ECHO PARK !!! We have met so many very cool and gracious people here. We met lots of neighbors, old-timers, new-timers and for the most part we’ve been well received and we’ve always appreciated that kindness.

Who knew that a Villainy General Store could last for 2 years? More importantly, what is a “Villainy General Store”? It was an experiment, what can I say? I’ve always been intrigued by junk drawers, misfit accessories, vintage curios and funny, odd gifts.

And a curious store it is – but we’ve always found something to take home. Since the store won’t be closing until the end of December, you can still pick up some great and unique gifts, including cheeky greeting cards and (my favorite) t-shirts with hipster sayings like “Echo Park: Where Silver Lake Comes to get Drunk.” After December you can always check them out online at villainyla.com.

What will be next for the storefront on Sunset Boulevard and Laveta Terrace? Perhaps another boutique?

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Rumor Mill: Cortez in Echo Park closing? (UPDATE)

cortez-echo-park

Could it be true? Only a year and week (to the day) after Cookbook owners Marta Teegan and Robert Stelzner opened Cortez in Echo Park, our rumor mill reports that it could be closing for good.

It seams like yesterday the culinary duo took over the 1,000 square foot upscale, American restaurant on Allison Avenue near Sunset Boulevard. The reviews over Yelp! are pretty darn fantastic, but perhaps it could have been the January 2013 review by the esteemed Jonathon Gold that did them in when he wrote in the LA Times:

Tiny portions are great in principle and on tasting menus, but there may be a reason so many of the regulars at Cortez fit nicely into skinny jeans. And by the time you finish ordering, you are going to have spent a shocking amount of money.

Pricey, perhaps –  but delicious from what we’ve heard. Echo Park Now has reached out to Cortez for comment and to confirm the rumor… in the meantime, we hope it’s not true and we wish Cortez nothing but the best!

UPDATE:

You’ll have a chance to check out Cortez after all – Owner Marta Teegan responded to our email, saying it is NOT closing. Glad to hear!

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8th Annual Frogtown Artwalk on Saturday

Frogtown Artwalk 2013

The Frogtown Artwalk returns on Saturday, September 28 for its eighth year in a row.

One of our favorite annual events, the artwalk is family-friendly event in neighboring Elysian Valley, just a hop, skip and a jump from Echo Park. It’s never crazy crowded, you meet lots of neighbors, and there’s always a little bit of wine and local craft beer flowing.

This year, the “river pavilion” will feature live music along with info on the river restoration efforts. Creator of the “LA River Catz,” Leo Limon, will be at RAC Design Build along with Mary-Austin Klein (the artist whose work is featured at the top of the The Eastsider LA website). There are a lot of youth events, including a youth art show on River Ecology. And for the first time at the Artwalk is Bookshow LA at the NOMAD art complex, featuring a selection of books in an interactive retail space.

There are a ton of great events throughout evening, click here to view the Frogtown Artwalk map with full event details.

We posted some photos of past Frogtown Artwalk events on our Facebook page, click here to check it out!

8th Frogtown Artwalk
Elysian Valley – Coolidge Avenue to Blimp Street
Friday, September 28 from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Visit frogtownarts.com for more info.

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Support Echo Park Historical Society with a pizza at Mohawk Bend

Getting hungry? We are! All through the month of August, Mohawk Bend is supporting the Echo Park Historical Society by selling you delicious pizza.

Through the restaurant’s monthly fundraising campaign, Piece of the Pie, Mohawk Bend has created a custom pizza called the Historical Ramona. A portion of the proceeds from each pizza sold will directly benefit the Historical Society. On top of the pie: rapini, red onion, cerignola olives, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, and an olive oil drizzle.

The Echo Park Historical Society is a group focused on the preservation of the community, including fantastic things like the Jensen’s Recreation Center sign, and even the Ramona Theater that now houses Mohawk Bend. Support history in Echo Park by stopping into Mohawk Bend through August 31!

This is also a chance to celebrate a bit of history in the amazing theater-turned-Mohawk Bend. The Ramona Theater (also once galled the Garden Theater and Studio 1) remained vacant for about 30 years until owner Tony Yanow came in with the restaurant just a couple of years ago. But the theater was opened in 1914, so Mohawk Bend is celebrating the building’s 100th birthday and its own 2nd birthday with some special events.

From August 8 through 13, Mohawk Bend will be tapping special, limited-release beers, and guests are invited to play beer bingo to win prizes. On August 14, there is a special reservation-only anniversary party featuring the unveiling of a collaboration beer with Golden Road Brewing.

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Take a ride on the waters of Echo Park Lake

The pedal boats are back in business on Echo Park Lake! It’s been around four years since the city shut down pedal boat operations at the Boathouse due to budget cuts. Yesterday the operators of the pedal boats, Echo Park Lake Pedal Boats, Canoe & Gondola, greeted lines of people renting the bright yellow boats on the newly renovated Echo Park Lake.

The boating company is operating on a 90 day pilot program for the summer, after which the city will review whether or not it was successful. The cafe vendor will also operate under the same trial period – Square One Dining is expected to start serving on August 1.

Cost is $5 per child and $10 per adult for both the pedal boats (up to one hour) and canoe rides (the latter includes two laps around the lake with a guide). A gondola ride sounds like a nice date night – a half hour for one couple will cost you $50.

Wednesdays will be a great day to head down and rent a pedal boat – called “90026 day,” local residents can rent a pedal boat for just $10.

Hours right now are Monday through Friday, 11:00 am-7:00 pm, and weekends open at 9:00 am until 30 minutes before sunset. We imagine hours will fluctuate depending on the season.

The menu for the cafe has not yet been released, but according to The Eastsider LA will include “park fare” such as hamburgers, hot dogs, juices, and brunch items. Currently the sample menu on the Square One Dining website looks pretty delicious – gourmet cold and hot sandwiches, salads, soups, and more. Hopefully the price tag at the new Echo Park Lake Boathouse won’t reflect that menu – the cheapest lunch sandwich is listed at a whopping $10.50.

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You’re invited: Grand opening of Echo Park Lake

More exciting news about Echo Park Lake – the official grand opening is happening this weekend on Saturday, June 15.

On Saturday the crew will start removing the fence that has encircled the lake during the past year and half of construction. While it will take a few days to have the fence fully removed, there will be a full day of celebration hosted by Mayor-Elect Eric Garcetti, the Department of Rec and Parks and the Bureau of Engineering for the Lake’s reopening ceremonies.

Featured speakers and performers will gather at the corner of Logan Street and Park Avenue just before 10:00 am.

Several businesses in the area of taking advantage of the opening with some great specials and celebrations – like Lot 1 Cafe’s “love & lotus – a free day/night of music” ($2 PBRs and bottomless mimosas!).

Also read: 5 awesome things about the new Echo Park Lake

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Author of The Madonnas of Echo Park coming to Stories

Have you read The Madonnas of Echo Park yet?

If not, do! It’s a magical book that takes place in Echo Park, where author Brando Skyhorse also grew up. Many view it as a commentary on the gentrification of the neighborhood – which is the direction that HBO is taking on developing a series of the novel. But if you’re tired of the overuse of the “g” word (gentrification), there’s a lot more to the novel.

Fans of the novel will have an opportunity to get some insight into the book in its original location next week. Skyhorse will be reading excerpts of the novel at Stories Books & Cafe in Echo Park on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 starting at 7:30 pm. He will also join authors Joseph Mattson of Los Angeles and Carlene Bonnivier of Echo Park.

 

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Elf Café now serving beer and wine

We drove by Elf Café the other night – and it was BUZZING!

Considered by many to be the best vegetarian restaurant in Los Angeles, the six-year-old Echo Park restaurant now has something new to offer its patrons (and to compete with the giant and vegan-friendly Mohawk Bend next door): Beer and wine!

Owner and chef Scott Zwiezen is focusing this new menu addition on a natural/organic approach. He explains in an email to us:

Our focus is on wine, with emphasis on biodynamic and natural, dry-farmed wines which utilize native yeasts and natural forms of pest control. There’s a Loire we have in, for instance from Olivier Cousin -a visionary of modern biodynamic winemaking- that is, simply put, incredible. We have also been meeting with and buying wines from other small producers in California, France, Portugal, Australia and Chile.

And there’s beer too – Evan George, of Hot Knives and formerly of Elf, is helping curate the beer menu. Eagle Rock Brewery’s Populist IPA and Solidarity will be available, as well as organic options from Eel River Brewery and Iron First (Vista, California).

Both the beer and wine list will change, depending on availability and season.

We can’t wait to check it out!

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Tierra Mia Coffee taking over Echo Lake Coffee

It’s only been a few months since the new owners of Echo Lake Coffee Co took over the former Downbeat Cafe on Alvarado near Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, but we are told today Echo Lake Coffee is becoming Tierra Mia Coffee.

Owner Ulysses Romero hopes to be opening the Tierra Mia Coffee location soon, which will be its third location in the past year. Romero writes in an email:

Tierra Mia Coffee provides a very high quality latin-inspired coffee offering that is reflected in our menu and store environment. We sell choice micro-lot coffees from some of the best farms in Latin America and roast our out coffee with a fanatical quest to produce the best taste. Our in-store beverage offering includes our brewed coffees as well as several signature drinks such as our mocha mexicano, horchatta latte, cubano con leche, horchata frappe and our rice and beans frappe. In addition to our coffee roastery, Tierra Mia Coffee also operates a bakery and we bake our pastries daily for all of our stores.

Fresh roasted coffee and pastries? Sounds pretty good! Here’s to hoping this one will stick (and will they bring back Wednesday night jazz?).

Tierra Mia Coffee is located at 1202 N. Alvarado St. Planned hours are 6:30 am – 10:00 pm, 7 days a week.

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Allumette opens today in Echo Park

Allumette

Not too long ago owners Charles Kelly and Bill Didonna closed Echo Park Avenue restaurant Allston Yacht Club, and tonight is much-anticipated debut of the duo’s new restaurant, Allumette.

French for “matchstick,” Allumette is certainly going to “light up” the Echo Park dining scene with a destination for foodies and even budding foodies (like myself). Even after the months of renovations, any AYC fan would recognize the space. But new lighting dark wood, and partitions separating the dining areas give it a new more “serious” vibe to accompany the epicurial menu, composed of small tasting plates with a seasonal focus.

Led by chef Miles Thompson (formerly of the pop-up Vagrancy Project at AYC, among others), the food is both adventurous and accessible. The Fried Oyster comes decorated with Kimchi ranch dressing and a deliciously crunchy Asian Pear mignonette that bursts of flavor with each bite. The Bitter Lettuce dish is simple and un-fussy, the smoked soy cream a unique dressing and a tasty starter. The Grilled Octopus with a sour apple syrup drizzled on top is so not the rubbery stuff of failed Octopus dishes of my past experience at other restaurants. And the Boneless Whole Sea Bream with bouillabaisse sauce – a $40 dish but a meal for two – is any seafood lovers dream.

If the fancy food isn’t enough, there’s a fancy (also accessible) drink menu to boot. Designed by bartender extraordinaire Serena Herrick from Harvard & Stone, the cocktail list is eccentric (but not in a bad way!). If you like bitters, try the Last Ango with Angostura Bitters, rum, Orgeat, pineapple gomme, and lime – it is heavenly. For a hot day, Red Letter Day is light and refreshing with rum, vermouth, Orgeat, lemon, soda water and Yuzu bitters. To warm up your insides, try the Smoking Gun with Mexcal, Cynar and Calisaya, and a brandy-soaked cherry at the bottom. Another favorite is the You Live Only Twice, which has both Sake and Gin, tangerine, peppercorns, and lime.

And for dessert, the Cheesecake Mousse will thrill any palette, but there’s also Red Velvet Cake and Citrus Curd.

In terms of what to expect, vegetarians and the un-adventurous beware – if you’re not willing to break any rules (or in my case, secretly looking up some definitions on my smart phone under the table), this might not be the place for you. There are only 15 dishes, and limited seating at only 30 guests per evening, and substitutions are “politely declined.” If you’re expecting to be wined and dined, you won’t be disappointed.

Time will tell if Echo Park is ready for a such an epicurean dining adventure, and we hope Allumette is here to stay. As Zagat put it so nicely earlier today, “If Jonathan Gold thinks the local hipsters are taking to Cortez in droves, that restaurant has met its match.”

Allumette is located at 1320 Echo Park Ave. Call (213) 935-8787 for reservations (recommended). Open at 6:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

More photos after the jump!

Fried Oyster

Read more

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Echo Park wine bar, CitySip, put up for sale

CitySip, Echo Park

Photo provided by CitySip

It’s always a bummer morning when learning that one of our favorite locally-owned spots, CitySip, is being put up for sale.

Owner Nicole Daddio first opened the wine-centric bar on Sunset Boulevard in 2008, and at the end of September completed renovations and a branding “revamp.” The fresh food menu, new taps for craft beers, and a more accessible and laid-back wine experience made the restaurant feel practically brand new.

We don’t have official word on whether or not the restaurant will continue to operate or shut its doors while attracting new owners, or how much the business is going for. Check back later for updates!

UPDATE:

Owner Nicole Daddio confirmed the closure will take place on January 31, with occasional popup events in February and March. She will be making the official announcement this week.

 

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Echo Park Craft Fair this weekend in downtown

If you’re shopping locally like we are for the holidays, the Echo Park Craft Fair this weekend is a required shopping destination. Although featuring many Echo Park artists, the fair has grown out of its backyard diggs of the past and to a new location in downtown.

Started three years ago by Beatrice Valenzuela and Rachel Craven, it has now grown to over 40 vendors. We know Echo Park’s Tavin will be there, along with lots of local vendors and exhibitors selling home goods, fashion, jewelry, pottery, an candles, and more. Check it out!

The Echo Park Craft Fair
Saturday, December 15, from noon to 7:00 pm
Sunday, December 16, from noon to 5:00 pm
The Storefront Bazaar is located at 821 E. 3rd Street

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Echo Park’s Taco Zone truck gets its own tables

No longer do you have to use your car (if you brought one) as a dining table while you munch on your late-night grub at Echo Park’s popular taco truck, Taco Zone. It just got a little easier to drunkenly juggle those tacos and burritos at the Vons-adjacent taco truck with the addition of “modular” tables, likely removable, as posted in a video by Ways and Means.


Tables for Taco Zone from Ways & Means on Vimeo.


Hipster high-fives, guys!

h/t LAist

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