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A new shade of blue for Echo Park’s Little Joy

Little Joy on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Portia has undergone many exterior paint jobs over the years. From green to black, and covered in colorful murals, the dive bar now dons a purple-ish blue shade.

The exterior facelift is just one of the new changes that new owners Joaquin Reyna-Donaldson and Donald Andes have been working on since closing the doors in November. We’ve reached out for some more info, but for now it’s not clear whether or not the dive-bar vibe will be a thing of the past.

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Allston Yacht Club reopening as “Allumette”

Although owners Charles Kelly and Bill Didonna closed four-year-old Allston Yacht Club in September, the duo have been remodeling the space to reopen a new restaurant under a new name.

“Allumette” (French for matchstick) will reopen some time in early 2013 under chef Miles Thompson, who oversaw the pop-up Vagrancy Project at AYC. Zagat has the scoop:

The menu will keep his focus on “seasonal, soulful” dishes, things like red kuri with broccoli, vadouvan and carrot, monkfish with sour cherry and chorizo, and rabbit with hazelnut tortellini. This time the bar will be overseen by Serena Harrick, another Harvard & Stone alum.

Perhaps the facelift the restaurant is getting will wash it clean of any past karma – prior to AYC, it was Restaurant 15, which lasted just a year. But now that Echo Park isn’t a stranger to upscale dining, hopefully Allumette will stick!

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Echo Park street in the holiday spirit

Photos by Christine Peters

Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park today just got a little more festive – some new holiday decor was installed along the corridor earlier today.

The Echo Park Chamber of Commerce sponsored an “Adopt-a-Pole” drive, which a number of businesses participated in along with Council District 1 and 13, as well as Senator DeLeon’s office. It will sure look nice for the Echo Park Community Parade on Saturday!

Photos by Christine Peters

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Delilah Bakery officially up for sale

Owner Genevieve Ostrander just reopened the Echo Park Avenue bakery in June after some renovations and a menu rehab, but the six-year-old business is now officially up for sale. She tells Eater LA that she put the bakery up for sale due to “unforeseen medical issues,” and that she is “VERY motivated to sell.” Asking price is $150,000 or best offer (plus rent).

h/t Eater LA and The Eastsider LA

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New Echo Park restaurant Cortez opening in late October

Photo by Javier Cabral via Grubstreet LA

Cookbook owner Marta Teegan has been working for a long time on renovating a 1100 square foot space next to Radi’s Auto and Novak Salon at 1356 Allison Avenue. Grubstreet Los Angeles reports the new restaurant, named Cortez, will be opening up on October 28 for a private dinner with photographer Todd Selby. The menu focuses on “locally procured organic produce, sustainable seafood, and pasture raised meats, along with pickles and charcuterie made in house for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.”

They did apply earlier this year for a beer and wine license for the 25-seat restaurant operating from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 am – midnight. Email info@cookbookla.com for reservations.

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Echo Park’s vegetarian heaven, Elf Cafe, offering future discounts

As we reported last June, Elf Cafe is expanding its footprint and applying for a beer/wine license. Just recently, the nearly six-year-old vegetarian restaurant broke ground and is well on its way to getting that license!

Thankfully, the restaurant will not have to close down for any of the renovations as it takes over the next door space formerly known as Branche Boutique, so you can still get your amazing vegetarian food. For those fans of Elf Cafe, or those who are general fans of cool locals who have cool businesses, you can support the restaurant’s new endeavors with a limited time deal. Almost like a Groupon or Gift Certificate, Elf Futures allows you to purchase a gift certificate that is worth twice as much when you spend it. So, for instance, $50 gift certificate will actually gets you $100 worth of food and drinks… in the future. Get it?

Elf Futures will only be available through October 31, 2012, and redeemable from January 1, 2013 through January 1, 2014. They can be purchased at the restaurant during business hours.

Elf Café is located at 2135 W Sunset Blvd and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 6-11:00 pm.

 

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The Warehouse re-opening Saturday with a “high end vintage” focus

The Warehouse LA is re-opening after a few weeks of renovations of the Echo Park vintage store. The redesign focuses on “one-of-a-kind Estate Vintage, a high-end collection available for Stylist pulls and rentals, and an improved community Art Gallery and Event Space.”

And why not celebrate with a little party? The Warehouse is introducing its new changes to the public on on Saturday, September 29 at 7:00 pm with a DJ and refreshments.

Eleven97 is on of the new spaces located within The Warehouse, showcasing new and emerging artists based in Los Angeles. The first exhibition features artist Joshua Mark Logan, which  will be his first solo exhibition of this new body of work, Bald Eagles.

The LOFT is a collection of estate vintage with designers like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino, and Lanvin. It’s by appointment only available to stylist rentals and the public. Call The Warehouse LA at 213-361-0021 for appointments.

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So you just want wine? The new City Sip has it

City Sip, located near Fire Station 20 on Sunset Boulevard, has been closed for a few days for a little makeover/renovation. Reopening on Friday, September 21, the casual dinner sport promises a reinvention as a wine bar and lounge, and serving a new food menu by Chef Gloria Felix alongside plenty of beer and wine. There will also be an emphasis on happy hour and, of course, lounging and socializing.

In an email, City Sip says, “We cherish our neighborhood & our place in it. We are proud to offer our community a fresh and creative perspective on nightlife in Los Angeles.”

In the video advertising the new City Sip below, owner Nicole Daddio is fed up with the monotonous tone of a wine teacher, thankfully interrupted by a customer saying “We just want wine.” Hear, hear!

Join City Sip Wine Bar & Lounge on Friday, September 21 from 6:00 – 11:00 pm for the grand re-opening. City Sip is located at 2150 Sunset Boulevard.

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Happy 8th Birthday, Masa!

Today is Masa’s 8th birthday!

As part of their traditional celebration, stop by the Echo Park eatery and grab a piece of birthday cake all day today.

Masa is located at 1800 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Tim vs. Eric in the battle for the Mayor of Masa

Masa of Echo Park is one of the great neighborhood establishments, where everyone knows your name (we’ve been going since 2005, before they even had a beer and wine!). And the hubby and I aren’t the only ones who frequent the bar stools at Masa, but our view is always the same – two framed photos on one of the pillars, one donning a blue ribbon with the title of “The Mayor.” I recently asked owner Rhonda about it because we kept seeing one of the guys at a neighboring stool, but she also published a great FAQ about the photos in the August Masa Newsletter

The two photos are of Tim and Eric (not related to the Tim & Eric Awesome Show) – two locals who frequent Masa on a daily basis and who were “checking in” on Foursquare. If you’re unfamiliar with the popular mobile app, it unlocks special deals if you check in enough at a participating venue along with the title of Mayor. The two Masa goers keep checking in on Foursquare, one usurping the other, a battle that’s been going on since 2009.

The Mayor of Echo Park was Tim that day

So Rhonda put up the framed photos and changes the blue ribbon when the Mayorship changes. Most of the time you’ll find the ribbon alongside Tim’s image, as Eric no longer lives directly across the street. But you will occasionally see them dining next to each other at the bar, as the rival is a friendly one!

What’s their favorite thing about going to Masa?

For Eric, “the reason to keep coming back was because of the people working here. Masa is my ‘Cheers’ and was an important part of me feeling settled in Los Angeles.”

For Tim, “I was drawn to Masa because of the good food. I kept coming because of the inclusive and friendly atmosphere. I like to eat at places where people like to see me.”

We, of course, like supporting as many local businesses as possible. What’s your reason to go to Masa, or any other favorite spots in Echo Park?

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Chinatown Summer Nights kicks off Saturday

Another way to keep cool this summer and enjoy some family-friendly activities is not far from Echo Park in nearby Chinatown. Chinatown Summer Nights starts this weekend, July 28, and will continue for just two more Saturdays in August.

The event showcases food trucks, neighborhood shops, restaurants, bars and art galleries, along with cooking demonstrations and other cultural activities.

It’s a pretty easy bicycle commute from where I live in Echo Park, and they even offer free bike valet courtesy of Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. This weekend, there’s a cooking demonstration, family workshop with Chinese calligraphy, food trucks (including B Sweet Mobile, Crepe N Around, Flying Pig, Jogasaki Burrito, Munchie Machine, Pigs Feet Under, Tabom Truck, Trailer Park Truck, and Tropical Shave Ice), dancing and DJs.

And what’s a celebration of summer without beer? A craft beer garden on the corner of Meiling Way and Jung Jing Road will have Eagle Rock Brewery on deck with its Solidarity & Umlaut Kolsch brews, along with Golden Road Brewery featuring IPA and Hefe, and El Segundo Brewing Company featuring Blue House Pale Ale and White Dog IPA.

Click here for the Chinatown Summer Nights website to view the event map and full schedule.

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Mishka to move out of Echo Park Avenue storefront

Mishka announced on its blog this week that it’s packing up its Echo Park store and moving to another, so far undisclosed, Los Angeles location.

The store opened up along the same strip as El Batey and Chango on Echo Park Avenue in February 2012. They plan to close the shop’s doors for good by the end of the summer. For now, go in and grab your Mishka goodies for 50% off.

We imagine it won’t take long to fill the storefront – what kind of store do you think will take over?

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Woody Guthrie tribute in Echo Park Saturday

The Trailer Trash Project (a Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program) is celebrating the 100th birthday of folk artist Woody Guthrie. And because he was a resident of Echo Park, what better way to have a celebration in the neighborhood!

The celebration is an all-day event tomorrow, Saturday, July 14, 2011, with art, music, and other family-friendly activities. The schedule is as follows:

Children’s Concert and Storytelling + Sign Making + History Breakfast
Blues musicians S.S. Jones plays Lead Belly songs for children. Woody Guthrie greatly admired Lead Belly and valued his friendship. Other musicians will play some of Woody’s many children’s songs as well as some of their own compositions. Dancers help out with movement.

El Centro Del Pueblo
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Afternoon Picnic + Street Art + Writing Session + Song Writing
El Centro Del Pueblo
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Concert / Art Activities
El Centro Del Pueblo
12:30 pm – 5:03 pm

Second Line Parade
El Centro Del Pueblo
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm

An Evening of Music, Dancing & Activism / Skid Row Fundraiser:
The Echo
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
$10 suggested donation

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“High-Concept Coffee Bar” could land in Echo Park

Echo Park is on the radar for a new “high-concept coffee bar,” reports Eater LA. Behind the concept: Intelligentsia’s former VP of Strategy Kyle Glanville, and current lead trainer for the Intelligentsia Venice location.

The two told Eater LA that they “have a strong preference for the Eastside, in an underserved locale such as Echo Park.”

While the coffee bar doesn’t have a permanent location yet or even a name, it will focus on using NO disposables – including napkins, cups, coffee filters, etc. We certainly like that! And we really don’t mind the whole coffee trend Intelligentsia represents in the area – as a coffee snob myself (but a realistic and budget-conscious one), that coffee is really, really, really good and is a nice treat every once in a while.

For now, the duo will be soon opening a pop-up shop for a few months, but no indication of where as of yet.

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Falafel night returns to Echo Park

Last February, the Hot Knives guys (the ones behind the super awesome Salad Daze cookbook) sold over 100 falafels in just three hours – and it was clear Los Angeles needed more falafels.

Tonight, the late-night falafel popup returns to Elf Café in Echo Park to serve the buzzed and hungry. In case you missed it last year, Hot Knives describes their falafels as the following:

Our falafel balls are crackly crunchity on the outside but moist inside thanks to a fresh handmade batter of chickpeas and chickpea flour studded with fresh parsley, mint and cilantro.

The warm pita and falafel comes with hot sauce, garlic-tahini, homemade smokey hummus, and a tapenade of green olives, turnips and pickles. One sandwich, no options, no seating, totally vegan.

So be sure to head over on the early side, sales start at 9:30 pm and go until 1:00 am – or until sold out. Bring cash, falafels are $5 a pop.

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