, , ,

Chinatown celebrates harvest moon with a festival this weekend

Don’t let the morning marine layer keep you from thinking it’s still summer, but we’re gearing up to saying goodbye to 100 degree weather. Chinatown is celebrating the coming of Fall (which is September 23) and the Harvest Moon with its 73rd Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival on Saturday, September 17, 2011.

Apart from the art activities, food trucks, and a craft beer garden (yes!), the best part is the moon viewing via telescope provided by Griffith Observatory. Although the full moon was officially on Sunday, it will still be a nice night to check out the brilliant moon.

Full schedule after the jump:

Read more

/6 Comments/by
,

Today: Free Dodger Takeover Party at The Echo

Today’s free event at The Echo is inspired by frustrations with Frank McCourt’s handling of the Dodgers – so Origami Vinyl is organizing an “investor group to buy the Dodgers,” and is having a party to celebrate.

Today, at The Echo, enjoy a BBQ with free Dodger Dogs, veggie dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks. They’ve also invented a drink called “The Vin Scully” for $5, Heinekens for $6.

Origami’s Dodger Takeover Party Presented By Pony Attack
Saturday, September 10th from 3:30 pm – 8 pm
The Echo, 1822 W. Sunset Blvd.

Set rimes:
4pm – The Black Apples
5pm – Summer Darling
6pm – Gestapo Khazi
7pm – Future Ghost

/1 Comment/by
,

Go “pazzo” with some local Echo Park gelato

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer



“Pazzo” may mean crazy – but there’s nothing wrong with the culinary flavors of the new Echo Park gelato spot, Pazzo Gelato. This is the second store for the family-run business, which opened the first location in Silver Lake in 2006. The Echo Park location, which opened in July, is just a mile down Sunset, and fills an ice cream void for us locals (Kind Kreme also has great vegan ice cream options).

Though the Echo Park location offers fewer flavors than the Silver Lake location (18 here, 24 there), it still has mouth-watering flavors like Blood Orange Sorbet, Watermelon, and the unusual Butter Brown Sugar Bacon. Since the flavors are made fresh from local ingredients, they do change so make sure to check them out on Facebook to see what’s in the freezer.

For our first-ever visit, we ordered Almond Expresso Chip, and a Plum-Mango Sorbet combo (half of each). Two medium scoops cost us around $10 (plus I always tip!), which is about right for this type of treat – it sure ain’t your RiteAid ice cream!

In addition to free parking behind the Citibank building, there is also free wi-fi and plenty of seating, including a spacious patio area overlook Sunset Boulevard.

Next up, we’re looking forward to trying the food menu – gourmet coffee, bagels, bagel/breakfast sandwiches, and sweets. It’s also nice they are open at 7:30 am for the early morning commute! We are hoping to see an addition of paninis and other sandwich options to the menu as well.

Pazzo Gelato is located at 1910 West Sunset Boulevard.

/3 Comments/by
,

Echo Park live/work building future home vegetarian restaurant

It’s been almost a year since Echo 1030 opened its doors for leasing its 20 loft-style, LEED Certified units, and now it looks like the retail/commercial space on the first floor is getting a new resident.

According to Eater LA, the eco-friendly building located at 1030 Alvarado is the future home of an unnamed vegetarian restaurant run by DJ Goura Chandra and Raffi Roumdikian of Seven Bar. Opening hopefully early next year, the restaurant joins nearby vegan restaurant Elf Cafe and newly opened Mohawk Bend. The Eater LA article describes what the new restaurant will have to offer:

Chandra, who has been a lifelong vegetarian, says that dishes served at the unnamed restaurant are based on “all my crazy and tasty food creations,” and while he will definitely oversee foodstuffs, he will most likely not serve as the day to day chef. In addition to a conventional dining room and lounge, the restaurant will also encompass a to-go counter selling wraps, sandwiches, and salads “in our mini Whole Foods-type convinience store which will be a part of the restraunt (no dividing walls).”

And because vegetarians do like to drink, expect plenty of booze. For the most part, the alcohol program centers around micro-brews and boutique wines, but cocktails will be available as well. Chandra says that he’s a big fan of craft beers and has a big hop craving 🙂 (his smiley face, not ours). For both food and drink, he plans to source locally and seasonally. Right now the space is raw and a full build-out is to come. Oh, and because Chandra hails from a music background, he intends on lining up DJs to play “cutting edge alternative music” in the restaurant’s lounge area.

The question is… can we have this many craft beer joints in Echo Park? Between Sunset Beer, Mohawk Bend, Red Hill (upcoming), El Prado, and the many restaurants with their own great beers on tap – my wallet might suffer. Echo Park is certainly becoming a hub for craft beers and restaurants!

 

/144 Comments/by
,

New BBQ restaurant coming to Echo Park – with your help

The Park’s Finest has been in Echo Park for some time now, but as a mobile catering company. Owner Johneric Concordio grew up here, BBQing his way through the more turbulent times of Echo Park in the ’80s and ’90s. Now, the BBQ (with a Filipino twist) company is looking to establish itself in a physical location in what was formerly “The Far East” Japanese restaurant at 1267 West Temple Street.

Johneric has already started to demo (that space SOOO needs some love), but they’ve got a long way to go before opening hopefully in November. And they are looking toward the community to help them with the project – through a website called Indie GoGo, they are hoping to raise money for the kitchen remodel and equipment, furniture, city fees, signage and more. And to encourage you to donate, they offer a few perks from t-shirts to BBQ sauce and more for every extra bit you donate.

He’s hoping it will be more than a restaurant. According to the Pleasure Palate blog, “Johneric wants this restaurant to be a center for community, culture, art and of course, for fabulous food. By the way, when it comes to the food, it may be more than just BBQ, Johneric has talked about introducing more rustic Filipino dishes that aren’t normally found in stateside Filipino restaurants and believe me, that has definitely piqued my interest.”

Why should you donate? Their Indie GoGo page explains:

…The Park’s Finest, a mobile catering company based in Echo Park, has brought a distinct flavor to the LA food scene with our Filipino take on traditional American cuts of BBQ. We have blessed backyard boogies and community events all over the Southland, and have steadily gained popularity. To meet the rise in demand, as a community-oriented company, we aim to reinvigorate the blighted district of Historic Filipinotown in Echo Park. Our community fundraising campaign will build capital for a restaurant that offers a fulfilling dining experience, for families and friends to enjoy savory BBQ in an atmosphere where musicians and artists can showcase works that reflect and celebrate the intersections of the dynamic cultures and histories bridged by this vibrant area of LA.

We certainly wouldn’t mind some tasty BBQ action in the neighborhood, so we wish The Park’s Finest the best of luck!

Click here to donate to The Parks Finest, and check out the video below:




Related links:

  • Please Support Parks Finest BBQ – PS-they make the best Filipino inspired BBQ in town! Pleasure Palate, July 31, 2011.
  • Storefront Report: Filipino BBQ to replace Japanese diner in Echo Park. The Eastsider LA, August 4, 2011
/663 Comments/by
,

Headline of the day: “Giant Blue Penis Appears and Disappears in Echo Park”

Shield your mothers from the computer, this might be the most graphic thing we’ve ever posted on EPN… (scandalous!!).

We can’t help it, this is one of those headlines that makes you wonder. Curbed LA posted this little tidbit today along with the following head-scratching photo:

Photo from Curbed LA

A tipster sends in this photo of what we’re pretty sure is not a Smurfs promotion and writes: “As if Echo Park isn’t strange enough, this blue penis sculpture was just merrily sitting on the hellstrip on Allesandro at Whitmore this afternoon. It disappeared in just a few hours. Who put it there? Who picked it up? How strange is this place?” Pretty damn strange, EP! Your move, Silver Lake.

Perhaps this is a replica of the murder weapon used in A Cockwork Orange? Oops, I mean A Clockwork Orange?

Curbed LA, you are a cheeky and clever internet friend. We dig it.

/212 Comments/by
,

August cheese classes at Cookbook in Echo Park

The cheese fridge at Cookbook

There’s only one reason why I’m not a vegan – and that’s because of cheese. There’s nothing better than a hand crafted, melt-in-your-mouth Spanish Manchego, or Humboldt Fog or… well that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s even better when you know your cheese – so Cookbook in Echo Park is hosting a few summer cheese classes for you to impress on your next cheese date. The classes are taught by Los Angeles chef, caterer and “cheesemonger” Amanda Brennan.

The class schedule is as follows:

Class 1, August 3rd, The Mystery of Cheese: including cheese basics such as types of cheese, types of milk, seasonality, how to purchase cheese and more.

Class 2, August 10th, Domestic Cheese: including how cheese in America came about, and the strides American farmers are making today to produce beautiful artisanal and farmstead cheeses.

Class 3, August 17th, Exploring France and Switzerland: including each region’s regulations, terroir, and types of animals.

Class 4, August 24th, Exploring Italy and Spain: again including each region’s regulations, terroir, and types of animals.

All cheese classes will run from 7-9pm on Wednesday evenings in August.

$30 for a single class; $100 for all four.

RSVP by emailing Cookbook at marta@cookbookla.com, and indicate which classes you are interested in taking.

/87 Comments/by
,

Today through Sunday: The Warehouse LA sale

The Warehouse LA is holding their “biggest sale ever” to make room for some new stuff, so make sure to stop by tonight and through Sunday, July 31, to take advantage.

In a week they will also doing some remodeling, so expect a new look once the work is done.

The sale includes 40% off clothes and 20% off all other items in store, including housewares, furniture, and accessories.

Check out The Warehouse LA at 1197 W. Sunset Blvd.

They are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

/by
, ,

Tonight: Machine Project hosts Burritos n Beats

Cat burrito.

This is the only event you’ll ever have to go to where admission requires that you’re holding a burrito.

Tonight at The Machine Project – Burritos n Beats (and not the other way around) starting at 8:00 pm in Echo Park.

Since LA is the city of burritos (remember this article?) bring a burrito from one of the many establishments just around the corner (El Flamin’ Taco, Taco Zone, Tacos Arizas, Burrito King, whatever floats your boat) and enjoy “cumbia, Nortec & LA-centric beats” from Julián of Culture Remixed.

And, just to drive this point home (from the event notice): Note: to be admitted to this event you must bring a burrito. Anyone with hamburgers or sandwiches will be turned away at the door.

Machine Project is located at 1200 D North Alvarado.

/79 Comments/by
, , ,

Mohawk Bend to open in Echo Park soon, “very soon”

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

You may have noticed yesterday (hopefully you didn’t drive all the way from the West side) that despite reports from various news sources, Mohawk Bend did not open its doors yesterday. But last week we did get a sneak peak at the space, the food, and the ever so delicious booze at a pre-opening party for press and friends.

Owner Tony Yanow has had great success with Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank – with an extensive and really great beer list paired with an equally delicious vegan and non-vegan bar fare. He’s clearly doing something right, because Mohawk Bend is impressive. Plus it really helps that he’s a really nice guy, has an equally awesome family, and has done a great job with the former Ramona Theater after over 20 years of collecting dust.

Spacecraft Group designed the interior of the building (the exterior is protected by historical guidelines), telling the crowd at the pre-opening party that they were inspired by a ’70s bar vibe, hence the vintage neon bar signs decorating the second story of the large main room. Polished concrete floors, exposed brick (the formal dining room is all original), a two-story glass wall, and lacquered panels of wood are features of the recreated space.

Read more

/35 Comments/by
,

Green Beacon to host first eco-conscious supper club tonight

Tonight, Echo Park’s Green Beacon Foundation in Elysian Heights is hosting the first of many sustainable supper club events called “Food For Thought.” The Foundation is teaming up with Large Marge Sustainables Catering and City Sip LA for the exclusive event (only 16 seats!) where 100% of the proceeds are donated to food related charities. Tonight’s proceeds go to Medicines Global.

Of course, both the food and the drink will be all organic, farm-fresh and sustainable (the wine, they describe, is “viticultural-conscious”). You’ll get a tour of the Green Beacon space prior to the multi-course meal and wine pairings served by City Sip owner Nicole Daddio.The menu for tonight is as follows (h/t LAist):

  • Chilled Straus yogurt Persian cucumber soup with Kanon Organic Vodka served in martini glasses
    Sweet melon carpaccio with mint, jalapeño, lime juice, sea salt and Verni’s California extra virgin olive oil
  • Garlic-hardwood-roasted pork from Jimenez Farms, white beans in cumin-mint-cilantro chutney, grilled peaches and zucchini on house baked corn tortilla
  • Vegetarian/Vegan option: Marinated-grilled portobellos, white beans in cumin-mint-cilantro chutney, grilled peaches and zucchini on house baked corn tortilla
  • Coconut rice pudding with grilled caramelized mango, pistachios and citronge

The cost is $65 per person. Click here for directions on how to purchase tickets (if it’s not too late…!) and for where to go and when.

/10 Comments/by
,

Stock up on melons at the Echo Park Farmers’ Market today!

Stop by the Echo Park Farmers’ Market today and welcome a couple of new farms to the ‘hood: Maggie’s Farm and Weiser Family Farms. From the Farmers’ Market email we received this week:

In the heat of summer, nothing quite satisfies like a salad. Maggie’s Farm is well known for being one of the first farms to bring European-style salad mixes and fresh herbs to California. We can’t wait to enjoy their ‘stellar mix’ this weekend.

Paired with a baguette from La Boulangerie, you won’t need to leave Echo Park to enjoy a taste of Europe this summer! But you will need to finish up the meal with something sweet. Weiser Family Farms are especially known for their colorful array of heirloom potatoes and carrots. At this time of year, we are most excited for their unusual variety of heirloom melons! Read more about their melons and start tantalizing your taste-buds here.

Speaking of those heirloom melons, it looks like the Weiser Family Farms are expected to bring us a couple of new ones this week, The Ogen and Baby Canary. I’ve never had an Ogen (aka Israeli Cantelope) but I’m a Baby Canary fan!

There will also be story time at 4:00pm with Edendale Branch librarian Langdon Faust.

/8 Comments/by
, , , ,

Lotus Festival schedule for today, Saturday

No lotus flowers in the lake this year, but they are for sale to take home!

We headed down to Echo Park Lake early to get ahold of the Lotus Festival schedule, which is available to anyone at the information booth in the middle of the festival booths. After the jump: Saturday’s schedule and parking tips. You can read about the history of the Lotus Festival by clicking here.

Opening ceremony started at noon, but here’s the rest of the schedule (Sunday’s schedule will be available tomorrow):

2:00 pm: The Muay Thai School
Thai Boxing Demo

2:30 pm: Na Kapa Ku Hual Halau Kula Nui ‘O Kaleponi
Hawaiian and Polynesian music and dance

3:00 pm: Pacific Asian Club
Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian and Filipino Dances

3:30 pm: Wat Thai Temple of Los Angeles
Thai Rabam Dravat dance Mon style Read more

/5,358 Comments/by
, ,

Montana Cans celebrating one year anniversary

Take a break from the festivities at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 9, and stop by Montana Cans just up Sunset Boulevard for their one-year anniversary celebration!

From 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm at the store there will be a lot of sales going on, special give-aways for customers, and in-store appearances/signings (these guys know some cool people, so it will be worth checking out!).

PLUS our favorite part – our good friends Whqles are playing a show at 8:00 pm. And they rule. Seriously.

Montana Store LA is located at 1528 1/2 Sunset Boulevard.

See you there!

/398 Comments/by
,

The Warehouse patio hosting brunch on the weekends

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 9) marks the first of weekend “Brunch Jams” at The Warehouse. Feeling the need for some more brunching variety in Echo Park, owner Justin Warwick was inspired to team up with a food truck to host the morning fiestas from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays on the vintage store patio in Echo Park.

Here’s the scoop: Grab some brunch from the food truck (especially useful on those hangover mornings), stir up a Bloody Mary or Mimosa, and enjoy the serenades of a live Beetles jazz trio. Yep, it all starts tomorrow!

And lastly, your sneak peak of The Jade Chef menu:

SWEET MORNINGS

  • The Classroom Cakes: (2) blueberry pancakes, organic maple syrup, sweet cream butter
  • Hot Red Velvet Cakes: (2) cream cheese drizzle, sweet cream butter, fresh seasonal berries
  • Yogurt sweetened with agave (add $2.00 fresh fruit)
  • Toast and artisanal jam choice breads, Laura Ann’s Jam of the day, sweet cream butter
  • French Quarter Beignets: (3) dusted with confectioners sugar (add cup of hot coffee or tea for $2.00)

FI”EGG”STA

  • Breakfast Burrito -scrambled eggs, monterey cheese, black beans, potatoes, salsa (add $2.00 bacon or veggies)
  • Breakfast Quesadilla – scrambled eggs, monterey cheese, salsa, sour cream, (add $2.00 bacon or veggies)

WHICH WAY DO I EGG? omelet-scramble-fried

  • Three eggs served with toasted artisan bread ad country potatoes (add $2.00 for artisanal jam)
  • Sammy bacon, fried egg, cheese, choice bread
  • The Warehouse: peppers, basil, tomato, onions, cheddar cheese, Jade pesto

Sounds great! We’re already in the mood for a tasty Bloody Mary!

The Warehouse is located at 1197 W Sunset Boulevard. Check out their Facebook page for event details and updates.

UPDATE:

The Warehouse announced Friday night that brunch has been canceled this weekend due to permitting issues.

/63 Comments/by