Adventures in the World of Mobile Knowledge Workers

Lazy Ox Canteen- San Pedro between 2nd & 3rd

I visited the Lazy Ox twice. The first time, I went with a friend and had time for a leisurely lunch. The service was knowledgeable and attentive. My pork belly sandwich was extremely rich and good. I didn't even know what it was going to be, exactly, but it had a wonderful combination of softness (from the fat) chewiness (from the lean) and crunch (Were there radishes on the sandwich?). My friend had the Lazy Ox burger. He said that it was the best burger he ever had. He didn't know why, but it was wonderful.

On the second visit, I inadvertently gave the Lazy Ox a test: I arrived at 12:50 pm and had to leave by 1:30 pm. I know that it's not a fast food place, but on that day, I only had fast food lunch kind of time.

Threads Cafe & Lounge - San Pedro & 3rd

Are you looking for a cafe? Do you need a t-shirt? Then Threads Cafe & Lounge might be for you. It is, indeed, a cafe that offers free Wi-Fi and the usual amenities to customers. It's also an instant custom t-shirt printing business.

There's a lot that's good about this place. Let's address that first. The space is lovely. The cafe is set back from the street and situated on an angle at the corner of San Pedro and 3rd in Little Tokyo. The space is filled with light. It also happens to be located on the ground floor of the Teramachi Homes luxury apartment building. The sign says that these condos are for people aged "55 or better." I love that phrase.

Bottega Louie - Update

Bottega Louie continues to be the home of a very tasty Sidecar. There are also new additions to the small plates menu since the last time I was here. The fava beans and radishes plate, and "Italian Spring Tuna" (tuna slow-cooked for hours in olive oil, served with green beans) were both refreshing.

The lemon tart was creamy, caramelized (like creme brulee) and had the surprise of a shortbread crust on the bottom. Delicious. Apparently, pastry creation is now led by a husband and wife team. New pastry additions include "tart of the day." Service remains top-notch: a wonderful mix of expertise and warmth.

Does any of this make you want to visit Bottega Louie? Then let me tell you that it's less crowded towards the beginning of the week. Brunches are not mob scenes unless there's a big convention in town.

Oh -- and did I mention that they still make a delicious Sidecar?

Groundwork - 2nd and Main

"Oh my God! A dream come true!" I exclaimed while at the counter, about to pay for my lunch. The guy behind the cash register indulged me.

What was so exciting? My eyes had just rested upon a small sign indicating that the Egg McLovin' was available. The Egg McLovin' is a symphony of a breakfast sandwich,  first discovered at the  Groundworks on Traction (RIP). Click here for that post. Anyway, it's egg, prosciutto, havarti, artichoke hearts and aioli on an English muffin. I only had it once and never thought that I would find it again. It's amazing how an experience that you've had once can live in your mind as a sort of holy grail.

"I'll have one!" I said.

"Do you also want the salad and the bagel?" he asks.

I answer in the affirmative, because after all, in for a penny in for a pound. I wasn't in the mood for the Egg McLovin', but when the thing you've dreamed of appears, how can you let it pass you by?

Hygge Bakery - 11th and Hope

Another incredible taste sensation. But I'm getting ahead of my story.

I had an appointment with the Fabulous Jessica at Salon 11. I got there uncharacteristically early and had time to grab lunch before my appointment. Having previously heard my bitter complaints about the local Starbucks, Jessica suggested that I try the Danish bakery around the corner. I decided to check it out. 

My first order of business at Hygge Bakery was to select a sandwich. I chose tuna fish and chatted with the server as he made it for me. I learned that Hygge's baker is a bit of a celebrity in Denmark and baked for the Queen. The server and I determined that I was, therefore, getting the same fare as the Queen of Denmark. Well, the bread, anyway. 

I learned that two of the owners are Danish, that Danes use almonds frequently in their baked goods and that the Morning Poppy bun, which features white poppy seeds, is a typically Danish breakfast item.  

I looked around. There are so many pastry choices that the Mobile Knowledge Worker could find herself losing her svelte appearance if she isn't careful. I looked at petit fours, frog snaps, rose bread, waterkringle, kamme, a full-sized almond tart, mazarin, apricot mazarin... I selected the Sarah Bernhardt which is shown in the picture above. I liked the name. 

I'm sure you want to know the verdict.

Yami Daily Products: Good Luck Epilogue

I dosed myself with good luck by eating one piece of good luck candy the day after my visit to Yami Daily Products store (see previous post).The packaging was red (which I know is good luck) with gold characters. I had the candy as a late afternoon, pre-gym pep-up. It was a milky, fruity, delectable taste sensation.  'Yum,' I said to myself, 'good fortune does taste good.'

Wonderful things happened the following day. First, I got a phone call with unexpected good news. And the hits kept coming: I got a cappuccino for the price of a red eye at a cafe. I found money (a few dollars, but still) that I didn't know that I had. I found earrings that I thought had been lost forever.

My boyfriend tried to convince me to buy a lottery ticket. "I don't want to waste my luck on a lottery ticket," I said,  "I'm not a gambler."

"It's not about gambling. It's about buying a lottery ticket and winning a million dollars."

I didn't buy a lottery ticket. Maybe this good luck is the kind that just comes to you, but won't work if you're proactive about it.

I still have one candy left. Stay tuned...

Yami Daily Products Store

Yes, this is outside of my normal beat. It's not a cafe or a place where the Mobile Knowledge Worker might get work done. But I've driven by this store a million times and seen this sign as many times. I was sick of being intrigued. I had to investigate.

It was boiling hot, but I decided that today was the day that I would get to the bottom of this mystery. I was sweating, not gleaming. Poor air quality was giving me a headache, the light was a tobacco-y color and I felt as though I was driving in Purgatory. But I was on a mission.

Yami Daily Products is in the Toy District, which might make you think of Toyland or Santa's Workshop at the North Pole. The reality, however, is that it's a garment district-type neighborhood, where many drivers seem to be attempting to qualify for the Indy 500.

When you walk into the store, your eyes are almost overwhelmed by

Wurstkuche - 3rd & Traction

This place is totally my aesthetic. Fresh and modern looking. A combo of wood and metal that conveys warmth yet is industrial and spare. Clean bathrooms. Fresh air. Real people working at the register. And friendly: a Somali Deep Funk dj also waiting in line to order suggests a beer for me to try, so I do. More about him later. But to proceed: I order a Houblan Chouffe (an Indian pale ale the menu says), a bratwurst with onions and sweet peppers, double-dipped fries and chipotle aioli.

I take my number and proceed down the hall to the dining area. The industrial but warm look continues. One wall is exposed brick and the others are wood paneled. Long trestle tables are covered in brown paper. Metal cafe tables dot the room. It has that German everything-works-and-is-clean look. Staff constantly circle (okay not constantly, but frequently) to clean and tidy. The music is great. I guess it could be categorized as eclectic alternative -- stuff you might hear on an Anne Litt or Chris Douridas show on KCRW. For non-Angelenos, click here to hear what that means. But whatever it was, I really liked it.

I sit down and take the first sip of my beer: heavenly. Refreshing, flavorful and yummy. I'm joined by the Somali Deep Funk dj, who is also a 45s collector.

LA and Chicago: An Essential Difference

I went out with girlfriends lately, to the Edison. Great drinks and atmosphere. 

This outing gave me the chance to experience one of the differences between WestCoasters and Midwesterners. It's all about the Photo. It was a hilarious, but instructive experience. Thanks to the wonders of digital photography, we could see the results immediately. 

The first four times pictures were taken of me, my eyes were closed and my mouth was wide open. One of the LA friends said, kindly, "Well, you do look joyful."  This brought up a topic: why do I (and my compatriots) take such shitty pictures? As one of the Chicagoans explained, "I learned how to take pictures in lower school, and stopped there." 

Bottega Louie - 7th and Grand

The day was saved, eating and drinks-wise, by a trip to Bottega Louie. The fabulous Jessica, my hairstylist, recommended it to me. No, it's not a coffee place really (although you can have good coffee there) but it's good to know about. 

The space is quite amazing -- it looks as though in a previous life it might have been one of those banks that you'd see in 30's movies. The ceiling is high, everything is white and the fittings are brass. Your first impression is of light, airiness and controlled bustle.  It reminds me a bit (only a teeny bit) of Dean and Deluca in Soho. At the entrance is the take-out department, which includes an extensive baked goods section. Next is a charming little bar area where you can have a coffee or a drink. And then there's the dining area. 

Somehow there's an energizing low hubbub in the dining area, which is loud enough to muffle the sounds of the people at the tables adjacent, but not so loud that you can't hear your own conversation.

First order of business: Sidecars. My boyfriend and I are on a mission to identify the best sources of Sidecars around town. The gold standard is the Sidecar at the Beverly Hills Hotel. However, Bottega Louie's version is a very outstanding, strong second. The color is a dark bronze. Strips of lemon peel curl gracefully along the side of the glass. It's refreshing. Tangy. Lemony. Outstanding. Our waitress said, "Dip your whiskers into this." And so we did, more than once.