the wine chronicles episode 4: diy wine tasting at 626 reserve
An obvious destination for wine enthusiasts in Downtown is 626 Reserve Wine Bar. The name says it all, right?
626 Reserve, located on Spring Street in the City Lofts building, has been quietly serving up food, wine and jazz for the past 2 years.
Owner Barbara Taylor-Gray reports their busiest nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays when they have live musical performances and Art Walk nights are even busier. Depending on how many guests hang around the musicians may stay as late as 10 or 11pm.
The dark interior and terracotta-colored walls give 626 Reserve a warm and cozy atmosphere suitible for romantic dates and intimate gatherings. It is difficult to pinpoint the decor but it almost has an African Art Deco-ish flavor. Some of their artwork is from the gallery next door and rotates on a regular basis.
Read more on this local wine haunt…
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inaugural taiwan festival at el pueblo this weekend
This weekend kicks off the first annual Taiwan Fest-LA at the historic landmark El Pueblo across from Union Station. You are probably wondering why this event would be held at a Mexican-American landmark instead of, say, Chinatown. I wondered the same thing. My only guess is the event would cause traffic problems in the narrow streets and sidewalks of Chinatown.
In any case, I decided to check out this event. Though I was born and raised in Los Angeles, my parents immigrated from Taiwan over 30 years ago. I don’t get much chance to keep my language and culture alive, so if there’s a part of me remotely Taiwanese I would probably find it here, at Taiwan Fest-LA.
the wine chronicles episode 3: learning to be less of a wine retard
As all new wine enthusiasts know describing the taste and aroma of a wine can be very elusive. The experts say “just go with what you like” or “there’s no right or wrong way to describe a wine.” I think they say that just to make the newbies feel better.
I am very new to the wine world. In fact, I’m pretty sure the sommelier wants to stab himself whenever I describe a wine as “grape-y” or having a “Robitussin finish.” At the very least it’s as entertaining as a trainwreck. I am a wine retard, or at least my tastebuds are. Some people are just born with an exquisite palate, but I clearly need help defining and communicating my wine impressions.
pedestrian quality of life requires activism
When the Spring Street contra-flow bus lane was removed a year or two ago, Main Street received a new bus-only lane, which operates at rush hours. At that time, the city also added a crosswalk push button at the Main Street crosswalk at Winston Street, between 4th & 5th Streets. Prior to its installation, the pedestrian signal was automatic with the timed change of the traffic light. Now pedestrians do not get a walk signal unless the button is pressed.
On this part of Main Street, except at rush hours, pedestrians outnumber cars. Yet the Department of Transportation seems to believe that cars should have priority at all times. In my opinion, this is bad policy, especially in light of recent efforts to encourage pedestrian scale development and a vibrant urban core. This push button discourages the use of the crosswalk, and invites jaywalking when the wait time is long or unpredictable.
medallion project cancelled!
No one saw this coming.
Another victim of rising construction costs and a wallowing economy, the Old Bank District’s Medallion project (yes, the one under construction at 4th and Main) has been put on indefinite hold, reports the Downtown News:
“It’s horrendous out there, absolutely awful,” Farkhondehpour told Los Angeles Downtown News last week, referring to the retail and residential rental markets.
“Financing was all arranged; financing is still in place. I had to call the lender and tell him I didn’t want to build something I can’t rent out,” he said. “That’s been the concern for the past seven or eight months as it’s been getting worse every month. The contractor came up with some 20% cost increases and that was like, let’s just shut the damn thing down and forget about it.”
guerrilla gay bar taking over seven grand tonight
Whiskey-and-scotch haven Seven Grand unsuspectingly plays host to Guerrilla Gay Bar this evening, the monthly flashmob in which the event’s organizers choose the coolest straight bar they can find — and turn it gay for a night.
There’s a whole written manifesto, but in the end it should just be a fun time for all, especially since it’s in our neighborhood. If you’re planning on going, remember that dress code…
Seven Grand
515 W 7th Street
2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
sevengrand.la
housing tour a chance to see what downtown has to offer
If you haven’t been on the Downtown Center Business Improvement District’s free Saturday housing tour, you’re missing out on the leasing and sales details — not to mention model units — of some of the neighborhood’s newest residential arrivals.
The bus tour comes with a Downtown history lesson and an idea of what’s on the horizon (think: new restaurants, retail, and nightlife). This week’s circuit includes the for-lease Title Guarantee Lofts and Main Mercantile Lofts; and the for-sale 655 Hope, the Roosevelt, Market Lofts, Barker Block and the Biscuit Company Lofts.
Space is still available for tomorrow’s tour; please RSVP if interested. Tours meet at 7th+Fig shopping center and start at 9:00am sharp.
poketo warehouse sale this saturday
Who or what is Poketo? Poketo is a network of artists founded by Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung. They describe themselves as “Totally eclectic and 100% unique.” The first Poketo wallets were launched in 2003 as limited edition pieces to accompany the work of a small group of artists, as a calling card of sorts. Now, these pieces are collectors items.
The Poketo Studio on Hewitt Street is opening for a $5-$10 warehouse sale this Saturday, May 10 from 10am-5pm. A cupcake social will also accompany this event, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth and fuel your shopping energy.
The products are graphic-driven, modern and a little funky. Items for sale include stationary, wallets, clothing, prints and housewares. At $5-$10 a piece that is quite a bargain. You might even consider doing some early Christmas shopping or, heaven forbid, last minute Mother’s Day shopping.
Poketo Studio
510 S. Hewitt Street #506
Los Angeles, CA 90013
$5-$10 Warehouse Sale and Cupcake Social
Saturday May 10
10am-5pm
Thanks to reader Elaine for the tip!
