angelenic: downtown los angeles

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

-Guerrilla Gay Bar LA
-GGBLA Flickr Pool

angelenic.com is the neighborhood resource for Downtown Los Angeles and environs.

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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.

Keeping up with promises to make Sunday South Park Flea Market more relevant to Downtowners, Phillip Dane has announced approvals to include a certified farmers’ market and is in the process of securing 10-15 farmers for this weekend’s event. The market is sponsored by Pharmaka Gallery.

According to Dane, a lot of work still needs to be done in finding qualified farmers, but you can help by asking vendors at any of the local markets this week if they’re interested. Parties can call (866) 966-9495 (ext. 1) for more information.

In other news, last week saw the kickoff of the first live performances at the market since changes were announced in March, and this Sunday the local JohnnyFromKings will be performing.

The SPFM joins a number of other weekday markets, including Friday’s B of A Plaza market (pictured above), City Hall’s Thursday market, and Central Library’s Wednesday market. Do we need another sign that our neighborhood is here to stay?

South Park Flea-and-Farmers’ Market
Sundays from 9am - 4pm
 southparkfleamarket.com

-downtown farmers’ markets find success
-checking up on the south park flea market
-flea market has modest debut, shows big potential

Given Famima’s significant expansion throughout Southern California with Los Angeles as a home base, it’s no surprise that the quirky convenience chain has made Downtown LA a top priority.

The trend continues early next month, with the fourth Downtown location opening at City National Plaza’s underground mall. Good coffee and better steamy buns, what more could a stressed-out office worker ask for?

No word on how many stores the company will be opening in Downtown, but according to a company representative, “Downtown is a very attractive location.”

-famima!! restructuring, but downtown’s pork buns safe for now

Famima!!
505 South Flower
B-Level, Suite 520
Los Angeles CA 90071
famima-usa.com
Opening June 2008

It’s an episode of “Why didn’t they think of that earlier?” Downtown’s favorite pirate-themed bar & grill — okay, Downtown’s only pirate-themed bar & grill — now offers a special weekend brunch menu.

In a neighborhood famously lacking many weekend options, how can it get any better than dining on crab cakes or steak & eggs beneath decorative fishnet?

I’ve been told the menu isn’t final, so might I suggest adding Wench Toast, Arrr-tichoke Scramble and Blackbeard Burgers to the offerings? If not, we can still show some weekend love by trying out the new brunch hours, 11:00am to 2:00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Redwood Bar & Grill
316 W 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
theredwoodbar.com

Image via flickr usr doubleshotnoice.

Partial menu after the jump…

A lot of changes have occurred here at angelenic over the past month, and that will continue as I start my new writing gig over at Curbed LA, the Los Angeles neighborhoods and real estate blog.  I’ll be covering Downtown’s development scene with a hands-on approach, similar to angelenic’s construction news.

Since Curbed is mainly about development, I’ll still be able to keep my retail and restaurant news here at angelenic.

And I got off to a good start with coverage of the Grand Avenue Civic Park meeting and a new Wilshire Blvd. office development — by some accounts the first new office construction to begin in years.

Thanks to the Curbed Network for the opportunity!

Downtown’s mid-range dining scene continues to grow, as the team behind Culver City’s esteemed Tender Greens confirms they are looking to open a Downtown LA location, as rumored late last year.

The comfortable counter-service eatery is a Westside fixture, dishing out fresh, made-to-order salads, steak, chicken, tuna and soups to those willing to wait in a line which occasionally snakes out the door.

According to co-owner Erik Oberholtzer, a 7th Street location is currently being scouted — though he adds, “We have some serious negotiating to do before going to lease.”

While that particular lease may or may not work out, with Tender Greens’ intentions now public, Oberholtzer hopes that “Maybe the right space will come to us.”

Good things rarely just drop into our laps, so let’s hear your input! Where would you like to see Tender Greens in Downtown?

The ImaginAsian Center may finally be living up to its hype this week, with the shiny new theater playing host to the Japan Film Festival 2008, April 11-17.

A weeklong event, the festival promotes both traditional and groundbreaking Japanese film that extends beyond the stereotypical anime and J-horror standards. Don’t expect any Ringu or Gin gwai knockoffs here.

Before the ImaginAsian Center opened, previous years saw screenings at Laemmle’s Sunset 5 and Fairfax theaters in Hollywood. Moving the event Downtown broadens the appeal and accessibility of the seven-day festival.

If you haven’t seen the inside of the ImaginAsian Center yet, now’s your chance. The sci-fi exterior and modish lobby are attractions themselves, and large plush seats inside the auditorium make for a superior movie experience.

More details on JFFLA, and date changes to the ‘Downtown Film Festival’…