Farmlab, an Oasis in downtown LA

Inspiration


I was given the chance to attend a Public Salon speak at Farmlab, near downtown Los Angeles.

Today's topic
Juliano Brotman
"New Perfect Food is Here:
A way to finally do something about
all that green talk."

Brotman, passionate as he was, discussed the positive effects of a lifestyle that was not only green, but took it to the next level. As a raw foods expert and restaurateur, he proclaimed a lifestyle that exuded virtues and made vegans seem like smog producers. I learned that those who have diets of all raw foods never have cavities, longer lifespans, and don't have the lethargic feelings after large meals
It made me rethink my wasteful ways and how I was increasing the rate aging process. I would like to visit his Santa Monica restaurant - Planet Raw - http://www.planetraw.com

Farmlab, funded by private institutions, is a think tank, research facility, and a green movement sustainability center is located across an old cornfield between the 110 and 5 freeways. With a great warehouse space with an adjacent outdoor underpass multi-use area. Farmlabs boosts several large tanks of potable water, a vegetable nursery, and performance stages. Check out the farmlab website for more talks and discussion on their Public Salon days - http://farmlabinfo.blogspot.com

This unique day, I learned much about my body and how raw foods positively affects my body. Farmlab has this great space and I would encourage anyone to support them and try to attend their public salons. It was a nice experience that differs from my usual big city life.

Farmlab
1745 North Spring Street, Unit 4
Los Angeles, CA 90012
323 226 1158 tel
323 226 9430 fax
info@farmlab.com
http://farmlabinfo.blogspot.com

This crate this full of corn. The corn is slowly breaking down. The director of farmlab plants to create sculpture with this material.

Juliano Brotman

Our lunch today. I believe most is vegan.

This was actually a really good meal.

Lunch today was basically a potluck.

Farmlab takes advantage of the space beneath the ramp.

Their outdoor vegetable nursery.





The Farmlab seed bank.








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Edison The Radio Room with the best bartenders from Coast to Coast.

Radio Room with the best bartenders in the country.
The most fabulous bar and lounge in Downtown Los Angeles.

Tonight at the Edison, in Downtown LA, the Radio Room happens. Tonight's special is featuring some of the best bartenders in the US.

Joseph Brooke of Edison Director of Spirits
Simon Ford of Pernod Ricard / London & New York
Giuseppe Gonzalez of Dutch Kills & Painkiller / New York
Zane Harris of Rob Roy / Seattle
Don Lee of Momofuku Restaurants / New York

On this night, Edison, as a bar lounge, is taking pre-sale entrance cover charges online for $10. [link]

RADIO ROOM AT THE EDISON
Tuesday evening
March 30, 2010 | 8pm

108 W. 2nd Street #101
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.edisondowntown.com
213.613.0000


A menu just for tonight.

Check out the single ice cube! It is the best way to drink a drink. This is the Vieux Cerde.

This drink is called the Rite of Spring

The Infante.

The Globo Rojo

Nice spread.

More of the spread.

The Absinthe Fairy! Nice

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Breakfast at Bottega Louie

The Gem of Downtown Los Angeles - Bottega Louie

Perhaps I should have made a few more visits to Bottega Louie, but with the suggestion of some friends, I knew I had to visit this place. The space occupies a prime 1st floor space on a corner in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. When you walk in you notice why BL is the hottest restaurant in downtown LA. And I won't say much more about Bottega Louie, except that I do highly recommend a visit for almost any occasion.

Breakfast was my meal of choice at Bottega Louie. I had the breakfast scramble with spinach & cheese with a side of bacon - your typical California morning meal. Mr. B had a bagel & lox. I felt my eggs and spinach were typical and was nothing to write home about. But the bacon I had was solid and thick-cut, almost too much of a good thing. I didn't get to try the bagel & lox, unfortunately. I saw a nice offering of juices, pastries, and coffees, for those downtown power breakfast meetings.

I was able to mosey around the large airy restaurant to see the baked goods like cupcakes and muffins. Macaroons are the new "cupcakes" of a couple of years ago. You start to see them in more recipes, dessert combination's, and menu's. i would suspect that you'll see them more and more in the coming months. And Bottega Louie had a smattering array of multi-colored macaroons

What to Order: Any of the breakfasts looked fine. They have a nice baked good section with macaroons.
What not to Order: N/A. . . You could say the jury's still out since I haven't tried other things.

Parking situation: For breakfast and lunch, I only saw street parking available. I'm sure at night, they will have valet parking.

Rating
3 pigs, $$

Bottega Louie
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(866) 418-9162
www.bottegalouie.com

Their breakfast menu is quite reasonable in price.

Bottega Louie features a large open kitchen.

The Macaroons or Macarons.

Cupcakes Galore!

This space is great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.

Bagel & Lox

Capers!

The scramble of the day - spinach and cheese

The succulent bacon.

There was almost too much bacon.

Coffee








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Dino's Chicken and Burgers

Have you guys heard of this place? I sure haven't, till recent.

Holy crap . . . what a find. Did you know that Dino's has the most yelp burger reviews in Los Angeles, except for Tommy's? And Dino's doesn't even specialize in burgers.

Most of the customers order the chicken and only chicken. They prepare and cook chickens by the hen house it seems. As you walk up to order, you see a large stack of the bright red sauced marinaded chicken. You can't help but order anything else. I don't think I even noticed a burger patty on the grill. The on-the-wall menu, featured a faded breakfast selection. I only knew the price of the chicken plate from the enlarged LA Times article in the window.

With all walks of life happily feasting on the chicken, we were able to find a nice indoor window seat. When you first open up you see the 1/2 chicken on a bed of fries with the sauce - a savory, vinegary and not-too-spicy concoction. When you start in the chicken, the juices and goodness will drip - so make sure you have lots of napkins ready. This roasted chicken, with the skin, is full of flavor, that isn't too spicy, yet with the the right combination of unexplained sourness from the vinegar. It is just right. Also, the accompanied cole slaw provides the some flavor relief, if needed, from the boldness.

What to Order: Chicken
What not to Order: uh. . . don't think they offered anything else.

Parking situation: Don't mind the area, which is between Koreatown and the 10 freeway. They have a small lot. But if you can't find parking in the lot, look for street parking. Bring quarters for the meters.

Rating
3 pigs, $

Dino's Chicken and Burgers
2575 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 380-3554

Look the stack of chicken ready to be devoured. . . by me! I doubt they can keep up with demand, unless they continuously roast chicken.

Don't underestimate the coleslaw.

Such a pretty bird.

The fries soak up the goodness.




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