los angeles smiles on you

[photo and artwork for by way of ney]

Sometimes Los Angeles smiles on you. There are plenty of things that drive a sane person crazy around this city, mostly trying to move about it, but sometimes there is such a bounty of things that make it amazing. Although I pass by this wall often, it struck me in a different way the day I took this photo than it does on most days. And the message is ever impressive and ever important. Mostly this is because it is true. It is true about you and it is true about me. Hopefully messages like these help us to keep it all in perspective.

KTCHN 105

My amazing husband always finds fun, adventurous, hidden places to go. Somehow he will search through blogs and other websites and find AMAZING places. KTCHN 105 was the latest find. He was trying to find great things for us to do during our downtown staycation. There were certain places, like this one, that we knew we wanted to go for sure and yet we still wanted to try to find new places too.  I was so glad that he found KTCHN 105. It is available by reservation for weekend brunches only. The menu changes frequently as the chef creates and discovers new amazing dishes.

Outside of the restaurant is an amazing garden and fountains and some tables and inside the kitchen and bar area are both open to the tables. Nothing is a mystery here and since the whole layout is beautifully designed, being able to see it all is lovely.

[well designed (& easy to replace) menu that feels like the restaurant. good branding] 

[tables that set right up to the kitchen.
you can see felix the chef, not the cat, in the kitchen in the gray shirt]

[beautiful open bar and prep station & waitresses who don't act too cool
even though the restaurant is the coolest]

We started with the "Strong Joe" coffee, which was just that, strong. But strong good and full of flavor and not strong burnt flavored like a very large coffee chain I know and try to avoid. As well we had a Bloody Mary, Bloody Maria (with tequila) was another option, and a mimosa.

We started with the chilled tomatillo soup with sweet corn in it and a delicious little nugget that I wish I knew exactly what it was. Something corn bread, cheese-ish.

Then we ordered the harissa scramble with sun dried tomatoes, crispy onions on top, goat cheese, and all sorts of deliciousness and the waffle BLT that was more amazing than words or photos can describe.

[harissa scramble]

[waffle BLT]

[mmmm...]

AND THEN, oh my goodness...the chocolate hazelnut cheesecake. We almost didn't ask about dessert because we were so happy and satiated with our brunch but we were so glad we did because it was beyond beautiful. Creamy, chocolaty, fresh, topped with whipped creme. Mmmm.

My oh my, there was nothing to complain about! If you are in LA over the weekend you must find this gem tucked into the produce district of downtown. You will not regret it!

p.s. all images taken for by way of ney

chipped wall art

One of the really cool things about walking around downtown LA is all of the things you don't expect to find that you do. Whether that is new street art, old hand painted billboards, a new favorite restaurant, a treat from some where far away, a street that makes me feel like I'm in any country except my own, downtown provides new and unexpected strikes of beauty that make life an adventure.  The weekend of carmageddon, walking through downtown, I stumbled on this amazing site on a wall on Spring Street near the old Pacific Stock Exchange. We were on this street going back to the stock exchange where my dad worked over 35 years ago. Just before we arrived at the Stock Exchange we looked up and saw this...

[photo taken for by way of ney]

[photo taken for by way of ney]

Apparently there are many like this one. They are done by a Portuguese artist named Alexandre Farto Aka Vhils. I think they are just beautiful. I love how the brick comes through where he has carefully chipped away the wall. 

bottega louie

I briefly mentioned Bottega Louie in my weekend summary last Monday. I also said I was probably going to be writing about it in full and today is that day folks. The first time I went to Bottega Louie was on MLK Jr Monday, for lunch. We started with champagne and portabello fries that were great even though I don't love mushrooms.  Then we had the Sausage Pizza with mozzarella, grana parmesan, tomato sauce, oregano & fennel sausage. The crust was delicious but the fennel is my favorite. The tagliatelle bolognese was DELICIOUS! We had the grand macaron for dessert with cappuccinos. Everything was so good that we couldn't wait to go back.

Finally we were able to go back AND take my family along with us. There is nothing better than sharing things you love with people you love. (Kinda what this blog is about as well.)

You'll find the restaurant at 7th and Grand in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

[the front of the restaurant]

[the BAR]

[the KITCHEN, which is open and in full view...LOVE]

 The best part about eating with a group is that if everyone orders different things, you get to try different things.

[my beautiful sister pondering the MENU...notice the friendship bracelet from a camper]

[my traditional CAPPUCCINO & a peek at the menu]

[my mom's FRENCH 75: gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and prosecco]

Drinks were amazing (my dad and husband both ordered a coffee and a Bloody Mary and loved them) and we moved onto brunch...

[the CAPRESE FRITTATA]

[the EGG SANDWICH: the applewood smoked bacon and Kaiser roll...mmm]

[the LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES: with blueberry syrup]

[the MEATBALL PARMESAN sliders with fries]

Everyone loved the flavor of their food. The frittata came out a little cold which was a bummer but with a restaurant this big and that much food cranking out of the kitchen, it happens. Other than that, our food was awesome! Fluffy and fresh!

[LE GRAND MACARON: vanilla macaron, french vanilla ice cream & berries]

[four variety: madarin in front, cassis to the left,
fleur de sel on the right & raspberry in the back...raspberry was the favorite!]

[the MACARON case]

[rose macrons and the busy pastry chefs]

[all sorts of deliciousness]

The absolute BEST thing was LE GRAND MACARON. The flaky crust, the gooey sweet inside, the cold fresh ice cream, and the freshness of the berries that give it a little tang. Mmmm...makes me want one now!

*all photos taken for by way of ney