HEY WINE LOVERS! SHOP LOCAL AND CHECK OUT WINE STOP IN DTLA’S ARTS DISTRICT

Are you a wine lover in DTLA?  Well, then you need to check out Wine Stop in DTLA’s Arts District.  It’s a cute little wine shop on Santa Fe Avenue, just north of the 10 freeway. Wine Stop has an awesome vineyard to shelf concept that let’s them offers up top-quality wines that you can’t find anywhere else in the city.  They have wines from all over the world from places like Germany and France. And although it looks like a high-end wine shop, the prices are quite reasonable, including a great selections of bottles under $10.

ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO RAPPEL 25 STORIES DOWN THE SIDE OF A DTLA HIGH RISE?

Attention DTLA thrillseekers!  Want to rappel 25 stories down the side of building in Downtown Los Angeles?  Here’s you chance.  The charity Shatterproof is once again hosting the Shatterproof Challenge in DTLA.  To participate, you need to raise $1,000 to help the charity’s fight to end the stigma and suffering of those affected by drug and alcohol addiction, and then you get the experience of a lifetime (and Facebook and Instagram photos to prove it). 

GET FREE COCKTAILS AT THE MAY MIX-OFF BARTENDER COMPETITION AT JW MARRIOTT’S MIXING ROOM

The 2017 May Mix-Off is underway.  It kicked off last night at the Mixing Room in the lobby of the JW Marriott.  Top bartenders and mixologists from Los Angeles’ most notable bars, restaurants and lounges gather to compete in this annual event.  Round One was held last night, but don’t worry that you missed it.  Round Two will be held next Wednesday, May 17th and Round Three is set for Wednesday, May 24th.  The series

CLEO RESTAURANT SERVES UP AN AWESOME SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH A BUILD-YOUR-OWN BLOODY MARY BAR

It’s no secret that DTLAexplorer.com is a fan of Cleo restaurant in L.A. Live.  We just love the place.  Well, now there is another reason to love the place even more… Sunday Brunch!  Cleo serves up an awesome brunch menu that includes a make-you-own Bloody Mary bar, and they are only $10 each.  Yep, you get to create your own signature Bloody Mary and add your own combination of specialized ingredients.

Okay, now let’s talk about the food.  On Sundays there are seven Brunch Only items added to their menu and we almost tried them all.  We started with the Avocado Toast ($14) served with pickled beets.  It was good, but nothing compared to the parade of food that followed.

VAKA BURGERS WORKING ON DEAL TO OPEN UP RESTAURANT IN DTLA

Okay, I have some good news and some bad news.  First, the bad news… Vaka Burgers is closing up their Boyle Heights location, you know, the one inside the Ramirez Liquor store on Olympic Boulevard.  They will be out of the Boyle Heights space by the end of the month, and are moving to Whittier.  The new Whittier location will be inside a bar called Real McCoys. At the new location they will be selling beer and wine… and most important there will be more space to sit down and eat those amazing burgers.

WORK UP AN APPETITE BY WALKING TO LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK, THEN EAT AT NICK’S CAFE, A CLASSIC AMERICAN DINER IN DTLA

 

I’ve lived in DTLA for years, and I’ve driven past Nick’s Cafe on North Spring Street dozens of times, but I have never eaten there.  I guess it’s because Nick’s is on the very north end of DTLA, so it has always been a bit out of the way.  The other day we hoofed it up to the new Los Angeles State Historic Park and then popped in Nick’s for lunch.  I’m so glad we did.  The place is a true DTLA landmark.  It dates back to 1948 and referred to

DISTRICT RESTAURANT SERVES UP MOSCOW MULES ON DRAFT… AT A GREAT PRICE

Looking for a Moscow Mule cocktail in DTLA?  Head to District restaurant inside the Sheraton Hotel at The Bloc.  DTLAexplorer.com first told you about District back in 2015. District serves up Moscow Mules… on draft!  It’s a perfect blend of Russian Standard Vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime… and they are only $10 each.  Oh, and even better… during Happy Hour (everyday between 3pm and 7pm) they are only $6 each.  

PANINI CAFE OFFERS UP A FAMILY MEAL THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST DINNER DEALS IN DTLA

The other night my husband, a friend and I went to Panini Cafe on 8th and Hope Streets.  If you have not been there before, Panini is a Mediterranean restaurant with 13 locations across Southern California.  The DTLA location has an outside seating area that looks out toward Market Lofts and the Ralph’s supermarket.  The three of us were trying to decided what to order when we noticed the “Family Style Kabobs” advertisement next to the pepper and salt shakers.  For $29.95 you get three skewers of chicken and vegetables, Basmati rice or Bulgar pilaf, plus your choice of salads.  We decided to give it a try.

71ABOVE’S SKYLOUNGE IS PERFECT PLACE TO ENJOY GREAT FOOD AND DELICIOUS COCKTAILS WHILE TAKING IN THE SKYSPACE VIEW… FOR FREE

There’s an easy way to take in the same amazing views from the SkySpace observation level atop the US Bank Tower in DTLA without paying the $25 admission fee.  Bypass the Skyspace entrance, and instead head up to the 71Above restaurant’s SkyLounge.  Okay, you won’t get the full 360 degree views of Los Angeles that you get at SkySpace, and you won’t get access to the SkySpace attractions like the SkySlide, but you can take the $25 and buy a cocktail in the SkyLounge.

MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM IS A SELFIE LOVER’S PARADISE, BUT OTHERWISE IT’S A BIT DISAPPOINTING

 

The Museum of Ice Cream opened a few days ago in DTLA’s Arts District.  Although we love ice cream, we weren’t too impressed with our visit to the museum.  Yes, it was fun and we took a lot of photos, but it is not worth $29 for adults and $18 for kids/seniors.  Museum visitors go on a self-guided room-to-room tour of the museum. Each room has a different theme and many of the rooms have a museum guide that tells you a few facts about ice cream but that’s really it.  It’s all bright and colorful, but there is really no substance.