TAKE A PEEK AT THE RENOVATIONS INSIDE THE WALKER & EISEN ART DECO BUILDING AT 537 BROADWAY IN DTLA

I have marveled at the potential of the art deco building at 537 Broadway many times, so when I got the opportunity to take a look inside it, I was elated.  The 6-story building was designed by Eisen & Walker, the architects behind DTLA’s Fine Arts Building, Oviatt Building and the building that is the current home of the Freehand Hotel. 

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SPRING STREET SMOKE HOUSE WILL SATISFY YOUR CRAVING FOR BAR-B-QUE

If you are craving bar-b-que in DTLA, you need to head straight to Spring Street Smoke House, but bring your appetite because they are going to serve you up a ton of delicious food.  My husband and I finally got to try this place a few days ago, and I’m still full.  The restaurant has sort of a biker vibe, but the place was filled with a mix of customers.  It’s quite casual with relaxed friendly service.  The menu gives you a lot of

BRAVO TO BREVA, THE NEW RESTAURANT INSIDE THE NEWLY RENOVATED HOTEL FIGUEROA

After a long renovation, Hotel Figueroa is back open for business. If you have not peeked into the lobby, you need to.  The place looks great.  Part of the massive transformation of the hotel was the addition of the lobby restaurant called Breva.  We check it out the other night… and say “Bravo to Breva.”  Breva’s menu is influenced by the hotel’s Spanish architecture and design.  The food is described as Western Mediterranean cuisine that

FREEHAND’S DTLA RESTAURANT THE EXCHANGE SERVES UP A BLOODY MARY WITH CARROT MOLE DURING BRUNCH

Okay, you had me at Bloody Mary, but then add something to it that I have never tried before… and I’m so in.  That was the case during a recent brunch at The Exchange, the restaurant inside the Freehand Hotel.  The brunch menu offers up The Exchange Bloody Mary ($12) made with their signature Bloody Mary… and wait for it… a side serving of

SWEETGREEN OFFERS UP A HEALTHY OPTION FOR LUNCH IN DTLA

If you are looking for somewhere to grab a healthy lunch (or dinner) in DTLA, head straight to SweetGreen in the base of the Cal Edison Building at 5th and Grand.   My husband and I stopped in SweetGreen a few weeks ago, and the people who work there could not be nicer.  All their salads and bowls are made to order.  You can create your own from their many options of fresh ingredients or you can order one of their signature salads. 

ANATRA RESTAURANT SERVES UP THE BEST GNOCCHI EVER AND MORE DELICIOUS NORTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE IN DTLA’S FASHION DISTRICT

If you are looking for a some delicious Italian food, you need to check out Anatra.  It’s located on East 8th Street (yes, east of Main Street) at Santee Street in the Fashion District.  And yes, the restaurant is a bit ahead of the neighborhood, but isn’t that why we love Downtown?  They have done a really nice job of creating a beautiful space.

CAPITAL ONE CAFE SET TO OPEN IN DTLA ON MAY 9TH

DTLA is getting a Capital One Café.  There are already Capital One Cafes in Glendale, Santa Monica and Westwood.  The new DTLA location is at 8th and Grand Avenue across from Whole Foods.  It is scheduled to open on May 9th.  If you are like me, you have no idea what a Capital One Café is all about.  Well, it’s apparently a new relaxed way of

QWENCH JUICE BAR IS TAKING OVER THE FORMER GRESESCENT ICE CREAM SPOT

Gresescent Ice Cream was only open for business for about a year at 9th and Olive in retail space of the Level Living building.  The space has been empty for months, but now we know what’s moving in… according to the sign in the window it will be Qwench Juice Bar.  There are already three other Qwench locations in DTLA.  One of them is just blocks away at 9th and Flower, and another is about to open inside the Bloc shopping complex on 7th Street.  The third DTLA Qwench in the L.A. City Mall by Los Angeles City Hall. 

CASSELL’S HAMBURGERS IS TAKING OVER THE FORMER PELLICOLA PIZZERIA SPACE

Are you craving a Cassell’s Hamburger from the classic American diner/restaurant in the Normandie Hotel in Koreatown? Well, in a few weeks you won’t have to leave Downtown can enjoy Cassell’s classic food.  According to Eater LA, Cassell’s is coming to DTLA. Cassell’s is taking over the former Pellicola Pizzaria in Hotel Bristol on 8th Street.  Work is already underway transforming the space next to the Golden Gopher.  You will

TIRSA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT IS HOSTING FIRST FIESTA BRUNCH ON APRIL 8TH

What are you doing Sunday?  Well, if you don’t have plans yet, you do now… and if you already have plans, you need to change them.  Tirsa’s Mexican restaurant is hosting its first Dia De Tirsa’s Fiesta Brunch on Sunday, April 8th from 11am to 5pm.  The special brunch menu will be served 11am to 3pm, and lunch will be served all day.