Falafel Express

After getting a much needed haircut at L.A. Barber College I went to Falafel Express on my way home. I was looking forward to the opening of this restaurant. I was glad that I would be able to walk rather than drive to Zankou Chicken to get my chicken Shawarma on. I had some high expectations and I was greatly disappointed.






I ordered the Chicken Shawarma plate at $11.50.
It came with three salads/dips, I had the humus dip, avocado dip, and the marinated eggplant. The chicken was beyond dry. It was chewy and way overcooked. The salads were fresh and were pretty good. The humus was not that great, it really lacked flavor. I also bought a drink for $1.50, which comes out to $13.00. I am willing to give them a second chance and try the falafel. For now, I will be driving to Zankou Chicken to get my chicken Shawarma on.

Falafel Express
433 S. Spring Street
213-489-2999
Open Mon-Fri 7AM-5PM Sat & Sun Closed
Free wifi

Earthquake!! Drop!!

There are times when I don't like being a teacher especially during an earthquake. I was teaching a 3rd grade summer school class. We felt the rolling, then I yelled drop and the students quickly went under their desk. A number of students started to cry, while others thought it was fun. We evacuated quickly and school was dismissed. I found everything in my loft exactly where I left it with the exception of an open window that wasn't open when I went to work. Not sure what is better, teaching at school during an earthquake or being in my 100 year old concrete building.

A Look at SB Main & SB Spring

Outside the windows of my loft I've been watching the SB Spring and SB Main buildings slowly come together. SB Main looks as if it is almost done. SB Spring, by the looks of the exterior has a little ways to go. SB main will have 220 units, SB Spring will have 195 units. These buildings show amazing potential as far as activating yet another corner in downtown. With available ground floor retail, it is exciting to think about the potential. I contacted the leasing office at SB Manhattan to see if they had information. Both buildings will be available as rentals and the expected completion date will be by the end of this year. I just hope the interiors are up to par. SB Grand and the Higgins building interiors, well , lets say, not to my liking. While the SB Manhattan and SB Lofts building interiors were a step up.



There were some odd choices for the exteriors though, for example:
This SB Spring sign is terrible, especially on a historic bank building. I don't see why they have to have the "name" on the building, its not even the original name of the building. Also, the painting of the original stone is a cheap way to avoid cleaning the damn building, its just lazy.














Here is another example of the lame signs on the SB Main. Why does Shy Barry, or Barry Shy, have a need to name his buildings, ego? The water falling is not rain, but water falling from a crew cleaning the outside of the building on the upper floors. Also, the stone was lazily painted over as well.











There are some pretty cool details like the one on the left on the SB Main building.
















Crews power washing the exterior of the SB Main building.












Here is a picture that I took with my iPhone a few months back when they started painting the street level stone. Instead of cleaning the granite at the base of the building they painted it. They didn't even bother cleaning it before painting it, this paint is going to chip easily. Another lazy way to finish a building.












I am glad to see these buildings rehabbed. Even though these may be Barry Shy buildings, it is just nice to see that people will be living there. There have been many problems in the past and many horror stories (Bartlett anyone?), but Barry Shy's last two buildings (SB Manhattan, SB Lofts) have seen less problems. Two more new buildings rehabbed in downtown, many more to go.

More photos at inLAonLA's flickr page

Lot 44

Last Sunday I finally paid a visit to Lot 44 on Spring and 3rd. I read many reviews of the coffee shop, some favorable, some not so favorable. One of the reviews that I read stated the service was not so good. I have nothing but good things to say about the service when I was there. The cashier was attentive and the barista knew her stuff. We ordered a couple of drinks, a 16 oz. caramel latte, a 16 oz. blended drink (can't remember which one), and a piece of carrot cake. It all came out to 13 bucks. A little expensive but not too bad. The latte was great, it got me wired, exactly what I intended it to do. My partner had the blended drink and he said it wasn't too sweet and he enjoyed it. The carrot cake was pretty good as well. The decor was minimal and clean, which I liked. As far as the wifi, I had no problem accessing the internet on my iPhone, and it wasn't slow, I guessed they worked out the problem they were having. Also, the cashier knew what the T-shirt I was wearing meant, which was a Pretty Girls Make Graves shirt. All in all I be visiting Lot 44 again...

6th Street Bar & Grill

After reading a review of the 6th Street Bar & Grill in the latest Downtown News, I decided to go and try out a burger. When I arrived, around 4:00 PM on a Wednesday the place was empty. The Downtown News restaurant review said that the service was not that great and it took a while for the food to be prepared. This was not the case this afternoon. I was promptly seated and I ordered my burger. 10 minutes later my burger was ready.


I ordered the Western Burger and it was satisfying. The bacon was well cooked and the meat portion was just right. The only problem I had with it is that I didn't really taste the BBQ sauce. The fries tasted fresh and all in all I enjoyed it and recommend it. The price came out to a total of $10.65 with drink, and they have ample parking! They also have free WiFi..

Sixth Street Bar & Grill
601 S. Central Ave.
213-622-9004

REO @ Skylofts

Details:

1443 Sq. ft. (PropertyShark.com says: 1320 Sq. ft.)
$650,000
HOA: $670
2 Bed/2 Bath



Details from Realtor:
801 S Grand Ave #1501, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Area: (23) Metropolitan
Amazing Live/Work loft ,southwest corner unit facing Staples with amazing views. Full service building with doorman, gym, screening room. Two parking spaces side by side. This is a great deal. Unit 1301 is listed for $908,000 now. If you are buying to rent out, you can get $3000 or more. I just rented 1401 for $3,000. Hurry, wont last.

Ink and Weneez...

About a week ago I had to print something and my printer was out of ink. So I went to the Inks and Toner place on 6th and Spring to refill my ink cartridges. It was going to be $9 to fill the cartridge, but there was a 15 minute wait. I decided to get a quick bite at Weeneez at 5th and Spring and I really did regret it. I arrived at Weeneez and ordered my hot dog and while I was ordering there was a cockroach on the counter. It didn't bother me much and I let the person behind the counter know about it and he wiped it off . I still ordered and enjoyed my hot dog. But after a while there were quite a few flies in the restaurant. I am not talking 2 or 3, but more like 6 flies hovering around my food. To top it off a guy came in and was ordering a burger or something and then an argument ensued between the guy and the manager. They were yelling at each other. So the cockroaches, flies, and yelling, it wasn't a pleasant experience and that is probably the last time I visit Weeneez again.