Thursday, May 7, 2009

#2 DELILAH BAKERY in Echo Park


Today, the foodie side is pining for a chance to tell you about a bakery in Echo Park called Delilah Bakery. Nestled in a Los Angeles enclave that was recently named one of “America’s Greatest Communities” by the American Planning Association, Delilah Bakery provides an experience far different from over-hyped specialty shops like Sprinkles Cupcakes or Famous Cupcakes. It is a small establishment with nary a room for tables and chairs inside, but the smell of their delicious sweet and savory treats extends far beyond the concrete walls that enclose the handful of bakers working there. Their menu is just as diverse as the population that surrounds them, and they even deliver to surrounding areas!

Some of their most notable concoctions come in the form of cupcakes, with the Red Velvet one arguably coming in at number 1. Topped with a generous helping of cream cheese frosting, this dense cupcake is as sinful as it is large, and that’s saying a lot! With $3.25, you can get your hands on the popular treat and experience heaven in cupcake form. Their creations aren’t ALL sweet, though. If you’re lucky enough to swing by the place during your lunch hour, you can savor some of their delicious sandwiches baked on fresh baguettes. Other notable items on the menu are their Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Cookie Crust, 7-Up Bundt Cake, and Peach or Blackberry Cobbler. From their Apple Crunch Pie to their Zucchini Muffins, the owner’s Southern influences are not hard to notice. It’s this kind of uniqueness that adds a special element to Delilah’s appeal, and many high-profile media outlets (including the LA Times) are included in their fan base. However, If you’re aching for Delilah Bakery, make sure you visit before the work day is over! Their hours are Wednesdays through Sundays from 7:30AM to 5:30PM.

In a city where nuance and small-scale is hard to find, it’s nice to know that Delilah Bakery is there to provide for the non-pretentious crowd. Add this destination to your next trip out to Los Angeles and you won’t be disappointed. Delilah Bakery is part of mySOUTHLAND and you should make it part of yours, too.

Delilah Bakery
1665 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA. 90026
213-975-9400
www.delilahbakery.com

#1 KOGI TRUCK



Turn any corner in Los Angeles and you’re bound to see a taco truck. Unassuming and redolent, these kitchens on wheels define the end-of-the-week, post-bar journey to sobriety. Menus are usually static: tacos, burritos, tortas, and quesadillas are normal fare for the casual taco truck patron…

…until the Kogi truck comes into the picture.

Adding a Korean twist to all of your Mexican staples, the Kogi (pronounced with a hard sounding G) truck is the newest “it” thing to hit L.A. since Lauren Conrad and Co. moved up from Orange County. Legions of supporters come from all over the southland to chase the buggy and order scrumptious burritos (with your choice of Korean BBQ beef, chicken, or tofu) quesadillas, sliders, and much more, all with a Korean flair. Plan to wait in line for awhile and make sure you bring your cash. The most expensive thing on the menu is $5.00, but you’ll definitely find yourself ordering more than you can handle.

Where do you find the truck, you ask? Well, there are two ways. Follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/kogibbq) or visit their website at http://kogibbq.com/ for a schedule of the week’s locations.

Who would have thought that kimchi and flour tortillas went so well together?

KOGI TWITTER: http://twitter.com/kogibbq
KOGI WEBSITE WITH TRUCK LOCATIONS AND MENUS: http://kogibbq.com/
ALIBI ROOM, THE BRAINS BEHIND THE KOGI: http://www.alibiroomla.com/


Alibi Room
12236 Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

Bar hours: 5:30 pm to 2 am
Monday - Saturday

Kogi Korean BBQ hours:
6 pm to 12 am
Monday - Saturday