If you sneeze you will miss MY TWO CENTS by Leena Deneroff

Hungry and need to rest your weary feet after a jaunt at LACMA, the La Brea Tarpits or the Peterson Museum?  Feel like being an Urban Explorer?  Then follow me folks and we are on our way to some amazing modern soul comfort food.

 

If you sneeze, you will miss this place and that is something you do NOT want to do.  Tucked away in a mini-mall on Pico and Curson, you will find this little gem My Two Cents.  They are now coining this hood Wilshire Vista and lots of cool independent shops, cafes, and bakeries are beginning to emerge.  Allow yourself to explore East on Pico after you chow down and don’t miss brainworkshome.com .

But let me not digress!

Chef, and I do mean chef, Alisa Reynolds has hauled her butt back to LA  from NY to partner with her sister, Theresa Fountain, in this  cozy, fabulous food spot.  If you are looking for a place to call “home away from home’” this is it folks!  When Chef Alisa gets wind that it is your first time and she can break away from the line, she comes out and greets you saying “First Timer!”, in her robust ,cheerful voice and clanging whatever she can get her hands on.  And if you are as lucky, as we were, you might get some FREE FOOD, which is always my fave.  Now that’s what I call good hospitality.

So what do you eat here?  Or maybe I should say what don’t you eat here?

I must admit I have not yet eaten my way through the menu, but I’m on my way. I gotta watch my cholesterol so I went for the fried catfish, which is really pan sautéed, rolled in mulled cornmeal, no fillers.  All the fish is sustainably sourced, the chicken is organic and the meats are local and natural.

I went for the sweet potato pecan crumble and braised greens  as my sides, both of which are VEGAN.  The sweet potatoes are roasted with coconut, pecans and vegan butter.

I did bite into my friends fried, really fried chicken, drizzled with  bar-b-q sauce. I don’t know what she coated that little bird in, but my oh my.  Get some grits on the side here and you have died and gone to heaven.

My eyes then ate the fried oyster Po' Boy which the guy next to me was devouring .  I must admit, I could never eat it solo and it seemed to be no problem for him. I can promise you this, girl scouts honor, next time that puppy is a special on the board I’m in.

Should we or shouldn’t we go all the way?  Oh what the heck. Bring on the homemade peach cobbler, with 3 forks and let’s go girls.  All desserts are made daily by Theresa so be prepared to pig out.
 

All this coupled with BYOB and laughs and hugs from Chef Alisa make this a go to and go to again and again kind of place.

 

My Two Cents

5583 Pico Blvd

LA CA 90019
my2centsla@gmail.com
323-938-1012

Service Hours:

WED.THURS 12- 4:30 and 6-9  FRI.SAT 12-4:30 and 6-10

SUNDAY kickass BRUNCH 11-4  $15.00

SUNDAY 6-9 Grits N Gumbo Night $18.00 with LIVE DJ

Plan your visit find out What's Going On Nearby

 

Dia de los Muertos Comes to Life at 24th STreet Theatre by M.R. Hunter

For well over a decade, Debbie Devine and her husband, Jay McAdams of 24^th STreet Theatre have been making the Day of the Dead come to life at their theater. Located Downtown, near USC, just off the 10-Freeway, Dia de los Muertos is one of their annual events that literally stops traffic with its free block party featuring live music with this year being headlined by Louie Cruz Beltran and his Latin Jazz Orchestra. While the theater is open to the public, the main attractions are in the parking lot across the street with food vendors, face painting in the traditional calaveras makeup, (black-ringed eyes set in a white face), and arts and crafts featuring bright flowers (luminarias) and painted sugar skulls.

One of the most popular activities is the graveyard where visitors can paint on a cross to memorialize loved ones. Meeting McAdams in preparation for this event, he described how the community comes together in this special day of remembrance. He recalled one year in particular when he saw a couple sit down beside gang members working on a cross of their own. The couple painted a memorial to their child while the gang members made a tribute to their friend who had been shot earlier that year. Neither party disturbed the other. McAdams says both were able to share and experience their grief in a creative but respectful way. The graveyard becomes a colorful backdrop to the festivities and is a favorite of the event.

Artistic Director, Devine realized there was a need for this holiday to be observed in their neighborhood when as she was striking a set on Oct. 31, she saw how much the streets came to life. At first, 24^th STreet Theatre recognized Halloween with the traditional spooky psychics, candy and costumes until she realized the holiday that needed to being recognized was actually Dia de los Muertos, and soon a tradition at the theater was born. All these years later, families from all over the area come to celebrate and take part in the free festivities which keeps growing and drawing a bigger crowd and notable performers each year.

Make Dia de los Muertos extra memorable by being a part of a tradition at 24^th STreet Theatre.

Sunday, Nov. 2 from 6 – 10 p.m.
24th STreet Theatre
1117 West 24th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 745-6516 or www.24thstreet.org
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/24thST
Follow us on Twitter: @24thST
Hashtag: #24thDDLM
ADMISSION: FREE

Vince’s Spaghetti Ontario, CA, 2014 by Charles Phoenix

The spaghetti of our lives! My fave is served at Vince's in my hometown of Ontario, CA. Vince's is the world's largest spaghetti restaurant. Homespun and family run, since 1945. Talk about hometown pride! I've been enjoying the spaghetti dining experience there for as long as I can remember.

Eyestrology: Happy Birthday Scorpio!

For the month of 10/22/14-11/22/14

Happy birthday to these celebrity October Scorpions: Christopher Lloyd (10/22), Ryan Reynolds (10/23), Kevin Kline (10/24), Katy Perry (10/25), Seth MacFarlane (10/26), Kelly Osbourne (10/27), Bill Gates (10/28), Gabrielle Union (10/29), Henry Winkler (10/30), Willow Smith (10/31)

Celebrity November Scorpions: Anthony Kiedis (11/1), Nelly (11/2), Roseanne (11/3), Sean Diddy Combs (11/4), Kris Jenner (11/5), Sally Field (11/6), Lorde (11/7), Gordon Ramsay (11/8), Eric Dane (11/9), Tracy Morgan (11/10), Leonardo DiCaprio (11/11), Anne Hathaway (11/12), Whoopi Goldberg (11/13), Josh Duhamel (11/14), Jonny Lee Miller (11/15), Lisa Bonet (11/16), Rachel McAdams (11/17), Owen Wilson (11/18), Jodie Foster (11/19), Joe Biden (11/20), Goldie Hawn (11/21), Scarlett Johansson (11/22)

Following Mercury's Retrograde, most signs will be very active professionally and socially. This is a good time to prioritize goals and readjust plans. Don't be surprised by flashes of insight or light bulb moments that can suddenly illuminate a problem with a handy solution. Dreams or omens can be fortuitous now so long as we pay attention. Earth and Water signs will enjoy bouts of good luck while Air and Fire should be focused on creating their own luck. This can be a very prosperous period with a bit of tenacity. Be willing to work hard and see great results!

Theme Building, LAX, 1961 by Charles Phoenix

The Theme Building rocks my world, always and without fail. Nothing reaches out and says, "Yooou've arriiived" in Los Angeles quite like this iconic, sci-fi styled superstar.

In 1961, it gracefully landed on earth as the centerpiece and crowning touch of the ultra modern jet-age expansion of LAX.  Much more than just an airport accessory, the space age structure houses a non-revolving, but helluva-view restaurant, and up top there's an observation deck with an even better view. Who knew?

CHRIS’ & PITT’S AT DUSK, BELLFLOWER, SOCAL

There’s something interesting around every corner, no matter where u go.

And the corner of Bellflower and Artesia Blvds, is no exception. For it is there that, snuggled in the vast sea of suburbia, sits one SoCal’s most precious places. Chris’ & Pitt’s BBQ. This Bellflower beauty isn’t just any old BBQ joint, oh NO! ‘Tis the greatest streamline, modern. faux log cabin BBQ diner joint on the planet.

 

This sensational showstopper has been serving up mouthwatering meats since 1949. I’m not sure when it got lavished with that spellbindingly brilliant log cabin coat of paint. Whenever it was, this is faux painting fabulousness like I’ve never seen before. Not to mention, that well lit, wrap-around signage, the pair of red wagon wheels, all those turquoise scalloped window frames, and that gorgeous glittering neon sign. The overall color theory is genius, too.

All that and ham, beef, pork and ribs too. What, specials for $9.95? That’s a small price to pay for this delicious piece of history. No matter how you slice it, Chris’ & Pitt’s Bellflower is priceless. Long may it stand! Now, please pass the BBQ sauce!

 

BTW, this charmer and dozens of SoCals other underrated, unknown and misunderstood architectural gems and jewels, will be celebrated like they never have been before in my ARCHITECTURE IN LOS ANGELES – Live Slide Show Performance

Sunday, Oct 12

in Los Angeles

 

CLICK FOR TIX AND MORE INFO

 

Think: Lost and Found Mid-Century Mod, Tiki, Googie, Theme Parks And Much More!

 

This one-night only show is your past and present guide to SoCal’s classic and kitschy drive-ins, coffee shops, supermarkets, bowling alleys, shopping centers, extreme houses, dingbat apartments, fast food stands, amusement parks, themed environments and more all in glorious color !!! … Be prepared for your local pride to swell!

 

Here’s to Chris’ & Pitt’s and YOU!

Charles Phoenix

Eyestrology: Happy Birthday Libra! by Cici Psy-Chic

For the month of 9/22/14-10/22/14

Happy birthday to these celebrity September Librans: Andrea Bocelli (9/22), Bruce Springsteen (9/23), Jackie Sandler (9/24), Will Smith (9/25), Olivia Newton John (9/26), Lil Wayne (9/27), Hilary Duff (9/28), Jerry Lee Lewis (9/29), Fran Drescher (9/30)

Celebrity October Librans: Julie Andrews (10/1), Sting (10/2), Gwen Stefani (10/3), Alicia Silverstone (10/4), Kate Winslet (10/5), Amy Jo Johnson (10/6), Simon Cowell (10/7), Bruno Mars (10/8), Scotty McCreery (10/9), Mario Lopez (10/10), Emily Deschanel (10/11), Hugh Jackman (10/12), Ashanti (10/13), Ralph Lauren (10/14), Penny Marshall (10/15), John Mayer (10/16), Eminem (10/17), Zac Efron (10/18), Michael Gambon (10/19), Snoop Dogg (10/20), Carrie Fisher (10/21), Christopher Lloyd (10/22)

The next few weeks will see most signs reviewing their goals and making shifts to their plans. This can be an illuminating period of insight, fortitude and faith. While Air and Earth signs will do best staying in, Water and Fire should be going out and about town. There's an uptick in energy for meeting new acquaintances and potential romantic partners in random, unexpected ways. The need to share our time and energy with others can reconnect old friendships or old flames. We should make an effort to go to fun events with a good pal. Two is one better so play better.