Another in our series on Perspectives takes us Downtown where Attorney Justin Sarno spends a large portion of his time. Los Angeles has such a broad selection of tastes and styles that sharing some of what others appreciate hopefully inspires exploration. While most of our own time spent Downtown involves dinners with friends on weekends, Justin is Downtown pretty much every day. He’s been able to watch the rapid changes to the landscape and saw the progression of institutions like Eggslut from a food truck to their new restaurant in Grand Central Market. His perspective through a lens is stunning and his creative energy is inspiring which is why it felt fitting to ask for his take on some personal favorite haunts in this vast city.
When not lawyering he’s shooting fabulous photos on Instagram (which you should check out when you can…his feed was even featured as an official “Suggested User.”)
Here’s his take on 5 fabulous places to visit the next time you’re in Downtown L.A.!
HANDSOME COFFEE ROASTERS
Though the parking can be challenging due to the frequent array of production vehicles and film shoots on nearby streets, this corner location coffee house on Mateo St. in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles offers one of the finest daily cortados, lattes, and espressos in the city. Their branding is slick and clean, like the interior of the coffeehouse itself. It is a socially bustling location and serves as a curbside venue on the weekends for some of the finest food trucks that Los Angeles has to offer.
Info:
Handsome Coffee Roasters
582 Mateo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-9826
Twitter: @HandsomeRoaster
EGGSLUT
The name says it all, doesn’t it? If you want a greasy, unbelievably decadent egg sandwich, replete with the finest bacon, sausage, Tillamook cheddar, brioche buns, and other fine assortments, Eggslut has exactly what you’re looking for. They are located in the Grand Central Market in Downtown, Los Angeles, and owners Alvin Cailan and Jeff Vales often surprise their guests with new and delightful egg concoctions. Their signature dish is called “Thee Slut,” a coddled egg atop a smooth potato puree poached in a glass jar. Though the lines are long on weekends, this place is a must.
Info:
Eggslut
317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Inside Grand Central Market – Stall D-1
(Located on the Broadway side of the market)
Twitter: @EggSlutLA
POUR HAUS
Pour Haus offers a quaint retreat for those looking to have a glass of wine in the Arts District. Nestled comfortably on Industrial Street, Pour Haus features a small exterior patio that smells of jasmine and other fine plants. The large collection of board games and card games inside is a nice touch. The staff is delightful and informative, and they open early if you enjoy having a glass of wine during the early hours of the day.
Info:
Pour Haus
1820 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 327-0304
Twitter: @PourHaus
GUERILLA TACOS
Guerrilla Tacos redefines your notion of a taco. Once operating as a streetside taco stand, they now operate out of a large blue food truck. They are parked in front of Handsome Coffee Roasters on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, and they run out of ingredients fast, so arrive early. Each of their tacos is, quite literally, an explosion of flavor, filled with the finest ingredients one could expect. These things are so damn good, you are best served by ordering one of everything on the menu.
Info:
Guerilla Tacos
Twitter: @guerrillatacos
BREAD LOUNGE
Bread Lounge defines itself as a contemporary artisanal bakery, and wow, do they deliver. Their assortment of breads, croissants, pastries, and sandwiches are delightful and addictive. Even more alluring about the Bread Lounge is that it’s rather difficult to locate, making you feel like you’ve unearthed something secretive. Well, the secret is out. They are compounded on the corner of 7th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in the Downtown Arts District. Once you find your way inside, look out for the incomparable smell of baked bread.
Info:
Bread Lounge
700 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90021
(213) 327-0782
Twitter: @breadlounge
Photos by: Justin Reade Sarno
