that yarn store

Having promised a childhood friend we'd learn to knit together as my bday gift to her, (that's right - we're 30 going on 70!), I went on a hunt to find the perfect yarn shop for our hot hooking adventure. It turns out there are plenty of shops all around town, and they each offer classes and sell yarn of some sort or another, but when I stumbled across the website for That Yarn Store on Eagle Rock Blvd., I knew I'd found the spot.

This is a mom and pop shop - recently relocated from a store front around the corner on Colorado - staffed and run entirely by family. Everything about this place is comfy and homey, from the handwritten notes on the door describing new groups and events, the decor (it's set up like a cozy living room with rocking chairs, sofas and an ample coffee table covered with snacks), the music (it was some indy electro jazz while we were there), and most especially, the people.

A couple of months ago I thought it would be relaxing for me to take up knitting, but after a futile attempt at learning, all I wanted to do was stab someone with my knitting needles. When we arrived, a very friendly barefooted guy welcomed us to the shop and let us know his wife, Frannie, would be back soon to teach us to knit (evidently, he was more of the crocheting type). That was when I knew we'd found the right spot :)

Frannie was the sweetest thing and had the patience of a saint. She sat us down and handed us each a pair of shiny #9 bamboo needles and a little ball of tan yarn. Before we knew it, we'd mastered the art of casting on and were slowly, but surely, knitting rows. We hung out chatteing and practicing our stitches, and before we knew it, three hours had passed, and what do you know, we were knitting!

For those of you who know your stuff, they have an ample collection of books and lending library, plenty of yarns (like fine wool, alpaca and yak - none of that acrylic junk) and needles for just about any knit or crochet project as well as a laundry list of different classes, groups and special events. For everyone else, there are classes for beginners on Saturdays at 2p and Tuesdays at 7p, but we discovered they're happy to start you a little early (or, in our case) a little late if need be. Our impromptu class was just $15 plus $5 for our needles and starter yarn. All they ask is that you buy your supplies there, which is perfectly reasonable given the beautiful and colorful selection. Now I'm hoping the skein of wine hued wool I picked up will mystically turn itself into a scarf!

lily simone

What a gift it was to happen upon this beautiful boutique! Former stylist Simone Porter opened the mid-century modern shop dedicated to small labels on Eagle Rock Blvd. almost 4 years ago. More recently, the space has been divided into both a clothing and home accessories shop.

In the clothing section you'll find labels such as Grey Ant, Ella Moss, Splendid, Kush Cush and Kenneth Lane jewelry. There's also a lovely selection of shoes, wallets and everything else a girl could ask for - including pretty glass jars of old fashioned candy sold for a buck a scoop. You may also spy Simone's lil pup Lily curled up on one of the chairs. This time of year, there were beautiful knits, wraps, and a couple of stunning party dresses in worsted wool - all at reasonable price points. My resistance worn down by the soothing tunes playing and the cotton candy pink walls, I picked up a dainty gold bamboo inspired bangle I want to wear with everything.


In the home accessories area we found all sorts of holiday baubles and ornaments, stylish textiles, vintage furnishings (including a fabulous chandelier), divine candles, and some very cool miniaturized stag's heads I had to pry myself away from.

Better than just a beautiful place with beautiful things, everyone who works here makes it a pleasure to visit. No pushy Westside salesgirls and no too cool for school Eastside hipsters. Hell, I almost forgot I was in LA!

Everything about Lily Simone is a grown up gal's candy shop, and no matter what your style or taste, there's something here for everyone.

Do yourself a favor and add this one to your holiday shopping list, even if it's just to sneak away and pick a couple of things up for the most important person on it - you.

Tip: Stop by on Tax Free Tuesday or flash your Oxy student id for a nice discount.

taco spot

Is there anything better than walking around your home town and discovering some place you haven't been? I think not! So when we took off up the block in search of some lunch and spied the Taco Spot sign, I was already a happy camper. One look at the (very hip in design) nuevo Mexican menu (read: soyrizo's an option with your tofu burrito), and I was sold.

Regardless of whether you're eating in or taking out, you order at the counter (almost suspiciously) manned by cute boys, and get a number before checking out the well equipped salsa bar. There's definitely an alt vibe here, but that doesn't mean you won't find the classics including sopes, chile relleno, tampiquena, and my favorite naughty breakfast, spicy rojo chilaquiles. More unusual than a soy enchilada - healthy options. If you want to keep it light, the fajita salad topped with cotija cheese and some garlic bread is a tasty option. If you're looking to keep it simple, they've got you covered with the selection of tacos - ahi, papa, asada, machaca, pastor, and old school, hard shelled, ground beef all served up with rice and (refried or black) beans to name a few. Everything on the menu is under $10. Yum, yum.

the british invasion arrives in la: fresh & easy

Considering I live with a homesick Brit, we've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the UK grocery giant, Tesco's, since we first heard they were setting up shop with a brand in the states more than a year ago. Today the first wave of the British invasion arrived with the grand opening of their first six CA stores. The prospect of having a local British grocer was almost too much to bear, so as soon as we could, we hopped in the car and headed east to check out the Eagle Rock store.

What you may fondly remember as the 70's Lucky's on Eagle Rock & El Paso (as I do, from early grocery trips there with my uncle in his big white Caddy), is now a bright beacon of northeast LA gentrification.

As one would expect on opening day, the parking lot was a bit of a zoo, but they had the good sense to have some very helpful attendants on hand. A bit smaller than your average chain grocery, the shop felt like the love child of Ralph's and Trader Joe. Though there weren't many of the Brit food items we were hoping to find, the store boasts a wonderful selection of fresh and packaged foods, primarily carrying the Fresh & Easy and From Our Kitchen labels, simply packaged and at great prices.

Produce was presented in neat bins, bagged and boxed in pretty value packs. The same was the case for the pantry and baked items including some tasty cakes and fresh breads. Though they don't market themselves in the way Whole Foods does, I did notice a good number of items were organic and/or all natural. The bargain priced $1.79 large, free range, brown eggs from "hens housed in an area where they are free to run, play and nest on a diet free of antibiotics and hormones" were a nod in that direction. Same was the case with many of their meats, including the (delicious out of the broiler) beef and pepper kebabs with no added hormones or antibiotics. From what I hear, they're also introducing an entire green fleet of freight trucks.

A distinctly British element was evident if you looked for it - features on watercress and arugula (rocket in the UK), goat's milk yogurt, puddings and mini-cakes, Indian takeaway frozen dinners, English cheese, and, the holy grail of Brit shopping in LA - UNCURED BRITISH BACK BACON. That's right. They carry fresh rashers. Albeit on the thin side, at $4.99 a pack, we could hardly contain ourselves and did a little dance in the aisle before stocking up!

Fresh & Easy execs were amongst the crowd, clucking about like the nervous hens laying their eggs, straightening up displays and making sure every bit of the nest was in order. It wasn't hard to pick them out of the crowd, especially given the Union Jack belt one was wearing. Another told us bringing in the British Brand Bacon was a risk they almost didn't take, but said it had been flying off the shelves with all the ex-pats coming in. She suggested we try a couple of her favorites - the Tomato Basil Soup and Blue Corn & Chili Lime Crackers. (I'd buy both again). In keeping with their mantra to "listen to the customer" we were encouraged to go online and leave a list of items we'd like to see in the future.

Unlike TJ's, this is a one stop shop for all of the necessary evils - they carry everything from Tide detergent and Axe deodorant, to Coke and Pepsi. Small sections of seasonal wrapping paper in the back and greeting cards in the front seemed like a bit of an afterthought in comparison to the rest of the store, but they were enough to meet any last minute emergency needs and I imagine they'll fill out as the store settles in.

Move over two buck Chuck. There may not be much of a wine section to speak of here, but they do sell Big Kahuna Shiraz for $1.99.

Checking out was a bit of a surprise. All of the check out lanes are self-serve. You can scan your own items, swipe your card to pay, bag and go. No coupons, no club cards, no nonsense. On the way out they thanked us for shopping and handed us a reusable shopping bag to use on future trips, along with a coupon for $6 off our next visit. Not too shabby.

All in all, this was a five star shopping experience - a well laid out and aesthetically pleasing space (wide aisles, high ceilings and polished concrete floors), quality foods, good selection, tremendous value (we left with five bags of groceries for $75!), and friendly service. And, of course, British bacon! We'll definitely be back.

Keep an eye out for the next wave of stores opening in the coming months, including one on the west side at Hollywood & Sycamore.

Want more? For a Brit's perspective on all this, check out Beer's review.

4211 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90065

(323) 255-1113

chalet

Deja vu sets in for me here since this used to be the location of the old Tophat - a serious dive bar where I was able to get away with a little underage drinking way back in the day.

The exterior hasn't changed much - dark and nondescript - but the interior has been beautifully reinterpreted. It's a well sized (not too big, not too small) space with a long bar and couple of tables on one side, and comfy dark leather booths and banquettes along the other. The walls are stacked masonry (reminiscent of the redo at The Lodge), decked with some vintage flea shop-esque paintings of woodland scenery. Arts and crafts style light fixtures dotting the surround dimly light everything to that perfect, 'don't we all look lovely', hue. In short, it's modern cabin cozy.

Another plus is the alt-eclectic jukebox. Def worth the price of admission. While the bartender was easy on the eyes, and the drinks are easy on the wallet, they weren't so easy on the palette. She could use a few more lessons in mixology, so one star off to that.

All in all, great bar - and in such a random locale, Eagle Rock - I'll be back.

Somehow, The Chalet has yet to be overrun by west side wankers or insufferable east side hipsters, so hurry up and get there before they do!

1630 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 258-8800

Photo courtesy of Kevin K.

shambhala

Who knew the path to enlightenment was in Eagle Rock? This is another one of the city's little known gems. The Center offers all sorts of instruction and courses on everything from art to sex and relationships.

Obviously, the big focus here is meditation. They offer meditation instruction a couple of weeknight evenings and Sunday mornings for FREE. That's right boys and girls, no excuses. You can go here for a great group experience that's open (and suitable) for everyone from the novice to the advanced. What better way to unwind from work and life?

If you're not so sure about jumping into the meditation thing but want to check out the Center and learn a thing or two, they also offer a Thursday night public program (also FREE though donations are gratefully accepted) which focuses on different topics with various instructors (check their website for a complete schedule).

The space is great and the people at the Center are pretty wonderful too. It's a great way to get a taste of Eastern philosophy without feeling like someone may try to enlist you in a cult. If you haven't been, this should be on your "must do" list.

Check out http://la.shambhala.org for more info.

963 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 255-5472

galco's soda pop stop

When I was a kid, this is where we'd go to pick-up old school Italian style deli sandwiches and treats. Hell, come to think of it, this is where my parents went when THEY were kids. Back then, mom and pop Galco were still behind the counter making everything to order. Nowadays, their son has taken up the cause, maximizing on their unbelievable selection of hard to find sodas and brews. (Yes, they sell beer from around the world, too, in the back by the deli counter).

They have every beverage you can imagine here and more. The small batch Mint Julep Soda will get me to schlep across town any day. On my last visit, Beer challenged me to pick up some Dandelion & Burdock soda he hadn't had since he was a kid in the UK. A shock to him, but no surprise to me, they had it! - along with Shandy, Victorian Lemonade and Ginger Beer all from the same 100+ year old bottler, Fentiman's. Every month or two, they bring in something new - this month, it's Nesbitt's California Strawberry Soda - and they're always happy to fill a special request when they can.

If you can't make it out to lovely Beagle Cock (ooops, did I say that?), they've got a great website which will show you what's in stock, new arrivals, complete product lists, online orders, and even classic drink recipes (ever wonder how to make a Purple Cow or a Muddy River?) at www.sodapopstop.com

Even if you've never heard of Eagle Rock, you'll want to break out your Thomas Guide to get to Galco's. This place has been around in the same location for a lot longer than I've been around (you do the math.. that's a hell of a long time).

Tip: Buy a case. They'll give you a nice discount when you do. Don't miss their classic candy selection. And, if you're in the store, make sure you grab one of their amazing dip sandwiches while you're browsing around. They still have the old deli counter in the back of store and the prices are as old school as everything else here.

5702 York Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 255-7115