July 30, 2016

It Isn’t Easy Being Hip

A friend suggested lunch in the Downtown L.A.
Arts District at an interesting cafe newly
installed in a quarter-mile-long, still-pretty-
recent blunder that will surely destroy hipsterville,
say some.

Or the cafe is newly installed in an
architectural wonder that will surely be
the savior of an area completely lacking
in design imagination, say others.

Verdict seems to be leaning toward: Poorly
conceived for its environment, as illustrated
by occupancy rate and lack of foot traffic to
the cunning ground floor shops that would look
right at home in the Haight in San Francisco,
or SoHo in New York, and which include a very
precious urban grocery store.

“Like a fancy 7-Eleven,” said my friend, opening
the grocery door. She is a downtown supporter and
District resident for decades. (The woman has stamina.)

Later, in response to my thanks-for-the-treat email
she queried:

Find any fodder today for your blog?

Not sure, I wrote.

She promptly replied:

Fodder? How about paying almost four dollars
for one sweet potato in a mega million dollar
complex with less than a dozen other people
there and a tied-up dog howling in the background?

WTF is that?

Tags: Even the most committed booster can have
an off day.
The food was inventive and delish.
The sweet potato was harvested perfection.