I was invited to attend Taste of the Eastside, which I sadly had to miss last year. The whole shebang took place last Sunday at Barnsdall Park in Los Feliz. I got there right on time, so I was able to try everything relatively unmolested. Here are some of the things I tried. Those up there? Pavlovas with blackberry and lemon meyer preserves from Atwater Village’s Proof Bakery.
Here’s the rest:
Conchinita pibil taco from Yuca’s in Los Feliz. Very tender.
Buffalo-style cauliflower with vegan blue cheese from Mohawk Bend in Echo Park. I hardly missed the chicken.
Cinnamon rolls and red velvet cupcakes from Auntie Em’s in Eagle Rock.They were nice enough to turn over two rolls for me.
Tofu Ceviche from Silver Lake’s Malo. For the record, I opted for the fish ceviche, but thought that the tofu one made for a more interesting picture.
Chickpea salad from Four Cafe in Eagle Rock. I’d been wanting to try this, since there’s a chickpea salad sandwich on their new seasonal menu. With pickles, veganaise, celery and arugula, it was delish!
Handmade soda from Lemon Poppy Kitchen, a new place in Glassel Park that I’m dying to try. The blood orange ginger and lemon flavor was just my speed, and their flatbreads were promising.
Carnitas taco from Hugo’s in Atwater Village. That’s their super-addictive honey chipotle salsa on top.
One of my favorite tastes of the day was from The Juice Maids, a cold-pressed juice delivery service. Their Sexy Sadie, a refreshing but cozy concoction of cashew nut milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg kind of stole my heart.
Canelé can do no wrong, and these chicken liver pate bites are proof.
Buttermilk pancakes with bacon caramel from Square One Dining. I wouldn’t mind a stack of those.
Here’s a pot of coffee from Intelligentsia. In true Intelligentsia spirit, they got all weird when I turned down a sample because I’m breastfeeding. Apparently, the wife of one of the guys drinks coffee all the time, but um, I prefer a mellow baby. I do love their coffee, though, and look forward to a cup in about a year.
My one wish for Taste of the Eastside, part 3? Some restaurants from East LA!
–Valentina
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Whoa, everything looks amazing. I needa mingle with that Sadie sometime soon.
Yeah, Joyce, I can’t stop thinking about Sadie!