Beans Beans the Musical Fruit...

Back in high school in Seattle my friends called me Soup Whore. A strange nickname, yes. However, at the time it made sense (kinda...) as I had a serious addiction to a local food spot named City Soups (... as well as a not-so-serious crush on the guy who owned it.)

Mostly I loved their vegetarian chili. It was delicious: just the right ratio of beans to veggies - so good I never even missed the meat.  (insert dirty joke here)

I've always wished there were a nice 'soup kitchen' spot in LA like City Soups but I never imagined there was much of a market for it due to the perpetually nice weather (save for last week's rainy adventure.)

Well it appears my prayers were answered... and yes, these are the sort of trivial things I pray for (great use of the system I'm sure):

 CHILI ADDICTION 

408 N. La Cienega Boulevard

Opening Soon!

This spot isn't entirely new to the LA scene - they've operated stands at the Hollywood Farmer's Market on the weekends for some time now. However, this is their first store-front /dine-in  establishment.

Word is that Chili Addition will offer over 70 varities of chili, including 10 vegas varieties, plus a variety of home made sausages and hot dogs you can sauce up with the beany good stuff.
Bonus for my laziness: they will deliver!

Soft opening is this weekend with a grand opening coming in the next couple weeks.

Enjoy!
(Just remember to bring your Beano!) 

Whats Up in the Hood - Downtown Edition

Back in the good 'ol USC days we lived Downtown... and we hated living there. There was no close grocery store, only a handful of decent bars and restaurants, and we felt so alienated from all the 'cool' people on the west side.

Since then Downtown is like a whole new world (cue flying carpet + Aladdin + Jasmine). There's a snazzy Ralphs, LALive, inhabitants other than USC & FIDM students, and tons of great restaurants and bars seem to be opening every day.

Here's the low down on a few new spots that are coming to Downtown this year (writing low-down makes me feel like a gangsta):

* FIRST & HOPE (710 W. 1st Sreet), Opening March/April 2010.
Arc Deco Styled 1940s Supper Club with Old Fashioned Drinks

* BIG WANGS DOWNTOWN (8th and Grand), Opening Soon.
Same cheezy bar as in Hollywood.

* LOFT BAR (451 S. Main Street), Opening May/June 2010.
Huge 6277 sq ft. pool hall and bar, full liquor.

* LAS PERLAS (103 E. 6th Street), Opening Mid February 2010
Tequila, Mezcal, and Mexican Cerveza Bar

* LAZY OX CANTEEN (241 S. Pedro Street), Opened Dec. 2009
Little Tokyo 'Casual Dining Spot', everything under $25, Wine/Beer.

Drink Up Downtown.