"Will you marry me?" in graffiti over the 10 freeway, Los Angeles

The two main men in my life were fawning over that awesome Bar 107 photo booth proposal from last year, not so much because it was at one of their favorite downtown bars, but more so because it ended up on two of their favorite websites. This one is just as awesome in my opinion. We spotted it driving east from the Westside on the 10 freeway last November, and as I was downloading all my Blackberry phone pics, I realized I never posted it. Would not say no to that.

Wow, was this already almost 5 years ago?? Time is flying away.

Another goal I had was to still post about things that I’ve managed to fall in love with while I am living outside of Los Angeles. A long-distance guide to living, loving, making and shopping in L.A., if you will. I am only remembering this now, here in oppressively gray Washington, while I am looking at the softly sun-bleached downtown L.A. goodness in the photographs of Carmen Chan. Shot on film! Be still my heart.

Carmen Chan Photography

Carmen Chan Photography

Seattle, WA by Artful Dodger. Instagr.am borders cut the recognizable Space Needle off.

As you read this, I am finally making my way up the West Coast to Seattle, the only other city I’ve wanted to live in other than Los Angeles. I’ve kept this plan under wraps for months now, even though it’s been twice as long that I’ve felt the need for a change. It’s time. Los Angeles will always be my home, but now’s the time for me to explore and be somewhere new.

Coffee, rain, and the Sound. 18 hour drives to and from Los Angeles, or a $59 flight from Jet Blue if I’m lucky. Ace Hotel is within city borders, an All Saints is still there, as is a Madewell, no Zara, but one in Vancouver 3 hours away and an Aritzia in a neighboring town. Yup, I definitely considered all those things.

And I’ll be blogging at my newest undertaking, La Sea. While Love Angeles is city-centric and defined me as an Angelena, La Sea will be more about creative exploration and what inspirations I hope to find there. And I hope you’ll join me there. Thank you sharing my love for Los Angeles.

Ten other reasons why Bottega Louie is my favorite restaurant in downtown:

Walking down 7th Street in the summertime

1.
I can walk there in 4+ inch heels

2.
I have to walk there in 4+ inch heels because you can’t show up to Louie and not wear fierce shoes

3.
Feels like you’re not in L.A.!

4.
Some shopping for gourmet goodies while you wait

5.
Gilded everything, even on the cupcakes

6.
Did you say cupcakes?

7.
Fresh feasts on small plates at $6-8

8.
Don’t forget the macarons

9.
Their bread is VERY good

Smoked Salmon Benedict, my brunch item of choice

10.
Under $50 for an amazing meal for two? Believe that.

A few of my favorite macarons at Paulette, including Wedding Almond and Earl Grey

Paulette Macarons • 333 S Alameda Street Suite 103 • http://www.paulettemacarons.com

Paulette is new to downtown, but not new to Los Angeles, and over the years of sampling various macaroons around the area, I’ve decided that these are my favorite. Finding out that they were opening a new location in Little Tokyo? Best news of the year.

Syrup Desserts • 611 S. Spring Street • On Yelp

Waffles, crepes, and Nutella at near midnight, oh no they didn’t! I personally like my desserts more simplified than what they offer, but you can make your own waffle and all that.

The chocolate souffle at Bottega Louie

Bottega Louie • 700 S. Grand Avenue • http://www.bottegalouie.com

If you’ve tried their chocolate souffle, then you will understand why BL makes an appearance on this list. They also have a whole section full of beautiful pastries and cookies. (I was a fan of their original macarons, especially when they were handing the broken ones out left and right, but they’ve since changed the recipe.)

Yogurtland • 130 S. Central Avenue • http://www.yogurt-land.com

Kind of a cop-out to include a franchise not exclusive to Downtown, but this is where we’d head to on office breaks, and sometimes, for meal replacements, during deadline days.

Japanese Tea Latte at Urth Caffe

Urth Caffe • 451 S. Hewitt Street • http://www.urthcaffe.com

Lattes and desserts are what I come here for, on an almost weekly basis. Blended boba drinks also!

Woori • 333 S. Alameda Street • http://woorimarketusa.com

Some of my favorite cheap snacks come from here. I’ve been on a black sesame kick after trying Pocky’s version, which was sadly discontinued), so I was only too happy to find red bean mochi with black sesame sprinkled on top.

Babycakes

Babycakes • 130 E. 6th Street • http://www.babycakesnyc.com

My cupcake tastes have changed over time, from formerly favoring red velvet to loving the more simplified Babycakes offerings. I also really like their cookie sandwiches and donuts. Don’t forget about Bingo Nights on Tuesdays!

Big Man Bakes • 413 S. Main Street • http://www.bigmanbakes.com

I like that there are two equally delicious cupcake places holding it downtown, and Big Man is the other one. Comparing their cupcakes is like apples and oranges, and I’d alternate between both depending on what kind of cupcake I felt like. I love their Old School flavor.

The Vegan Mushroom Confit from the Winter Menu at Mendocino Farms. One of the best things I've ever eaten.

Mendocino Farms • 444 S. Flower Street • http://mendocinofarms.com

My favorite sandwiches here have been the best versions I’ve had of a turkey and mushroom sandwich, and I don’t even particularly like those foods. That’s how good their sandwiches are.

Kachi Deli Cafe • 1001 Wilshire Blvd • On Yelp

Had to include a place that was in my old neighborhood of City West. After Moxie closed down, there weren’t too many lunch spots on my side of the 110. Kachi opened earlier last year, and it soon became a weekly spot for a lunchtime sandwich.

Wurstkuche 800 E. 3rd Street http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com

An unusual but crave-worthy assortment of gourmet hot dogs found in the artsy-industrial Arts District. Anything goes from alligator to rabbit, but the menu doesn’t forget about vegetarians. Their Italian veggie + truffle fries was my last meal as a downtown dweller. I took friends from New York here, and even they think it’s something special. (See previous post here)

The chicken pot pie at Wood Spoon

Wood Spoon • 107 W. 9th Street • http://woodspoonla.com

Made famous by a Giada mention on the Food Network, but has been serving Downtowners with solid Brazilian dishes for a few years now. I do love their well-known chicken pot pie. (See previous post here)

Blossom • 426 S. Main Street • http://www.blossomrestaurant.com

Simple, fresh Vietnamese fare. Vietnamese restaurants are quite the trend in Los Angeles, but this place has always been solidly delicious and no-nonsense. I come here in the summer, I come here in the winter, I come here once a week.

Tiara Cafe

Tiara Cafe • 127 W. 9th Street • http://www.tiara-cafe-la.com

They had the best brunches that I’d get with seitan instead of bacon back in the pre-Bottega Louie days. Now I think they are only open for weekday lunches, but this place is pink, pretty, sparkly, and plays musicbox tunes!!

Casa • 350 S. Grand Avenue • http://casadowntown.com

The food is not necessarily amazing, but it’s good. Their downtown patio served as a favorite gathering place in the summer. You’re surrounded by all the skyscrapers and it’s a wonderfully satisfying city feeling to be outdoors, drinking margaritas, and looking up at buildings. (See previous post here)

Colori Kitchen • 439W. 8th Street • http://www.colorikitchen.com

Comforting Italian food in a tiny but romantic family-run restaurant. I may have to stop in for their gnocchi before I take off.

Komasa Sushi

Komasa • 351 E 2nd Street • On Yelp

Their sushi is my favorite in downtown, and it’s also reasonably priced. Get there by 5 pm to reserve a spot in the tiny joint, and don’t forget to order the soft shell crab.

Honda-Ya • 333 S. Alameda #314 • http://www.izakayahondaya.com

They do all-around Japanese food, but they do it well, and at good prices. We’d come here at an almost weekly basis, trying their udon, sushi, grilled plates, and have never been unhappy with the food.

Honorable Mentions

Saffron‘s pretty damn good Indian fast food as my 505 Flower lunchtime pick; R23 for an artsy-hip sushi experience; The Lazy Ox Canteen for the new, hot restaurant in 2010; Raku for okinomiyaki; First & Hope for their fried chicken; L.A. Cafe for being probably the only 24-hour restaurant that delivers to the City West.

Angel's Knoll from 500 Days of Summer

Angels Flight

Bradbury Building from 500 Days of Summer

Pershing Square

Ice Skating at Pershing Square

BF’s nieces and nephews have been in my life since the oldest one was but a tiny 4 year old who is now learning how to drive. I don’t have nieces and nephews of my own, so I love them as if they were. Over the weekend we honored our three-year-old tradition of taking them out for the day in lieu of material Christmas gifts. Somewhere usually out in L.A., outside of the suburban SGV that we all grew up in.

On the agenda this time: a downtown L.A. tour of all the sites from one of their favorite movies, 500 Days of Summer (which I posted about before), and ice skating at Pershing Square. In past years we’ve done the California ScienCenter and Griffith Observatory.

I’ve loved doing this every year, since you totally get upgraded to cool aunt/uncle status and it’s all they can talk about for weeks after. Time is such a beautiful gift. Visit DowntownLA.com if you need more kid-friendly ideas and events.

Anticipation. A new year brings a new city, new career, new inspiration, a new life. Festively decked out in sparkles and shine for the holidays, but also in hope of a brighter future. May we all find brighter days in 2011.

For Christmas, BF gifted me with some new wardrobe pieces that will be perfect for the colder climate we’ll soon be living in. Some were on the wishlist, some were items I’d never even think to buy myself, but all were perfect additions to my closet. I think I’m going to let him pick out all my clothes now. What goodness did I throw out to the world to deserve someone so thoughtful and generous as he?