DTLA Weekly

DOWNTOWN WEEKLY

THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 17. NO. 06 AUG 25TH - AUG 31ST 2022

DTLA espresso self 2022 alex & alan MORALES OF

civil coffee PLUS

10PGLARCEESAT

FOR COFFEE

CoffeeFest Los Angeles

REAL SUPAH

ALL ABOUT THE DRIP

2 DTLA SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME

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THE SPECIAL BLEND OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY

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ON THE COVER MORALES BROS.

location: FASHION DISTRICT PHOTO BY steve pineda

THE COFFEE BEANS

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10 GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN THE DT..4 DTLA ESPRESSO SELF: WELCOME TO CIVIL COFFEE ...6 COFFEE FEST LA COMES TO DOWNTOWN...7 MUSIC TO YOUR EARS: THE REAL SUPAH ...DESERT STORIES FOR LOST GIRLS....9 GET2DTLA EVENT GUIDE... 10 MAP INSIDE...11 DTLA WEEKLY

editor and chief KERI FREEMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SALMA AHMED KERI FREEMAN

photography

GARY LEONARD eric epperson KERI FREEMAN steve pineda

VIDEO Production

@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla

social media

@kerieatsdtla ART HUNTER

Special thanks to...

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & Council district 14 THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS

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4 DTLA ESPRESSO SELF: 10 GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN THE DT

ise and shine downtown Los Angeles! This year’s list of 10 Great Places for Coffee is percolating with some of the most flavorable cups of Java our City has to offer.

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10 GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE

Nice Coffee

The first stop on our list it’s Nice Coffee recently reopened with a new owner, coffee aficionado Mr. Elliott Lau. Lau has a long track record making Java since coming here from Seattle years ago.

When visiting Nice Coffee there are a few sites we immediately notice.

One, Nice Coffee is surrounded by some of the Downtown's highest skyscrapers. Located at the City National Plaza, the minimalist Gensler designed, the stand-alone coffee bar gives visitors a modern feel while allowing guests to sip cups of iced latte, espresso, cappuccino, and other town favorites, amongst the corporate elite.

Two, the adjacent "Ascension" water sculpture by Herbert Bayer provides peace and tranquility against the backdrop of a busy city accentuating the coffee shop’s open-air seating area.

Lastly, the nice people of Nice Coffee blend Las Lila’s Coffee. Las Lila’s Coffee is grown, nurtured, and harvested in the San Miguel region of El Salvador at an elevation of 4,800 feet. The familyowned operation has been around since 1850. Nice Coffee is located at 515 S. Flower and is open from 7am - 4pm, Monday through Friday. @nicecoffeeco

Cognoscenti Coffee

Of the many cafes Downtown, Cognoscenti Coffee roasts coffee beans from a variety of countries in Central and South America, Africa, South Asia and Oceania on location in the Fashion District.

Their beautifully refurbished vintage Probat roaster produces sacks upon sacks of freshly roasted coffee beans every Monday ready for shipping or consumption onsite.

Former architect turned roaster, Yeekai Lim started Cognoscenti on the grind as a pop-up back in 2009. Since Cog Coffee Shops have been sprouting up across Los Angeles with a cafe in Culver City and another in downtown Los Angeles at 868 S. Olive Street.

Unique flavor-rich selections include such as their traditional Americano, Cortado, single-origin pour-overs, and a few select flavored drinks like the Latte Noir and the Maple Latte.

Most food items are snack bites with exception of the Breakfast Sandwich, a delicious stack of eggs, bacon, and cheese on a toasted bagel or brioche bun. Cog Coffee Roasters is located at 1118 S. San Julian in the City Market Plaza and open from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. @cogcoffee

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DTLA ESPRESSO SELF: CIVIL COFFEE BY KERI FREEMAN

I

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MOMENTS OF DISCOVERY & ENJOYMENT

CIVIL COFFEE DTLA

nspired by the flavorful, complex cups of Mexican specialty coffees, brothers Alex and Alan Morales kept asking themselves, how they could create a specialty cafe experience that was just as memorable and approachable to all the folks of various cultural backgrounds in LA.

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ith previous experience managing cafes and expanding their coffee education in workshops in Seattle and Oregon, the two introduced the first Civil Coffee cart to the world in 2012. Three years later, they would open their first brick-and-mortar cafe in Highland Park in 2015.

In May of 2022, Civil Coffee opened in a space formally occupied by Stumptown, pre-Covid. Now, in the heart of the city, Civil Coffee became part of the group of young, pioneering entrepreneurs investing in our community’s growth and evolution.

On the northwest corner of 8th and Los Angeles, sits Civil Coffee DTLA, an airy cafe with plenty of room to work, have meetings or just sip coffee and lounge. The natural lighting, high ceilings, and modern interior design suggest Civil Coffee drinkers are the hip, young coffee connoisseurs of the future.

Visitors enjoy some alone time on the comfortable two tops studying or working.

Others basque in the sun at the window sipping on a latte with a croissant in coversation, or have work meetings at the conference table.

It's also an experience close and personal with the baristas at Civil's "gorgeous boy" U-shaped bar to talk about single-origin coffees or music.

“Coffee is that one Civil Cafe in Highland thing people meet for, Park was an overnight and we want to be that place. Now that success. we’re in Downtown Coming from a multicultural Los Angeles, we look background with a strong focus forward to building on hospitality, courtesy, and service, the brothers were able community and an oasis of sorts for to develop products that were sweet, balanced, and appealing locals and visitors to guests from all walks of life. alike,” says Alex Morales.

In just a few short months, Civil Coffee had become just that, an oasis featuring community entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and local artists

and a space to connect with the neighbors and support up-and-coming “hustlers on the grind”.

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Civil Coffee’s best sellers “We’re really excited about include The Figueroa and The a vegan Oatole that pays Vanilla Oaty. homage to a classic Latin American comfort drink made The Figueroa is a Vietnamese-like sweet with GF Organic Heirloom latte inspired by their childhood. It’s made corn, cinnamon, vanilla, nonwith Civil’s house espresso, sweetened alcoholic rum, and oat milk. with condensed milk, and topped with cinnamon and a Maria Cookie.

Shaken, not stirred served over ice,” said Alan Morales.

The Vanilla Oaty is made with Civil’s house espresso, house Madagascar Vanilla, oat milk, shaken over ice and sprinkled with Hawaiian black lava salt.

For home brewers, Civil offers a selection of Civil beans, featuring their blend and various Single Origins. Need it ground?

They will take care of that! They also stock home brewing devices and filters.

Establishing Civil Coffee in Highland Park as a neighborhood hub – check!

Developing Civil Coffee into a homegrown Los Angeles brand – check!

Expanding Civil Coffee to DTLA – check!

Serving one of the most flavorable coffees in Los Angeles and connecting with people has landed Civil Coffee on Bon Appetite and Eater LA’s BEST COFFEE BAR list.

After a few sips, it’s evident Civil belongs on our town’s “10 Greatest Places for Coffee” list as well. @civilcoffee

These guests’ favorites are just some of the offerings that have coffee lovers flocking to Civil, as the cafe continues to receive its fair share of positive feedback when it comes to its creative, qualitydriven, flavorful beverages.

In addition to signature sweet lattes and food, Civil will be launching an expanded Mocktail Menu with coffee, tea, and fresh squeezed ingredients in September, presenting drinks such as the Espresso Martini, Cafe and Tonic, and White Russian.

The upcoming Mocktail Menu will present locals with another reason to meet and explore uniquely crafted beverages whether they are sober or simply looking for something non-alcoholic to imbibe.

Invite Only – CoffeeFest Los Angeles Comes to Downtown Not to be confused with Los Angeles Coffee Fest, the first CoffeeFest Los Angeles is a business to business industryonly event NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The event aims to present dozens of food & beverage education sessions led by leading subject matter experts to the Los Angeles Convention Center August 28th.

Brought to us by Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo the education seminar is part of the Food & Beverage Academy offering unprecedented access to the full scope of hospitality-based education for restaurants, foodservice, specialty beverage, and café owners. The brandnew Education Summits will focus on the most important issues including business solutions, marketing tips, operational efficiency and staffing solutions in tracks for all segments of the industry – from independent owners to chains to specialty coffee and tea.

“We are thrilled to be bringing California restaurant, foodservice, specialty beverage and café owners back together for these two trade shows and conferences and to provide a strong education program, through our new Food & Beverage Academy which will feature dozens of subject matter experts discussing the most important topics facing the industry,” said Rita Ugianskis, Vice President, Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group.

Attendees will have access to over 20 free seminars within Coffee Fest LA designed for Owner/Operators, Roasters, Baristas and New Start Ups as well as 30 paid workshops covering Business Operations Roasting & Green Coffee and Skills Training. @coffeefestshow

8 GET2DTLA: 10 GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN THE DT

Lucky's Coffee Roasters

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Established in 2019, it only took owner Tyler Smith a few years to expand Lucky's Coffee Roasters from one location in Upland to several locations across the Southland.

Recently opening a roastery space next to his Claremont location in 2021, Smith is already planning to open a cafe in Pasadena. Plans are also in the works for another location in DTLA in addition to his newly opened Lucky's Coffee Roasters located inside the base of the Wells Fargo Tower on Bunkerhill.

Taking the entire northwest corner of the building, upon entering the massive skyscraper’s impressive lobby, hang a right to discover Lucky’s Signature blends of “Go Juice”. The Honey Cinnamon, Matcha Love, and Tonic and Espresso are just a few delicious reasons office dwellers above frequent Lucky's Coffee Roasters. Lucky's also serves pastries, juice, and an array of snacks that compliment every cup.

Lucky's Coffee Roasters is located at 333 S. Grand and is open from 7am until 3pm, Monday through Friday. @luckyscoffeeroasters

Boketto Cold Brew

Special delivery! Boketto delivers cold brew coffees and teas directly to homes, offices, and restaurants.

Brewed locally, the cold brewed coffee comes in 1.5 Liter pouches to keep air out and ensure the coffee stays fresh for up to a month. For parties, outdoor gatherings, and storage these no-spill pouches are more than ideal.

This isn’t just an iced coffee, Owners Ben Westley and Chris Prenza use a basic drip bean process of steeping coffee grounds in water at cool temperatures for 12 to 24 hours. Westley then takes this a “steep” further by charging his cold brews with nitrogen, giving his coffee a rich creamy head similar to that of a draft beer.

Boketto offers a monthly subscription to replenish orders so their customers never run out. Boketto also provides businesses with nitro-charged Kegerators along with product support. @bokettocoldbrew

Cherry Pick Cafe Amir Hesmat has owned and operated Cherry Pick Cafe for close to two decades.

Serving freshly baked goods, locals may visit the cafe for the light coffees but can stay for the high-quality selection of deli meat sandwiches, pastries, organic salads, fresh juices, and fruit bowls.

The checkered floor beneath the dining room’s tables stretches back throughout the dining area creating a delightful atmosphere and contrast of color while the walls are littered with heartfelt mementos collected over time by the Hesmat family.

Although most of Cherry Pick’s customers come from the government offices of the Civic District, they also get their fair share of travelers being located at the base of the Kawanda Hotel, making Cherry Pick Cafe one of Downtown’s most convenient cafe landmarks. Cherry Pick Cafe is located at 208 S. Hill Street and is open from 7am to 3pm. @cherrypickcafe

DTLA MUSIC TO YOUR EARS: THE REAL SUPAH BY SALMA AHMED VOL 17. NO. 06 - AUGUST 25TH - AUGUST 31ST - 2022 WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM 9

ALL ABOUT THE DRIP

REAL SUPAH

BRINGS NEW STYLE OF MUSIC TO LA As a musician who also models, Real Supah says he’s gotten used to Downtown L.A.’s historic feel and underground hip hop scene, street food, and most importantly, our enormous fashion mecca, LA Fashion District.

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eaching over 97k Streams on Soundcloud and 502k views on YouTube with his indie hits, Chicago-born Rapper Real Supah has set himself on the right course for stardom.

So, what is it that makes his style so memorable to his fans? It’s the Drip, of course.

But what is drip?

According to rapper Sauce Walka, who claims to have originated the term back in 2004, the Drip means to be a king – the drip is to be a winner.

His music mimics his reality which consists of everything it means to be a young person of color dealing with what society expects from him versus just how high his own self-worth, drive, and talents will take him.

Seemingly, Real Supah is dealing with the pressures of today‘s society through music, self-medicating, women, and tattoos over laid-back tracks with repetitive hooks.

Supah’s fashion style can range from full colors (pink included) to the darkest clothes to match his sometimes darker, painted eyes. Making videos on the streets of Downtown LA is his new thing, releasing both Willow, Vibe and his most recent release, already peeking at 100k views, ”I’m a Famous Rapper”.

Inspired by Soulja boy and Kanye West, Real Supah plans to start his own record label. The drip is real, as Real Despite just beginning his rap career Supah has set his eyes on success by in August of 2017, the 28-year-old looking back at the past 4 years in the rapper born Lorenzo Colon is winning with music industry, to set the course to behis goth unafraid of bright colors meets coming the King of his own castle, as a mumble rap style that’s taking the rap highly paid and respected executive and game to a whole new level. music industry professional. @realsupahsauce

WALKING WITH OUR ANCESTORS

DESERT STORIES FOR LOST GIRLS at LATINO THEATER

Latino Theater Company partners with Native Voices at the Autry to present a haunting and lyrical rumination on identity, family and colonialism over generations with Lily Rushing’s Desert Stories for Lost Girls, directed by Sylvia Cervantes Blush.

When 18-year-old Carrie moves in with her grandmother, she is thrown into a world of memory and mystery that unearths her family’s Genízaroidentity — shining a light on a dark, bloody and little-known period in the history of the American Southwest.

Beginning in the early 1600s, Spanish colonists took indigenous peoples into their households, where they were taught Spanish and converted to Catholicism. They were forced to work as household servants, tend fields, herd livestock, and serve as frontier militia to protect Spanish settlements.

The Spanish called these captives and their children “Genízaro”. Today, Genízaros comprise as much as onethird of the population of New Mexico and southern Colorado.

In the play, each time Carrie and Rosa touch an object that links Rosa to her past, they are launched into her memories, bringing Carrie closer to understanding the truth of her heritage.

The cast of Desert Stories for Lost Girls includes Katie Anvil Rich, Carolyn Dunn, Samantha Bowling, Rainbow Dickerson, Glenn Stanton, Nicholas Jacinto and Tom Allard.

Desert Stories for Lost Girls was developed at DePaul University and in the Indigenous Circles collaboration between Native Voices and PlayPenn. @latinotheaterco

10 10 GREAT PLACES FOR COFFEE IN THE DT

Boxx Coffee

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Let’s talk about body and aroma! There’s just something about the taste and smell of freshly-ground brewed cups of coffee that coffee lovers just can’t resist.

The newly opened Boxx Coffee Roasters Co visitors to explore every aspect from roaster to cup. They roast coffees made with imported beans from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, among other countries onsite in the Arts District and for worldwide shipping.

Boxx Coffee Roasters was established in Istanbul, Turkey in 2015, so needless to say Boxx may just be the best cafe in DTLA to enjoy a traditional cup of Turkish coffee.

Boxx’a Turkish Coffee is made in a cezve, a small brass long-handled pot set to flame just large enough to produce a 2.5oz size serving of single origin of your preference. When done right -and it always is at Boxx- it should produce a clean and sweet coffee enchanting characteristics of the particular bean and the tiny cup of coffee packs a strong caffeinated punch. Before wondering about swirling the cezve in a batch of hot sand, know that making Turkish Coffee in hot sand is about as untraditional as a burrito in Mexico. Boxx Coffee is located at 950 E. 3rd and open from 7am to 6pm, daily. daily. @boxxcoffee.adla

ilCaffè

ilCaffè is that one cafe that takes it a step further by offering choice selections of their signature coffees made into lattes, mochas, macchiatos, cappuccinos, espresso, cold brews and drips, plus fresh juices, sourdough paninis, danishes, and charcuterie plates to accompany their rotating selections of beers and natural wines.

Owner Michael Backlinder brings his special touch of Swedish hospitality to the iconic Eastern Columbia Building providing the perfect location for nearby loft dwellers to nurture, accommodate and build a strong sense of community.

The pet-friendly cafe offers inside and outdoor seating presenting visitors with an ideal opportunity to make themselves cordial. ilCaffè is located at 855 S. Broadway and is open from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Wednesday and 7am to 9pm, Thursday through Saturday. @ilcaffe.la

Get2DTLA - DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND RETURNS

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12 ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 888-732-DTLA (3852) editor@dtlaweekly.com

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