I think I know what our new Thursday evening ritual will be.
Pack the kids in the car, battle a little bit of bottleneck traffic around Franklin and the 101, and drive up the hill to Yamashiro around the magic hour, where L.A. City Farm recently started up the Yamashiro Garden Market. (Here's my preview on Squid Ink ago just before it debuted.) Truth be told, it was my first visit to the sprawling, historic property at the top of Sycamore Avenue.
It's certainly not an extensive market by any means, but you can find most fruits and veggies and basics (Rivadeneira Farm, the vendor I buy eggs from at Barnsdall and Atwater was there tonight), while get a massage, chocolate, popcorn, coffee, and most importantly, Bulgarini Gelato. A certain member of our family lucked out by having Bulgarini's mango yesterday BEFORE noon thanks to a hidden stash in the freezer and a nasty fever + diminished appetite for everything else, followed by a fresh dose tonight.
Two tacos with a big blob of wasabi guacamole at the spawn-of-Kogi-style YamaSada by Yamashiro and a fresh spinach and cheese crepe made for a substantial dinner. But I hope some more prepared vendors will occupy the tents up on the hill tucked just below the illuminated homes and ridges of Outpost and Runyon. Plus balloons, a puppet show, clown, and $2 valet parking sweeten the deal. Be prepared to wait for your car, but that's a nicely subsidized price.
Here's to more opportunities for public life in Los Angeles! Especially those that combine gem locations, local food, and good intentions. The killer views don't hurt either. And neither does the access to Bulgarini.
