A New Taco Spot: Tinga Gets a Bigger Space

Because in Los Angeles we're always looking for new taco spot I figured I'd highlight a new spot in Santa Monica. The spot existed on La Brea but they needed to "stretch out their legs" into a more cozy area. Oh, they also have bacon guacamole, that's an interesting dip right? Pics of the new spot after the break.

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OPENING TOMORROW: LOCK & KEY Bar/Lounge

Ok I've been here twice already but it opens up tomorrow for the public. It's nestled in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles and features great drinks, great food and an awesome ambience. I mean it's not every night you walk up to the bar and bump into Nasir Jones, you know the legendary emcee you guys may know as NaS. I missed the tastemaker's tasting tonight but I know it's good. Hopefully soon I'll have a full write up for you as far as just the food. But for now check out this write up I found on the spot after the jump, oh and I have a slideshow for you there too.

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NIKE SPORTSWEAR presents "SEEK AND DESTROY" - DESTROYER BURRITO (VIDEO)

I just saw Nike and food...

“If you live in Portland, you know about Koi Fusion. If you live in Portland, you need a jacket. In celebration of Musicfest NW we brought the two together for the ultimate collaboration. The DESTROYER BURRITO.”

NEW VENUES: TE'KILA

I have no pictures of the food so far but this was formerly La Cantina right on Hollywood Blvd.  It's a barn style set up with the wood walls and offers many of the mexican food favorites including an array of tacos.  Now, though I don't know how the food is or what is on the food menu we should embrace the fact that this place has 100 different tequilas...there is one that goes for 75$ a shot.  With a tequila menu like that you can make the food work for you.  The restaurant will open on August 9th.

6541 Hollywood Blvd
(west of Hudson)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-960-2404

CARL'S JR. TESTING FOOTLONG BURGER in SANTA ANA

So if you like Carl's burgers and you're craving something bigger...you can try this new burger/sandwich if you're on the Santa Ana side of things.  They have a plain and a deluxe so try for yourself.  Photos courtesy of here and the story is over here.  This was brought to my attention by my homie over there.

NEW VENUES: RED O RESTAURANT

The only restaurant of Rick Bayless not in Chicago opens next week right here in Los Angeles right on Melrose, west of Crescent Heights.  A mexican restaurant that you wouldn't guess was a mexican food place looking at the pictures.  You can start making reservations on Tuesday and the restaurant doesn't open until May 26th.  The place has 14ft chandeliers, antique bells and other decadent items.  You can sit at the bar, a communal family style table or more intimate settings.  You can get real intimate and sit along a 25ft fireplace with floating candles and try sample premium tequilas...nice.  There are also leather swings near the bar...hmmmmm.  Website is right here.  And you can call 323.655.5009 for that reservation...someone lucky can take me here for my bday.

FREE TACOS from LA FUXION

They did it last night for Cinco de Mayo...and now they're having an encore run.  Details below:

Have you tried LA FuXion yet? Join us tonight from 6:30pm-9:30pm for a free taco on the new patio. Mention Nikki Ann PR when you place your order. LA FuXion is located at 4430 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019.

 www.LAFuXion.com.

2MORROW NITE: LA FUXION GRAND OPENING

The LA FuXion Truck will finally have a permanent home for dinner. LA FuXion will celebrate the opening of it's new location on Friday, April 23 from 7p-12am. The new outdoor patio space is located at 4430 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019. The celebration will include complimentary cocktails provided by Pura Casta Tequila, an art show featuring the works of Gallery Light House, a DJ, and much more. 

Dope to see when a mobile restaurant can get a stationary location as well.  Free drinks, art and music is a good way to get me there.  Everyone should come out, you might get on EazeeStreet TV.  I've been seeing the truck as well as hearing good things about it.  A friend of mine is helping put on the event so come out and support.  You can keep up with LA Fuxion on their website or via Twitter, what else?

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: NIGEL HENDERSON on ESSENCE.COM

It's been awhile since there has been a Local Spotlight feature but seeing that I found out this bit of information I had to get this post up.  I've known this young man since he was a 4th Grader and I've seen him come along way.  He was holding down the entertainment realm for years...even while he was in ATL he had fingerprints in Los Angeles.  His newest venture in life has him taking on the cooking world...but I can tell you this: He's good at it!!!  Essence has a feature "Men Who Cook" and he was featured awhile back.  This was to set the tone as I was informed today that he will receive another article in 2010.  Proud of you sir...keep it up.  You can go here to read the article.

GOOD FOOD: THE GRIDDLE CAFE

So I asked my followers in Twitterville what was better The Waffle or The Griddle Cafe and I seemed to get a lot of votes for The Griddle Cafe, partly because more people had tried it already. From what I hear I need to go soon as the portions are large and things on the menu are made for large eaters such as myself. So check out some of the examples above and go to the site right here for more info. And if someone wants to take me to try this place, I'm all for it. To be fair I will do a post on The Waffle soon...I may go there before I do it so I can give you a rating. The Griddle Cafe is located on 7916 Sunset Blvd., on the corner of Sunset and Fairfax.

THIS WEEKEND - LONG BEACH CRAWFISH FESTIVAL

This weekend, in Long Beach...me and my Creole upbringing will get exposed. All this food is making me hungry...but I'll be purchasing my tickets here as you should. It's a whole fest, as in food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and live entertainment. Do something different for a change instead of hitting the club, or walkin down melrose so you can buy the same stuff everyone else is wearing. I'm thinking if anyone meets me here this weekend I may give them a free shirt. Hmmmmmmm.

NEW VENUES - THE COFFEE BAR at H. WOOD

Hollywood hotspot H. Wood opens up an extension called The Coffee Bar which offers some of the same type of nightlife action but during the day.  Featuring things like brunches, alcohol tainted coffees desserts and more.  There is an indoor-outdoor setup with a bar, couches and other sitting arrangements.  Lunch meetings during the week aren't a bad idea either.  Contact them by going here.

GOOD FOOD - The CREOLE CHEF

So everyone is wondering WHY it has taken me so long to blog this particular spot. Especially since I'm hear at least once a week. Well me and the guy (good ol Rodney Scates) who put me onto the spot went for ol' times sake and took a female pal of ours along for the excursion. As is tradition for us to bring a newbie along. Well safe to say we all left satisfied. The Creole Chef for you LA vets is right at 3715 Santa Rosalia...at the back side of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. You vets also remember it used to be Eat-A-Burger and is where Doughboy shot down his brother Ricky's killers in Boyz N the Hood. But this place has the works if you're into Creole food. Gumbo, red beans and rice, etouffe, jambalaya, po'boys...the seafood platters are awesome and even the salads and appetizers will do you right. There are various specials all the time and the customer service is always top notch. Most customers are repeat customers so it's always a warm inviting and family type enviroment. Check it out.

TASTE OF SOUL 2008

So right in my neck of the woods, LEIMERT PARK, the Taste of Soul went down again for its 2008 run. GOOD FOOD was set off by a great attendance from the community, community orgs, and GREAT entertainment. It was good to see the amount of people in support of voting and the people active about getting registered and getting people registered. My family over at www.obamafoamfingers.com were making their presence felt as well as number of other young groups encouraging us to make a difference. Chris Focus was very visible in his 'hood as well, still getting congrats from people who slid by his show the night before. I saw a few folks with Elevated LA's "whitehouseblack" t-shirts and lots of people I know from all walks of life: teachers, parents, younger generations, rappers like El Prez & DNEZ, ex-gangbangers, etc. It was good to see everyone out in high spirits and having a great peaceful time right on Crenshaw Blvd. Oh and the FOOD, that top pic is what i snacked on first. They were huge!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bottom pic includes Tenoa of Obama Foam Fingers & Chris Focus (resident artist).

FOOD & LIQUOR - The Parlor

I've been meaning to check this spot out since this summer...I mean any venue that has a Happy Hours 7 days a week is a must see. I held off on posting about this spot mainly because I wanted to go first...but the lovely ladies of L.A. Etc posted something about it first. So check out their rundown here...and if you still need to know more before running to check it out...go to the website.

EAT, BREATHE, AND SH!T NIKES...

Artist Olle Hemmendorf creates an Air Max 90 out of...a hamburger? Interesting, spotted at Kanye's blog.

Father's Office - Culver City

Father's Office which is a popular little hangout in Santa Monica opened up it's 2nd location in Culver City in the Helms Bakery complex. The place offers some tasty gourmet type of burgers, and other hearty entrees. There are plenty of various entrees but not too much to leave you reading all day. There are also an abundance of beers on tap if that's your thing, but there are some wines and limited cocktails as well. You can check the website for other details, addresses for either location and get directions as well.

ABSOLUT LOS ANGELES

Because our city is soooooo cool...we got our own flavor of Absolut Vodka. Absolut is doing a city themed campaign to promote new Vodkas as well as raise money for charities for specific cities. New Orleans was first and now us. The goal is raise $250,000 for Green Way LA through Vodka sales. To read more details on OUR vodka, drinks to be made and history on the charity org click here. I don't want to write a novel. I'm bout to cop a few bottles...pop em in Houston.