by Dennis Richardson | Jul 12, 2024
Fresh on the Sando Scene
Los Angeles, CA – Blessed Bread, a vintage food truck serving up gourmet sandos like you’ve never tasted before, has arrived in Los Angeles, stationed on Melrose Place, West Hollywood. Open 7 days a week from 8am-2pm, Blessed Bread is spreading the goodness around LA with their bespoke sandos. Unique golden brioche toasts created by Blessed Bread encase carefully thought-out, freshly prepared gourmet fillings created by renowned chefs from around the world. Menu items include breakfast BB’s with Smoked Salmon or bacon, Ricotta Toast, Chorizo, Pastrami, banana, and avocado, each elevated by creative twists. The pocket-style brioche toasts make them perfect for indulging on-the-go, but customers may wish to stay and enjoy the welcoming, memorable environment.
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Photo Credit: Blessed Bread
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Photo Credit: Blessed Bread
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Photo Credit: Blessed Bread
The pink vintage truck emblazoned with the Blessed Bread logo is a Citroen 1971, adding nostalgia and charm to customers’ experience while showcasing the team at work through its larger-than-average windows.
Blessed Bread is the brainchild of Liana Kazaryan, who previously founded London’s Bar du Champagne and the internationally acclaimed superfood chain Avobar with locations in London, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. Kazaryan has been inspired by the Los Angeles food truck culture for some time, and curiosity led to passion, with Blessed Bread now open for business on LA’s iconic Melrose Place.
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Photo Credit: Blessed Bread
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Photo Credit: Blessed Bread
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Photo Credit: Blessed Bread
“Our goal with Blessed Bread is to provide a fresh and innovative approach to quick service food with the brand’s core essence captured in the proposition, ‘the goodness is within,’ emphasizing the high-quality ingredients and heartwarming taste that lies within each sando,” said Kazaryan. “When customers arrive, they are greeted with the aromas of our toasted brioche bread and fresh ingredients, and the welcoming ambiance that defines Blessed Bread. We want their experience to be filled with delicious, wholesome food and great memories.”
Committed to sustainability, Blessed Bread implements eco-friendly practices by using biodegradable packaging, sourcing local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and supporting ethical and responsible suppliers.
For more information about Blessed Bread, please visit blessedbread.com and follow @TheBlessedBread on Instagram.
Find Blessed Bread at: Melrose Pl, West Hollywood
CA 90069 (on the corner of Croft Avenue)
by Randy Dunbar | Jul 12, 2024
There was a time—and it would be right about now, late afternoon. The sun would be setting and the weather would invite the family to pack up head to a drive-in theatre. There was a playground in front of the screen, seated in a a small sand box and once the movie began, every child was summoned back to the car. Drive-in theaters emerged in the 1930s, peaking in popularity during the 1950s and 60s. They provided a perfect blend of the automotive culture and the burgeoning film industry, creating a social hub for communities. Families piled into their cars, packed with blankets and pillows, eager to enjoy the latest Hollywood offerings from the cozy confines of their vehicles.
The experience of a drive-in theater was more than just watching a movie. It was a full-sensory journey: the soft hum of car engines, the crackling sound of the film reel, and the mingling aromas of popcorn, candy, and night air. It was the anticipation as the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the start of the show, and the collective excitement that spread through the crowd as the first frames flickered on the giant screen and all eyes looked forward.
That was then—this is now and not all the theaters are gone—here is a shortlist of drive-in’s in th eSouthern California region. If you’ve not had this experience, it is one to partake: fun, unique and oddly entertaining.
- Paramount Drive-In Theatre (Paramount, CA): Originally opened in 1947, this drive-in was revived in recent years with modern amenities, including digital projection and a full snack bar. It’s a classic drive-in experience with two 75-foot screens showing double features (Time Out Worldwide) (Kidsguide).
- Electric Dusk Drive-In (Glendale, CA): Known for its retro vibe, this drive-in offers a mix of cult classics and recent favorites. It even provides an option to sit on the grass if you prefer not to stay in your car (Time Out Worldwide) (MomsLA).
- Van Buren Drive-In Theatre (Riverside, CA): This drive-in has been operating since 1964 and features an old California orange grove theme. It now has three screens and shows double features every night (Time Out Worldwide) (PBS SoCal).
- Vineland Drive-In Theatre (City of Industry, CA): With four screens, this drive-in offers a variety of films and is a popular choice for families. It’s known for its traditional movie snacks and family-friendly atmosphere (MomsLA)(Kidsguide).
- Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre (Montclair, CA): This drive-in has a unique tiki theme and offers a fun, themed environment. It opened in 1956 and continues to be a favorite for many in the area (PBS SoCal).
- South Bay Drive-In (Imperial Beach, CA): Operating since 1958, this drive-in features nautical-themed decor and modern upgrades, making it a popular spot in the San Diego area (MomsLA).
The Olympic Theatre This former drive-in originally opened in 1934 as the 500-car capacity Drive-In (the first drive-in in California) at Pico Boulevard and Westwood Boulevard. It was soon re-named Pacific Drive-In (the operators were Pacific Theatres) and had become the Pico Drive-In when it was closed on October 1, 1944. (A separate page on Cinema Treasures covers this theatre)
It moved 2 miles to the west from that location to Olympic Boulevard and Bundy Drive, (re)opening on April 4, 1945 with Edward G. Robinson in “The Woman in the Window” & Bud Abbott & Lou Costello in “Lost in a Harem”. It was renamed the Olympic Drive-In on October 3, 1945. This drive-in had a screen tower with a mural of two surfers (a boy and a girl) riding a wave. Opened with 775 car spaces, it lasted until October 14, 1973 when it was screening adult movies. The final program being “School Girls”, “School Girls Growing” and Swinging Wives”
These theaters provide a nostalgic and enjoyable way to watch movies under the stars, making them a cherished part of Southern California’s cultural landscape. For more information on showtimes and locations, you can visit the respective theater websites or check local listings.
Footnote: And just like that, TMC last week showed the 1968 Peter Bogdanovich film, Targets. A profoundly disturbing film with a subplot featuring Boris Karloff, Bogdanovich‘s ingenious climax brings the two worlds together as a shooter takes pot-shots at a cinema audience from behind the screen of a drive-in showing a ‘Byron Orlok’ movie (The Terror – what else?). The outdoor picture house was the Reseda Drive-in Theater on Reseda Boulevard at Vanowen Street, Reseda. It closed in 1985 and has since been demolished.
by Dennis Richardson | Jul 12, 2024
Del Maguey recently proudly introduced its latest expression, Del Maguey Vida® Puebla, expanding its celebrated Single Village® tradition. This new offering brings the heritage of Del Maguey Vida® Clásico, originally produced in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca, to a cutting-edge palenque in Axocopan, Puebla.
Launching in major US markets, Del Maguey Vida® Puebla invites new drinkers to explore its Mezcal portfolio while showcasing the artisanal craftsmanship of its original partner producers. Produced in one of Mexico’s key Mezcal regions, Del Maguey Vida® Puebla aims to innovate and lead within the category.
Del Maguey Vida® Puebla is an excellent introduction to Mezcal, with its approachable flavor profile and competitive price. The expression features savory and bright aromas with notes of roasted agave, citrus, white peach, and candied pine. The volcanic rock in Puebla’s soil imparts a distinct minerality, making this Mezcal a true reflection of its origin.
To celebrate the launch, Del Maguey threw a Mezcal Happy Hour at LA’s Casa Vega restaurant. During the event, LA’s Del Maguey Agave Ambassador, Jennifer Oakley, guided guests into a deep dive through the heritage of one of the world’s finest mezcal portfolios. Attendees enjoyed Del Maguey Vida® Puebla Negronis, Old Fashioneds, Margaritas, and a few of Del Maguey’s coveted sipping mezcals, including: Chichicapa, Tobalá, and Santo Domingo Albarradas.
Photo Credit: Tip Supply (@tip.supply)
Co-founder Steve Olson emphasizes the brand’s commitment to sustainable growth and traditional processes. “We saw the need and wanted to show it’s possible to grow in the right way: by creating a liquid that’s sustainably produced, with respect to the land, plant, and environment, honoring traditional process and culture and the people who make the Mezcal,” Olson says. “We felt it was our responsibility because we opened the door to this culture by introducing the category to the world.”
Founder Ron Cooper, who fell in love with Mezcal in Oaxaca over 25 years ago, established Del Maguey to highlight the unique artisanship of each producer. Del Maguey Vida® Puebla continues this legacy, inviting new enthusiasts to discover Mezcal and celebrating the brand’s rich history and future.
Bottled at 40% ABV, Del Maguey Vida® Puebla will debut in select states in March 2023, including NY, CA, FL, TX, IL, and OH, and will be available nationwide by July 2023 (SRP: $37.99 / 750ML). For more information, visit their website and follow on Instagram.
