A Look Inside One Of L.A.'s Most Magical Outdoor Venues

Gatherings

by The Venue Report

In Los Angeles, the coolest spots can be found anywhere. Now, that’s not necessarily suggesting that each and every diner and dive bar in the City of Angels is of equally awesome merit, though it honestly feels that way on some blocks. Instead, it’s more a curious case of finding your favorite escape in anything from an abandoned warehouse to a mysterious mansion to a parking lot.

So it doesn’t seem too surprising — if you’re from California anyway — that a spectacular farm-to-table experience awaits you in a magical alleyway tucked on the eastern edge of Downtown Los Angeles. Indeed, in the very colorful Arts District, Sarkis Vartanian welcomes you to his enchanting urban oasis, The Daily Dose Cafe.

Photos: Scott Clark

Such a creative spot blends right into its surrounding neighborhood of old industrial buildings that have been flipped into art galleries and the like. Greenery pours over the walls of the The Daily Dose Cafe, an eatery that's as long and narrow as it is beloved by locals. Like a dinner party in your friend’s big city backyard, bistro lights slink between brick walls that have settled nicely into wear and ivy. Then, beneath that warm glow, wooden tables and benches invite lively scenes of friends, family, and, in our case, colleagues (who also happen to be our dearest family and friends).

See, after a good year of working hard, we at the Venue Report figured we had earned a seat at The Daily Dose Cafe's holiday tasting. It wasn't just fresh garden goodies from the restaurant’s festive and talented crew either. Our meals were paired with the yummiest cocktails from Cocktail Academy too. But onto the food!

Plate 1 - “The Nest”

This very brunchy dish has a poached duck egg resting on a bed of wilted greens and fried potatoes to immediately put you in the right mood.

Plate 2 - “Melon Sandwich”

A refreshing vegetarian dish, this unexpected and delicious surprise combines perfectly pink melon with flavorful dressing and warm bread to leave your tastebuds anticipating and savoring every single bite.

Plate 3 - “Garden Basket”

With tossed market greens, this dish revitalizes the palette by mixing up seasonal pops of color, such as arugula, beets, and squash.

If you’re in Los Angeles, for a visit or a lifetime, definitely seek out the most wonderful alleyway in town. You can hear laughter from its entrance, see more green than you’d believed could exist in such an urban space, and feel right at home. That’s The Daily Dose Cafe, and it will by no means be your last time there.