This Ugly Beautiful Newsletter--20s
FREE newsletter: Support small businesses & have a great BBQ
This is the FREE edition of This Ugly Beautiful City and likes and comments are open to all. I would love it if the comments were filled with Los Angeles businesses you love. This issue does not include a paywall. Paid subscribers received their issue of Los Angeles Curated on July 7. (Plus there is the WhatsApp group.)
Dear friends, (Welcome new subscribers and followers,)
I’ve been out of the country a lot this summer*. So, what did I miss?
Just kidding, the U.S. news is broadcast everywhere.
Being gone has helped the general feeling of wtf-itude. It also means that I missed the farewell of one of my favorite Los Angeles cocktail bars, the Varnish. It closed on July 3rd after 15 years. When it opened this bar was instrumental in changing the way Los Angeles did cocktails. It brought back the classics and bartending as a studied profession.
I am feeling a bit helpless in the quest to save my favorite small businesses in Los Angeles. Supporting small businesses is part of This Ugly Beautiful City’s mission, but I can’t do without some help.
What is the place you would be heartbroken if it closed? (This doesn’t need to be in L.A. because I know some of you don’t live in the area.)
Since it is summer, I thought I would do a summer cook-out-themed list of Los Angeles small businesses. Thinking about all the things you would need for a cookout, I matched items and the local business(es) you should support.
Beer: I would pick up beer from…
Los Angeles is home to dozens of breweries which is great. People are doing some interesting things with beer and we are finally going beyond the West Coast IPA.
Los Angeles Ale Works–@laaleworks–There are over two dozen beers on tap of varying types–from a better pilsner & lime option to strong coffee stouts. Both locations have an active events calendar.
Smog City–@smogcitybeer–Yes! To strange and interesting options!
Crown & Hops–@crownsandhops–This black-owned, veteran-owned, brewery has the dopest hazy beers.
Or leave your favorite local brewery in the comments. Let’s make this a great summer resource!
I would pick up wine from…
Angeleno Wine Co.-- @angelenowine–The first winery to open in Los Angeles’ former wine region since prohibition.
Stanley’s Wet Goods–@stanleyswetgoods–Follow for their twice a year mega tasting and other wine events.
Silverlake Wine–@silverlakewine–If you want to learn about wine and what you like, they are very helpful
Note: If you want to support local at a big box, Total Wine carries Crown & Hops and Angeleno Wine.
I would get a pie at….
I would get my burger inspiration at…
Amboy Quality Meats–@amboy_qualitymeats–My favorite burger in town.
Have another inspiring burger? Leave it in the comments. It is open to you. I know Angelenos have strong burger opinions.
I would pick up buns from…
Bub & Grandma’s–@bubsandgrandmasbread–also the cheddar bread makes a great base for another summer classic, the BLT and sometimes A.
I would get my grilling favorites from…
A Cut Above–@acabutchershop–Eat there or take it to go.
Peads & Barnetts—@porkandflowers—They set up at local Farmer’s Markets for one-stop shopping.
Flannery Beef–@flannerybeef–A lot of local restaurants use Flannery.
If you have any other summer cook-out-themed small businesses other readers should know, add them in the comments. (I am not well versed in animal alternatives for example.)
Want more small businesses to support while you are in L.A.? My neighborhood guides are full of small businesses you should support instead of the big guys.
*BTW, I strongly recommend taking a break from the United States before the election. Let’s set up a time to plan your vacation.
In this issue
New posts–I didn’t post anything new this month
Updated posts
Best things I ate
Updated posts
The Varnish is on my Hidden Gems Bingo card. If you purchased it, mark it as a free space. I have a new suggestion in the game’s site if you are looking for a great cocktail bar.
Where to eat on Abbot Kinney—I saw that Gjelina Take Away (GTA) has closed. It is deleted from the post. I don’t have a substitute yet, but there are still tons great places to eat in that neighborhood.
Speaking of eating….
Best things I ate
I have so many great recommendations for restaurants around the world, but if I had to choose the one thing I ate in Los Angeles, it would be the Hong Kong-style French Toast at Liu’s Cafe in Koreatown.
Happy exploring!
Kristen
Some thoughts on Substack 20 issues in:
Substack is a cross between a newsletter and a blog post. It is delivered like a newsletter where one skims it for the content they want with no interaction. It is also on a website like a blog post that you can interact with, but doesn’t have the functionality of a blog post where you can skip to the content that you want.
But it is also social media, a podcast, and other things I don’t really use.