Rate-A-Restaurant #387: Fritzi Coop (Fairfax/Beverly/3rd)

Restaurant: Fritzi Coop

Location: Farmers Market (Fairfax/Beverly/3rd)

Type of restaurant: Chicken sandwiches

We stipulated: With my parents in town, we found ourselves at the Farmers Market — and Fritzi Coop was one of the food options to try.

They stipulated: "From culinary mastermind, Neal Fraser, Fritzi Coop is the can’t-miss fried chicken destination at The Original Farmer’s Market & SteelCraft in Bellflower. Our philosophy is a simple one: We use the highest quality ingredients paired with delicious, bold flavors, from our signature plates to our salads and sandwiches. You’ll find no better chicken on the planet!"

What we ordered: Fritzi Hot Chicken ("our classic fried chicken with serious Fritzi heat, spicy slaw and sliced pickles"); bold classic ("buttermilk fried chicken with house-made pimento cheese, lettuce, tomato and sliced pickles"); tots

High point:  Hot chicken sandwich was good, although messy.

Overall impression: I'm ashamed to say we haven't had Howlin' Rays yet, because that line is still too crazy, and I lack the patience. Fritzi's was good... but I'm still looking for the perfect, hot chicken sandwich.

Will we return:  It's fine enough, and if I find myself at the Farmers Market again, I will try it -- and ask for it to be spicier.

Why Foodie (and "Everybody Loves Raymond" Creator) Phil Rosenthal Says L.A. is a Better Food Town Than New York

"Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal has a confession to make: In the battle between New York and Los Angeles, when it comes to food, L.A. is the winner.

Rosenthal, now the host of PBS’ "I’ll Have What Phil’s Having," is a New York native, so his change of allegiance carries some weight. After 25 years of living in L.A. and investing in the restaurant scene here, Rosenthal says it’s not even a contest.

“I’m declaring Los Angeles the winner,” Rosenthal told me recently for a TV Insider story. “And I’m a snobby New Yorker. Right now L.A. is the best food city in America. I’m proud of it. And I can prove it.”

Rosenthal tackled Los Angeles on a recent episode of "I’ll Have What Phil’s Having," which doubled as the show’s Season 1 finale. In the episode, Rosenthal takes his Raymond star Ray Romano to the Farmers’ Market for breakfast at Loteria; comedian Martin Short to chef Roy Choi’s Commissary; and Mom star Allison Janney to downtown’s historic Grand Central Market.

He also checks out a taco truck with The Nightly Show host Larry Wilmore, and takes legendary producer Norman Lear and actor Paul Reiser to Langer’s deli for the best pastrami sandwich in the country.

My friend Diane and I met up with Rosenthal at the famed Farmers’ Market (at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax), and yes, we had what Phil was having: Fresh seafood from Tusquellas Fish & Oyster Bar. Read our full conversation here.

Outdoor Movies Return to South Pasadena

(Flickr pic via Jill Doughtie.)

It's not hard to find outdoor movie screenings in Los Angeles -- these days it seems they're everywhere. (I just wrote "B-Movies and Bad Movies" at the La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum.)

But South Pasadena boasts one of the most family-friendly -- a good choice for those of us with young ones.

Run by the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation, the town's "Outdoor Movie Nights" takes place Saturdays on the lawn at the South Pasadena Museum -- where the popular (and Franklin Avenue's fave) Farmers' Market runs every Thursday.

Movies begin at 8 p.m. This Saturday, the "Outdoor Movie Nights" screen "Up." Here are the future screenings:

July 17 - "Night at The Museum"
July 24 - "Enchanted"
July 31 - "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
Aug. 7 - "Back to the Future"

The best part: It's free. Bring a blanket and some popcorn.

Luke, I'm Your Car Washing Daddy

I have a 7-year-old nephew/"Star Wars" fanatic who would FLIP over this: G4's "Attack of the Show" (hey, I know those guys!) is sponsoring a "Star Wars Charity Car Wash" on Saturday.

The event, held across the street from the Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax, will feature folks dressed as "Star Wars" characters (including the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers and a "fleet of Slave Leias") as they wash your car for just $10.

Proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The washing takes place between 1 and 4 -- so get there before the Slave Leias wise up!

Taking a Shine to the Farmers' Market's Shine Gallery

How cool is the Shine Gallery, located in the Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax?

Named one of Los Angeles magazine's Best of 2009 selections, the Shine Gallery features vintage items purchased "from dusty warehouses, old factories, and closed stores" across the country.

Because the early 20th century items are bought in bulk by store owner Bernie Shine, the prices are actually quite reasonable -- and Shine notes that dealers frequently resell their items at a profit.

I stopped by the store on April Fool's Day to check out the L.A. Conservancy Modern Committee's fundraiser there. Although I couldn't stay long -- the family beckoned -- I'll be back soon.

And as a bonus, I picked up a few Bob's Doughnuts to bring home to the wife and Blogger Boy. A win all around.

Some pics from the store:


I'm guessing these buttons weren't done ironically... which makes it all the more hilarious.


I love the idea of people hallucinating a giant, drunk donkey on top of the L.A. Sports Arena. Vote for Kennedy!


Funny that ukulele strumming says "vintage" to some folks. Hey, it's just as relevant to 2010! Just ask Jake Shimabukuro.


Ahh, the innocent yet still dirty 1930s!


Creepy, much?

A Retro April Fool's Day at the Farmers Market

The L.A. Conservancy's Modern Committee has found a unique way to celebrate April Fool's Day -- and raise some money for the org at the same time.

The ModCom is holding an event this Thursday, April 1, at the Farmers Market's eccentric Shine Gallery. Here are the details:

Owner Bernie Shine is an eclectic and eccentric collector, a treasure hunter of sorts. But he does not seek sunken ships, buried treasures, or archeological ruins. Rather he recovers *genuine* vintage memorabilia* from dusty warehouses, old factories, and closed stores. He searches the world over for quantity finds from bygone eras, all in unused condition.

Shine Gallery is a collector’s paradise for bona fide period items mostly from the 1910s through the 1950s, all guaranteed to be authentic and vintage.

For the event, Shine will showcase "an amusing look at the history of joyful junk, featuring vintage jokes, novelties, tricks, pranks, prizes, trinkets & treasures from the incredible inventory of Shine Gallery."

Shine will donate 30% of gross sales that night to the Modcom. The store also promises a free mystery grab bag for the first 50 guests.

The April Fool's Day event takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Food Nibbles: Taco Trucks, U-Pick Farms and Rotisserie Chicken

(Flickr pic by cknlomein.)

Some food tidbits via the L.A. Times:

-- Tips on finding the best rotisserie chicken in Los Angeles.

Among the author's faves:

Gourmet Grill Masters: Found at farmers markets all over.

Lola's: 14851 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, and 230 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.

Moishe's Restaurant: In the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St.

The Oinkster: 2005 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock.

Pollo a la Brasa: 764 S. Western Ave. (at 8th Street) and 16527 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena.

Pollos El Brasero: 2281 W. Pico Blvd.

Reddi-Chick: 225 26th St., Santa Monica.

Soumarelo Fresh Mediterranean Grill: 1090 N. Allen Ave, Pasadena.

-- It's that time of year: U-Pick farms are bustling. The paper has a list of places to visit and pick those peaches, raspberries, etc.

-- L.A. County taco trucks: Saved! Carne asada for everyone!

-- One more, not L.A. Times related: You know that fall's fast approaching when the seasonal drinks start appearing at the coffee chains. I noticed this morning in line at Peet's that, yes, the pumpkin latte is back.

Maria's Thursday Three: "Runway," Loteria and the Levitt

1. Holla Atcha Boy: "Project Runway" is back, and it's been hard for me and Mike to pick a favorite just yet, but I've been impressed with what Terri's been doing so far. Meanwhile, thanks to Mike's job, we just got a sneak peak of the first episode of "Top Design." It's gonna be good! Several designers who are already established in their own right, with some colorful personalities mixed in. Great casting, while Todd Oldham takes a back seat to become a mentor for the contestants (a la Tim Gunn) and India Hicks has joined as the new host. Plus, from what I can tell, future episodes feature past "Project Runway" contestants and Jeff Lewis.

2. Loteria Grill in Hollywood: We checked out the new space in Hollywood last weekend, and I love it. Going to the Farmer's Market location always stressed me out, having to line up, wait for the food and score a place to sit. There's something great about the wide-open space, the high ceilings, the attentive waiters, the jalapeño margaritas and the oversized Mexican folk art cards (all while Hollywood walks by) that make me want to come back to this place. The food seems to have the same price as the Farmer's Market location, and the drinks are potent but expensive. (See photo gallery in the post below.)

3. Summer Concerts at The Levitt Pavillion: Wednesday nights you can find TKFKABT and I at the Levitt Pavillion with a picnic and some friends having fun on Children's Night. It can get really crowded, but you can still score a decent spot if you get there before 6:30 pm. Plop down a blanket and enjoy the night. This week, the Kid grooved out to the music as acrobats performed some pretty cool stunts, as part of a circus-themed show. The concerts/events are always free at the Levitt.

Santa Monica, Five Years Later

The L.A. Times' L.A. Now blog marks the five-year anniversary of the Santa Monica Farmers Market tragedy, and prints a remembrance from reader Helen K. Garber. She writes:

We live in Santa Monica and after my husband took an office near the Third Street Promenade, we made a habit of having lunch every Wednesday after shopping through the Farmers' Market. You get to enjoy the freshest ingredients at the local restaurants on a Wednesday afternoon. It is a wonderful part of living in Los Angeles to be able to sit in outdoor cafes all year round. Farmers markets are also wonderful places to shoot photographs, and occasionally, I would shoot while my husband would shop.

I got to his office late on July 16, 2003. My husband was very hungry and and since it was also the day that Whole Foods opened in Santa Monica, he asked to go to lunch directly and for me to shop afterward at the Whole Foods. So instead of being directly in the path of Mr. Russell's car, we heard and watched his car careen through the market from our front-row seats at the patio at Lago on Third and Arizona.

Read more at L.A. Now here. Garber notes that she bought stock in Whole Foods later, as a thank you for opening that fateful day, of all days, keeping her from the market.

L.A.'s Most Family-Friendly Farmers Market

Late sunsets and warm evenings are perfect for South Pasadena's Thursday night farmers market. We've written about the weekly event plenty of times in the past, but it's worth reminding you again.

Evan and I returned to the farmers' market on Thursday night, and the mood was perfect. The air smelled of barbecue. A jazz ensemble performed. Kids ran around the grass as parents talked. Metro trains passed by, captivating the kids (including the Kid Formerly Known as the Blogger Toddler).

We both ate tamales, and later bought two corns on the cob -- and finished all of it. (The KFKATBT was truly hungry.) We marched up and down the stalls, sampling fruit and buying a container of loose grapes for $1 (bargain time!)



If you can't make it on Thursdays, South Pasadena is also sponsoring outdoor movies for kids at the same spot on Mission throughout the month of July on Saturday evenings, starting at 8 p.m. See you there...

L.A.'s Most Family-Friendly Farmers Market

Last Thursday Maria wrote about the South Pasadena Farmers Market, and this Thursday I'm here to back her up.

Located on Mission -- right where the Metro Gold Line stops -- it's a perfect place for a market. People stroll from the restaurants to the market and back again; stores are open late; and the vibe is nice.

Plus, the food vendors are top-notch. There are a wide variety of produce, bread and baked goodies booths.

But I have to say, the South Pasadena Farmers Market is less about fruits and veggies (you can find a better selection at bigger markets like the Hollywood or Santa Monica ones), and more about the festive atmosphere. While you'd be hard-pressed to plop down and sit for a few hours at the Hollywood or Santa Monica ones, while letting your little ones run wild, that's part of the tradition at the South Pas market. Young parents with their kids sit on blankets, scarfing down gourmet tamales while their toddlers watch and squeal with delight as the Gold Line trains race by. (OK, that was me and Blogger Toddler last week.)

But get there while it's still light out relatively late -- and it's still warm outside. The South Pasadena Farmers Market takes place from 4 to 8 tonight. Parking's not hard to find -- or take the train in.


One reason it's a hit with kids: The constant appearance of the Gold Line, which Blogger Toddler never tired of watching as we consumed our tamales.


The farmers market staple: Fruit samples.


Tamales that live up to their gourmet name...


... just check out their menu. I ordered the "smoked BBQ chicken, red onion, cilantro and smoked Gouda cheese" tamale, while Evan had the more benign "green corn with sweet yellow corn" (which he completely consumed). We later brought home the "pumpkin and currant Jamaica Rum flavor" tamale for Maria.


As eaten on our blanket near the Metro Gold Line stop.


The rotisserie grill flames up.


Blogger Toddler meets Rice Krispie treat.


And oh yeah, produce.