L.A. Shoot: Fake Citizens Bank Branch in Mid-Wilshire

Josh Dickey over at the Variety Tower on Wilshire tweeted this photo earlier today: A fake Citizens Bank branch has "opened" in the lobby of 5900 Wilshire. The catch: It's for a commercial shoot. The closest actual Citizens Bank (which is focused on the East Coast) is located in Alabama.

Retro Friday: Los Angeles in the 1960s

Wilshire Blvd. and the Miracle Mile, in full color at night in the 1960s. Love that Van de Kamp bakery neon sign!



Sunset Blvd. and the Sunset Strip, also in color at night.

Rate-A-Restaurant #249: Mixt Greens

Restaurant: Mixt Greens

Location: 5757 Wilshire Blvd. (Miracle Mile)

Type of restaurant: Salads

We stipulated: Miracle Mile had been a vast lunchtime wasteland until the food trucks came along. Nonetheless, back when I worked at 5900 Wilshire, I welcomed the addition of Mixt Greens -- particularly because it replaced the dreadful O to Go.

They stipulated: "Mixt Greens was founded in San Francisco in 2005 and has since been voted San Francisco Chronicle's 'Best Healthy Lunch' in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as being certified as a 'Bay Area Green Business', one of only five restaurants with this designation." Mixt Greens specializes in design-your-own salads, with an escalating price structure depending on what you order.



What we ordered: Design your own salad ($6.95): : choose your greens, 2 staples, 2 specialties & dressing. I chose mixed greens, along with chickpeas, edamame, soba noodles and marinated tofu. Plus a mango citrus vinaigrette.

High point: I enjoy the ability to create your own salad with such a wide array of staples and specialties.

Low point: When Mixt Greens first opened, they were generous with the fixings -- and would add more if you asked. Now, not so much. The portions appear to be smaller, and they're stingy with the extras.



Overall impression: Be careful -- your salad could get really expensive with all the add-ons. That's why I make sure to stick with the basics.

Chance we'll go back:  Now that my office has moved to Century City, it's less likely. And honestly, once the portions got smaller, I stopped going. (It didn't help that I started hitting the food trucks).

For a complete list of our nearly 250 restaurant reviews, check out Franklin Avenue's companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #238: The Counter

Restaurant: The Counter

Location: 5779 Wilshire Blvd. (Miracle Mile)

Type of restaurant: Hamburgers/Sandwiches

We stipulated: The Counter was offering free lunches to patrons in advance of the opening of its new Miracle Mile location. We've been a fan in the past -- so we decided to make the trek to the Miracle Mile on a Saturday (even though I do that same damn drive every day of the week)



They stipulated: For the test lunch, almost everything was available. Here's how the Counter describes its concept: "Step into The Counter and you’re greeted with a clipboard and an extensive list of fresh ingredients that allow you to build your own gourmet burger. Our 312,120+ different burger combinations make every burger as unique as each customer. Rarely is the same burger made twice in one day."



What we ordered:
MIKE: Turkey burger with jalapenos, roasted corn & black bean salsa, roasted red peppers and organic mixed greens, plus chipotle aioli and housemade guacamole, on a multigrain bun

MARIA: veggie burger with soft ripened brie, mixed greens and applewood smoked bacon

EVAN: kids mini burgers (plate of two with American cheese and pickles)

SIDES: sweet potato fries/parmesan fries

Apple pie shake



High point: That Apple pie shake was pretty amazing. We normally wouldn't have tried it, but seeing how it was a test lunch, we couldn't resist. Also, the sweet potato fries are a consistent winner. And Maria was surprised at how good the veggie burger was. (She negated it, of course, by topping it with bacon.)

Low point: I keep ordering the turkey burger at the Counter, and it always comes back too charred. On another, more recent, visit, I ordered the chicken sandwich and was pleased. It will be chicken for now on.



Overall impression: The Counter brings a much-needed sit-down alternative to the horrific Marie Callender's on that block of the Miracle Mile. And it's always a good alternative when you're looking to meet with a bunch of people, particularly with kids.

Chance we'll go back: Definitely, we're plotting a visit soon to the Pasadena location.

Hoff, Bieber and Seacrest-o-Lanterns: It's The Great Wilshire Pumpkin Contest

Every year, the tenants of 5700 Wilshire and 5750 Wilshire -- collectively known as "Wilshire Courtyard" -- hold a pumpkin carving smackdown, as they search for the most creative Jack-O-Lantern of the year. It's become tradition at Franklin Avenue for us to recount some of the most ambitious... and the ones with the biggest pop culture references.

The entrants, after all, come from E! Entertainment, "Family Guy" and a management firm, among others. That's why Seacrest and Chelsea Handler show up in this year's assortment. Among the best:


I Feel Hofful!
by In House Media/tipstrends


Ryan's Missing
by Comcast Entertainment Group


Bombshell McGee
by E! News Now


Pumpkin Lately
by Comcast Entertainment Group Research and PP&A


Rub a Dub Dub, Guidos/Guidettes in a Tub
by Rebel Entertainment Partners


Meaty GaGa's Bad Romance
by LA Business Journal


Heeby Jeeby Bieby
by Comcast Entertainment Group Business Development


Daft Punkin
by AEG Live


Pulp Fixins (in homage to 'Food Truck Wars')
by Brierley and Partners


The Sacre-Iss Wheel
by Family Guy


The Great Pimpkin
by Kearny


Making Pies
by CEG Security
Yes, I should point out that this, indeed, is a pumpkin taking a big ol' dump in the form of mini pies.


Life is the Pits
by Wilshire Courtyard Security

PREVIOUSLY ON FRANKLIN AVENUE:

2009's contest

2008's contest

2007's contest

2006's contest

The Miracle Mile Food Truck Wars Continue, While The Counter Plans to Move In

As a regular lunchtime customer of the food trucks parked between 5700 Wilshire (Variety's old offices) and 5900 Wilshire (Variety's current offices), I've been enjoying LAist's ongoing coverage of the Miracle Mile's Great Food Truck War.

Specifically, LAist has uncovered plenty of evidence that the landlord at Museum Square -- 5757 Wilshire -- has started employing some sneaky methods in an attempt to crowd the trucks off the street.

Apparently, as you can see in the video above, Museum Square appears to have hired drivers to take as many parking spots on Wilshire as possible, in order to prevent the trucks from stopping there. Museum Square has its tenants to look out for -- including Marie Callender's, Baja Fresh, Johnnie's NY Pizza and Mixt Greens. (Too bad those selections are all pretty uninspiring.) Meanwhile, Councilman Tom LaBonge has thrown his support behind the brick-and-mortar restaurants.

In its most recent post on the matter, LAist noted that those cars regularly get tickets -- a small price to pay, perhaps, as Museum Square looks to protect its own. Or perhaps not a small price: One car is up to $800 in tickets, so far unpaid.

Meanwhile, in other Miracle Mile eating news, the food options there in the 5700 Wilshire block is about to get some fresh blood: Burger joint The Counter has announced that it's moving into the location recently vacated by Koo Koo Roo. That's the best food news we've gotten in the area in quite a while.

Food "Truckapalooza" Comes to the Miracle Mile

When Variety first moved to 5900 Wilshire, the landlord promised to land a restaurant in the building.

That wound up not happening. But at least the building management has been aggressive in attracting L.A.'s ubiquitous food trucks to our area.

While most of the trucks park in front of Variety's old offices (next to E! Entertainment) -- I counted 15 there the other day -- a bunch usually stop in front of 5900 Wilshire as well.

On Thursday, nine trucks showed up to take part in 5900 Wilshire's "truckapalooza," including Phamish, Nom Nom, Baby’s Badass Burgers, No Reservations, FrySmith, Papas Tapas, Flying Pig, The Good Karma Dessert Truck and King Kone. 100.3 The Sound, which also is in our building, provided the tunes. I hit the Nom Nom truck -- which hadn't visited our parts in a while. (I used to like it better than Phamish... but sorry Nom Nom, I think Phamish may have won me over.)

Whatta Day for L.A. Weather: Here's The 30th Floor View from the Miracle Mile

Thunder, lightning, hail, tornado, flooding... it was quite a day for weather in Los Angeles and Southern California. And it ain't over yet.

The clouds parted this afternoon, allowing for some amazing views of the region via our 30th floor perch at Variety's Miracle Mile tower. I was especially wowed by the views of San Fernando Valley clouds peaking over the Hollywood Hills, as you can see above and below.





Fox 11's Mark Thompson just tweeted that "More rain developing tomorrow and tomorrow night and then again Thursday...Afraid it's gonna get even uglier." And here's the round up from the L.A. Times:

A powerful storm that hit the Southern California coast this afternoon caused at least one tornado, four water spouts and winds of up to 80 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

“We have everything going today,” said the Weather Service spokesman Bill Hoffer.

Long Beach, Seal Beach, San Pedro and Huntington Beach were hit hardest by the fast-moving storm, which flooded streets, damaged homes, produced hail and ice and stranded cars on the 710 Freeway.

Witnesses reported seeing a tornado touch down in Sunset Beach and lift boats out of the water as it came onshore, sheriff’s officials said.

Sheriff’s deputies were responding to reports that a tornado or waterspout had touched down near Anderson Street and Pacific Coast Highway, lifting several catamarans 30 feet to 50 feet in the air, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

Kogi vs. Octo-Mom vs. Balloon Boy: It's the Great Wilshire Pumpkin Competition

"Run Roja Run" by Wilshire Courtyard Security

Every year, the tenants of 5700 Wilshire and 5750 Wilshire -- collectively known as "Wilshire Courtyard" -- hold a pumpkin carving smackdown, as they search for the most creative Jack-O-Lantern of the year. Variety is no longer at 5700, but I decided to keep up tradition and check out this year's entries.

My favorite may be the above Kogi one. Sure, anyone across the country could do a John & Kate, Balloon Boy or Octomom pumpkin (see below). But for the sheer localness of it -- citing the ongoing police raids of the taco trucks parked on Wilshire in front of this very office park -- I gotta give it to the Wilshire Courtyard Security team. Bravo.

A few of the other highlights:


"OctoMom" by E! NN


"La Catrina Calavera" by Entravision (radio station group)


"Balloon Boy" by E! News Bureau news cam


"Jon and Kate Carve 8" by L.A. Business Journal


"Jurassic Pumkano" by Rebel Entetainment


"Swine Flu" by CEG Office Services




"The SS Stewie," by Fox's "Family Guy"


"The Pumpkin of Hazzard" by E! Entertainment TV

This year's competition appeared to elicit fewer entries than years past -- and several tenants, including Oprah Winfrey Network, apparently didn't join in. Here's how everyone participated in the past:

2008's contest

2007's contest

2006's contest

Ich Bin Ein Miracle Miler

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, eight segments will be installed along Wilshire Blvd. in front of the Variety Building (5900 Wilshire).

The installation will remain in front of the building until Nov. 14. Some info:

The eight wall segments of reinforced concrete will be installed by professional workers on the lawn area in front of 5900 Wilshire along Wilshire Blvd. The segments, which are each 12 ft. tall and 3.9 ft. wide, will face the Los Angeles County Museum of Art directly across the street.

The eight original Berlin Wall segments were recently acquired by the Wende Museum in Culver City for its permanent collection. Two additional wall segments will be installed in front of 5900 Wilshire on Nov. 3, which will make it the longest stretch of the Berlin Wall outside of Berlin, Germany.

As long as the wall doesn't keep us away from the lunchtime food trucks. If that does happen, expect several of us to take to the streets and proclaim, "Mr. 5900 Wilshire, tear down this wall!"

No, A Volcano Hasn't Erupted in the Mountains Over Los Angeles

... but it sure looks like it. Here's the view from the 30th floor of 5900 Wilshire -- also known as the Variety Building -- in the Miracle Mile. According to the L.A. Times, this huge plume of smoke is the result of a brush fire in the Angeles National Forest near Highway 39.

The paper reports that campgrounds have now been evacuated in the area. More:

The fire broke out about 4:40 p.m. along San Gabriel Canyon Road near Morris Dam. KABC Channel 7 showed firefighters battling tall flames on a ridge off Highway 39, which is closed in both directions.

The fire burned about 25 acres but was growing. Firefighters and inmate crews were on the scene, and air support was making water drops, officials said.

Black smoke could be seen from around the San Gabriel Valley.

And, of course, from as far away as here in the Miracle Mile, where we've spotted several brush fires this summer, thanks to our vantage point up here.

A few more shots:

Save the Miracle Mile Food Trucks

Having now worked in the Miracle Mile for a decade -- and on Wilshire for a total of more than 13 years -- I've been stuck with a vast wasteland of lunch choices for as long as I can remember.

When a rare new spot does open up, it's usually quick to disappoint -- such as the recent addition of Asian-themed Toshi's, a truly awful, awful place. Other joints in the 'hood have long since lost their appeal: Koo Koo Roo, Johnie's, Baja Fresh. Exciting choices -- for 1997. Not so much now.

That's why the recent explosion in "designer food trucks" -- the Green Truck, Bool BBQ, Coolhaus, and of course, Kogi BBQ, among others -- has been so welcomed among the starving Miracle Mile masses.

It now looks like we may once again be stuck with just those limited, brick-and-mortar choices. As LAist recently noted, the established Miracle Mile eateries are now looking to fight back:

Jose Ceja, the manager over at Johnnie's New York Pizzeria, says all the restaurant managers in the area, including Koo Koo Roo, Baja Fresh and Organic to Go, have been meeting over the issue. "We're all trying to work together getting rid of these things," explained Ceja. "I've cut employees left and right because we don't have enough income to keep everyone here. The economy has been bad and I had to cut, and then these trucks show up and had to cut more. We all average $15,000 to $18,000 in rent, have to pay employee taxes and alcohol licenses."

No one's claiming credit, but these concerns are believed to have played a role in last week's food truck crackdown. The L.A. Times writes:

Last week, the lines disappeared after police officers swooped in and forced Green Truck and several other mobile food vendors parked in the mid-Wilshire area to move on.

Some drivers said they were cited for minimal violations such as parking too close to the curb, or parking too far away. Others said they were ordered to pack up and leave.

Police officials said the crackdown Wednesday was part of a one-day operation to clear the area of illegal vendors.

"They don't have city and health department permits," said Lt. Dan Hudson, watch commander at the Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Division. "Restaurants complain because the lunch trucks are taking their business, and they don't have [proper] permits."

Perhaps it's time to start brownbagging it.

Rate-A-Restaurant #213: Bool BBQ

Restaurant: Bool BBQ

Location: Mobile Truck; 5750 Wilshire Blvd. for this review (Miracle Mile)

Type of restaurant: Korean tacos

We stipulated: The new Variety offices on the 30th floor of the newly dubbed Miracle Mile "Variety Building" offer up great views -- but on the down side, our eating options are even worse than they were in our old digs. And they weren't great then either. With more mobile food trucks stopping in the area, it's getting a little better -- and with that in mind, I decided to visit the copycat Korean taco truck "Bool BBQ" on Monday.

They stipulated: You know the drill: Wait in line, order, and then wait some more.



What I ordered: Two chicken tacos, one pork taco ($1.99 each).



High point: The spice is great -- and despite the kim chee, I didn't suffer any aftertaste throughout the afternoon. (Can't vouch for what the people I spoke to might have noticed.) he chicken, in particular, was also cooked well.

Low point: The Bool BBQ menu is very limited; and somewhat confusingly, isn't only Korean and Mexican. The truck also sells Brazilian pastels.




Overall impression: It's easy to just dismiss the Korean taco trucks that have popped up in the wake of Kogi's success... but there's definitely room for Bool, which offers up tasty Korean-inspired tacos at -- and this is the important part -- a fraction of the time in line. I waited only about five minutes for my food -- not a bad advantage of the always-packed Kogi.




Chance we'll go back: Absolutely; it's a nice change of pace from the same mix of Koo Koo Roo/Johnny's/Baja Fresh/O to Go in that part of the Miracle Mile.

For a complete list of our more than 200 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant website.

Los Angeles: Ad Town One in a series

Variety's new headquarters on the Miracle Mile is no stranger to TV, film and commercials (it even played a major role in the cult movie "Miracle Mile"). The 5900 Wilshire owners can't seem to say no to location shoots, which is why I constantly see our lobby and building while flipping the channels.

Most recently, the lobby of the Variety Tower showed up in a Travelocity ad that ran Sunday during the season finale of "The Amazing Race."



Here's a shot from the other direction. That's LACMA in the background:



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