LA, Live

Once a skeptic of downtown LA, I'm now a convert. I've been a downtown LA resident for five months now and remain convinced that the place is poised to become a major urban center. Allow me to offer an admittedly South-Park-centric list of some top attractions for locals, visitors and would-be downtowners:

1) The wine tastings at Ralphs, generally held on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. I once laughed at how downtowners were so thrilled to get a Ralphs -- then I realized that this was one hell of a Ralphs, positively Whole Foodesque in its all-around excellence. Wine steward Mike Berger's wine tastings -- complete with elegant cheeses and occasional roasted meats -- are a hidden delight of local living. You can get schedule updates from Mike at downtownster.com. Then get down there and bask in his friendly wisdom about all things red or white.

2) Bottega Louie. The place is buzzing. I said, THE PLACE IS BUZZING -- sorry, it gets so noise there that a person has to shout. Its cavernous dining area has terrific pizzas, its elegant bar has great cocktails, and it also has a deluxe heaping of deli and bakery and grocer items. The fact that it's so packed late most evenings and on weekends may be the best evidence yet that downtown has popped.

3) The Cork Bar. A classy wine bar, with California specialties and wonderful food. Try the hanger steak or the cheeseburger.

4) New Zealand Natural Ice Cream. Believe it or not, the ice cream really comes from New Zealand. If you like mango, you will quickly become addicted to the Mango Passion there. Others rave about the rocky road and espresso, though. In any event, you can't go wrong.

Those are the first four that come to me. What am I missing? Disney Hall, Cafe Pinot, the Edison, what else...? More later....