the monthly BEAT: Miracle Mile/Mid-City/Fairfax. Eat Out.

Chau and I both used to work in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles, and you better believe we found our fair share of great eateries. Any time of day, this relatively unassuming stretch between Beverly Hills and downtown Los Angeles has some delicious options.

Between around 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. a ton of famous L.A. food trucks are parked out front of the Variety Building (5900 Wilshire), and the 5750 Wilshire offices (which includes E!).

The Counter (for a custom burger and a quality milkshake)

Mixt Greens (healthy made-to-order salads and sandwiches)

Umami Burger La Brea (a BEAT favorite)

Caffe Latte (well-made espresso drinks, breakfast, muffins, soup, hearty salads, etc.)

Tawanni Thai (very decent strip mall Thai food, their tofu yellow curry was my go-to favorite)

Luna Park (good happy hour specials, pleasant little outdoor sidewalk area)

Stark Bar at LACMA (for creative cocktails and small plates)

Enjoy!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. Caffe Latte.

Maybe you've seen this place. You've probably driven by it--on Wilshire's Miracle Mile--a hundred times and never thought twice. Let me tell you, it's worth a try.

On weekdays, they're open early, and make a nice latte (as they should), so it can serve as a good alternative to Starbucks if you want to change it up. Breakfast and lunch are what Caffe Latte is known for. So far, I've just had their lunch, they make tons of great salads, including one with spinach and sliced chicken breast. As it's located on Wilshire just east of Condé Nast's L.A. offices, the unassuming strip mall cafe got on the radar of The New York Observer (for being a Vogue favorite).

If you're looking for a satisfying break from the surrounding fare (Trimana and Wahoo's), step in to Caffe Latte, sit down at a table and order an iced tea. Soon you'll be served with a little plate of irresistible warm mini poppy seed muffins, and as you read the menu you'll have trouble deciding what to get--the sign of a place you'll go back to.

Caffe Latte is located at 6254 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: notfortourists