Eat In. Red velvet brain cupcakes.

Now that just sounds delicious, doesn't it? Halloween sure is a great excuse to get creative, and the fun doesn't have to stop at your costume. Think about all the fun, creepy-crawly foods and desserts you can think of -- the bloody punch, the grape eyeballs.

But while getting creative, you want to make sure the food tastes good too! I nabbed this recipe from the Food Network's latest star, Anne Thorton of "Dessert First with Anne Thornton." Her show is set to premiere this Sunday, but if you want a taste of what's sure to come, here's her fun take on red velvet cupcakes. Brain-licking good?

Eat Out. First Cup Caffe.

When you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go .. downtown!

Petula Clark most likely didn't have First Cup Caffe in mind when singing her 1965 hit, but its positive nature is a perfect representation for me of downtown Los Angeles' First Cup Caffe. It's a couple blocks up from the Los Angeles Times building, opens at 6:00 a.m., and is a place where the coffee is always fresh, piping hot, and delicious.

They use Tully's Coffee, and it's self-serve from large pump thermoses. They have a variety of great flavors including Kona Blend, Madison Blend, and House Blend. It's a comforting thing to have a place where the coffee is always good.

The food at First Cup is as satisfying as their Tully's coffee. Buttery blueberry muffins, almond croissants, chocolate croissants, spinach croissants ... they know their pastry. Additionally, they have a full kitchen and can make such hearty breakfast items as bacon and egg bagel sandwiches. For lunch, they have salads and sandwiches (including panini). And for dessert, red velvet cupcakes. This place sounds awesome, right?

It's just as easy to take away as it is to eat in, where the simple cafe-style tables are adorned with little vases and flowers.

First Cup Caffe is located at 333 S. Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: First Cup Caffe