Sure they said this was in Echo Park, but we know that once you're south of the 101 you're not in Echo Park anymore, Dorothy. The area known as the Rampart district is primarily defined by the rocked-with-scandal police station located 0.8 miles from the Tribal Cafe and the exactly one-mile away original Tommy Burger, a plight on American gastronomy. So I suppose an artsy, literary coffeeshop with fresh juices and delicious-looking sandwiches is a good addition to the neighborhood.
Speaking of neighborhoods, that's what Jim Ruland's essay is about: his neigborhood. The piece is in the Hobart travel issue. Online you get a photo tour, but to read the story -- and discover the truly best chicken joint on Manchester Blvd. -- you've got to get a copy of Hobart for yourself.
Another fab reader of the evening was the slightly nervous Salvador Plascencia, whose debut novel, The People of Paper, is getting raves. His story (excerpt?) was beautifully written, and he even brought visual aids. That's what teaching at USC will train you to do: bring pictures to a reading.
That's Jim there in the above photo, the best I could manage with my cell phone. Maybe Mark Sarvas captured the evening better with his blackberry-like device. But you'll have to wait to see his, since he's taking a couple days off from The Elegant Variation.
Me, I'm heading back to the land of Villette for a little while. At least another 50 pages or so.
