EAST SIDE SINGLES VOL. III
Plus an event you won't want to miss.
Happy hump day, everyone. Don’t freak out — it’s time for the next east side singles roundup. This is selfishly such a fun feature to put together, and I love that it’s getting traction. If you’ve been on a date from one of these roundups, I want to hear about it.
Below the fold (click over to the web version if the email gets cut off), you’ll find intel on a new sandwich shop, a new tasting room, and a perfect house in Laughlin Park, plus two events you won’t want to miss.
As always, share the Rag with your friends and follow along on Instagram.
For anyone new here, the rules are simple. Each of the below singles lives on the east side, is looking for dates, and has been vetted by at least one friend. Some people were nominated by multiple friends, which probably means they’re marriage material.
If someone piques your interest, DM them at the Instagram account linked in their name. Also, just a thought…should we do an in-person speed dating night soon?
You can check out the past two singles roundups here and here. If you submitted for today’s roundup but don’t see yourself, don’t worry — the letter got way too long and you’ll be in the next one coming very soon!
^NICO
I’m interested in dates with: women.
My coffee shop of choice is: Comet Over Delphi — impeccable for early Saturday mornings.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: Bar Siesta, without a doubt. Lovely interior design, simple yet tasty food, and attentive but relaxed staff. Show up at 5pm with friends on a Saturday before it’s crowded, get a bottle of wine and ease into dinner hours.
My hottest take is: I think we over-optimize on convenience too much — do you really need your food delivered in 10 minutes? Your car to have a massage seat? Your 245728 multivitamins? Convenience is America’s favorite business, but I don’t think that’s always a good thing. Some of the most soulful things in life are inefficient.
^CAT
I’m interested in dates with: men.
My coffee shop of choice is: Picnic — best cream top around.
The most underrated place on the east side is: Reunion — gorgeous family-owned café (and soon to be natural wine bar) on Hyperion that some friends have poured their hearts into opening.
My hottest take is: LA is walkable. Recently strolled from Camel (“Handles”) to Santa Monica with pals to prove it.
The worst spot for a date would be: Hyperion Social….
^ROBERT*
*is way too cool for Instagram, but you can email him at robbkesman@gmail.com
I’m interested in dates with: women.
My coffee shop of choice is: If I’m not aeropressing, I’ll fire up the McDonald’s app and treat myself to a McCafé on Melrose, or Muddy Paw which offers a rare 20ish oz cold brew.
The most underrated place on the east side is: the Montecito Heights pickleball courts. Actually I should probably gatekeep them. Forget I mentioned it. They’re not low-key and full of friendly people at all.
The worst spot for a date would be: We definitely should not go somewhere like Alma’s or Bar Bandini and sit and chat over a drink. Unless?
^ERIN
I’m interested in dates with: men.
My coffee shop of choice is: saffy’s because it’s close — I’m more particular about my pastries than coffee.
The most underrated place on the east side is: 1642, it’s a great place to get cozy with friends and enjoy some live music.
My hottest take is: natural wine isn’t that good.
^SHIV
I’m interested in dates with: men / trans men / nb babes.
My coffee shop of choice is: Friends & Family. Great service, always space, and the baked goods 🤤
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: the Los Feliz Public Library. AC blasting, free printing up to $6 daily, green tile lining the windows, interesting crowd. No frills. Sexy, but at its core, the most nerdy.
My hottest take is: orange wine should just be called uncircumcised. “Skin contact” is so…visual.
^PAT
I’m interested in dates with: men.
My coffee shop of choice is: I’ll go anywhere, when someone’s too discerning about coffee i’m kind of like…get over it.
The most underrated place on the east side is: maybe heavy handed on sunset? I have no idea how anyone is rating anything but I like cheeseburgers.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: it’s insane. honestly probably the silver lake erewhon.
My hottest take is: track and field is the most watchable sport.
^JOE
I’m interested in dates with: shes, theys, and she/theys.
The most underrated place on the east side is: inside the big blue Scientology building. Just kidding. Or am I?
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: the Vermont Canyon Tennis Courts — doing a bougie sport but it’s in a venue that’s open to the public and in nature.
The worst spot for a date would be: 4100. I’ve been there once and was immediately overstimulated.
I’m interested in dates with: hot people, any gender.
My coffee shop of choice is: I make matcha at home so I can afford a house one day (wink), but I would run into oncoming traffic for the pastries at proof.
The most underrated place on the east side is: the taco stand catty corner from the yoshinoya in lincoln heights. they have a giant molcajete of salsa that is unreal. iykyk!
My hottest take is: you should be allowed to steal from CVS <3
^TIM
I’m interested in dates with: men with a good closet. Let’s wear each other’s clothes and dress each other. What’s mine is yours.
My coffee shop of choice is: Canyon Coffee, I live very close and there’s always so much going on on that little corner. BUT the Vietnamese coffee at Kien Gang Bakery is perfection — for my dates who are into something SWEET and STRONG.
The east side attration that aligns with my personality is: the Elysian Park West Loop Trail before 9am, and Lowboy.
My hottest take is: the Little Tokyo Galleria shopping center is the best place for groceries.
The worst spot for a date would be: Akbar.
^ALEX
I’m interested in dates with: men.
The most underrated place on the east side is: the Forest Lawn Cemetery Museum — it’s weird and cute and has a fun gift shop.
My hottest take is: people should be locked away for turning the Los Feliz portion of Hollywood Boulevard into a single lane road to make room for imaginary cyclists.
The worst spot for a date would be: anywhere in Sunset Junction.
I’m interested in dates with: men.
My coffee shop of choice is: Canyon or Dinosaur, I can’t decide!
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: Skylight Books — I’m on their events calendar!
My hottest take is: Fascism is terrible but might give us more meaningful art.
I’m interested in dates with: men.
The most underrated place on the east side is: we don’t talk about maury’s bagels enough.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: the Saturday morning jaunt from go get em tiger to the reservoir hits hard (highly recommend taking the shortcut route after the meadow so you get to that long stretch with the water on your right and the hills to your left!).
My hottest take is: driving down the 101 at golden hour with the windows down and the 1975 blasting is a sublime experience. why does everyone here drive with the windows up I don’t get it.
I’m interested in dates with: women.
My coffee shop of choice is: Lamill. Every morning I grab a coffee and walk my dog around the reservoir. If someone wanted to murder me, they’d have a pretty easy time tracking me down.
The most underrated place on the east side is: Baby Battista. Chill vibes, good wine, and they’ve done a great job curating the shows.
My hottest take is: Someone needs to open a bar where you need to be 30 or above to get in. LA nightlife skews way too young. Where do all the adults hang out?
I’m interested in dates with: male-identifying people.
My coffee shop of choice is: Kumquat!! Amazing coffee bean selection (Ethiopian washed alll the way baby) and their affogato is top tier. It’s my post-therapy treat.
The most underrated place on the east side is: I love Damian but I LOVE Ditroit. Outside seating (so I can bring my dog), incredible food (fish flauta and the saudero are my favs) and the most h e a v e n l y churro. Love an early afternoon mezcal margarita or michelada depending on my mood.
The worst spot for a date would be: anywhere too loud because I WILL smile and nod if you ask me a question and I can’t hear you.
^CODY
I’m looking for dates with: earnest people who like to read and eat and chat.
My coffee shop of choice is: cafe de leche and comet over delphi have joint custody of me.
The most underrated place on the east side is: remainders craft store.
The east side attraction that aligns with my personality is: the pro wrestling shows at the ukrainian cultural center.
📅 Mark your calendar…
Tomorrow, 8/21: If you’re in the coffee industry (or just love coffee), Canyon is hosting a networking event in Echo Park from 6-9pm. There’ll be coffee, obviously, plus burritos and tacos from Birrieria Echopark.
Saturday, 8/23: If you’ve been to the Silver Lake Meadow, you’re familiar with Matteo’s Matcha. This weekend, Matteo’s hosting his first-ever maker’s market at 5320 N. Figueroa Street in Highland Park from 11am-5pm. Expect a slate of great vendors, top-tier food, and raffles with actually great prizes.
🍽️ And now for some table scraps…
Abbreviated today because the email is too long <3
Silver Lake’s Vinovore has acquired its neighbor, Bar Keeper. Expect an expanded tasting room and an upcoming launch on UberEats. The tasting room opens on Saturday with a free gin tasting from 1-4pm.
Pino’s, a 60-year-old sandwich shop from Florence, has opened its first stateside location in Los Feliz. The new shop on Vermont will serve 14 savory sandwiches and one sweet sandwich. Owner Pino (he’s mononymous) first looked at LA locations closer to the ocean, but then he came to his senses.
LA city council is considering buying the Griffith Park carousel for $1mm. Every day I learn about something else in Griffith Park I never knew existed. There may not be elephants anymore, but there’s a carousel!
GQ reports on the resurgence of white socks and loafers. Um….when was this not a thing?
I’ve always been fascinated by Laughlin Park, and this house has rendered me speechless. Look, I think $8mm is a high price for any house this size, but imagine throwing a holiday party in that double-height great room? You’d be neighbors with Kristen Stewart, Natalie Portman, and Angelina Jolie (among others), so you could probably invite them all.
And if your budget’s a little more human, this rental nearby is very cute. But actually, someone please snag this. You don’t need a dishwasher, I promise.
wishing all my east side singles fortitude and romance in this trying time ♥️♥️
Marleigh’s the best, someone excellent needs to scoop her up