Dustin Lancaster: Owner, Bar Covell + L & E Oyster Bar

Dustin Lancaster: Owner, Bar Covell + L & E Oyster Bar

Dustin's East Side Neighborhood Notes

ELAINE SAYS: Owner of the beloved, Bar Covell and now the new, L & E Oyster Bar, Dustin Lancaster has already turned his undeniably cool sip and snack spots into East Side establishments. Far from his native Oklahoma, he has a knack for creating, quite simply, a great vibe. The comfortable, ecclectic decor, the attentive bartenders and wait staff, the dreamy cheese boards and exotic oysters. He creates the rare ambience thats cool enough to feel like home to hipsters while delivering on service and quality, a triple threat that makes Dustin one to watch.

  1. Coffee at Proof Bakery proof bakeryVISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 401 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles [Silverlake]I'll start this list the same way I start my day... with coffee.   I'm a serious coffee drinker, and fortunately, the east side has it's fair share of legit coffee shops.  Though I wouldn't call Intelligentsia or LA Mill shops, they're a bit more like compounds.  My favorite spot is a fairly new little bakery and cafe in Atwater Village called Proof. They pour mostly Four Barrel coffee form S.F. with a couple of surprise roasters here and there.  The main barista, Yeekai, is really dialed in and makes a mean espresso.  Added bonus: the croissants are quite possibly the best in town.
  2. Best Fish Taco in Ensenada best fish tacos in ensenadaVISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 1650 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles [Los Feliz] The name says it all... except that they are in Los Angeles.  Los Feliz to be exact.  Sandwiched between an auto repair shop and a Keller Williams, it seems hard to believe that this place serves anything that you might considering ingesting.  Personally, I think the locale adds to the charm. You know they must be good, because they only serve two things, fish tacos($1.50) and shrimp tacos($2.00).  After they fry em' up fresh for you it's up to you to dress it yourself.  The options include things like spicy mango salsa, pickled radishes, cabbage, and sour cream sauce.  Now that the warm weather is here, it doesn't get much better than sitting on their quaint patio in a plastic lawn chair and enjoying a couple of fish tacos while sipping a refreshing orange crush.
  3. Heirloom LA heirloom la VISIT WEBSITE Best caterer in Los Angeles, period!  If you don't believe me ask Whole Foods, whom just contracted them to start carrying their famous Lasagna cupcakes.  Matthew Poley is an insanely talented and creative chef, who cut his teeth under Gino Angelini.  Whether you are at a wedding, private party or movie set, I assure you, you have never had a catered meal like this, that tastes like it came out of a five star kitchen.
  4. Silverlake Wine silverlake wine 2VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 2395 Glendale Boulevard #A, Los Angeles [Silverlake] As it is probably no secret to anyone who lives on the east side and enjoys a great glass of wine, this is THE destination.  This place has been turning people on to high quality wines for several years now, and they know there stuff as well as anyone in town. Amazing selection of boutique wine producers and great bargains on wine you can often not find anywhere else.  The owners are always in-house and more than happy to help you find the perfect wine to suit your occasion.  Plus they do three wine tastings a week that make for as enjoyable of an evening as any.
  5. Hotel de Ville Vintage Eyewear hotel de ville vintage eyewearVISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 4624 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles [Hollywood] Okay, so they are my next door neighbor [at Bar Covell], but their coolness was a huge factor in placing my bar where it is.  From the moment you walk in you feel like you might have just stepped into a storefront off St. Germain.  Whether you want funky retro reading glasses or deadstock imported European sunglasses, these guys probably have it, can get it, or make it.   This place is 100% style AND substance.  The great news is, for the quality of the product the prices are quite affordable.
  6. Sweets for the Soul sweets for the soulVISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 3169 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles [Atwater Village] Try the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake from SWEETS for the SOUL. I actually serve one of their caramel brownies at my bar, if that tells you how much I like their baked goods.  I think I have tried every single item in the display case, and trust me... you can't go wrong with anything.  All items are made organically and in small batches.  Super- fresh and not too rich.   If you are fortunate enough to find yourself in the store and there happens to be a peanut butter and jelly cupcake left... buy it immediately!  It will take you back to elementary school in the best possible way.
  7. Vacation Vinyl vacation vinylVISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 3815 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles [Silverlake] If you collect vinyl records and haven't been here, then you don't know what you're missing.  I am by no means an authority on music, but I know the real deal when I see it.  They have it all, from hard to find blues to head-bangin' heavy metal.  This is a great place to find a gift for the music lover in your life.  Extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff can help you find just the thing.  No attitude, just vinyl.
  8. Barbrix barbrixVISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 2442 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles [Silverlake] If I had to be considered a regular at a dining establishment, this would be the place.  I can be found at the bar at least one night a week, and considering I only have two nights a week I'm not at my bar, I think that's saying a lot.  Traditionally, I am not a fan of the small plate idea at a restaurant, but this place gets it right.  Shishito peppers and the cantimpalitos(tiny sausages) are my must have's.  Great wine list and great energy.  Hint: Sit at the bar with Brian the bartender, for the best experience.
  9. Mohawk General Store mohawk general store VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: 401 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles [Silverlake] Pretty much the end all be all for Danish Modern as far as I'm concerned.  And what you see in the store is a splinter of what they have at their warehouse.  Like most vintage pieces things can get quite pricey, so if you're not looking to spend a lot of cash they have plenty of fashion and lifestyle oriented items to choose from.  These folks also own a Los Angeles- based men's shoe company called, "Generic Surplus".  I'd say I have a pair of their shoes on my feet at almost all times.
  10. The Chips and Salsa at Casita Del Campo casita del campo LOCATION: 1920 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles [Silverlake]What Los Angeles list would be complete without Mexican food, except this is more specifically about the free stuff they set on your table before you even order.  Thick, house made tortilla chips served still warm, accompanied by uber fresh, "heavy on the cilantro," salsa.   I've been frequenting this Silverlake staple for about 9 years.  Some of the most friendly staff in all LA work here, and are quite generous with the tequila in the margaritas.  It's probably not the best Mexican food in LA, but the chips and salsa might be. Plus, there's a secret black box theatre below the restaurant that does outlandish cabaret shows on the weekends.

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