get2dtla: miss nikki baby at the GLOBE

10 greatest bites in downtown

DONUT FRIEND DTLAs Favorite new BESTIE

Donut Friend will always be downtown’s favorite bestie.

They say nobodies perfect, but yes, these donuts friends are perfect, as the plantbased, dairy-free donut shop on Broadwa y keeps a steady line of acquaintances who enjoy the bond between sweet whipped crepes, glazes, and fruit toppings, and soft plant-based raised dough.

Toasted shredded coconut, chocolate chips, vegan creme fillings, raspberry jams, fresh fruits all make their caked donuts relationships work.

Still, it’s the Yo LA Mango raised donut with mango, chili, and lime zest glaze that makes our list of 10 Greatest Bites in downtown LA.

Yo LA, you’re the best friend we’ve ever had. You came to us in our time of need when we thought we had tried every other donut known to man. We’d long given up on finding a donut as compatible with our taste buds as you. However, you have proven yourself to be that friend that sticks around (especially on your fingers). A true friend is there for us in our time of need. Your sweet mango glaze touches the lips with such a sweet kiss, it makes us want to take this friendship to another level. @donutfriend

cocktails that match at HATCH

Never before has there been a place where cocktails and bites complement each other so well than at Hatch Yakatori Bar in downtown LA.

Opened in 2018, Hatch started off serving bite-sized morsels of Japanese/Californian fusion impaled on wooden skewers. A Hatch skewer is just large enough to complement any happy hour menu but they have long since developed a diverse menu offering; full plates, along with salads, sides, and desserts.

Hatch makes our list of 10 Greatest Bites because of their unique menu, presentation, and ability to offer items that you can’t find anywhere else in downtown LA. The quant list includes bacon-wrapped chicken, skirt steak, pork belly, ahi belly, and skewered veggies that pair well with their specialty cocktails found at this culinary temple while exploring TheBloc on 7th and Flower.

Remember when we said unique? Hatch recently presented downtown with a new gem. BLACK CHICKEN KARAAGE, priced at $12, is a hearty plate of twoday brined fried organic chicken thighs, battered in squid ink, served with house pickles, grilled lime, and black ranch dip.

This dish is dark and delicious. Tender well-seasoned chicken hidden within a crispy blackened exterior leaves the bites to resemble tiny volcanic rocks, accentuated with a sweet beet, cut in the shape of a flower.

Dipped in black ranch before being led to sacrifice, these delicious morsels speak to the God of chewing to unleash the power that is Hatch Yakatori. @hatchyakitori