"How many hipsters does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"
"It's a really obscure number. you wouldn't have heard of it."
Since starting my dance company, my affiliation with hipsters has grown exponentially (and it wasn't exactly non-existent before). So instead of fighting it, I've decided to fully embrace all the customs and habits of this (increasingly less) rarified group of moustache sporting, shower shunning, flannel-wearing, beanstalk-bodied ugly ducklings. To accomplish this, I consult my sister, who, while she is much too beautiful to need to hide behind hipster affectations, is an expert on all things Eastside and off-the-beaten path.
So when I found out that my new favorite band, Essay, was playing in Silverlake, I asked Anna where we should have dinner.
{denvideo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqV2t9pC8RA&hl=en_US&fs=1 500 301 0}
She suggested Hipster Pho, the stark, signless hipster mecca in an otherwise abandoned strip mall on Sunset and Silverlake Blvd, right next to the big "Escrow" sign that's missing a letter or two. I got the number 5, which was basically a tempura taco springroll with shrimp and steak, AKA deliciously perfect and the number 16, which was essentially the same thing over noodles instead of inside a tempura crepe (I shared; I promise). And Anna ordered something that even though it was unfried and meatless, was actually really good, if you like that sort of thing.
It's cash only and small so come with time to spare. And though they don't have martinis, they have Sapporo, which is the next best thing.
Pho Cafe
2841 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, 90026-2125
(213) 413-0888
Maia Harari is a writer and choreographer, born and raised in Los Angeles. You can follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/maiacalypso