Helms Bakery

This is my first (hopefully my last) one star review I have ever written. The overall area is nice (nice furniture stores, Father’s Office & various other good eateries) — however, DO NOT GIVE YOUR CAR TO THE VALET HERE. There is a self parking lot across the street as well as on Washington next to Room & Board.
The valet are extremely reckless with others’ property. I saw the valet go to my car to bring it forward. The car was locked and he decided to yank the handle (I had specified to the valet that the car used the valet key to be opened and not the keyless entry remote). Heedlessly ignoring this instruction, the man continued to yank the door with such monstrous pressure– even the strangers standing near me were horrified and remarked «what is he doing?!». I had to run to him and take my key from him and demanded that I take my car from there.
I have given this same car to valet hundreds of times at many different restaurants. I have never had this problem. I was mortified at the recklessness with which he conducted himself and will never leave my car here again.

I only had a couple beers and the Patatas Brava side dish but it was delicoius.

«A Celebration of Design + Architecture»
This was a panel discussion sponsored and broadcast by our local NPR station KCRW based on LA Architecture and Design. It was a 2 part expert discussion panel with questions at the end, held at the old Helms Bakery, which has long since closed and is currently a vast warehouse housing empty space next to the modern furniture stores and Father’s Office/​Lukshon.
The first hour had 4 famous architects and designer specialists talking about how LA has evolved into one of the most innovative canvases as far as design and technology goes. This is because of the vast amount of available space, environmentalism, lifestyle, creative talent, and technology that have formed a somewhat imperfect combination over the last few decades, resulting in unique architecture. Pretty interesting, but because of my lack of knowledge base the panel of experts were talking so quickly and giving all these examples that I couldn’t readily process the information but tried to take in the examples as best that I could. But it was very inspiring and I was able to follow the design examples they were describing.
The second panel was more relevant to foodies, and included Sang Yoon, the owner and creator of Father’s Office and Lukshon, and his partner, esteemed baker Sherry Yard. They were announcing their plans to reopen Helms Bakery in the very spot we were sitting. They planned to use fresh ingredients with baked goods that would be made throughout the day based on demand as well as choice tea and coffee, which is Sang Yoon’s personal passion. The old Helm’s Bakery evidently went out of business sometime in the 1970’s, when the rise of convenience stores and supermarkets in the area put the baked goods delivery to neighborhoods by trucks company out of business. It was a colorful discussion driven mostly by the surly comments from Sang Yoon. It seemed they were still in the planning stages but funding had already been set and they would be opening in the next few months.
Overall a very interesting event and well put together, delivering exactly what was promised by some interesting and colorful experts in their field. Well done!