I wrote about dropping off toys for pets for the Operation Santa Paws program a couple of days ago, but there will be another drop-off point at Union Lofts in Downtown Los Angeles tonight. Stop by the roof (brrrr…cold!) at 325 W. 8th St. between 8 and midnight tonight and have a cocktail and mingle with other 2 and 4 leggers. Click on the image for all the details.

For the past two and a half years I have eaten lunch at Tierra Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles virtually every day. I work one block away so it’s super convenient and I like that my money is going to support a veg business. As you can imagine, after eating at the same restaurant literally over 500 times (I did the math, I think it’s closer to around 600), the menu gets to be a bit predictable. Last year they started letting my co-worker and myself invent new things for them to make. We came up with the idea of the “Fiesta Salad” which is basically a taco salad, plus a few smaller item tweaks. If you’re ever there, the Fiesta Salad is not on the menu but if you order it they will know what you’re talking about.

Last week when I was there, they asked me if I wanted to try the new Pita Pizza. It sounded great, but the mozzarella cheese they use contains casein so I couldn’t have it. As an alternative, they have the Follow Your Heart vegan cheddar, but I can’t stand that stuff, so I haven’t been able to try it. Yesterday, my meat-eating co-worker who joins me at Tierra for lunch every day ordered the Pita Pizza so I snapped a picture of it with my iPhone. He said it was great. I need to see if they can get the vegan Follow Your Heart mozzarella so I can try it. Plus now that they have marinara sauce, there are quite a few new possibilities like a chickin’ parmigiana type sandwich, or a mock meatball veggie sub. Oh, if you order it, tell them that they should call it “The Pita-za” instead of “The Pita Pizza,” they still aren’t convinced on my suggestion for the name.

Pussy and Pooch, downtown’s most adorable pet store, is teaming up with J Lounge for Fur.licious, a costume party for 2-leggeds and 4-leggeds alike. There will be a fashion show, free pet grooming consultations, a costume contest, a silent auction and $3 martinis (for the owners, not dogs). You can click on the image for all the details or go ahead and RSVP here. Dogs and bars, there’s no better combination.