Boba 7 Pop-Up, I Love Sweetea Burst on to the Boba Scene

1) Downtown: Boba 7 recently popped up within Soi 7 on 7th near Grand. It rests in the back of the Thai restaurant as a tea bar, and some of its more unique drinks include Horchata with Honey Boba, Green Tea Heineken, and other boozy boba creations from the secret LaBOBAtory. How did this come to be? While interning at Starry Kitchen last summer, operator and bobas lover Elton Keung decided to pursue Asian "mixology." The boba cocktails concept has been tried before in the past, but to many, it’s still a new experience. Hours of operation currently run Tuesday to Saturday 2 to 8 p.m., but soon the BOBAtory will open earlier on weekdays. An official launch is set for December 21. [ELA]

2) Mid-City Previously mentioned I Love Sweetea is planning to debut its menu at the La Brea and 3rd block party on August 25. The cafe will specialize in "bubble" tea and offer a variety of add-ons like lychee, peach, jellies, egg pudding, and strawberry puree, to slushies, fruit teas, and Thai tea. Unlike Boba 7 and Yogurtland (a mere two doors North), ILS will also cook up Asian inspired finger foods: calamari, fried tofu, and buffalo wings. [EaterWire]