Investigation Finds That Nobody Put a Tampon in LAPD Officer’s Starbucks Drink

An investigation has concluded in the Starbucks coffee tampering case brought by a Los Angeles Police Department officer, and found that — surprise, surprise — nobody put a tampon in the man’s coffee. That’s per Fox 11 LA and others, who quote the released report, which states: “Based on the evidence available at this time, the item in the drink was possibly a cleaning type cloth commonly used by store employees. The investigation was unable to prove malicious intent on the part of the store employee.” No word on whether or not the LAPD’s police union has backtracked on its statement calling the incident a “disgusting assault on a police officer [that] was carried out by someone with hatred in their heart.”

And in other news:

• The Chateau Marmont is being converted into a members-only club, reports the Wall Street Journal. Owner André Balazs is set to take the iconic Sunset Strip property off the public market, nearly three years after being credibly accused by the NY Times of repeatedly groping various women at his worldwide hotel properties.
• Josef Centeno’s Orsa & Winston is the LA Times pick for restaurant of the year, while Post & Beam wins the Gold Award, named after the late Jonathan Gold and given to one restaurant annually for its contributions to the greater LA culinary landscape.
• LA Taco has a line on a killer new seven-layer taco at Villas Tacos in Highland Park. Is the what a true born-and-bred LA-style taco really is?
• Venerable food charity event LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade is off this year on account of the coronavirus, but that isn’t stopping the founders from still trying to raise money for kids with cancer.

• Justin Wine in Paso Robles is hosting a virtual tasting and summer barbecue on Friday, August 7. Folks who wish to participate can pick up a three-pack of bottles for $95 ahead of the event.
• Speaking of the Central Coast, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery in Solvang has turned 50 years young. As the Santa Maria Times says, the locally-famous restaurant faces the same uncertain future as everyone else during this pandemic, but that’s not stopping ownership from reflecting on all the good times.
• Loqui has expanded its Arts District patio dining area considerably, adding more socially-distanced tables throughout its courtyard. Meanwhile in Westlake Village, 101 North Eatery & Bar has put a handful of 70” televisions outside for patio sports watching.