Filifera | Hollywood, CA

For someone new in town, the concept of “Hollywood glamour” might appear a myth, gone the way of silver gelatin film, a remnant of the movie business’ golden days. Walking down Hollywood Boulevard, only hints of classic-movie splendor remain; cement handprints of celebrities are set amongst a squeaky-clean tourist-friendly facade, well-polished stars bedeck sidewalks stretching through even the sketchiest parts of town. But those who live and work in this town know that the glamour is alive and well - it’s just well-hidden (Hollywood thrives on exclusivity, after all), waiting to be found. If you know where to look, a sparkly world of VIP rooms and upscale pool parties awaits. The glamour doesn’t end with velvet-roped nightlife, either - in Hollywood, even brunch can be taken in style. Case in point: the visually stunning Filifera, perched atop the trendy Hollywood Proper Residences. 

Cozy Seating at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Kelly Wearstler Interiors at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Getting to Filifera can feel a little bit like going down the rabbit hole - a valet will take your car, a doorman will show you in, and a receptionist will usher you to the correct elevator. After your ears pop from the rapid ascent, the doors open on “R,” and suddenly you’re surrounded by jaw-dropping beauty. The view is something to behold -  it’s a bit magical to see your city from a new perspective; we probably could have spent hours pointing out our favorite landmarks and finding all our old apartments. But the zen-like roof deck is stunning in its own right. With a narrow gleaming pool, cozy tucked-away seating areas, an impossibly chic bar, and lush greenery abound, Kelly Wearstler’s design oozes modern sophistication. 

Brunch with a View, Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Brunch with a View, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Corned Beef Hash, Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Iced Latte at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

House Sangria at Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Beautiful Brunch Spread, Pool with a View, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

The menu is just what you’d hope to find at an L.A. brunch - there’s a kale salad for that healthy friend, a tofu scramble for the vegan friend, and a hearty corned beef hash for the friend with a hangover. There’s also plenty to indulge in - we fell in love with the completely decadent Bananas Foster French Toast, for one. Topped with McConnell’s ice cream and caramelized bananas, this was a melt-in-your-mouth treat. We also adored the Fried Chicken Sliders, a fun take on the sandwich craze that’s sweeping the city - we only wish we’d ordered more! Don’t forget to order yourself a cocktail, as well - Filifera's day job is as a cocktail bar, while brunch is its new gig on the weekends. We loved the peppy House Sangria, which you can enjoy with your choice of red, white, or rosé wine.  

Bananas Foster French Toast, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Fried Chicken Sliders, Beautiful Brunch Spread, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

When the daily routine's got you down and you need a little poolside old-school Hollywood-style glam, Filifera's got you covered. Whether you come to bask in the sun during brunch, or take in the sunset with a cocktail after work, you'll leave feeling refreshed and oh-so-fancy. 

Pool with a View, Filifera, Hollywood, CA - Brunchographers

Thanks to Filifera for hosting us for this brunch! As always, all opinions are our own. 

Filifera 
1550 N El Centro Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA

Beachside Restaurant and Bar | Marina del Rey, CA

For the average Angeleno, a beachfront meal is a rare delight that occurs only once in a blue moon (unless, perhaps, you’re a paddle board yogi and you consider a sandy post-savasana protein bar a meal) - a fact that we’ve repeatedly lamented. It seems criminal that we bask so often in breezes chilled by our old friend the Pacific, yet meeting the majestic body of water face-to-face for a check-in over brunch is not a regular part of our routine. Fortunately, this transgression can be easily rectified, as we have stumbled upon another wonderful ocean-view brunch spot to add to our list: Beachside Restaurant and Bar in Marina del Rey. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar at Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

As with many of the Marina’s most loved dining establishments, Beachside is nestled inside a hotel - in this case, the charming Jamaica Bay Inn, overlooking the picturesque Mother’s Beach. Stumbling across the honey-colored hotel and the little stretch of sand it borders is the most pleasant surprise; who knew there was a calm little wave-free bit of beach tucked in amongst the towering masts and sprawling pavement of Marina del Rey? And that just steps away, an inviting spot to enjoy a cocktail and soak in the afternoon awaits? And certainly no one knew that such vacation-like revelry could be achieved with free parking - if they did, it would be impossible to get a table at Beachside. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Brunch spread at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Fortunately, for the moment, it’s not impossible, and an authentically beachside brunch is completely within your grasp. In fact, Chef Victor Gonzalez’s popular brunch menu is served each and every day, so even a Wednesday beachside brunch is completely within your grasp. As any good hotel restaurant should, Beachside offers staples to suit any taste: there are options for the health conscious, for those with dietary restrictions, and for those who prefer something simple. But amongst the staples there are creative twists to be found, as well: Frangelico custard makes an appearance in the French Toast, crab cakes provide a hearty base in the Benedict, herbed tomato confit mingles with mushrooms in the omelet. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Bloody Mary & Mimosa, Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

A trip to Beachside feels like a mini-vacation, so indulging in a brunch cocktail is pretty much mandatory. The classics are well-represented at Beachside’s bar, from the obligatory bubbly mimosa to the savory-meets-spicy-meets-alcohol enigma that is the Bloody Mary. For something unexpected, turn to the craft cocktail menu, where the libations are both creatively constructed and named (next time, we’re totally ordering the “Beach, Please”). For a taste of summer in a glass, we love the Strawberry Basil Martini, a simple and refreshing vodka cocktail loaded with fresh fruit and garnished with a fragrant basil leaf. 

Bloody Mary, Mimosa, and Strawberry Basil Martini at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beautiful brunch spread at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Crab Cake Benedict at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Crab Cake Benedict at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Brunching near the ocean surely calls for some fruits de mer, and the Crab Cake Benedict will fit the bill - two light and tender jumbo lump crab cakes are topped with perfectly poached eggs and are drizzled with a delicate pink blood orange hollandaise, while baby asparagus and peppery arugula offer a bit of crunch and earthiness. Or, for something to fill the hungriest of bellies, there is the Three Little Piggies - an impressive twist on a breakfast sandwich. Served alongside a cast iron skillet-full of crunchy potatoes, this almost-burger is loaded with ham, prosciutto, and bacon, then layered with a fried egg, cheese, and avocado. A slathering of bright lemon aioli, some crisp arugula, and confit tomato balance out the rich flavors in this immensely satisfying dish. 

Three Little Piggies breakfast sandwich at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Keeping brunch light and sweet doesn’t always amount to boring, as Beachside’s take on Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries proves. Thick, creamy greek yogurt is dressed up with plump blackberries and strawberries, plenty of lightly toasted sliced almonds, and a drizzle of fragrant lavender honey. With two crunchy biscotti on the side, this surprisingly substantial meal is exactly the kind of breakfast you’d want on vacation (especially on day three or four, after you had indulged in French Toast a few too many times).

Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

French Brie Omelet at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

If greens and protein are more up your vacation-meal alley, the French Brie Omelet provides plenty of healthy veggies and protein, along with a bit of rich, creamy brie to make it feel special. We loved the heaps of shiitake mushrooms, confit tomato, and spinach tucked inside the envelope of fluffy egg, and were predictably pleased to see a generous helping of green salad on the side (as always, balance is key, brunchers). 

French Brie Omelet at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Breakfast Enchiladas at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Our favorite dish of all came to the table looking like a mountain of delicious confettisurrounded by a moat of thick red sauce. The base of that mountain was, in fact, Breakfast Enchiladas: three crisp tortillas chock-full of scrambled eggs, potatoes, and chicken chorizo. The confetti, of course, was mounds of salsa, fresh guacamole, shredded cabbage, and sour cream. Dressed with a savory, slightly spicy red sauce, there is simply nothing to argue with in this dish - it is beautifully presented, incredibly satisfying, and packed with flavor. 

Breakfast Enchiladas at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

For the bruncher who is ever plagued by the choice between sweet or savory, Beachside offers their twist on chicken and waffles: Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast. Triangles of soft, creamy, hazelnut-scented French Toast are dusted with a hint of powdered sugar and a sprinkling of fresh berries. On top is a pat of luscious cinnamon honey butter, and on the side, crisp fried chicken tenders offer hearty, savory contrast. Once drizzled with a bit of maple syrup to marry the flavors together, you’ve got heaven in a bite. 

Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Ending brunch with cookies is never a bad idea - chocolate chip cookies at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beautiful views of Mother's Beach from Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

When the long brunch lines and jumbled parking signs of inland Los Angeles have got you down, remember that a mini-vacation is well within reach at Beachside - and that the Pacific Ocean has been waiting patiently for you to join her for brunch. Don't leave her hanging. 

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar
4175 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Note: this post was created in collaboration with Beachside Restaurant & Bar.
As always, all opinions are our own! 

A Picnic Brunch with Friends

Summer is in full swing, and we are smitten. Even on the hottest days, sunny Southern California weather does not disappoint, and we find ourselves drawn to spend long, leisurely afternoons at the beach or by the pool. Farmers markets are alive with color and activity, their stands piled high with ripe produce, inspiring vibrant, vegetable-centered feasts best enjoyed al fresco. Friends gather to enjoy music or movies in the great outdoors, families ride their bikes along winding beach paths, the sun sets late. Sunscreen is required, but shoes are definitely not. This can only be described as summer bliss, and it deserves to be celebrated - ideally, with brunch served outside. So naturally, on a sunny summer Sunday, we packed up some brunch in our baskets and headed to the park for an afternoon with friends. 

In true summer spirit, we wanted our brunch picnic to reflect all the vibrant flavors of the season without requiring that we spend too much time in the kitchen. We focused on simple, easy-to-transport mains, backed up by plenty of shareable, hand-held snacks and treats. A fresh, fruity cocktail was a must, as were heaps of fresh summer berries, cherries, and grapes. 

To drink, some refreshing cocktails made with fresh pureed watermelon, tequila, blueberries, mint, and lime juice. These are oh-so-delicious, and taste like summer in liquid form - even the watermelon-fearful among our group fell in love with them. The recipe is easily made a few hours ahead of time, and it's easy enough to transport as long as you've got a leakproof container and a cooler. We topped off each glass with a touch of La Croix to add a bit of sparkle. You could use plain old sparkling water, but why would you? La Croix is too much fun. 

All good brunch includes a little something sweet to start, so we kicked off ours with some adorable coffee cake muffins using a recipe from Joy the Baker's beautiful brunch book, Over Easy. Joy's recipe is for big-kid sized muffins, but since we knew we'd be taking our treats outside, we decided to make 'em tiny - because, you know, tiny things are cuter. And also easier to eat. These are downright addictive little things - they've got a lovely toasty brown butter flavor and a perfect balance of sweet and salty, and they're topped off with a generous amount of sweet, buttery crumble and crunchy nuts. 

Sandwiches are perhaps the most essential picnic food, so we whipped up two sandwich variations for ours. First, a grilled chicken sandwich with sundried tomato spread, spinach, and mozzarella. The spread was super flavorful and added a bright, tangy flavor that complimented the hearty chicken and creamy mozzarella perfectly. Of course, bread is perhaps the most important factor in a good sandwich, and must be carefully considered during construction. Before the picnic, we dropped by one of our favorite spots, Lodge Bread, to pick up one of their amazing naturally-leavened whole wheat loaves. Its nuttiness and tang add a really nice element to this delicious combo. 

For the vegetarians of the group, we put together some pretty Green Goddess Sandwiches - pleasing not just to the eyes, but to the belly! We were inspired by two recipes for these: Joy the Baker's version, again from Over Easy, and also a version by The Bojon Gourmet that employs fresh mozzarella. These start with a base of seeded sourdough from a vendor at our local farmers market, Bakeshack, which is toasted and then slathered with some homemade herby, garlicky mayo. Next, layers of sliced zebra-striped green heirloom tomatoes, fresh daikon sprouts, tender butter lettuce, creamy avocado, and luscious fresh mozzarella. For a few special diets in the group, we even made a vegan, gluten-free variation of this sandwich - for the bread, we picked up a loaf of gluten-free sourdough from Honey Hi (one of our favorite healthy spots on the Eastside), and used Kite Hill's delicious soft fresh almond milk cheese in place of mozzarella. 

For a protein-packed side dish, we made a quick quinoa tabbouleh with tons of parsley and mint, heirloom cherry tomatoes from the farmers market, and a generous drizzle of lemon and olive oil. This is the sort of thing we make without a recipe - its composition is defined more by muscle memory and whatever's currently in our fridge than by any strict rules - but here's a good one if you're in need. On top, we sprinkled some crunchy chickpeas tossed in za'atar, which are completely addictive and add depth to pretty much anything you put them on. That's assuming, of course, you don't eat them all the moment they come out of the oven. 

No good picnic is complete without some chips, so when Johnna discovered this simple recipe for homemade salt and vinegar chips, we knew we had to try them for ourselves. There's something so satisfying about a chip that's homemade, and this one is especially appealing with a generous sprinkling of salt and just a kiss of vinegar flavor. To simplify portioning them out (and let's be real, to keep us from eating most of the batch before we even got to our picnic spot), we put them in simple parchment bags from the grocery store, which also made for a very pretty effect. 

For dessert, we turned once again to Joy's wonderful Over Easy for inspiration, and created a riff on her Peaches & Cream with Honeyed Cornflakes recipe. Peaches are abundant in our farmers market these days, so we chose some sweet white peaches with a delicate floral flavor and grilled them quickly to add a nice touch of caramelization. In cute little picnic-friendly jars, we combined them with creamy whipped mascarpone cheese and blueberries, and sprinkled them with Joy's lovely honeyed cornflakes for some crunch and added sweetness. 

With heaps of seasonal produce, this picnic spread was a celebration of summer abundance - and with a little advance preparation, truly wasn't all that difficult to whip up. We can't think of a more delicious way to celebrate the warm summer months than an al fresco brunch with our friends, and we hope we've inspired you to throw one of your own!