Tonkatsu Chicken Sandwich at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

Best Girl | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

December 11, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

While most change happens gradually, there are times when life pulls a Metamorphosis and flips your world upside down overnight. An example: one evening, you may find yourself dining in your hotel’s restaurant, enjoying a few gems found amidst an overall unremarkable menu. It’s not worth writing home about but it’s nothing to complain about either, and the place certainly delivers on the “cooler than thou” vibe that you were promised upon booking your room at the Ace. You go to sleep (maybe you dream about too-tough octopus, what do I know?), and you wake up to a note slipped under your door. It’s announces that the restaurant from last night now has an entirely different name, and an entirely different chef. Oh, and that chef is quite possibly the best in the city. When you wander down for breakfast, the place looks the same and sounds the same, but it now smells of bacon and possibility - and of that rare satisfaction of knowing you got to experience a cool new thing before anyone else did.

For the record, the above example is not at all what happened to us; your faithful Brunchographers were not on the premises the day Michael Cimarusti pulled a Lemonade and transformed the Ace Hotel’s L.A. Chapter into Best Girl overnight. But we are fairly accomplished when it comes to visualization, and we can identify with how exciting that moment might have felt for those who were there. In reality, we rolled up to the Ace about a month after the deed had already been done, fashionably late under the guise of giving the restaurant some time to “get its bearings” (sure, that’s it - our delay had nothing at all to do with the fact that schlepping downtown is such a process). Inside, the restaurant is as hip as you’d expect the Ace’s restaurant to be: cozy without sacrificing design, vintage with just the right amount of modern, and quirky without going over the top. Sure, the pencil-drawn caricatures on the walls may leer at you as you walk to the bathroom, but a pump of the high-end perfumed soap will bring you right back down to earth.

Rainbows over our menu at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

The menu at Best Girl is a departure from what Angelenos might expect from Cimarusti - rather than the elegant seafood-focused dishes he’s known for at Providence and Connie & Ted’s, the fare here reflects the more casual meals that the chef and his family prepare at home. Each item has ties to either Cimarusti or his wife (pastry chef Crisi Echiverri, who oversaw Best Girl’s dessert program) in some way, be it flavors borrowed from their families’ ancestral heritage or a riff on a dish they love to prepare for their son. In some ways, a perusal of Best Girl’s menu is like taking a look into what a great culinary mind’s day off might look like, whether it’s a quick and simple breakfast, a satisfying midday meal, or a relaxed dinner shared with friends.

Cozy seating at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

At brunch, a wide array of Best Girl’s favorites can be enjoyed, with options from both the breakfast and the lunch menus at your fingertips. You may want to begin with a cocktail, like the Lucky Girl, a tart and floral option that arrives with a paper fortune to help you plan your future. If something from a bottle’s more your thing, there are plenty of tempting options on the eclectic wine and beer lists. Or, if it’s one of those days (and it was for me), you may choose to stick with a classic cup of coffee, because it’s Stumptown, and its deliciousness will warm your heart.

Buckwheat Pancakes at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

As for food, the Buckwheat Pancakes both confounded our palates and satisfied that persistent craving for something soft, fluffy, and a little bit sweet. While these run a little thinner than the average pancake, their warm nutty flavor and light texture is as pleasant as it gets. On top, the blueberry compote tastes homemade and lends a tart, satisfying punch, while a drizzle of maple syrup offers mellow sweetness. But what truly sets these cakes apart is a mound of creamy butter that’s been smoked, offering a hint of campfire to every bite. It’s at first confusing, and then it becomes a little bit funny, and it finally settles in as charming, warm, and comforting. Hey, if your brunch isn’t sending you on a little bit of an emotional rollercoaster, you’re missing out.

Now, listen very carefully: you will be cheating yourself if you walk away from Best Girl without trying the Tonkatsu Chicken Sandwich. Please trust us on this. Between the two halves of a light and spongy sesame bun lies a flavor combination that is absolutely divine: a crunchy-yet-delicate crust envelops juicy and tender chicken, a swirl of yuzu koshu mayo offers tang and umami all at once, and a heap of miso cabbage is both creamy and tender. If we were doing a top-ten-things-we-ate-this-year list (and after this dish, we thought about it), this sandwich would be on it, and it would be very near the top. So just order it.

It is amazing to consider that a restaurant with a pedigree like Best Girl’s could open without an ounce of fanfare, and that one of L.A.’s most esteemed fine dining chefs could suddenly shift focus to create down-to-earth, comforting, everyday meals — but perhaps it’s this restaurant's sense of rebelliousness and willingness to challenge the status quo that makes the entire Best Girl experience so alluring.

Best Girl
927 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Otium | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

July 18, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

Los Angeles is a city of art lovers. There are museums galore, galleries to suit any taste, murals around every corner, and exhibits so popular that lines form down the block on a regular basis. One such wildly popular attraction is The Broad, a giant perforated marshmallow of a museum in Downtown Los Angeles that houses works from some of modern art’s most notable figures. A visit requires advance tickets, a schlep through traffic, and some predictably expensive parking. It is fortunate then, that located just beside the glowing white behemoth is the pretty little wood-and-glass cube that is home to Otium, where the artistic experience extends beyond the visual and into the pleasures of the palate.

Inside, Chef Timothy Hollingsworth has created a gallery of his own. Every surface and detail of the restaurant has been carefully curated; handcrafted pottery and custom furniture is displayed alongside large-scale art installations. Food preparation is on display for all to see, as chefs roll out sheets of fresh pasta just inches from seated diners and a mid-meal leisurely stroll past the wood-fired ovens in the open kitchen is encouraged. As Hollingsworth discusses in a video series created by Life & Thyme, Otium is at its heart a collaborative effort - each element has been lovingly made by an artisan, each inspired by the passions of their fellow makers, all adding up to a singularly unique experience.

Served atop hand-thrown ceramic plates and bowls, Hollingsworth’s food is as much an artistic statement as any piece in the museum next door. On paper, each dish is a simple list of ingredients; in person, an inventive assemblage worthy of a canvas. The level of artistry displayed is most commonly found in fine dining establishments, yet Otium offers it in an approachable, relaxed manner appropriate for a casual family dinner or a quick lunch after perusing the galleries nearby.

Brunch is a perfect time to experience Otium’s offerings, when mid-morning light floods the airy space and the outdoor patio overlooks views of families gathering in the grassy park out front. Refreshing summer cocktails are offered in abundance, and a menu full of small, shareable dishes encourages a slow, relaxed dining experience.

Maid cocktail at Otium, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

We started our recent brunch with a simple cocktail called a Maid, in which vibrant green cucumber and mint mingle with vodka and simple syrup to create a bright, refreshing sip. Served with a block of crystal-clear ice and a sprig of fresh mint, it was beautiful in its simplicity. We also sampled some lattes made with almond milk - in to-go cups, so we could sip them slowly and take them with us - a delicious option for those looking for a bit of caffeine with their brunch.

Avocado Salad at Otium, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Our group of three shared four dishes, the first of which was a salad with avocado, beets, wild rice, amaranth, grapefruit, radishes, and miso. The clever preparation of the ingredients - grapefruit char-grilled, rice crisped, sauce pooled underneath - transformed a simple salad into something unexpected.

Next was the Mole: blue corn tortillas and fried eggs smothered in a rich chocolatey sauce, drizzled with crema, and sprinkled with cotija and cilantro. With an ingredient for every color of the rainbow and its array of sauces arranged with painterly flair, this dish felt the most like it deserved to be framed and hung on the wall. Its flavors lived up to its beauty, as well - the richness of the mole, the runny egg, and the avocado played nicely against the spice, tang, and crunch offered by the dish’s colorful toppings.

We couldn’t resist the Hoe Cake (both its name and description charmed us immediately), a crunchy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside cornmeal cake that hovered somewhere between sweet and savory. On top, it was festooned with generously dressed kale, thin slices of bright red peppers, and crispy fried nuggets of chicken. This dish’s unexpected texture combinations proved satisfying and fun, and its flavors were paired expertly.

Hoe Cake at Otium, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Crispy Potatoes at Otium, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Last but certainly not least, we opted for a side of crispy potatoes with lemon salt, Aleppo pepper, and crème fraîche. When visiting an art gallery, it’s important to remember that it is not always the largest painting in the room that is the most impressive - sometimes it’s the tiny little portrait tucked in the corner that will leave you awestruck. These potatoes are that portrait. Hiding so humbly at the bottom of the menu, you might pass them by without a second thought - but that would be a grave mistake. These are perfectly prepared, crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned with aplomb. On the side, a velvety dipping sauce, whipped to creamy perfection with a generous amount of spice. They’re heaven in a side dish.

Providing sustenance for both the eyes and for the belly, Otium is the perfect ode to a city that is nearly as obsessed with its art as it is with its food.

Otium
222 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tribal Café | Los Angeles, CA

Tribal Cafe

June 02, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

It's probably obvious by now we really enjoy brunch foods. But while our favorite decadent treats like pancakes, waffles, fried eggs, and bacon are a lot of fun for our taste buds, they’re probably less fun for the rest of our bodies. So when we can find a way to sneak in some healthy brunch that tastes just as good as the naughty stuff, we’re happy campers.

We recently found just that - healthy brunch food that also happens to be delicious - just off the 101 Freeway in Downtown Los Angeles. Open in its somewhat unlikely location for over ten years, Tribal Café is a charming little health food oasis. Good health, a supportive community, and creative collaboration are at the core of what makes Tribal so special; philosophies upheld by the restaurant’s lively founder, Josh Jose. Josh’s enthusiasm for health food is contagious; just a few minutes discussing vegetables with him will have you feeling excited about eating cabbage, kale, and beets. It’s no wonder the restaurant has formed its own little neighborhood tribe - it feels like there's an ever-present group of friendly creative-types meeting here over green juices to discuss their latest ventures and what’s going on in their community.

Filipino Adobo Breakfast Bowl at Tribal Café, Los Angeles, CA

Inside Filipino Adobo Breakfast Bowl at Tribal Café, Los Angeles, CA

In his efforts to bring “healthy food to the masses,” Josh hopes not just to provide healthful alternatives to underserved communities through the food served in his cafe, but also aims to educate his customers so that they can make good nutrition choices in their daily lives. In fact, he recently taught some of his customers how to make green smoothies at home, so they could save a few bucks while still enjoying the nutritional benefits offered by the concoctions. Josh joked with us that teaching your customers to make their own version of your product may not be the most sound business practice, but it's clear that it's that sort of commitment and enthusiasm that has strengthened Tribal Café's customer loyalty.

Mushroom Veggie Burger and Filipino Adobo Breakfast Bowl at Tribal Café, Los Angeles, CA

The menu at Tribal is sprawling (literally), covering an entire wall with options ranging from açaí bowls, juices, and smoothies to paninis, salads, and grain bowls, with tempting options for vegans and meat-eaters alike. As difficult as it was to narrow down our options on our recent visit, we opted for smoothies, the Filipino Adobo Breakfast Bowl, and the Mushroom Veggie Burger.

Super Alkaline Smoothie at Tribal Café, Los Angeles, CA

The green smoothies at Tribal are what you could call super-charged - there are so many veggies packed into each one, it’s difficult to keep track. Each smoothie starts with a base of leafy greens, mixed veggies, and fruits, then is customized with added ingredients. The added ingredients in our “Super Alkaline” smoothie were ginger, avocado, strawberry, and pineapple. This was refreshing and energizing - and filling enough to be a meal in itself!

Next up was the Filipino Adobo Breakfast Bowl, a Tribal Café favorite. This beautiful bowl was packed with garlic brown rice, sweet potatoes, peanuts, pickled carrots, cilantro, apples, and breakfast potatoes, and was topped with a perfectly poached egg. The avocado is optional, but was a really delightful addition (but really, when is avocado not a delightful addition?). To add a little bit more zip, the bowl was also served with adobo sauce and salsa roja. We loved how hearty and satisfying this bowl was; it was like everything you’d want in your breakfast bowl, and then a little something extra.

Mushroom Veggie Burger at Tribal Café, Los Angeles, CA

Finally, there was the Mushroom Veggie Burger special, stacked high with cheese and a rainbow of veggies. We loved the flavorful homemade patty, made with grilled mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, and millet. This dish felt the most like an indulgence out of the group, but with all the fresh, whole food ingredients, it also felt like a responsible one.

Apart from its delicious, healthy fare, what is most impressive about Tribal is the warm sense of community that surrounds it. Josh and his staff are kind and welcoming, eager to sit down and chat with you about food, health, and creativity. At Tribal, you will find not just food that nourishes your body, but an atmosphere of kindness and generosity that will nourish your spirit.

Tribal Café
1651 West Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

G&B Coffee | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

January 18, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Coffee Shops

If you've visited Downtown LA's Grand Central Market, you've witnessed its beautiful chaos: fruit vendors and spice sellers, whiskey stations and gourmet food stands, cheesemongers and delicatessens, loudly echoing laughter and blazing neon lights. At its very end, just before Hill Street, stands G&B Coffee: a beacon of sleek simplicity and a breath of fresh air.

This beautiful coffee bar gleams in bright white and marble, accented with pops of purple neon and vintage-style milk glass lamps. In some ways, it feels like it's from another place and time, but look a little deeper and it's clearly very modern and cutting edge. This is a 360-degree operation; if you want to stand in a line and wait for your coffee, you can. Or, you can belly on up to the white marble bar and order your cappuccino just like you'd order a cocktail. If you can nab a barstool, you can settle in and chat with the baristas, get cozy with a book, or merely sit back and witness the ballet of coffee production as it unfolds before your eyes.

As the saying goes, one must "learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist," and it's as true for coffee as it is for anything else. Before founding G&B Coffee, founders Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski (the "G" and the "B," respectively) learned from some of the best pros while working at Intelligentsia, the famous coffee roasting company that many argue is responsible for establishing a coffee scene in Los Angeles. Armed with that solid background, they followed their dreams and ventured out on their own, starting their coffee business as a pop-up at the hugely popular Sqirl. Their popularity exploded, and within months, they had opened not one but two coffee bars in Los Angeles - first G&B in a stall in Grand Central Market, then Go Get 'Em Tiger in cozy Larchmont Village. Both locations are setting the standard for great coffee in Los Angeles, and G&B's recent redesign also sets it apart as a beautiful, functional, and unique space that attracts locals and tourists alike.

It's not just good looks and cool vibes at G&B - they're backing it up with some seriously delicious coffee and treats, too. The shop rotates between coffee beans from a variety of different roasters (49th Parallel, Heart, and Ritual, to name a few), frequently considering new options through blind taste testing to ensure they're choosing the most delicious option. They're also sticklers for milk quality, offering only whole milk or their house-made almond macadamia nut milk. The menu features creative, seasonally-rotating offerings as well, including the "Business and Pleasure" and the "Espresso Dark & Stormy." While sister shop Go Get Em Tiger serves up full-on breakfast and lunch, G&B offers a pared down menu that's mouthwatering nonetheless - I watched the staff cook up a few of the yeasted waffles, and they were torturously beautiful. And don't get me started on the gorgeous chocolate chip cookies.

Now, on to the main event - my cappuccino, which to my delight was served in a simple little glass so that beautiful separation of coffee and foam was visible for all to see. Its body was creamy and smooth, with a luscious velvety texture (thanks to that aforementioned excellent whole milk). The flavor was delicate and understated. At the beginning of the taste, it was a bit fruity, reminding me of black currant, and at the end it rounded out to a mellow toasty flavor. Topped with some gorgeous latte art, this was a really lovely cup of coffee!

And because we're also homemade almond milk enthusiasts, we had to sample something with their fresh-daily almond macadamia nut milk. We went for the Turmeric Almond Macadamia, which was beautifully creamy and warming, slightly sweet with a satisfying hit of spice. The milk itself is excellent - it's a must-try if you're a fan of almond milk.

In a sea of overwhelming options, with the flurry of color and neon lights, the cacophony of loud conversations and music, and of course, a few painfully long lines (I'm lookin' at you, Eggslut), G&B Coffee is an island of simplicity, serenity, and of course, great coffee - the perfect spot to stop and calm your overstimulated nerves.

G&B Coffee - 317 S Broadway #C19, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Pitchoun! | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

December 10, 2016 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

Los Angeles reminds me of a patchwork quilt: a vast collection of different neighborhoods sewn together to make up one impressive and beautiful design. The contrasts between neighborhoods can be striking, each one wildly different from the next, their differences making the pattern of the quilt that much more beautiful. One of the most unique and constantly changing areas of our great city is the Downtown area. Once a bustling city center, later a dilapidated shadow of what it once was, it is now home to what some call a “renaissance” (and what others might call gentrification). No matter your opinion on the changes that have occurred in recent years, it is refreshing to see the city streets bustling once again like they did in its heyday. And we Brunchographers can certainly appreciate the fabulous foodie scene that has sprung up here - between Grand Central Market’s mouthwatering food stands and upscale brunches with jaw-dropping views at places like Perch, it’s a bit like a food-lover’s playground.

The busy counter at Pitchoun!, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Somewhere between Downtown L.A.’s casual food stands and upscale reservation-only restaurants lies Pitchoun!, a charming French bakery and café. Coming across this sweet place in the midst of miles of concrete and stone is a warm and welcome surprise, its orange tables lined up on the sidewalk transport you to a place where life is a little bit slower and poets linger all morning over espresso and a croissant. I like to imagine that Pitchoun! is a little bit like a French version of Narnia; the locals wander in all business and seriousness, and come out cheerful and relaxed, bicycling away with a basketful of croissants and perhaps even a beret.

Irresistible treats and seating area at Pitchoun!, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

This wonderfully authentic French feel is undoubtedly a result of its authentically French owners, Frédéric and Fabienne Souliès. Their café is a direct reflection of their upbringings in food-centered families; their respect for food and craft is clear in Pitchoun’s artful and mouthwatering offerings. Each day at 5 am, the Pitchoun! staff begins preparation of their fresh baked breads and pastries using all natural, organic ingredients and fresh, sustainable produce - ensuring fresh goodies no matter what day of the week you pop by.

Pastries at Pitchoun!, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Inside, Pitchoun! is cozy and unfussy, its warm brick walls and rustic decor beckoning you to order a warm drink and stay awhile. Behind glass are stacks upon stacks of arrestingly beautiful pastries, cakes, and breads, and lovingly packaged cookies and other takeaway treats are lined up on shelves. Teams of bakers and servers buzz around the space, offering smiles and sweets to hungry customers (most of whom appear to be in a state of complete overwhelm, unsure of which indulgence to choose). The café space is equipped with plenty of tables, some cozied up alongside the fireplace, others tucked in a little garden nook outside. There’s enough room to find a seat even at Sunday brunch, though you may need to get creative to arrange a spot if you have a large group.

When it comes to sweets and treats, we’re weak (you know this already), so we started our brunch with their famously delicious Kouign-Amann. This cousin to a croissant was a perfect accompaniment to our coffee and tea while we waited for our entrees to come. It was light, flaky, buttery, and slightly sweet, and with a hint of toastiness at the bottom - I love it when a flaky pastry gets a little brown and toasted.

For our main dishes, I chose a simple classic: the Parisian Omelette. This dish was exactly what I needed - filling without being heavy, with a lovely balance between the rich Swiss cheese and light, fluffy eggs. And bonus points for the side of fresh greens (f you’re a repeat visitor to this blog, you’ll know we love to have some greens with our brunch), dressed with an absolutely perfect French-style vinaigrette.

Johnna opted for the Country Tartine - a slice of house-made country bread topped with ham, brie, cornichons, and unsalted butter. This was another simple, hearty dish that managed that balance between comfortably filling and richness.

Finally, because every good brunch ends with a little something sweet, we shared a gorgeous fig tart. Its crust was perfectly buttery and crumbly, and it was filled with a velvety-smooth cream. On top, perfect fresh figs and the cutest little chocolate coin stamped with the Pitchoun! logo. We’re a sucker for little details like this - and Pitchoun! has details in spades.

If you can manage, step out of that long line at Eggslut or walk away from that fancy brunch buffet at The Standard. Instead, take a respite from your claustrophobic city day and enjoy the comforts of France, whether for a long lunch or just a short stop for bread. Your blood pressure and your stomach will thank you.

Pitchoun!

545 S Olive Street • Los Angeles, CA 90013