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

Go Get Em Tiger | Los Angeles, CA

If G&B Coffee in Grand Central Market is the posh, outspoken, sexy, sophisticated sister, then Go Get Em Tiger on Larchmont is the mellow, down-to-earth, quietly beautiful one who, if you're lucky, might also invite you over for an incredible home-cooked meal. The second brainchild of Los Angeles coffee powerhouses Charles Babinski and Kyle Granville, "GGET" both compliments and contrasts their first permanent coffee shop with its more relaxed, comfortable vibe. While G&B is like a sleek, neon beacon amidst the chaos of the market around it, GGET is a calm, minimalist retreat snuggled into one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city. It fits into the Larchmont neighborhood well, its beautifully designed space and expertly crafted offerings are exactly what you'd hope to find on this dreamy, tree-lined street. 

It's clear that this place is very popular, but even when it's buzzing with people, there's still room to sit down and relax or lean up against the bar and chat with a fellow coffee enthusiast. The crowd is mixed; there are film industry types, students, hippies, moms, and plenty of Instagrammers, but it doesn't feel so much like a place where locals hang out. Instead, you get the feeling that this is a destination, and that the mobs of people are here because they've heard just how good (and hip) it is. That floating astronaut painted on the wall behind the bar does make for a rather compelling photo for the 'gram, you must admit. 

GGET utilizes many of the same concepts that were set forth by Granville and Babinski at G&B, including the bar-style ordering system, rotating coffee selections based on frequent blind tastings, and an emphasis on consistency in their coffee through automation - a concept that is not embraced in most coffee shops. Rather than having a barista grind each espresso shot individually and then determine when to stop extraction by eye, things here are broken down like an assembly line: espresso shots are ground ten at a time to a precise measurement, then an automated machine cuts off each shot at the exact spot for ideal quality and flavor. This streamlined operation allows for optimal speed and efficiency, getting customers their excellently crafted coffees in record time. 

My cappuccino lived up to the high standards set at G&B; the flavorful 49th Parallel espresso shone through and the foamed milk was perfectly smooth. The espresso's flavor was bold, reminding me of charcoal and dark cherry. The drink was presented beautifully in the same glass cups used at G&B, showcasing the gorgeous line where foam meets coffee as well as some impeccable latte art on top. 

I also indulged in some of GGET's food offerings, as my visit fortunately occurred within acceptable brunching hours. When I visited G&B a few weeks ago, the smell of the malted waffles being made right in front of me was so tempting that it was permanently seared into my brain - so you know I had to start there. But since a waffle does not a balanced meal make, I also ordered a salad. 

This waffle was delightfully unique. I can't say I've had too many yeast-raised waffles in my day (despite my being an avid waffle-lover, so shame on me), so perhaps this is exactly what a yeast-raised waffle should be - no matter, it's delicious. Mine was served warm, with a big dollop of ricotta cheese in the center, a generous sprinkling of fresh berries, and the most delicate drizzle of honey on top. The flavor combination was just right; the malty, almost beer-like flavor of the waffle was light and just barely sweet (sounds weird, but it's so good), and it paired so nicely with the creamy ricotta, tart berries, and the light touch of honey. For the purists out there, for a dollar less you can also enjoy this waffle with butter and maple syrup, which I'm sure is also mouthwateringly delicious. 

In nearly any brunching situation, when a waffle is paired with a salad, you're going to expect the salad to be sad and boring in comparison - there's no way it can live up to the delicious decadence of a waffle, right? So, so wrong. I went for the Chopped Salad, comprised of Napa cabbage, seasonal vegetables, black sesame, and samal-miso vinaigrette, with an addition of shredded chicken - this was such a delicious and satisfying meal, that I'm still dreaming about it days later. The textures were varied and balanced - there was a satisfying crunch from the cabbage, thinly sliced radish, sesame seeds, and crisped rice. The chicken and the seasonal vegetables, which were roasted carrots and potatoes, were perfectly tender. And to round everything out, the mix was topped with the flavorful samal-miso dressing, which was decadently creamy, and offered a sharp kick of ginger. 

There are a lot of opinions out there about whether or not Go Get Em Tiger lives up to its hype, and for me, it does. This is a triple (maybe quadruple?)-threat that fits perfectly into the utopian Larchmont Village, offering excellent coffee and food, in a beautiful environment, with excellent service. So let's embrace this place for what it is: eat something fun and flavorful, post your photo of that astronaut on the wall to Instagram, and go get yourself some delicious coffee. 

Go Get Em Tiger - 230 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004