Mediterranean — Blog — Brunchographers

Los Angeles is undeniably a cultural melting pot; a place that welcomes people from all over the world with open arms, asking one small gesture in return - that they share their culinary traditions with the hordes of hungry Angelenos. As a result, the city is bursting with eateries serving up delicious food from just about every culture imaginable, each placed haphazardly beside the next. On a short walk down Venice Boulevard in Culver City, you will pass a Himalayan restaurant, a taco stand, an Indian grocery, a Brazilian barbecue, and a Filipino deli (not to mention a whole slew of Thai take-out joints). And with all this incredible variety in a city that takes its breakfast and brunch very seriously, you'd think we'd be eating brunch around the world just about every weekend - but unfortunately, finding such a thing is few and far between. Luckily, if a mini-trip to the Mediterranean is what you're in the mood for, Momed's got you covered.

Inside at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Desserts at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Offering a modern take on foods from the Levant region, Momed is perhaps best known for its amazing duck shawarma, a dish that has been praised by food critics and Yelpers alike. But on weekends, the beautiful, minimal restaurant with locations in Beverly Hills and Atwater Village serves up its delicious Mediterranean fare with a brunchy twist. On the menu you'll find dishes ranging from the traditional (Turkish pide flatbreads) to the creative (Hangover Meatballs) - not to mention some delicious cocktails.

Med Breeze Cocktail at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Brunch Mezze at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Momo Chips at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Momed Plate with Eggplant Ikra, Avocado Hummus, and Muhammara at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

On a recent lazy Saturday, we took advantage of the beautiful L.A. weather and set up camp on the cozy outdoor patio at Momed's Beverly Hills location (which is thankfully just far enough South to be safe from the busloads of tourists). We started with cocktails - a blood orange mimosa and a "Med Breeze," made with elderflower, prosecco, and lemon - and a generous spread of mezze to start. First, the Momed Plate, with avocado hummus, muhammara, and eggplant ikra, all delicious and acceptable for my dairy-allergic husband. With the spreads came a basket full of pita bread, piping hot and fresh from the oven. Then, the Momo Chips: thick-cut slices of potato lightly fried and served with garlic aioli. These are a must-try, and are also delicious when paired with the dips. (Pro tip: be sure to check Yelp if you come by - when we visited, the Momo Chips were free with a simple check-in.)

Momed Plate and Momo Chips at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Momed Plate at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Fig and Arugula Pide and Short Rib Fricassée at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

For main dishes, our table sampled two large plates and a pide. The Short Rib Fricassée was a hearty bowl of goodness, with braised short rib, roasted fingerling potatoes, smoked cheddar, arugula, sunny side up eggs, and toasted ciabatta. It was delicious and incredibly satisfying, though certainly on the rich side - it's not for the faint of heart.

Short Rib Fricassée at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Hangover Meatballs at Short Rib Fricassée at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Because we couldn't resist, we also went for the Hangover Meatballs - Greek-style lamb meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce with poached eggs, micro greens, and chopped dates. This was another hearty, stick-to-your ribs sort of dish, that would leave even those with the healthiest of appetites satisfied. We loved the unexpected addition of chopped dates - that little hint of sweetness complimented the savory flavors perfectly.

Hangover Meatballs at at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Fig and Arugula Pide, at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers — Fig and Arugula Pide, at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Finally, we ordered a pide - a Turkish flatbread that is one of my favorite breakfast treats. It's like a football-shaped pizza, but with a slightly fluffier dough, spread with a variety of fillings. We opted for the fig and arugula pide, which was spread generously with akawi cheese and caramelized onions, and was sprinkled with dukkah and balsamic vinegar. While we enjoyed the salty and sweet flavor combination, it was the bread itself that was the star of the show - it's made fresh in-house, is crispy on the edges, soft on the inside, and oh-so-delicious.

Los Angeles' brunch scene is dominated by American classics - which, while delicious, can become repetitive over time (just how many slices of avocado toast can one Angeleno really enjoy?). So, on days when a plain ol' stack of pancakes just won't fit the bill, it's refreshing to find spots like Momed that are mixing things up and offering tastes of other regions. We can't wait to come back to try that Duck Shawarma, and a few pieces of baklava, too.

Appreciating the graphic design at at Momed, Beverly Hills - Brunchographers

Outside Momed, Beverly HIlls, CA - Brunchographers

Momed
233 S Beverly Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90212