Buckwheat Waffle, Seasonal Sangria, and Fruit Salad at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Akasha | Culver City, CA

September 30, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

It’s hard to imagine a time when words like “seasonal,” "local," and “sustainable” weren’t necessary bylines on every restaurant menu. In today’s market, concepts like these are all but obligatory - but just under ten years ago, when Akasha Richmond opened her namesake restaurant in the historic Hull Building in Culver City, things looked a little different. Healthy eating at the time often conjured images of alfalfa sprouts and mashed yeast, and thoughtful details like biodegradable takeout containers were enough to warrant commentary from the likes of S. Irene Virbila. But Richmond forged on, developing an organic, farm-to-table menu that remains both surprising and innovative, sourcing biodynamic wines and craft cocktails, and offering a robust set of options for vegans and vegetarians… any of that sound familiar?

Akasha Restaurant in the historic Hull Building, Culver City, CA

Café space at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Indeed, Akasha Richmond was doing all those things before they were cool; even at the risk of being labeled “crunchy-granola.” And when you dig a little deeper into Richmond’s past, it's apparent that such a title wouldn’t be so far off the mark: while she’s a self-taught cook who learned her craft at home under the guidance of family, Richmond’s love affair with cooking truly began while living at an ashram and working for Yogi Bhajan at The Golden Temple, a famed vegetarian cafe that once catered to Hollywood’s elite. So it’s no wonder that a healthy dose of crunchy-granola makes its way into her cuisine, though when set amongst a well-rounded menu with influences reaching as far as India and the Middle East (a result of her extensive world travels as a personal chef to the stars, no doubt), it’s hardly noticeable. Especially when that granola is really, really good.

Even today, when the restaurant landscape is saturated with responsibly-sourced, healthful options, the cuisine at Akasha remains relevant. There’s no question that a nourishing, healthful meal is what our bodies need - and by crafting thoughtful, elevated cuisine using those healthful ingredients, Richmond is able to translate that need into a want. At dinner, farmers market vegetables are paired with fragrant herbs and luxurious cheeses, pasture-raised meats are enhanced with exotic spices, and onion rings are made impossibly crispy using only gluten-free and vegan ingredients. At brunch, farm eggs are served alongside grass-fed steak, house-made granola is submerged in fresh almond milk, and buttermilk pancakes are made hearty with whole wheat flour. The result is a menu packed with all the favorites you’d hope to find, made with ingredients you can feel good about.

Lemon Bird Preserves available at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Patio at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Bar area at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Prosecco Fizz (front) and Seasonal Sangria (rear) at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA — Prosecco Fizz (front) and Seasonal Sangria (rear) at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Even the cocktail list at Akasha is infused with choice produce - our Prosecco Fizz came topped with a dollop of vibrant fresh sorbet, and the Seasonal Sangria is garnished with chopped peaches and plump raspberries. If your cocktail doesn’t meet your daily fruit quota, the Fresh Fruit Salad will fill the gap - apples, berries, and mangoes are married with just a touch of local honey, and optional greek yogurt is available for an added burst of protein.

Seasonal Sangria at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Fruit Salad at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Shakshouka at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

If vegetables for breakfast are your jam, then look no further than Akasha’s Shakshouka - two eggs are baked to jammy-perfection in a sea of saffron tomato sauce and tender braised greens, accented with a hint of spice and dotted with salty, tangy feta cheese. On the side, two slices of lightly charred ciabatta offer a vehicle for leftover sauce - and are especially useful for scraping up those stuck-on bits around the edges (in our opinion, the very best part).

Seasonal Sangria, Buckwheat Waffle, Prosecco Fizz, Fruit Salad, and Shakshouka at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Buckwheat Waffle at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Perhaps the most perfect example of sinful-meets-healthful can be found in the Buckwheat Waffle. Here, a crispy-on-the-outside, warm-and-fluffy-on-the-inside waffle is made wholesome with buckwheat, offering a texture that feels both substantial and comforting. On top, a lightly salty cinnamon butter gently melts beneath warm caramelized bananas and luscious salted caramel sauce, filling the waffle’s nooks and crannies with a melt-in-your-mouth ambrosia. Maybe we’re suckers for that moment when sweet meets salty, but to us, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Buckwheat Waffle at at Akasha Restaurant, Culver City, CA

Whether it was all that time spent practicing with Yogi Bhajan or just some natural sixth sense, Akasha Richmond somehow knew what was next for Los Angeles’ food scene long before we did. By achieving decadent flavors with natural, responsibly-sourced ingredients, Akasha meets us at the intersection of what we want and what we need.

Akasha
9543 Culver Boulevard,
Culver City CA 90232

AR Cucina | Culver City, CA

July 29, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

While we may not know her personally, we feel a little bit like Akasha Richmond is an old, dear friend of ours. Throughout our years in Culver City, she’s always been there, in a beautiful brick building on the corner of Washington and Watseka, ready to serve up breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee, or dinner. Her food is both delicious and healthful, with plenty of options no matter what your current dietary restriction might be. Akasha is a mainstay in the ever-changing landscape of the Culver City restaurant scene - even if the place you were planning to try suddenly closed, or if that other place that your coworkers were talking about has a line out the door, Akasha is there for you, and her food’s probably better than that place with the line, anyway.

So when your old friend Akasha opens up a new eatery just a stone’s throw from the original, there’s cause for celebration. Such was the case when Sambar, Akasha’s upscale take on Indian food, opened up shop. With fun, funky cocktails, wildly flavorful sauces, and a pillowy turmeric naan that could knock your socks off, the celebration was real. But in just over a year, Sambar caught the dreaded Culver City restaurant flu and disappeared. Fortunately, the morning period was brief, because just as soon as Sambar disappeared, AR Cucina materialized, swapping masala for margharita. At first glance, not much had changed (it underwent a very minor makeover in which some of its quirky Indian decor was swapped out for a more rustic, Italian look), and the restaurant’s biggest draws remained in tact - a spacious covered outdoor patio for an al fresco happy hour, a massive bar with creative cocktails, and a tempting menu with options for just about everyone.

AR Cucina pays tribute to Akasha’s extensive time spent traveling throughout Italy, where she studied the craft of Italian cooking and food production. The tenets of classic Italian cooking pair perfectly with Akasha’s cooking philosophy - as with her namesake restaurant, offerings at AR Cucina change seasonally and are made with the highest quality ingredients possible, either sourced locally or thoughtfully imported. Another carry-over from Akasha is a wealth of options for those following a specific diet, including plenty of vegetable-forward meatless dishes, a couple of vegan cheeses, and gluten-free pastas and pastries. To tie it all together, AR Cucina offers a lively cocktail program headed up by beverage director Clare Ward, which most notably features six different takes on a Negroni and a rotating menu of fun, seasonal tipples.

In classic Akasha Richmond style, AR Cucina breaks the rules and has its own version of Italy-meets-California cuisine, a blend illustrated perfectly by the brunch menu. To start, pastries, bruchettas, and salads highlighting California staples like avocados, beets, and figs. Next, a section for classic American breakfast lovers: "piatta all' uovo," or "big plates with eggs." Then, sandwiches, pastas, and pizza, for the brunchers who really just want a big Italian lunch. There's dessert, too, of course, but we'll get to that later.

We began our brunch with a cocktail, because with names like "Sophia Loren," "Italian Stallion," and "Francesca Verde," we were too charmed to resist. We opted for the "Sorrento Spritz," a rose-colored beauty with aperitivo, limoncello, strawberry-basil shrub, rosé, and seltzer. This was bright, flavorful, and refreshing - a great way to ease into a slow summer morning.

Even with two dairy-allergic brunch dates, we found that there were plenty of options for everyone. For a starter, we sampled the Bruschetta, which is essentially AR Cucina's Italian version of toast: slices of toasted ciabatta topped with strawberry-rosemary jam and almond ricotta. It's a crunchy, tangy, shareable riff on Sqirl's famed ricotta toast, and it also happens to be dairy-free. Just like the varieties that are so popular next door at Akasha, the strawberry-rosemary jam is tart and packed with flavor, and it pairs perfectly with the creamy almond ricotta.

For brunch purists, there is the Two Eggs and Toast, served with either chicken sausage or bacon. We opted for the house-made chicken sausage, juicy, hand-molded patties that had just a bit of a kick. For something with a bit more color, the Polenta Cake & Short Rib Ragu is sure to please - with triangles of soft, creamy polenta, a heap of crisp, colorful salad, and perfect runny eggs atop a rich short rib ragu, this dish manages to maintain balance between light and heavy.

When comfort food is in order, the Porchetta Hash is the way to go. Tender fingerling potatoes absorb the juicy flavors of succulent, herb-roasted pork, are topped with two runny fried eggs, and are served alongside a few slices of rustic toast. That last bit is crucial, really - the rich, decadent combination is begging to be sopped up with some crisp-yet-absorbent bread.

Finally, the Brunch Pizza offers a chance to satisfy your need for both breakfast and lunch, whether viewed through its half-breakfast, half-lunch components or simply its double-meal-worthy size. It looks a bit like a work of art, with pizza dough for a canvas, dotted with hunks of house-made sausage and a creamy baked egg, painted with vibrant tomato sauce and melted cheese, accented with wilted spring onions and curly arugula. The crust's edges are crisp and kissed with char, and the egg's yolk is creamy and smooth. It's certainly enough to share, but no one would judge you if you chose not to.

If brunch-dessert is your thing, you will not be disappointed - Akasha's popular homemade ice creams and cookies are available here, alongside more formal desserts like tiramisu or olive oil cake. We sampled the delicious seasonal peach crostata, with two flavors of ice cream on the side (because the lactose-intolerant deserve some dessert, too). The crostata is simple, buttery, and not too sweet - just what you'd hope a good summer peach tart would be. Sea salt caramel gelato provided a creamy, almost savory accompaniment to the crostata, while the dark chocolate sorbetto offered a rich, darker opposition.

Between the delightful cocktails, a perfect outdoor perch, and spot-on flavors throughout the meal, our old friend Akasha did not let us down with her take on Italian brunch. Here's hoping that AR Cucina will remain in our regular Culver City rotation for many years to come.

AR Cucina
9531 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

Lodge Bread Co. | Culver City, CA

April 21, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

Bread is a beautiful thing. It's arguably one of humankind’s greatest inventions. Whether it’s soft and fluffy, thin and flexible, or hard and crusty, it’s really hard to argue with a good loaf of bread. And who would want to? That said, there is "good bread" and then there is good bread. The latter is something truly special; a loaf so perfectly baked and so full of flavor and texture that it puts all your past bread choices to shame. The bread at Lodge Bread Co. is without a doubt the second type: it's some really good bread.

Indoor Seating Area at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Loaves of Bread at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

If the simple fact that Lodge Bread is home to some of the best good bread in the city isn't enough reason for you to fall in love, fear not - there are endearing qualities abound. For one, its backstory is a classic example of the American Dream: two young chefs, fed up with the rigid, high-stress professional kitchen environment set out on their own to nurture a passion project - baking bread. They set up shop in a carport (seriously), where they experimented with heritage grains and created their own wild-fermented sourdough starter. Before long, word got out about their incredible bread, and they began selling loaves at farmers' markets and restaurants. A bakery of their own was the natural next step, and after only two years in business, it was already time to expand into a larger space.

Behind the Counter at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Alexander Phaneuf and Or Amsalam at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Need another reason to like Lodge? Those young chefs, Or Amsalam and Alexander Phaneuf, are legitimately really nice guys. They're at the bakery most days, working hard alongside their equally affable staff, shaping perfect loaves of bread and stretching dough for their well-loved pizzas. The bakery's beautiful, light-filled space buzzes with a friendly optimism; perhaps a product of people working hard at something they truly love.

Pastries Galore at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Outdoor Seating at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Lodge's recent expansion has doubled the size of its operation, allowing ample space for a new pizza oven on one side, a bread and pastry kitchen on the other, and seating in between. During the week, people gather here for business meetings or to tuck into a good book, while the staff works busily away in their open kitchens, just inches from the dining area. As you'd expect, weekends are significantly more busy, though with a little patience, finding a table isn't too difficult.

Menu at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Cappuccino at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Four Barrel Coffee and De La Paz at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

The menu is short and sweet; handwritten on huge paper rolls on the wall behind the counter. Offered are a tempting array of pizzas, expertly cooked veggies and salads, and a multitude of ways to enjoy some of that famously good bread - in the form of simple toasts, more complex toasts, or melted sandwiches. A glass case by the register houses beautiful baked goods, including a sourdough cinnamon roll that's roughly the size of your head. There's a blue glowing Elektra machine that churns out delicious espresso, or you can enjoy a cup of drip coffee in a mug that's charmingly emblazoned with the f-word. Word on the street is that Amsalam and Paneuf are devoted coffee lovers, so the carefully arranged bags of beans from top-notch coffee roasters like Four Barrel and De La Paz come as no surprise.

Almond Butter Toast, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA — Almond Butter Toast, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

As a lover of almond butter, honey, and sourdough, I could not help but order the almond butter toast on my recent weekday morning visit - and I have been dreaming about it ever since. With its thick slice of sourdough bread, incredibly generous spread of house-made fresh almond butter, and delicate lace-like drizzle of honey on top, this is a hearty meal in itself. The flavor combination is a delight; the sourness of the bread comes as such a pleasant surprise, especially when married with the creamy almond butter, the sweet and floral honey, and a sprinkling of salt. This is undoubtedly one of the best things I've eaten this year, and I can't wait to come back for another slice.

Almond Butter Toast, Roasted Beets, Cappuccino, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA — Almond Butter Toast, Roasted Beets, Cappuccino, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Because every meal deserves a good vegetable, I also ordered the roasted beets - a vibrant salad with bright flavors and a satisfying variety of textures. The beets were perfectly cooked, then were tossed with orange slices, almonds, and fresh herbs in a light vinaigrette, and topped with a dusting of fresh horseradish. The horseradish is an unexpected but delightful addition, offering a sharp bite and a complex depth of flavor.

Roasted Beets, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA — Roasted Beets, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Cauliflower with Tahini and Lots of Herbs, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA — Cauliflower with Tahini and Lots of Herbs, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

At a recent brunch with friends on a weekend, I was able to sample a few more dishes - the cauliflower with tahini and "tons of herbs," the shakshuka, the cinnamon sugar toast, and the avo toast. True to form, the cauliflower was expertly prepared - roasted until charred, smothered in tahini and oil, and tossed with golden raisins and (indeed) a ton of herbs. It was flavorful, satisfying, and so delicious.

The shakshuka was just what you would hope it would be - a delicious, saucy, eggy mess served with thick slices of bread to soak it all up. The bell peppers were a nice addition, and were cooked just until firm, adding a nice texture to the dish.

Shakshuka, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA — Shakshuka, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Avo Toast, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA — Avo Toast, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

A treat for the eyes as much it was a treat for the tongue, the avocado toast was another perfect vehicle for showing off just how good artisan bread can be. The creamy avocado and thinly sliced radishes were delicate in flavor enough to allow the bread's character to shine through, and we loved the big flakes of coarse salt sprinkled on top.

Cinnamon Sugar Toast, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

And for those hoping for a bit of childhood nostalgia, there is the cinnamon sugar toast - such a simple, perfect combination, paired with plenty of butter and a big slice of good bread. This served as proof of concept that the best things in life are those that are simple, yet well executed.

Alexander Phaneuf at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

For a food lover, this fine city of ours is bursting with possibility; every weekend marks a new restaurant opening or a new absurd food trend. Even with significant effort, eating at all the best restaurants in town would be an impossible feat, so for many, flailing from one restaurant to the next without a repeat is the norm - but a place like Lodge is capable of changing all that. You'll feel at home here - be it in the morning for toast and coffee, at lunch for perfectly cooked vegetables, or in the evening for their famous pizzas and a cold beer - and you'll never want to leave. So let's agree to start a not-so-new, not-so-absurd food trend: finding a place that serves food you love, in an environment that you love, that you can visit every week. Mine'll be Lodge.

Lodge Bread Co.
11918 Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

The Cannibal Beer & Butcher | Culver City, CA

February 10, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

In a city that runs mainly on green smoothies, kombucha, açai bowls, and turmeric lattes, The Cannibal doesn't quite fit in. And that's really not a bad thing. Located in the hip new Platform complex, The Cannibal is paradise for those who like their meals a bit meatier, who prefer beer over 'booch, and who aren't afraid to come face-to-face with their dinner. Literally.

The Cannibal is the West Coast outpost of a popular New York City eatery by the same name, founded by Christian Pappanicholas and Cory Lane, with executive chef Francis Derby. The space is comprised of two separate sections: on one side, a sit-down restaurant, and on the other, a casual sandwich and butcher shop. Described as "a butcher's restaurant," The Cannibal offers creative dishes designed to highlight the wonders of meat in all its forms. In fact, the team embraces the head-to-tail approach, utilizing the entire animal whenever possible - you can even arrange a feast for a large group, featuring an entire pig or lamb.

At a restaurant with a dinner menu featuring massive hunks of steak, an entire pig's head, and hundreds of different beers, you may not expect to find a brunch menu at all - let alone one with any redeeming qualities. And yet, Cannibal offers us a pleasant surprise by offering a brunch menu full of delicious options ranging from riffs on the classics to almost hilariously over-the-top concoctions (see: the "Double Down," a breakfast sandwich stuffed with three kinds of meat, in which the bread has been replaced with bricks of hashbrowns - unfortunately none of my group were daring enough to order it). The menu is compact, but not without variety - from the German Breakfast (essentially a charcuterie plate) to the Gruyere Omelette to the Fruit & Granola, there's actually something for everyone. I daresay you could bring a vegetarian along, and he'd be pleased as punch.

I was lucky enough to come for brunch with a sizable group, so we were able to cover a healthy portion of the brunch menu. There are a number of tempting starters available (including the famous Everything Pretzel, which I'll need to come back on another day to try), and we chose to start the meal off with a bit of sweet: the Cinnamon Bun and the Warm Butter Biscuit.

The Cinnamon Bun was a well-executed version of the classic - puffed and yeasty with a bread-like texture, and accented with a generous helping of cream cheese frosting. This was light, subtle, and not too sweet.

With the Warm Butter Biscuit, things were turned up a bit. While the biscuit is obviously another classic treat, Cannibal's version raised the bar - it was incredibly flaky and buttery, and was perfectly baked. And when you smear that sea salt caramel on top, it's absolute salty-sweet heaven. It's large enough to share, but you might not want to. Order it. Seriously.

Now, on to the mains. Luckily, there are plenty of brunch selections that allow you to take full advantage the chef's meat-cooking prowess. Most obviously, the Steak & Eggs - offered in the form of hanger steak, New York strip, or aged ribeye. The steak was cooked to absolute perfection, and it was accompanied by a delicious carrot-walnut romesco sauce.

For the brunch purists of the world, there's a Two Eggs Any Style, served with ultra-crispy, fully rendered bacon. On the side were potatoes, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and a little bit spicy.

The Baby Gems Salad was a favorite at our table. It's easily customizable with the addition of hanger steak, grilled chicken, or even an egg and some bacon if you're feeling creative. The standout component was the champagne dressing; flavorful, tart, sweet, and applied generously.

The Sweet & Spicy Chicken Biscuit is like a fun take on chicken n' waffles, and with that aforementioned flaky biscuit as the base, it's got a lot going for it. Flavor-wise, this is on the mellow side - we expected it to be a bit more punchy based on its description, but the flavors were really good and the fried chicken was perfectly cooked. The shredded lettuce added some nice freshness, and that biscuit was, well, perfection.

And because every brunch needs a good indulgence item, there's the Stuffed French Toast. This beauty is made of buttery brioche and is stuffed with rich Nutella filling, then is topped with a mound of whipped cream and tons of crunchy toasted hazelnuts. It's decadently delicious, and it is not on your Whole 30. It should, without a doubt, be a dessert. And because it's on a brunch menu as a main course, you should eat dessert for brunch. It's the right thing to do.

Prices here do run a touch higher than your average brunch, but there's so much going right: between the gorgeous industrial-meets-modern-cabin interior, the fantastic and incredibly friendly staff, the impressive cocktail list, and even outdoor seating on a spacious patio, it's worth every penny. So, when you finally grow tired of green smoothies and whatever it is that people make with Sun Potion, know that there is some delicious, decadent brunch waiting for you at The Cannibal.

The Cannibal Beer & Butcher
8850 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232

Iced cold brew coffee, Money Maker, Basic Eggsential Sandwich, Sweeties — Iced cold brew coffee, Money Maker, Basic Eggsential Sandwich, Sweeties

C+M Cafe | Los Angeles, CA

C+M Cafe

January 07, 2017 by Johnna Todesco in Los Angeles Restaurants

Living in Los Angeles, "foodies" constantly struggle with a double edged sword: so many excellent restaurants! We fall in love with tasty eateries and want to go back all the time, but there are countless new places to visit. What's a girl to do?! I say, keep experimenting and sampling all of the foods LA has to offer, but don't abandon the classic places that are always delicious and dependable.

C+M Cafe (Chicken and Monkey) is one of those places. When it first opened in the Palms neighborhood of Los Angeles a couple years ago, it quickly became a regular spot for my boyfriend and I since it was a 5 minute walk from our apartment. I can't count the number of times we have woken up on a Sunday morning, and one of us has suggested "C+M?", almost embarrassingly because we go so often. (Side bar - we once were called out by an employee at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood for visiting so frequently one month. "Do you come here like, everyday?" "No... No! YOU do!" *pays and rushes out to cry in the car*. You get the picture... Ever since, we've tried to maintain anonymity at restaurants to hold on to some amount of personal dignity).

C+M recently became so popular that it relocated to a new, bigger spot a few blocks away, but still within walking distance for us, thank goodness. If you're a fan of the Westside ice cream hot spot "Scoops", it's right next-door in the same plaza. A double dose of awesomeness if you ask me.

Group enjoying breakfast under the chicken

Our staple order always includes the "Basic Eggsential Breakfast Sandwich". It's a simple, yet completely satisfying breakfast sandwich. You can add bacon, sausage, ham or avocado, and it's topped with an over-easy egg and havarti cheese all on fresh sourdough bread. We always pick bacon, and usually split this along with another item because neither one of us can enter C+M without a bite of that perfect gift between bread. Dare I say, it's my favorite breakfast sandwich in LA?

Basic Eggsential Breakfast Sandwich w/bacon

The must have side item is the "Sweeties" potatoes. I honestly don't remember how we got hooked on them because they're not officially on the menu, but we always have to have them. They're perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and they're served with a tangy and slightly spicy chili aioli for dipping.

"The Melting Pot" is the item to choose if you just want a warm, homey rice bowl. It's a Hungarian-style fried rice bowl, with smoked paprika, pork belly, brown rice, kale, spinach, and topped with over easy egg, pesto, and farmers cheese. Your belly is filled with the warm spices and fatty pork, and c'mon, is there really anything more comforting than a hearty breakfast bowl?

If you have a sweet tooth, I recommend the "Money Maker", a perfect bread pudding with lemon and rosemary and topped with an over easy egg, all sitting in a sticky, sweet, bath of caramel. Each bite starts with a satisfying crunch from the crispy edges, but finishes with a soft sweetness and subtle rosemary flavor, which prevents the dish from being TOO sweet. So good. I'm full just thinking about it.

But what's a good brunch joint without coffee? C+M doesn't short-change you there either. They brew up delicious cold brew and espresso standards, and there are multiple coffee and juice concoctions and kombucha to-go. We always grab a drink for the walk home!

While the food is oh-so-tasty, and never lets you down, my favorite thing about C+M Cafe is its neighborhood feel. Sure, there is tons of exceptional food in LA, but not every place feels like home on a Sunday morning. There's something comforting about always seeing the same people working behind the counter and little kids stuffing their faces with their parents by their side. About eating your meal next to a couple enjoying their morning routine, or even the Crossfitters who visit after a hard workout. C+M is a place where all of these families are welcome, and I enjoy spending my Sunday morning with all of them.

-Johnna