Best Girl | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

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. 

Tonkatsu Chicken Sandwich at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

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. 

Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

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. 

Buckwheat Pancakes at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA 

Tonkatsu Chicken Sandwich at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA

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.

Tonkatsu Chicken Sandwich at Best Girl, Los Angeles, CA 

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

Pitchoun! | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

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 

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

Bottega Louie | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Entering Bottega Louie in the Brockman Building on 7th and Grand feels a little bit like stepping through time and space. As you leave the busy Downtown LA street, the white and grey marble floors, bright white walls, golden accents, and shining pastry cases beckon you into a classic French patisserie. It’s kind of like you’ve just taken a trip to a Paris of yesteryear, but without the jetlag (or Owen Wilson for that matter).

Macaron case, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful floor at Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 

Bottega Louie is a multi-dimensional operation: the front is a wonderland of treats; an upscale bakery and gourmet food shop, with fresh to-go meal offerings in a refrigerated case and fresh bread and pastries galore. And obviously, the veritable rainbow of handcrafted macarons, which taste even better than they look.

Rainbow of Macarons at Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

The pastry case, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Gorgeous treats in the pastry case at Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 

Past the bakery is the bar, perfectly in theme with the Parisian café feel. Here they mix up a charming list of classic cocktails, including one of my favorites, the French 75. Nothing quite says ‘fancy European brunch’ like a French 75.

The bar, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles

Just beyond the bar is the enormous restaurant. The space is gleaming: between the tall ceilings, polished marble floors, and the floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s flooded with an airy lightness. It’s also usually packed. Since opening in 2009, Bottega Louie has quickly become a Los Angeles institution. And, with its incredible number of Yelp reviews and its high standing on TripAdvisor, some would even call it a tourist attraction.

Inside Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

If you can focus amidst the high volume of the crowd and the constant buzz of waitstaff circling throughout the room, you’ll find that the menu offers a wide variety at brunch. The restaurant is actually Italian, but at brunch they serve a range of quintessential breakfast favorites accompanied by their classic pizzas, salads, and small plates.

The masters at work at the pizza oven, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 

Luckily, we had a few extra ladies come along for weekend brunch, so we could order a nice variety of brunch treats. Ok, if you know us, you already know that we always order a variety, no matter how many people are there - but having a few more makes it feel a bit less sinful.

We started with the beignets, because every good brunch has a starter course. They were light, sweet, and a perfect treat to whet the appetite. 

The spread: (clockwise, from top left): Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Croque Madame, Eggs Benedict, Farmers Market Breakfast

For main courses, we ordered the lovely Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, the perfectly decadent Croque Madame, the all-time classic Eggs Benedict, and the hearty Farmers Market Breakfast.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes have become a modern breakfast staple; they seem to appear on almost as many LA brunch menus as avocado toast lately. And don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining - who would pass up a moist, fluffy, cheese-filled pancake? Bottega Louie's version did not disappoint, with just the right amount of lemony tang, creamy density, and simple sweetness. The blueberries were a nice touch, too. 

Croque Madame, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

The Croque Madame felt like a nostalgic nod to a meal at a Parisian café. Topped with a perfectly cooked egg and oozing with gooey cheese, it was definitely a crowd pleaser. 

Eggs Benedict, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 

Brunch and Eggs Benedict are essentially synonymous, so luckily Bottega Louie had us covered there. Theirs is a solid version of this classic dish; the crispy Canadian bacon and expertly poached eggs were smothered with a rich, velvety hollandaise sauce. 

Farmers Market Breakfast, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 

To me, a perfect brunch really tiptoes the line between breakfast and brunch, incorporating elements of each. The Farmers Market Breakfast did that perfectly, offering up a hearty bowl of veggies and potatoes, and topping it off with some poached eggs. The feta cheese added a tangy sharpness that brought it all together. 

So much brunchy goodness, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA 

To end our brunch-venture, we of course couldn't help but stop by the bakery for some macarons. With so many tempting flavors, narrowing it down to five was actually difficult - but don't worry, you can always get a box of 13, 28, or 45 if you're having trouble choosing. 

Macaron choices (after some great deliberation), Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Each macaron we tasted was truly exceptional. The crispness of the cookie paired with the rich, luscious, and flavorful fillings created a heavenly dessert experience! And did I mention the gorgeous packaging? It's like they were wrapped up for a princess. Honestly, these treats alone made it worth the trip to DTLA.

Gorgeously packaged macarons, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

With so much variety, it felt like we only sampled a small slice of Bottega Louie's offerings. If only we'd had more room to taste all those other beautiful desserts... Or sample the beautiful breads, tempting chocolates, or beautifully packaged jams. I guess we have an excuse to come back!

Breads, cupcakes, muffins, and croissants, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Beautifully packaged gifts, Bottega Louie, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

At the end of the day, what makes this place so memorable is its charm. It oozes luxury and specialness, with each tiny, thoughtful detail adding up to a perfectly elegant experience. It's no wonder it's become a tourist destination! 

Bottega Louie, 700 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90017