Brunch at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant and Bar | Marina del Rey, CA

September 23, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

For the average Angeleno, a beachfront meal is a rare delight that occurs only once in a blue moon (unless, perhaps, you’re a paddle board yogi and you consider a sandy post-savasana protein bar a meal) - a fact that we’ve repeatedly lamented. It seems criminal that we bask so often in breezes chilled by our old friend the Pacific, yet meeting the majestic body of water face-to-face for a check-in over brunch is not a regular part of our routine. Fortunately, this transgression can be easily rectified, as we have stumbled upon another wonderful ocean-view brunch spot to add to our list: Beachside Restaurant and Bar in Marina del Rey.

Beachside Restaurant & Bar at Mother's Beach, Marina del Rey, CA

Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

As with many of the Marina’s most loved dining establishments, Beachside is nestled inside a hotel - in this case, the charming Jamaica Bay Inn, overlooking the picturesque Mother’s Beach. Stumbling across the honey-colored hotel and the little stretch of sand it borders is the most pleasant surprise; who knew there was a calm little wave-free bit of beach tucked in amongst the towering masts and sprawling pavement of Marina del Rey? And that just steps away, an inviting spot to enjoy a cocktail and soak in the afternoon awaits? And certainly no one knew that such vacation-like revelry could be achieved with free parking - if they did, it would be impossible to get a table at Beachside.

Brunch spread at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Fortunately, for the moment, it’s not impossible, and an authentically beachside brunch is completely within your grasp. In fact, Chef Victor Gonzalez’s popular brunch menu is served each and every day, so even a Wednesday beachside brunch is completely within your grasp. As any good hotel restaurant should, Beachside offers staples to suit any taste: there are options for the health conscious, for those with dietary restrictions, and for those who prefer something simple. But amongst the staples there are creative twists to be found, as well: Frangelico custard makes an appearance in the French Toast, crab cakes provide a hearty base in the Benedict, herbed tomato confit mingles with mushrooms in the omelet.

Bloody Mary & Mimosa, Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA — Bloody Mary & Mimosa, Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

A trip to Beachside feels like a mini-vacation, so indulging in a brunch cocktail is pretty much mandatory. The classics are well-represented at Beachside’s bar, from the obligatory bubbly mimosa to the savory-meets-spicy-meets-alcohol enigma that is the Bloody Mary. For something unexpected, turn to the craft cocktail menu, where the libations are both creatively constructed and named (next time, we’re totally ordering the “Beach, Please”). For a taste of summer in a glass, we love the Strawberry Basil Martini, a simple and refreshing vodka cocktail loaded with fresh fruit and garnished with a fragrant basil leaf.

Bloody Mary, Mimosa, and Strawberry Basil Martini at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beautiful brunch spread at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Crab Cake Benedict at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Brunching near the ocean surely calls for some fruits de mer, and the Crab Cake Benedict will fit the bill - two light and tender jumbo lump crab cakes are topped with perfectly poached eggs and are drizzled with a delicate pink blood orange hollandaise, while baby asparagus and peppery arugula offer a bit of crunch and earthiness. Or, for something to fill the hungriest of bellies, there is the Three Little Piggies - an impressive twist on a breakfast sandwich. Served alongside a cast iron skillet-full of crunchy potatoes, this almost-burger is loaded with ham, prosciutto, and bacon, then layered with a fried egg, cheese, and avocado. A slathering of bright lemon aioli, some crisp arugula, and confit tomato balance out the rich flavors in this immensely satisfying dish.

Three Little Piggies breakfast sandwich at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Keeping brunch light and sweet doesn’t always amount to boring, as Beachside’s take on Greek Yogurt & Fresh Berries proves. Thick, creamy greek yogurt is dressed up with plump blackberries and strawberries, plenty of lightly toasted sliced almonds, and a drizzle of fragrant lavender honey. With two crunchy biscotti on the side, this surprisingly substantial meal is exactly the kind of breakfast you’d want on vacation (especially on day three or four, after you had indulged in French Toast a few too many times).

French Brie Omelet at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

If greens and protein are more up your vacation-meal alley, the French Brie Omelet provides plenty of healthy veggies and protein, along with a bit of rich, creamy brie to make it feel special. We loved the heaps of shiitake mushrooms, confit tomato, and spinach tucked inside the envelope of fluffy egg, and were predictably pleased to see a generous helping of green salad on the side (as always, balance is key, brunchers).

Breakfast Enchiladas at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Our favorite dish of all came to the table looking like a mountain of delicious confettisurrounded by a moat of thick red sauce. The base of that mountain was, in fact, Breakfast Enchiladas: three crisp tortillas chock-full of scrambled eggs, potatoes, and chicken chorizo. The confetti, of course, was mounds of salsa, fresh guacamole, shredded cabbage, and sour cream. Dressed with a savory, slightly spicy red sauce, there is simply nothing to argue with in this dish - it is beautifully presented, incredibly satisfying, and packed with flavor.

Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

For the bruncher who is ever plagued by the choice between sweet or savory, Beachside offers their twist on chicken and waffles: Fried Chicken & Frangelico Custard French Toast. Triangles of soft, creamy, hazelnut-scented French Toast are dusted with a hint of powdered sugar and a sprinkling of fresh berries. On top is a pat of luscious cinnamon honey butter, and on the side, crisp fried chicken tenders offer hearty, savory contrast. Once drizzled with a bit of maple syrup to marry the flavors together, you’ve got heaven in a bite.

Ending brunch with cookies is never a bad idea - chocolate chip cookies at Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

Beautiful views of Mother's Beach from Beachside Restaurant & Bar, Marina del Rey, CA

When the long brunch lines and jumbled parking signs of inland Los Angeles have got you down, remember that a mini-vacation is well within reach at Beachside - and that the Pacific Ocean has been waiting patiently for you to join her for brunch. Don't leave her hanging.

Beachside Restaurant & Bar
4175 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Note: this post was created in collaboration with Beachside Restaurant & Bar.
As always, all opinions are our own!

Doma Kitchen | Marina del Rey, CA

August 19, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

Angelenos are notoriously adventurous eaters. Perhaps it's our cultural melting pot of a population; a never-ending stream of multi-cultural cuisines has somehow conditioned us to crave the new and unusual. A quick flip through Yelp will prove that the options are indeed never-ending: Mexican, Indian, Italian, Venezuelan, Brazilian, Ethiopian, Thai, Greek, Afghan, Korean, Japanese, Lebanese, Chinese… there are even a couple of Himalayan restaurants in town. One cuisine we don’t too often encounter is Eastern European - and while latkes, plov, and schnitzel may not be on your regular DoorDash rotation yet, Doma Kitchen may tempt you to reconsider.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of a sizable complex in Marina del Rey, Doma Kitchen is a classic diamond-in-the-strip-mall find. The comfortable, rustic-meets-modern space is the third iteration of the restaurant, opened a little under a year ago after outgrowing its two previous locations in the South Bay. Even in this new larger space, the restaurant buzzes with activity on weekend mornings as Marina del Rey residents gather over mugs of Red Bay Coffee and Chef Kristina Miksyte’s fresh, handmade pastries. They look just about as cozy as they might if they were in their own living rooms, which feels appropriate given that the name of the restaurant means “home” in the Slavic language. Miksyte and owners Angelika Corrente and Stanislav Mayzalis have infused the place with plenty of homey touches, from adorable little knick-knacks displayed above the pastry station to pretty handwritten chalk signs inviting you to “dine at our home.”

Miksyte’s menu marries traditional Eastern European staples she enjoyed while growing up in Lithuania with contemporary Californian concepts, like using local, farm-to-table produce and sustainably raised meats. While the lunch and dinner menus feature plenty of Eastern European standards, the breakfast offerings provide a clever new spin on them: Eggs Benedict is served atop latkes, Belgian waffles are piled high with dulce de leche and fresh berries, smoked salmon is layered upon cream-cheese-smothered Bavarian bread.

We were recently treated to a spread of some of Doma Kitchen’s brunch favorites, and we loved every moment. We were seated in the second dining room, a long room that displays local artwork and doubles as a private event space (when the brunch rush isn’t underway, of course). It’s light and airy inside; morning light floods the room from large windows along the front walls, and there’s enough space between the tables that you won’t feel crowded in with your neighbors. Out front, a dog-friendly patio offers even more seating to those who prefer their brunch al fresco. After warm greetings from Chef Kristina Miksyte and Owner Angie Corrente, we tucked into our coffees and awaited the delights that were yet to come.

First up was the Brighton Beach Benedict, a perfect example of Miksyte's east-meets-west style: at the base, a pair of perfect, crisp latkes tell the story of the chef's roots. On top, heaps of fresh arugula, thin slices of smoked salmon, delicate poached eggs, and a generous pour of buttery hollandaise sing the praises of modern California cuisine. The flavors are well-balanced: creamy potato centers of the latkes absorb slightly-sweet hollandaise and rich egg yolks, while arugula adds a peppery bite and capers provide a briny tang. On top, a generous sprinkle of fresh dill conjures a memory of that perfect bagels-and-lox flavor combination. This dish seamlessly brings together three decidedly different breakfast concepts, resulting in a combination that is as satisfying as it is beautiful.

Next were the Ricotta Cheese Pancakes, a dish inspired by a traditional Eastern European dish that Miksyte ate growing up - only in this version, she has replaced traditional farmer's cheese with the more readily available ricotta, and has paired the tiny pancakes with a scoop of Nutella to ensure its crowd-pleasing status. Not that these little rounds need the Nutella - with their crisp outsides and soft, creamy insides, they're plenty pleasing on their own. A homemade berry sauce drizzled artfully on top provides tart, floral notes while a scattering of fresh fruit and a sprinkling of powdered sugar lend a touch of sweetness. Their size makes them a perfect dish for sharing, although you may not want to - they're satisfying enough to stand as a meal on their own.

Finally, there was dessert - as if we really needed dessert after that pair of intensely satisfying dishes - a gorgeous strata of tiramisu. Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers hold up thick, creamy mascarpone cheese and a heap of fresh strawberries. A layer of cocoa powder graces the top, while crispy chocolate crumbles scatter across the plate. The robust coffee flavor made us wonder: why isn't tiramisu served more often at brunch? It's like a perfect marriage of our favorite brunch flavors, all packed into one satisfying little dessert. Doma Kitchen's version is just about as good as tiramisu gets - it's clear that Chef Miksyte knows her desserts. (Side note: we'll be returning shortly for a taste of the homemade Russian Honey Cake. Will it live up to the slice of heaven we sampled in San Francisco? TBD - we're on the edge of our seats!)

While a hungry Angeleno may have seemingly endless ways to eat around the world at dinnertime, finding a brunch inspired by anything other than American or Mexican cuisine can be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, Doma Kitchen is able to satisfy both our early-morning tummy rumbles and our culinary wanderlust.

Doma Kitchen
4325 Glencoe Ave #8
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

SALT | Marina del Rey, CA

March 10, 2017 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

When outsiders think about Los Angeles, they typically think of three things: movie stars, traffic, and the beach. When it comes to the reality of living in Los Angeles, the first two are certainly prevalent - it's impossible to count the celebrities we've seen over the years, and we've come to accept that half our lives will be spent behind the wheel - but the beach, for some of us, remains elusive. Many L.A. residents go weeks (months?) without seeing the Pacific, let alone do we find quality time to enjoy an ocean view over a nice meal. Ocean view brunches are just not a big thing here in L.A., and we think it's about time that changes. So, over the next few weeks, we're going to share with you our top picks for brunches by the beach - starting with SALT in Marina del Rey.

Originally built in 1964, the Marina del Rey Hotel recently underwent a massive renovation, reemerging in early 2015 as a chic waterfront destination. To match, the hotel needed an equally chic and appealing restaurant, and Chef Mark Gold, formerly of Eva on Beverly, stepped up to the plate. As any proper hotel restaurant should, SALT offers three meals a day, as well as a happy hour each evening and brunch on weekends. Gold's cuisine highlights California's abundance of excellent produce, sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farmers markets, and as you might expect, also features a healthy amount of seafood.

Like the rest of the hotel, the restaurant is beautiful; bright decor and light woods offer an upscale-beachy atmosphere, and marina-view patios on either side of the space provide an indoor-outdoor feel. Outside, cozy couches surround fire pits, and tables are lined up under giant heat lamps. There's not a bad view from any perch on the patio; it's easy imagine how romantic this must be at happy hour during sunset.

At our recent brunch, SALT was lively but not packed, and felt a little bit like a spa for the senses - a perfect spot to ease into your day if you'd had a little bit too much "fun" the night before. The menu is surprisingly long, offering both the items you come to expect at a hotel restaurant (a "continental breakfast" with pastries, yogurt, and fruit; a caesar salad) as well as some more inventive selections (brûléed oatmeal, a Croque Madame, Shingoku oysters). There's also a healthy list of craft cocktails, though at 16 bucks a pop, this may not be your new go-to spot for marathon day drinking (it's perhaps a more choose-one-and-sip-it-slowly kind of place). Luckily, the coffee's good, and the staff is generous with the refills.

While we attempted to come to terms with the massive menu, our server suggested a starter - the Avocado Hummus. Two undeniably delicious things mixed together, and it's dairy free (for my allergic husband, of course)? Sure, sign us up. This was a perfect way to ease into our meal - the hummus was creamy and light, and we loved the tang and crunch from the capers and seeds on top. The variety of vegetables is nice too, and I'm always a sucker for a caper berry.

For our mains, we stuck to the breakfast half of the menu. First, a classic breakfast called the "All American Sailor" with cage free eggs, ham, roast potatoes, and toast, served with coffee or tea - a typical hotel-breakfast perk (and hey, we're not arguing with it). The flavorful ham was a real standout, and the eggs were perfectly cooked. While simple, this breakfast staple is satisfying and will fit the bill whenever you're craving good ol' eggs and potatoes.

Next was SALT's take on the craze that just won't die: toast. This version started with a base of grilled country bread, then was topped with soft scrambled farm eggs and roasted wild mushrooms, and finished with brown butter and chive. The flavor combination was subtle and pleasant, with a lovely warmth provided from the roasted mushrooms and the brown butter. The heaping side of salad offered balance and lightness, resulting in an all-around satisfying meal.

Finally, for something bordering on decadent, the Croque Madame. Bathed in sauce mornay, this gorgeous brioche sandwich featured Fra’mani ham, gruyere cheese, and a sunny side up farm egg. Again, the wonderfully flavorful ham was the real star of the dish, but it was complimented nicely by the sauce and cheese. Our egg was a bit overcooked, so we missed out on a #yolkporn moment, but the dish was still delightful. Besides, just look at that sauce mornay - maybe we can embrace it as #sauceporn instead.

While SALT tends to be a little pricey, we love this spot for a special occasion or for entertaining out-of-towners. Its pleasing menu and modern elegance, coupled with that gorgeous view, will leave you feeling like you're finally living that glamorous L.A. lifestyle that everyone assumes you are.

SALT at Marina del Rey Hotel
13534 Bali Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292