The Fields LA opened this Tuesday, August 14, billing itself as “a stylized urban food hall” as well as a celebration of Los Angeles’ culinary diversity. Situated in Exposition Park next to Banc of California Stadium — the recently opened home to Los Angeles Football Club — The Fields’ main floor features nine different vendors offering a variety of cuisines, plus two bars.
Some of the city’s best chefs are part of the culinary team here. Tim Hollingsworth (Otium and Barrel & Ashes) helms C.J. Boyd’s Fried Chicken, which features five different chicken sandwiches and banana pudding. Jason Fullilove drops in a third location of his soul food restaurant Barbara Jean. Other cuisines represented include Chinese-American, Middle Eastern, Italian, and Mexican (a burrito spot, Nayarit-style seafood, and a Mexico City-style taqueria).
Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.
Open every day of the year except Christmas, this food hall isn’t just for soccer fans on game day. Developers are betting that the unique offerings, combined with the location (a stone’s throw from the USC campus and the nearby Expo Park Metro station) will make The Fields LA a year-round destination. The pricing — $10 for a top-quality gourmet chicken sandwich and $7 or $8 for many of the craft beers — is more accessible that you might expect from an operation of this scope. The size — seating for 200 inside and 90 at the outdoor cafe — is ambitious.
During a press preview this past week, We Like LA sampled some of the many offerings, and left impressed by more than a few standouts: short rib on a bed of smoked hummus dotted with pomegranate seeds at Akko Port; the K-Town chicken sandwich (laden with chili, ginger, cabbage, daikon, and sesame mayo) at C.J. Boyd’s; beef and sweet carrot potstickers and cheese foam oolong tea at Ms. Chi; mac and cheese studded with crawfish at Barbara Jean; tostaditas, heavy with shrimp and octopus, at Coni’Seafood; the birria quesadilla at Burritos La Palma. They also loved the focaccia sandwich with mortadella and parmesan crema at Piccolo Antico Pizzeria Focacceria, a pop-up that will be there for just three months.
Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.
The drink menus include a well-curated array of wine, craft beer, and handmade cocktails from Nick Meyer and Julian Cox. The cocktails are exceptional, including two shockingly good frozen concoctions: a Mai Tai and the spicy, tequila-based Poblano Escobar. Also very good: the Strawberry Fields and a margarita, both served on tap. Tin City’s rosé cider is also a singular choice.
Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.
The Fields’ second floor, expected to open as soon as September, will be home to Free Play, a new restaurant and bar from Hollingsworth, featuring bar bites, a full bar, live music, a DJ booth and games. The third floor, an expansive rooftop deck with impressive city views, will be available to rent as an event space.
The Fields LA, is located at 3939 S. Figueroa. The food hall is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
After decades of dashed hopes and broken promises, Tail o’ the Pup, Los Angeles’s famous hot dog-shaped hot dog stand, will finally reopen.
The last we heard, this gem of novelty architecture was heading to the Valley Relics Museum in Chatsworth, where it would be on display but wouldn’t dish out franks.
Now, just in time for National Mustard Day (yes, it’s a holiday and it happens the first Saturday in August) comes word that the 1933 Group has acquired the landmark — and plans to bring it back as a restaurant.
Two customers eat at Eddie Blake’s Tail o’ the Pup, a famous hot dog stand located at 300 N. La Cienega Boulevard. (David Clarke from the Security Pacific National Bank Collection via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
The 1933 Group owns a bunch of bars around town — Bigfoot, Sassafrass, Thirsty Crow, Oldfield’s, a few others — all themed, often with a heavy vintage vibe. These are the folks who restored Highland Park Bowl to its Jazz Age splendor, resurrected the Idle Hour, a once popular North Hollywood bar and restaurant shaped like a giant barrel, and are in the midst of revamping the Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood. They respect the history of the venues they acquire and they seem to know what they’re doing, so fingers crossed that they’ll treat Tail o’ the Pup with the care it deserves.
The Idle Hour in North Hollywood was built in 1941 and renovated in 2015. (Photo by Mike Hume/Flickr Creative Commons)
Built in 1946, Tail o’ the Pup operated (not always at the same location) until 2005. After shuttering, it spent years moldering in storage facilities including a Torrance warehouse and a Lake Elsinore salvage yard.
Excited about eating at this landmark? You can thank Alison Martino, who runs Vintage Los Angeles. According to Los Angeles magazine, she spent years searching for the stand then working with the family of Tail o’ the Pup founder Eddie Blake to get it back. Now, the 1933 Group is looking for a new home for the Pup, somewhere street-facing in West Hollywood or Hollywood, near the stand’s original location.
Tail o’ the Pup is one of L.A.’s most famous examples of “programmatic architecture” — buildings designed to look like food, animals or other items — but it’s hardly the only one. Southern California has a rich history of buildings shaped like boots, owls, toads, pigs, airplanes and more. In fact, we were ground zero for the bizarre building boom.
The giant donut on the roof of Randy’s Donuts is adorned with a mini Space Shuttle on October 11, 2012 in Inglewood. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
The trend reached its apex in the early 20th century. Motoring was still a new pastime and business owners wanted to catch the eye of passing drivers. Unhampered by modern building codes, they threw up these cool and kooky structures.
Sadly, most have been demolished. You can still see a few, including the famous Randy’s Donuts and a couple of old Chili Bowl locations
Fortunately, Southern California’s rich history of novelty architecture remains well documented.
The Toed Inn, shaped like a frog, was originally located on on Channel Road in Santa Monica. After it was damaged by a flood in 1938, it was moved to 12008 Wilshire Boulevard in Westwood. (1920) (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Shaped like an owl, the Hoot Owl Cafe had a head that rotated, blinking eyes made from Buick headlamps and a sign that read: “Hoot hoot, I scream.” It was designed by Roy Hattrup in 1926 – 27 and for more than 50 years, his wife, Tillie, ran it. It was originally located in Rosemead but was moved to two subsequent locations, both in South Gate, before being demolished in 1979. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
“There was an old woman, who lived in a shoe; she had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.” Apparently, she opened the Mother Goose Pantry at 1951 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. (1928) (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Launched in 1931 by former amateur boxer Art Whizin, the Chili Bowl chain had 22 outposts at its peak. Each building was round and shaped like a chili bowl with 26 stools around a circular counter where diners could get the signature dish: an open-faced burger blanketed with chili. This 1937 photo shows the original Chili Bowl, located at 3012 Crenshaw Boulevard. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Although the exact L.A. location of The Airplane Café is unknown, the airplane-shaped restaurant came with wings, a propeller and wheels, although it rested on raised slabs of wood. (circa 1924) (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Originally built as an ice cream parlor with an oversized ice cream cone at each corner, the building became the Feed Rack restaurant during the Depression. Notice the sign: “Hello, Oldtimer! Are you hungry? Stop and get some coffee & donuts. They are on us.” (circa 1930) (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
The Teepee was a popular ice cream stand in Long Beach on 2nd St. at Covina Ave, 1931. During this time, the swastika was commonly displayed as a positive symbol before the Nazi Party adopted it and gave it its hateful connotations. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Located at 1124 Vine St. in Hollywood, the Hollywood Flower Pot is both the name of this flower shop and an accurate description of its facade. (1930) (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
The Pig Cafe was built in 1934 near La Brea and Rosewood avenues in Hollywood. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
This photo of the Sphinx Realty Company, located at 537 N. Fairfax Ave. across from where Fairfax High School now stands, supposedly dates to 1920, so it’s too early for it to have been inspired by the Egyptology craze that swept the U.S. after Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922. Notice the signs listing nearby properties for sale. Back then you could buy a six-bedroom, corner stucco house for $7,200. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
A giant grand piano marks the entrance of the California Piano Supply Co., which was renamed the Big Red Piano in the 1960s. (circa 1920s – ’30s) (Photograph via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Shaped like a blimp (aka a zeppelin), the Zep Diner was located at 515 W. Florence Ave. near Figueroa St. (1931) (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
As its name suggests, the Tamale, located at 6421 Whittier Blvd. in East L.A., specialized in Mexican food as well as hamburgers, chili, malted milk and something called “Spanish delight.” The structure went on to become Charley’s Beauty Salon in 2001. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Shaped like a milk can, the Cream Can sold buttermilk (5 cents), orange juice, root beer and other beverages. (Photo via Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
Cars exit The Donut Hole drive-in restaurant, located on Elliot Avenue at Amar Road in La Puente, on January 4, 1983. (Herald-Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library Collection)
1934: Exterior view of the first Brown Derby restaurant at Wilshire Blvd. and Alexandria Ave., with its large “Eat in the Hat” neon sign atop the dome. There were four Brown Derby restaurants — in Beverly Hills, Los Feliz, Hollywood and Wilshire — but only this one, the original was shaped like a bowler hat. It was first located at 3427 Wilshire Blvd. but in 1937 was moved one block over to 3347 Wilshire Blvd. (Works Progress Administration Collection/Los Angeles Public Library)
Picketers protest in front of the Brown Derby Restaurant on Wilshire Blvd., in 1980, hoping to prevent the restaurant from being razed and replaced by a high-rise. The restaurant had suddenly closed its doors after paying and dismissing employees. In September of 1980, it was torn down and replaced with a parking lot and later a strip mall with a domed structure on the third floor of the building, to resemble the original hat-shaped building. (Mike Mullen/Herald-Examiner Collection/Los Angeles Public Library)
Sometimes it’s nice not having car. Sometimes what you really want is to be in a place where you don’t need a car. Santa Monica can be such a place, especially if you’re a visitor just trying to make a day of it.
This beachside city offers a world of opportunities, attractions, and landmarks all concentrated in a central downtown area, and/or easily accessible via public transit. Shopping, art, food, and entertainment are available virtually everywhere you look. But where to start?
Let’s imagine you’ve just arrived at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro station. Or maybe you’re staying at a nearby hotel for work or pleasure. It’s 11 a.m. and you’re now standing at the corner of 4th and Colorado with an open day you aim to fill with adventure.
Where might you go? What might you do? How will you get there? Let us offer you a few starting points below.
Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.
Getting Around Santa Monica
The great news is that public transit in Downtown Santa Monica is in no short supply. As a primer, we wanted to just go over a couple of local transit options so there’s no confusion if we make references later on.
Metro (L.A.’s light rail system) has an east-west route called the Expo Line that originates at the 7th Street station in Downtown Los Angeles and ends at the Downtown Santa Monica Station. If you’re coming into the city from an outside area and want to avoid the traffic, this is a terrific entry point. One-way rides on Metro are $1.75 and you can purchase a day-pass for $7. For more detail we suggest checking out their fare sheet and trip planner.
The Big Blue Bus is Santa Monica’s municipal bus line, which offers a dense grid of service routes criss-crossing the DTSM area. Individual rides are $1.25 if you pay cash. For more info check out the BBB fare sheet and Routes & Schedules page.
In addition to the city-run public transit options, you might use ridesharing services (like Uber and Lyft), or bike and scooter rentals (like the ubiquitous Bird scooters). Any or all of these can be handy in a pinch depending on where you need to go, and how fast you need to get there.
Things to Do and See in Santa Monica if You’re Car Free
Pacific Park and the Santa Monica Pier
Walk west on Colorado from the Expo station and in just a few short blocks you’ll arrive at the world famous Santa Monica Pier. Chief among the Pier’s many attractions is Pacific Park, L.A. County’s only admission-free amusement park (and the only amusement park located on a pier on the west coast!). A visit to Pacific Park includes everything you’d want in an authentic California experience: games, twelve different rides, cotton candy, ice cream, an ocean-air food court, and tons of family fun. Rides and attractions are priced individually and range in price from $5 to $10, or you could buy an unlimited ride wristband for $32.95 (or grab them online ahead of time for a discounted price) that gives you access to all 12 rides as many times as you’d like.
Additional to-dos along the Pier include Trapeze School New York, Playland Arcade, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (just to name a few). More than anything, you’ll want to take a leisurely walk and enjoy the sights and sounds!
Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica State Beach stretches over 3.5 miles of Southern California coast line, with the sand space divided in two by the Santa Monica Pier. Just south of the Pier is the Original Muscle Beach (not to be confused with Muscle Beach Venice), and at the far north end you’ll find one of our favorite spots in all of Santa Monica: The Annenberg Community Beach House.
The Annenberg Community Beach House offers all you’d ever want from a private beach club experience, just without the fancy price. In fact, it’s free. So what does free get you? Among the features and amenities are a pool, playground, splash pad, beach courts and fields, beach access, free wi-fi, tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Some free reservations are available online, but mostly it’s first-come, first-serve. A couple things to keep in mind: It’ll draw big crowds on hot days (you could be put on a wait list) and the pool is closed from October to May.
There isn’t a bus stop directly in front of the Beach House on Pacific Coast Highway so if you’re coming from near the pier your options become walk (about 30 minutes), rent a bike to go along the beach path (about 10 minutes), or perhaps, most advisedly, take a rideshare (7 minutes during low traffic times… longer if there’s gridlock on PCH)
Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.
Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica’s most walkable street features four lively blocks of retail shops, restaurants and performers of all sorts. On the southern end you’ll find Santa Monica Place, a traditional outdoor mall sprinkled with luxury boutiques. Dining options around the Promenade are endless, but we have a few suggestions you might look into. Try SUGARFISH for a five star sushi fix or True Food Kitchen for innovative and delicious health conscious eats. Top the evening off with a posh cocktail at Copa d’Oro, a dimly lit bar with speakeasy vibes.
Third Street Promenade is also near a few unique spots worth going off the path for. We Like L.A. recommendations includes live music at Harvelle’s Blues Club located on 4th street (jazz, hip-hop, blues and more every evening since 1931) and M.I.’s Westside Comedy Theater which offers affordable ticketed improv shows and occasional drop-ins by some of the most famous names in comedy (Dave Chappelle, Dana Carvey, Judd Apatow, Zach Galifianakis, Tig Notaro, to name a few).
Bergamot Station
Bergamot is a massive art gallery complex spread over 5 acres of city-owned land multiple buildings that offer more than 60,000 square feet of space. The site is open daily, with most galleries open for view from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Two great things about Bergamot: entry is free, and there is an Expo line stop literarily at the doorstep of the facility.
Photo by Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.
McCabe’s Guitar Shop
McCabe’s Guitar Shop claims to have the “largest collection of stringed things to make music in California,” which would be impressive enough on its own. What’s even cooler is their stripped-down backroom / concert space, which regularly showcases some amazing players and musicians. Any guitar player or hardcore music fan owes themselves a visit if they’re in the area.
The shop is about 2.5 miles from Downtown Santa Monica. You could take the Expo line, depart at Bergamot Station and then walk an extra 15 minutes (0.8 miles). If that’s not in the cards, a rideshare works just as well, and the Big Blue Bus #7 has a stop on Pico Blvd not too far away.
Camera Obscura at the Santa Monica Art Lab
The Camera Obscura Art Lab on Ocean Ave plays host to a number of community classes and workshops throughout the year, but perhaps the most unique feature is a dark room on the second floor that contains a four-foot disk in the middle of the space. Light from outside is projected onto the disk via a mirror from the ceiling and casts an image of what’s happening directly outside the building. It’s kind of like being on the inside of a giant, working camera as you watch what looks like a surveillance footage being beamed in from above. You won’t spend a ton of time here, but the cost (free!) makes it worth a visit. The Camera Obscura mechanism is free to visit on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo by Christina Champlin / We Like L.A.
Tongva Park
Tongva Park is a beautiful six-acre public space divided into four sections (or hills). The park features gardens, a natural amphitheater, a children’s splash pad, shaded picnic areas, a restroom, and free-wifi. It makes for a perfect morning walk destination, or a lovely spot for an afternoon family outing. You can get there with a short walk southwest from the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Line station.
Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market
The best Los Angeles chefs know you won’t find fresher produce anywhere in the city than at The Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market, which you’ll find twice weekly on Arizona Ave near 2nd St. Two version of this market happen weekly: The Wednesday edition (that’s the larger one) runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, and routinely hosts over 75 different farmers. A smaller affair focused on organic produce runs at the same location (but a couple blocks shorter) on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market makes for a perfect morning stroll filled with plenty of tasty samples to enjoy.
Santa Monica Farmers Market. Credit: Brian Champlin / We Like L.A.
Santa Monica History Museum
If you want to learn about the Santa Monica of yesteryear, the Santa Monica History Museum is the place. The museum features six galleries and a research library. The collections include over six hundred rare photographs, and a permanent exhibit on the city’s history that features authentic artifacts and fabricated environments. Admission is normally $10 per adult, $15 for couples (two adults), and the museum offers a free day every second Thursday of each month. To get there is about a 10-minute walk from the Third Street Promenade at Santa Monica Blvd.
It’s easy to mistake Manhattan Beach for a sleepy beach town (especially compared to its busier northern neighbors like Santa Monica or Venice), but don’t be fooled: the dining scene here is full of diverse and legitimately great choices, from modern Southeast Asian to simple, homey American. Here are 20 local eateries you need to explore in MB.
Seasonally focused, elegantly plated fare with dazzling ocean views
The Strand House could serve canned food and still command crowds for its sweeping Pacific Ocean panoramas — but thankfully, executive chef Austin Cobb’s beautifully executed plates live up to the view. Though signature mainstays like Parker House rolls are still on the menu, Cobb’s added a few eclectic dishes: chili-dusted avocado (influenced by a trip to Mexico City) with a crème fraîche-filled core served over crunchy jicama; fluffy Italian gnudi dumplings stuffed with silky ricotta (Cobb picked up many of his current techniques and seasonal approach to cooking via a stint working in Southern Italy); and tender Kurobuta pork chop accompanied by German-style spaetzle and braised cabbage. Save room for equally jaw-dropping desserts — like citrus-olive oil cake and a bubble waffle paired with cheesecake curd maple ice cream — on a list that leaves no room for unimaginative flourless chocolate cakes. While you’re there, you might also get a sense of Cobb’s warm hospitality; the chef grew up in the South Bay himself, but his family, naturally, hails from the South.
Tasteful, coastal-inspired hotel restaurant with shared-plates menu
Located inside a sleek, brand-new Marriott International Autograph Collection hotel called Westdrift, Jute is helmed by executive chef Octavio Sabado, who formerly worked at SLS Hotel’s The Bazaar. The focus here is on shareable small and large plates made with worldly ingredients and seasonal produce, all served in an airy, sunlit space. Try the caviar-topped avocado toast for breakfast; sophisticated flatbreads and refreshing salads for lunch; and wagyu beef cheeks, kimchee ravioli, and lamb sliders for dinner. The cocktail menu nods to a bicoastal theme: Manhattan & A Side of Coffee (bourbon, nitro coffee, and black walnut bitters) sits on the East Coast side, while LA Women (vodka rose, mulberry gin, and fruity syrup) resides on the West.
Open-air, upbeat gastropub offering craft beers and burgs
On any given day of the week, the original Simmzy’s — which has since expanded to Burbank, Venice, and other neighborhoods — is still one of the most fun, energetic joints on Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Come for the rotating selection of excellent craft beers (from Belgian-style tripels to American IPAs and sweeter stouts), and stay for bar-friendly bites like blue cheese fries, grilled corn served street-style, and substantial burgers.
Relaxed, family-friendly cafe serving all three meals
This casual spot had some big shoes to fill after moving into the space formerly occupied by Manhattan Beach’s beloved Four Daughters Cafe, but so far it’s done a solid job. With a menu that boasts eggs Benedict, seared ahi tuna salad, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich, they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, but (in this case at least) that isn’t a bad thing. Bottomless mimosas during brunch certainly help.
All-day hotel restaurant and lounge with alfresco terrace
Inside the luxury boutique Shade Hotel, you’ll find Zinc: an all-around crowdpleaser with a farm-to-table approach, an extensive beverage menu of California wines and craft cocktails, and a cool, beachy ambiance that comes alive in the evening (thanks to outdoor fire pits and DJs on Fridays and Saturdays). Some of the best dishes on the dinner menu are Asian-inspired, like the pork belly buns with mint sambal or the coconut curry shrimp, while weekend brunch includes classic items with clever twists, like vanilla bean brioche French toast and an Emmenthal cheese and mushroom omelet.
Popular bistro that’s perfected flavor-packed American comfort food
Nick’s is situated in a stylish outdoor shopping center, but the place is far from your standard mall restaurant. For one, its attractive space includes handsome leather booths and a sweet, sheltered patio. Secondly, the overall menu is classic but boasts a few made-you-think-twice touches, like deep-fried asparagus spears with a crisp Parmesan crust, and a fantastic sandwich of buttermilk-fried chicken, sweet slaw, and havarti nestled in a honey-mustard-and-mayo-smeared brioche bun.
One-stop shop for fresh juices and quick, healthy bowls
Since opening its Manhattan Beach outpost in 2016, SunLife Organics has fit right in with the beach crowd. This wellness-focused cafe serves up fresh-squeezed juices, superfood-enhanced shakes, bone broth, and more, but this isn’t the kind of health food that leaves you hungry afterward: bowls are hearty and satiating, ingredient-packed smoothies are rich, and everything on the menu is delicious. Located a few blocks from the pier, this spot offers the perfect pre- or post-beach bite for surfers and sunbathers (although, if you’re really lazy, they also offer takeout and delivery via the ChowNow app).
Farm-to-table shared plates served in a boisterous environment
Chef David LeFevre kick-started Manhattan Beach’s restaurant renaissance by opening MB Post back in 2011, and while there’s a lot more competition in the area now, locals still flock to this OG spot. Here’s why: brunch is always reliably excellent, with a range of sweet and savory dishes (LeFevre’s famously fluffy bacon-Cheddar biscuits are the perfect vehicle for an addictive maple butter spread), and the evening’s small-plates-focused menu is perfect for people who like to graze on cured meats, mushroom mac & cheese, and seared diver scallops.
Beachside neighborhood dive slinging cheap drinks and bomb burgers
Beloved Ercoles isn’t fancy, but you don’t need a cloth napkin to sop up the juice from this dive bar’s phenomenal burger. Expect a high-quality beef patty (from Manhattan Meats next door) loaded with toppings and tucked inside a small bun for a sloppy, satisfying experience. But don’t just come for the food: stay for a game of pool with the old-timers and beach volleyball players dragging sand in on their flip-flops, or enjoy a cheap pitcher while sitting in one of the well-worn booths, which have been around since Ercoles first opened in 1927.
Lively Italian trattoria known for its wood-fired pizzas
Love & Salt is more than a pizza place, but it’s hard not to feel laser-focused on the pies when you consider how they’re made. The dough recipe requires only four ingredients (flour, water, yeast, and salt), but a minimum of 48 hours — involving a long, slow, cold-fermenting process that creates a crisp, crunchy, light-as-air crust. (According to chef Michael Fiorelli, that’s why you can eat so many duck egg slices without keeling over.) The restaurant also just debuted its Early Bird Special; every Saturday, the first 15 guests get a chicken sausage sandwich on the house.
Sleek, upscale steakhouse with an impressive meat selection
When you need to close the deal — whether it’s with your date’s parents or a potential client — take them to LeFevre’s first-class steakhouse. At a place like this, meat is the star of the menu: Japanese wagyu streaked with white marbling; prime, dry-aged steak, like the nutty-sweet bone-in tomahawk; and pot roast slow-cooked to a melt-in-your-mouth texture. But the sides are no afterthought. There are football-sized popovers filled with the sharp tang of Emmenthal cheese, crisped-up Brussels sprouts roasted with dates and red onions, and a creamed spinach that’s, well, exceptionally creamy.
Elevated sports bar specializing in seafood and artisanal drinks
Like every sports bar worth its salt, FishBar has themed days like Monday Margarita Madness or Wine & Crab Wednesdays. But the differences end there, because this spot serves nothing like your typical bar fare. Instead, you’ll find seafood-heavy items with a touch of sophistication, like mesquite-grilled scallop skewers laced with applewood smoked bacon, truffle crab mac & cheese, and smoked salmon chowder. There’s also a popular weekday oyster hour from 2:30-5:30pm — $1.75 each, in increments of six — and a sizable selection of draft beers, wines by the glass, and handcrafted cocktails with marine-inspired names like The Mermaid.
Local favorite with consistently spectacular seafood dishes
This LeFevre gem, which celebrated its fifth birthday on May 1 with a lobster boil, serves up some of South Bay’s best seafood. That’s no small feat, considering the area’s full of fish-focused restaurants. LeFevre’s chilled seafood platters are stunning arrangements of succulent shellfish and oysters on beds of crushed ice, while the raw bar boasts lobster, crab legs, and Peruvian scallops. But Fishing With Dynamite’s more inventive dishes can’t be missed either. Go for the yellowfin tuna crudo, which comes with interesting flavors like chili and hazelnut, and Koshihikari rice — a creamy, risotto-like puddle of blue crab, shrimp, uni, and egg yolk.
Bright, airy Greek/Cali restaurant with alfresco seating
Feel free to bring an obnoxiously large group of friends here: Petros’s patio can accommodate bigger parties, and its various dips and appetizers make tapas-style dining easy. The distinctly Mediterranean dishes are a combination of fresh California produce and imported ingredients from Greece — like the karpouzi salad, which is watermelon and heirloom tomatoes tossed with Greek semi-soft manouri cheese, honey, and olive oil.
Vegan-friendly Japanese joint for rolls, ramen, and izakaya-style bites
Rice markets itself as vegan-friendly, but there’s plenty of fish on the menu for non-vegans. This under-the-radar Japanese restaurant prepares mostly healthy-ish, organic, gluten-free food — which, against all stereotypes, is downright mouthwatering under the direction of chef Hiroyuki Igarashi. Nosh on spicy miso ramen made with tempeh, organic brown rice rolls, bluefin toro presented with crispy kale, and a variety of shareable veggie plates — ideally washed down with a sake/sangria fusion cocktail.
Homey, all-day spot known for hefty breakfast plates and sandwiches
Sure, it’s tough to mess up a sandwich, but it’s also difficult to come by a truly memorable one. The latter — freshly made, hearty, full of quality ingredients — is what North End boasts on its comprehensive sammie menu, which includes everything from the tasty Hermana (a hard-fried egg tucked in with brie, bacon, mashed avo, and green chilies) to the carnivore-friendly Guapo (layers of ham, bacon, sausage, Cheddar, and tomato).
Modern Southeast Asian eats with a trendy vibe
There’s never a quiet moment at this upscale Southeast Asian spot — in part due to its popularity since opening in 2013 and a hip-hop playlist. Influenced by a hodgepodge of cuisines — Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, colonial Dutch, and more — chef Tin Vuong prepares food that tastes both traditional and incredibly modern. Prepare for a flavor blowout: butter-drenched lobster dressed in salt, pepper, chilies, and garlic; shaky shaky beef, a favorite dish made with burnt butter soy and tomato-garlic fried rice; and ginger-scallion satay with a sweet soy sauce.
Reliably greasy and satisfying Mexican food
This hole in the wall has served up greasy, flavorful, easy-on-the-wallet Mexican food to locals for decades. Feel free to come here shirtless, shoeless, and starving straight from the beach — no one will blink an eye.
Beloved local ice creamery crafting small-batch flavors
Ice cream here comes in 28 made-from-scratch flavors, using 14% butterfat (an ingredient that helps lend a decadent, velvety mouthfeel) and only about 70% overrun. The latter refers to the amount of air whipped into the cream while it’s made; a lower percentage creates a creamier, smoother, and richer consistency. All the usual suspects, like cookie dough and salted caramel, are here, but so are some out-of-the-box offerings, such as maple bacon crunch, red velvet, and sticky bun crunch.
24-hour restaurant perfect for late-night munchies
This landmark Manhattan Beach diner, which is open 24 hours a day, has something on the menu for everyone — and they mean it. You can customize any item to your liking, whether it’s the crispy breakfast potato nachos, crab cake po’ boy sandwich, or spicy chicken parmesan. No matter what you decide on, though, you have to try The Kettle’s warm, homemade muffins (seriously, everyone talks about them), which they sometimes sample along with hot coffee during long wait times.
Mother’s Day 2018 is just around the corner, so why not show mom your appreciation by treating her to brunch?
If you haven’t made reservations, you’ll want to get planning soon. Whether your mother likes Michelin-starred elegance, an elevated outdoor jazz brunch with views of the Hollywood sign, or Japanese food, make it a brunch to remember with the help of our list of 17 great Los Angeles spots for Mother’s Day brunch.
Opened just weeks ago at the Beverly Center, Farmhouse showcases “seed-to-plate” cuisine using hyperlocal produce from top farms, along with responsibly sourced fish, meat, and poultry. For Mother’s Day, Farmhouse is offering a $45 prix-fixe brunch menu, with dishes like peas and burrata salad, pork belly eggs benedict, breakfast pizza topped with Fresno chilis, French toast with local bananas, herb and goat cheese omelets, fennel-scented pavlova and rhubarb clafoutis. -> More information
2. Portofino Hotel & Marina (Redondo Beach)
Baleen Kitchen, located at the four-star Portofino Hotel & Marina, is offering a luxe buffet brunch — with marina views — that includes ceviche, cracked crab claws, Asian soba salad, an artisan cheese display, omelet, pasta and Belgian waffle stations, charcuterie and crudité displays, a carving station, and more. Adults are $63, while kids are $39. -> More information
3. Panxa Cocina (Long Beach)
Enjoy the cuisine of New Mexico at Panxa Cocina, which reflects the influences of Chef Arthur Gonzalez, who as a child cooked with his Oaxacan grandmother and later dwelled for years in New Mexico before returning to Los Angeles. Panxa’s Mother’s Day brunch includes Southwestern specialties like New Mexican stacked enchiladas, a hatch chile burger, and blue corn pinon pancakes. You’re more than welcome to bring your canine along — this eatery features a doggy brunch menu as well! -> More information
4. The Ebell of Los Angeles (Mid-Wilshire)
The elegant and historic Ebell, founded over a century ago, is opening its lounge for a Mother’s Day brunch buffet, with choices such as carved roast beef, poached salmon, made-to-order omelets, fresh waffles, and bottomless champagne. Enjoy entertainment from the Y-Huan Zhao string quartet, while the kiddos can marvel at children’s magician extraordinaire The Amazing Dave. Brunch is $60 fro adults, $35 for youths 6-18, and free for kids under 5. -> More information
5. Celestino Ristorante (Pasadena)
Renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine, Pasadena’s Celestino is offering a four-course, prix-fixe brunch on Mother’s Day for $58. Begin with buffalo mozzarella salad, followed by artichoke ravioli with black truffle sauce or spinach and pea risotto. The main course, grilled salmon with sorelle, will be followed by a special dessert: Torta della Nonna, a pastry topped with pine nuts and filled with rich custard. -> More information
6. Patina (DTLA)
Michelin-starred Patina is housed in Downtown’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. This Mother’s Day, Patina’s special three-course prix-fixe brunch menu ($70 for adults/$35 for children) will feature crudo tostada, buttermilk fried quail jidori chicken, and Scottish smoked salmon. -> More information
Take in gorgeous views of the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory at rooftop bar and lounge Filifera, located 22 stories high at the Hollywood Proper Residences. Brunch guests will enjoy a complimentary mimosa and a sweet treat as they savor brunch classics and listen to live jazz. -> More information
8. Avec Nous at Viceroy L’Ermitage (Beverly Hills)
Consider taking Mom to Avec Nous, the beautiful modern update on a timeless French bistro located at the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills. Offering a three-course buffet meal on Mother’s Day, guests can savor delicious offerings like braised short rib pappardelle pasta or grilled prawns in sauce vierge with cippolini onions. -> More information
9. ROKU (West Hollywood)
Trendy Japanese restaurant ROKU will feature a special four-course menu just for Mother’s Day. For $55, savor king crab brûlée, ginger-marinated salmon, Ume Matsu sushi with Spicy Tuna Roll, and a mini chocolate volcano. Mothers will receive a complimentary glass of champagne. -> More information
The Mission Inn, a beautiful Mission Revival-style hotel dating back to 1876, is a National Historic Landmark renowned for its Sunday brunch. This Mother’s Day, visit the Inn for live music and traditional brunch fare, along with champagne, a mimosa bar, and luxe dishes like crab leg, Norwegian salmon, and scallop ceviche. -> More information
11. OUE Skyspace LA (DTLA)
Looking for Mother’s Day in L.A. with a 360-degree view of the city? Skyspace LA will offer an unlimited brunch at their event space high above the DTLA skyline. The deal ($60 for adults, $30 for kids 5-12) includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, a live string quartet, selfie stations with special Mother’s Day backgrounds, and a large physical Mother’s Day-themed backdrop with floral arrangements. Kids also get unlimited rides on the Skyslide. -> More information
12. Lobby Restaurant at NoMad (DTLA)
Try Mother’s Day brunch at the chic new NoMad Hotel’s Lobby restaurant. Priced at $55 per person, the menu will feature starters like carrot tartare, English pea flatbread, and avocado toast; main dishes such as lemon-poppy pancakes, eggs Benedict with salmon, or fava bean pappardelle; and an ice cream sandwich as a sweet finale. -> More information
13. Gracias Madre (West Hollywood)
Beloved Mexican vegan eatery Gracias Madre is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch, with such specials as cashew ricotta-stuffed French toast with lemon curd and berries or rosemary grilled asparagus with olives and wine reduction. -> More information
14. Jean-Georges at the Waldorf Astoria (Beverly Hills)
Jean-Georges’ luxurious Mother’s Day brunch includes such options as a chilled shellfish platter with kumamoto oysters, king crab and Maine lobster; Pacific snapper with organic potato puree; and lychee rhubarb trifle with almond crumble. Brunch begins at $155 a person. -> More information
15. Rosaliné (West Hollywood)
Ricardo Zarate’s Rosaliné is an especially fitting choice for Mother’s Day, as the renowned Peruvian chef named the eatery after his own mother. Expect dishes inspired by Peruvian flavors, such as quinoa toast with apple ginger tamarind soy dressing; a sweet potato pumpkin beignet with fig chancaca sauce; or the Mamacita Bowl with steak, chicken or mushrooms over brown rice quinoa, huacatay cilantro pesto, and mixed veggies. -> More information
16. Hotel Shangri-La (Santa Monica)
Indulge in a poolside brunch buffet and live music at art deco landmark the Hotel Shangri-La. Culinary options include a carving station, an omelet station, gazpacho shooters, assorted pancakes, pan-seared halibut and more. All moms will receive a complimentary glass of champagne and a rose. -> More information
17. Margo’s (Santa Monica)
This modern Montana Avenue eatery will offer Mother’s Day brunch specials like strawberry French toast and spring vegetable frittata, along with their popular bottomless mimosa brunch. To make things even more special, each mom will receive a free succulent plant to take home! -> More information
A modern Italian restaurant called N. 10 recently opened on W. 3rd Street just east of La Cienega Blvd. The new neighborhood addition is a charming date night spot, with lots of handsome leather seating and a street-facing raised patio with a fireplace. It also boasts a world famous athlete as a key backer.
N. 10 takes its name for one of its owners, former Italian professional soccer star and 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero. Del Piero was born in Conegliano, Italy. At just 18, he began playing for Juventus, where he remained for 19 seasons. He wore the number 10 on his jersey throughout his career, which is where the restaurant derives its name.
“Aside from football, opening a restaurant has always been my dream. Living in Los Angeles, I got inspired by the amazing hospitality industry and atmosphere and finally worked hard to make that dream a reality,” Del Piero said. “We found the perfect spot in a great neighborhood full of restaurant life; we couldn’t be happier with the location and venue.”
This particular area of 3rd has seen plenty of new life lately, including Farmhouse across the street and Israeli restaurant Jaffa several blocks east.
American chef Nick Parker and Italian-born chef Fabio Ugoletti run the the N. 10 kitchen. The two combine Ugoletti’s knowledge of old-school Italian food with Parker’s contemporary style. Guests might share a pizza and charcuterie, or delve into the pasta menu for Gnocchi with sausage and back truffles or ravioli stuffed with kale, artichoke and pumpkin seed pesto. Heartier entrees include a sizable and flaky Mediterranean sea bass cartoccio, meaning its cooked in plastic with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and olives. A favorite entree is the brick chicken, served with a bright salsa verde.
Ugoletti, who grew up in Parma, and says his menu is imbued with both professional and personal experiences.
“More than a contribution from my hometown, there is the desire to convey the love for the quality of food and for the ‘conviviality’ that is perceived in Italy and that I have breathed all my life,” Ugoletti said. “‘Gnocco fritto e salumi (fried dumplings and sausage)is from my childhood in the family; carne cruda is how I like to accompany a good glass of Tuscan wine before starting the meal. Lasagna, freshly baked, has the aroma of my Italian Sundays. Potato gnocchi with mushrooms and truffles has the taste of the walks in the woods. Cartoccio brings me back to the Mediterranean sea breeze on a terrace.”
Behind the bar is a selection of wines—including several Italian wines, but also a fair amount of domestic offerings—and cocktails. Swap the traditional post-meal espresso for the signature No. 10, made with vodka, Bailey’s, vanilla liqueur and chocolate bitters over espresso ice if you’re looking to transition from dinner to cocktails.
N. 10 is located 8436 W 3rd St, Los Angeles. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Need stuff to do this month in Los Angeles? We looked ahead on our calendar to focus in on some of the best events happening in May around Los Angeles that you should probably have on your radar. After all, better to get your tickets now than wait till the last minute and find out your favorite event is sold out.
May 2018 event highlights include Free Comic Book Day, Fiesta Hermosa, Whedon Con, LA Times Food Bowl Night Market, the California Strawberry Festival, a Bug Fair at NHM, Lebowski Fest, and much more.
The complete rundown starts after the jump. Enjoy!
1. VRLA Expo (May 4-5)
A New Reality: VRLA comes to the Los Angeles Convention Center’s South Hall on May 4-5 for the ultimate experience with the next generation of immersive and transformative technology. -> More information
2. Free Comic Book Day Returns! (May 5)
Free Comic Book Day is back on May 5! Occurring every year on the first Saturday of May, it’s an international comic book celebration during which comic book shops give away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who visits their shops. -> More information
3. The 13th Annual Freestyle Festival at The Queen Mary (May 5)
Performers at the 13th Annual Freestyle Festival on May 5 at The Queen Mary include MC Hammer, Jody Watley, The Jets, The Sugarhill Gang and many more with genres including R&B, hip-hop, rap and ska. -> More information – Discount tickets
4. Grand Butterfly Celebration at Kidspace Museum (May 5-6)
Bid farewell to Kidspace Museum’s butterfly season during its Grand Butterfly Celebration on May 5-6. Learn about butterflies and how support their life cycle, mold a butterfly puddler out of clay, paint butterfly scenes en plain air and make a butterfly stick kite that you can wave at the 2 p.m. show with a live DJ. -> More information
5. Masters of Taste Food Festival at the Pasadena Rose Bowl (May 6)
Prepare your forks, spoons, and straws! The Masters of Taste food and drink festival is returning to the Pasadena Rose Bowl on May 6 for the ultimate spread of delicious food and drink, and all for a great cause. Note that you can get $15 off tickets to Masters of Taste tickets using promo code WELIKELA18 -> More information
6. Springtime in the Village Wine & Jazz Festival and Street Faire (May 6)
The Springtime in the Village Wine & Jazz Festival and Street Faire comes to Vitello’s on Tujunga Avenue on May 6 for an opportunity to taste over 100 wines and goodies in the sunshine. -> More information
7. Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Celebration at Universal Studios (May 11-12)
Immerse yourself in a day (or two!) of all things Jurassic Park during Universal Studios’ 25th anniversary celebration of the dinosaur blockbuster on May 11-12. Enjoy special exhibits, interactive photo ops, a fan costume show, a screening of the film and more. -> More information
8. Echo Park Craft Fair’s Spring Edition at Mack Sennett Studios (May 11-13)
The Echo Park Craft Fair, an eclectic two-day craft fair, features over 120 artists with various ceramic, jewelry, clothing, woodworking and textile design booths. -> More information
9. RuPaul’s DragCon Los Angeles 2018 (May 11-13)
RuPaul’s DragCon offers three days of art, pop culture and all things drag when returns to Los Angeles from May 11-13! Hosted at the Los Angeles Convention Center, visitors can check out vendors, panel discussions, screenings, autograph and photo ops, lip sync contests, and make-up and styling workshops for men and women. -> More information
10. East LA Comicbook, Art and Pop-Culture Expo (May 12)
Piggybacking off the success of last year’s East LA Comic-Con, the newly renamed East L.A. Comicbook, Art and Pop-Culture Expo is a free event featuring collectibles, comic creators, cosplay, and more.-> More information
11. Pop-Up Magazine’s Spring Edition at The Theatre at Ace Hotel (May 12)
Stop by Pop-Up Magazine’s Spring Edition at The Theatre at Ace Hotel for a night of jaw-dropping, scandalous, funny and sometimes endearing stories during this unique storytelling experience. -> More information
12. LA Times Food Bowl Night Market (May 16-20)
Night Market, part of the LA Times Food Bowl, features dozens of restaurants and food trucks selling food for purchase, plus an assortment of DJ’d music and entertainment, taking place in Downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Park. -> More information
13. Uncorked Wine Festival: LA Vintner’s Market at the Skirball Center (May 18-20)
Visit the Skirball Center on May 18 for Uncorked Wine Festival, an evening of wine, food and live music. Sample more than 50 wines from family-owned and operated wineries from top wine regions around the world. Enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres and appetizers to pair with your wines. -> More information
14. A Night of Electronic Music at Union Station (May 18)
A FREE Night of Electronic Music at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles featuring Rival Consoles, underground mainstay John Tejada (Kompakt) and Tottie (Dublab) in collaboration with Decibel Festival. -> More information
15. WhedonCon 2018, May 18-20 at Warner Center in Woodland Hills (May 18-20)
Highlights for the 3-day Joss Whedon-inspired convention, WhedonCon in Woodland Hills, include Fan Friday, Supernatural Saturday and Super Sunday. -> More information
16. L.A. LIVE Block Party (May 19)
The L.A. LIVE Block Party will feature a pop-up marketplace with over 40 local vendors plus live music and food and drink specials from participating restaurants. -> More information
17. 35th Annual California Strawberry Festival (May 19-20)
The 35th Annual California Strawberry Festival returns to Strawberry Meadows of College Park in Oxnard on May 19-20 for a weekend-long event packed with everything a strawberry lover could want. -> More information
18. The Bug Fair at the Natural History Museum (May 19-20)
Come greet your bug-eyed friends during the Bug Fair at NHMLA. Highlights include exotic bug collections, bug-created products, bug chefs and nature walks. -> More information
19. LitFest Pasadena (May 19-20)
7th Annual LitFest Pasadena, hosted within the Pasadena Playhouse District, is a literary-focused festival that’s FREE for all ages. The event features workshops, panels, readings and more! -> More information
20. Six L.A. Museums Will Be Free on ‘Museums of The Arroyo Day’ 2018 (May 20)
On May 21 six area museums and historical homes will open their doors free of charge for Museums of the Arroyo Day. The list includes the Gamble House, Heritage Square, the Los Angeles Police Museum, the Lummis Home and Garden, the Pasadena Museum of History, and The Autry’s Historic Southwest Museum Mt. Washington Campus. -> More information
21. Cuban American Music Festival 2018 at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes (May 20)
Enjoy a day of Cuban culture when La Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts the Cuban American Music Festival on May 20, with four musical acts, dancing, local Cuban artists, and Cuban food and drink, takes place at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Downtown L.A. -> More information
22. L.A. Mag’s Burgers, Bourbon + Beer in Santa Monica (May 23)
Los Angeles magazine’s Burgers, Bourbon + Beer promises a sophisticated yet delicious, evening at The Victorian, featuring guessed it, juicy burgers and aged bourbons. -> More information
23. The 7th Annual Taste of Boyle Heights (May 24)
The 7th Annual Taste of Boyle Heights, an annual community fundraiser, features live music and cuisine from local East L.A. establishments, vendors and more. -> More information
24. Lebowski Fest Los Angeles 2018 at The Wiltern & Fountain Bowl (May 25-26)
Lebowski Fest celebrates the iconic Coen Brothers movie with live performances, special guests, themed parties, a screening of the film and more. There will be a movie screening at The Wiltern on May 25 plus a bowling part at Fountain Bowl on May 26 for Leboswki Fest 2018! -> More information
25. 45th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair From (May 26-28)
The 45th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair from May 26-2 will feature various country fair games and competitions, live entertainment, food, and more for guests of all ages. -> More information
26. Fiesta Hermosa is Back (May 26-28)
Fiesta Hermosa, a FREE annual event, will feature local vendors, 18 different food offerings, beer gardens, games and live music in Downtown Hermosa Beach. -> More information
Saved By The Bell fans have been waiting patiently and this week Saved by the Max made its Los Angeles debut. Set to resemble The Max, a local hangout in the show, the menu will serve up heavily themed eats like the Kelly Kapowski Monte Cristo, A.C. Sliders, the Bayside Burger, the Preppy BLT and Mac & Screech. As Saved by the Max was a big success in Chicago, reservations are highly encouraged and walk-ups will be limited.
With most (all?) of the reservations filled up, word is out that Saved by the Max will offer a ‘Second Semester’ of seating reservations through September 2019. Those tickets go on sale ($40 a person) this Friday starting at noon.
Belgian brewpub Bluebird Brasserie is a stunning addition to a busy stretch of Ventura in Sherman Oaks. Apart from the glass doors, the space is completely unrecognizable from its previous iteration as an Italian restaurant, redone with gorgeous brick arches that’ll make you feel like you’re in Bruges.
Exactly Bruges, perhaps. Restauranteur Tony Yanow of Artisanal Brewers Collective (ABC) was apparently inspired by a trip to La Trappiste, a beer cafe in Bruges, and its very similar brick arches. So similar, in fact, that if you translate this article from Dutch to English (or are a Dutch speaker yourself), you’ll find that La Trappiste manager Regnier De Muynck is a little miffed that no one told him about the homage in advance, but not surprised someone would seek to replicate those sweet medieval vaults. Imitation, flattery, etc.
Yet Bluebird Brasserie is more than its photogenic ceilings. Belgian-style beer is brewed on-site and helmed by former Pizza Port brewer Noah Ragnery. Options include the dark and rich Double Dutch and the amber Chapeau du Jour. The pub also serves about 10 beers from outside breweries like The Lost Abbey and Orange County’s The Bruery. If beer isn’t your thing, they’ve got a selection of wine, absinthe, and cocktails. Biting onto the put-CBD-oil-in-everything trend, they offer the gin-based Gentle Monk, a fresh and earthy cocktail with foamy aquafaba. Others pull from the classics, like the mezcal negroni and the boozy Nutty Old Fashioned.
Moules Marinieres Photo courtesy of Bluebird Brasserie
The menu consists of a variety of Belgian dishes, including a gooey beer cheese croquette and meatballs made with either beef or vegan Impossible Foods meat, served with potatoes and leeks. One standout is the steak frites, an 8 oz flat iron steak prepared with either melted butter or green peppercorn sauce, and served with fries. They’ve got moules-frites (or, mussels and fries), too, in a variety of styles including a coconut curry. Should you like, you can swap the fries for crusty bread. For dessert, it’s obviously the Belgian waffles, topped with a hearty scoop vegan ice cream. A fair amount of options exist for vegetarians and vegans, including a cassoulet made with Impossible meat.
Waffles with vegan ice cream Photo: Juliet Bennett Rylah
Vibe-wise, expect a neighborhood feel before sundown, with lots of natural light coming in via the street-facing windows. At night things get a bit sultry as candlelight flickers across brick and oak panels to set the stage for dates—or whisper-scheming over the Iron Throne with a goatee-wearing friend.
Bluebird Brasserie is located at 13730 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Current hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday to Saturday.
