Vol. 4
At last. I’ve been waiting for this. Fragrant jasmine perfumes the entries and exits from my apartment, citrus trees sprout tender white petals, and clusters of tiny flowers adorn the bushes of my neighborhood. Spring is here in Los Angeles, babyyy!
From Where I Sat
Five5eeds (Park City, UT) - Despite the ridiculous spelling, “FiveSeeds” is my favorite restaurant in Park City. Nestled in a large strip mall and unassuming from the outside, you’ll find the best breakfast & lunch in town in a calm, modern, stylish setting. Maybe it’s the laid back attitude or maybe they’re fleeing a land of giant spiders, but Australian expats are importing some of the best cafe culture around in the US, and Five5eeds is no exception. I’ve been multiple times in the past few years, and each time the meal is better than I remembered. The Banana Bread with Espresso Cream is a must order to share at the table, and the Çilbir Turkish Eggs with thick garlic yogurt, aleppo pepper & sumac infused butter is a luscious dish that I’ll be trying to recreate at home. Even the basics are outstanding, with fun add ons like local mixed mushrooms with whipped ricotta, or halloumi and hot honey. The food is vibrant and exciting, yet nourishing and substantial without feeling like you need to roll yourself out the door. Excellent coffee and beverages as well. I’ll be campaigning for them to expand to an LA location (seriously).
Lorenzo California (Beverly Hills) - Is Lorenzo a real person? Unlikely. It doesn’t matter. Lorenzo is a vibe. Lorenzo is a feeling. Lorenzo is channeling your inner older Italian man. I’ve been twice in one month, and I’m already pining to return. Seating is tough at the small yet welcoming pistachio green cafe on Santa Monica Blvd, but there’s great people watching as you wait for your order, and a large fancy park a couple blocks away for a picnic. The Florentine-style sandwiches are simple but substantial, all served on thin, light focaccia buns baked fresh daily from Bianca Bakery. I’ve tried the namesake Lorenzo (with “parmigiano pate”, basically a super thick spreadable parmesan cream condiment--amazing), the Salamino (loaded with marinated artichokes) and the Capriccio (adding mortadella is key here). They do serve a few pastas and salads, which also look amazing, but honestly I can’t imagine walking out of there without a stracciatella-laiden sammy in my paws.
Checker Hall (Highland Park) - Up a music venue’s staircase and through thick velvet curtains, a gorgeous dining room and delicious meal await. The atmosphere is hard to pinpoint, but to me it felt like vintage cocktail bar meets hipster New Orleans: high ceilings, a gilded structure adorning the large bar in the center, plush booth seating, and multiple French doors opening out to small tables on a balcony overlooking Figueroa St. Dress however you like because it’s Highland Park and most people there look cooler than you (and me!) anyway. The food, described as “California meets the Mediterranean,” is bright, flavorful, and meant to be shared. Drinks are equally exciting, and the house martini comes with the world’s most beautiful sidecar (and we LOVE a sidecar). Hot, fluffy za’atar-topped pitas arrive on mismatched antique floral plates, adding to the overall charm of the experience. Menu highlights include: Whipped Feta with Burnt Honey Butter & Urfa Chili (still dreaming about her); Delicata Squash Tempura, and a super crispy Chicken Schnitzel with all kinds of fixin’s, including a perfect whole-herb salad. Other winners were Seared Halloumi Salad (grilled dates!) and Maitake Mushroom Skewer.
Honorable Mentions:
Ceviche Project (Los Feliz/Silverlake) - Tucked into a small pocket of Hyperion Ave are some of the most fresh and flavorful ceviches in central LA. The menu is small (in a good way!), reflecting the space and the staff, along with some really fun wines. This is by no means an inexpensive meal, but the ingredients and techniques are worth the splurge.
Surawon Tofu House (Koreatown) - With the tragic closure of Beverly Soon Tofu (IYKYK), I’ve found a replacement in Surawon. Housemade tofu swims in spicy, bubbling broth with any combinations of meats, seafood, and vegetables your heart desires. They also serve classics like galbi and seafood pancakes, but there’s something about those molten little earthenware pots that I cannot resist.
In My Kitchen
Spring is just around the corner produce-wise and I am ready for it! I’ve been away from my own kitchen for a lot of the past month, but at home it’s been healthy/recovery foods meaning lots of eggs, greens, and nuts. Sigh. What fun. My lovely Park City hosts made this Crispy Coconut Shrimp and Shallots dish for us and I’ve already cooked it again at home, just serve with roasted broccoli and call it a night. Jess Damuck, author of my beloved “Salad Freak,” just released “Health Nut” and it's a wonderful, not quite vegan but definitely plant-focused book. The Charred Broccoli Salad with Almonds and Spicy Green Goddess is already a favorite, and I’m eyeing Asparagus Cooked in its Own Juice as I await springtime’s bounty.
On My Radar
So many places to eat, so little time! I’m desert-bound soon but will likely be cooking at the house for a massive group of people, then off to San Diego for two different weekends in April. While I am in LA, I’m planning to return to a few places I’ve been before: Majordomo, Lasita, and Thunderbolt. The next time I visit to Lorenzo, I’ll walk four minutes south for a *bang bang* (two meals in a row, essentially) and try one of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills’ sandwiches. Then take a two hour nap.
As we crawl out of winter and into spring, expect to see lots of telltale vegetables like peas, various green beans, and asparagus, along with rhubarb and berries at your local farmers markets (which I am begging you to make a part of your routine if it’s not already). I’m looking forward to rhubarb season and the delicious jams and pastries that come along with it, as well as experimenting with some pickling.
Happy Spring!!
xo
Amanda - I love reading your newsletters. Looking forward to trying your restaurant recs next time we're in LA, and I just ordered "Health Nut"! 💋Sherry
Lots of good places to visit whenever I go to LA next!