Lodge Bread Co. | Culver City, CA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Menu at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

Cappuccino at Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shakshuka, Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lodge Bread Co., Culver City, CA

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

Eggslut | Venice, CA

I'm late to the game. I admit it. Eggslut has been serving up yolky-goodness since 2011, and I've only just visited. The lines rounding the corners of the original brick and mortar spot in Grand Central Market have always been daunting, and I admittedly have passed them by for other food stands. I thought "it can't be THAT good", and since there are so many wonderful restaurants in the market, I just never waited patiently for one of those glorious egg sammies. 

But I'm happy to announce, this Brunchographer has finally joined Team Eggslut, and I'm hooked!

The newish location in Venice drew me in. It popped up on my Yelp app one day when I was looking for a casual brunch spot in my Westside neighborhood, and I figured since I had no agenda that morning, I could finally check it out. My boyfriend and I mentally prepared for the line and potential chaos, and we drove over to Venice. Luckily we found parking right across the street from the restaurant, but that also allowed us to clearly see the 20 person line ahead of us. We both hesitated, but eventually soldiered on. Now was the time! 

We hopped in line and were immediately greeted by a warm, charming employee who handed us menus and provided us with an estimate of our time in line. "From this spot, it's usually 20 minutes until you'll get to the counter, and your food will be ready 10 minutes after that!" he informed us. Ok, thanks guy! We appreciated the up front info. The estimate ended up being pretty spot on, too.

The interior is simple and slightly industrial with pops of bright yellow decor mimicking Eggslut's famous runny egg. It's a bit chaotic, though. The line is organized well, but after you order, you wait in a sea of hungry Venice folk who are eyeing tables freeing up and listening anxiously for their names to be called. But eventually you get your seat and your gorgeous tray of food, and you become oh-so-happy.

We started with "The Slut". A staple menu item for Eggslut, it sounds a little odd upon first read,  but once you pierce through that perfectly coddled egg atop a potato puree and the bright orange yolk spills out, you know you're in for something special (#yolkporn to the max). We spread some of the eggy potato goodness over a piece of toast and with a bit of chunky salt and a touch of chive on top, it was a singular divine bite. Order this up for an brunch appetizer, and you'll start your meal right.

The Slut

For our main sandwiches, I ordered the "Sausage, Egg and Cheese" and Jeff ordered the "Cheeseburger". I can't turn down honey mustard, and Jeff can't say no to cheeseburgers with eggs, so both sandwiches were matches made in heaven for us.

The "Sausage, Egg and Cheese" was a simpler combo. It's the type of sandwich you hope you get every time you order a breakfast sandwich, but so rarely actually arrives on your plate. I've been burned too many times by a disappointing breakfast sandwich, but this one was simply done well. The ratio of sausage to egg to cheese was perfect, and the honey mustard aioli shone through brightly with an acidic pop in every bite. The sausage was spiced nicely and the runny yolk was sopped up perfectly by the spongy brioche bun.

The Sausage, Egg and Cheese

The "Cheeseburger" was a heartier sandwich. The angus beef patty holds a perfectly over-medium egg and a melted slice of cheddar cheese, and sits atop a power-trio bed of bacon, dijonnaise, and bread and butter pickles. We were both weary of the pickles (neither of us are fans of the bread and butter variety), but with each bite, we were more convinced that they belonged. They added a tangy crunch factor, and with the salty bacon and flavorful dijonnaise, this brunch burger was accessorized just right.

The Cheeseburger

To round it out, we got an iced coffee and a super refreshing cup of freshly-squeezed orange juice, and neither of those disappointed either. At the very least, get some OJ with your meal to add to the aesthetic factor. How pretty is this table with another punch of orange, right?! 

All in all, our trip to Eggslut was a success. Yes, the line can be intimidating, but sometimes it's fun visiting a place that is so sought after. Part of the fun of the food scene is LA is sharing your experience with other people who are just as excited as you are, and that's what Eggslut is all about. Their mission is to not just serve high quality food and provide great service. They want your meal to be an experience, and that's just what they deliver. So get yourself a brunch-venturer friend and get in line. You won't regret it! 

Eggslut - Venice Location

1611 Pacific Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90291

Other locations: Downtown LA / Glendale, CA / Las Vegas, NV / New York, NY

Salazar | Los Angeles, CA

There are a lot of things to love about brunch. You get to sleep in. Coffee flows freely. Foods that should rightfully be dessert are served as an entrée, and a lot of things come topped with a fried egg. You get to hang out with your friends for a few hours in the daylight and talk about stuff other than work. But there's one really important thing about brunch that we don't celebrate here on Brunchographers quite as often as we should: Day Drinking (and yeah, I just capitalized that). 

Bar area at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Brunch at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Day Drinking isn't always on the forefront of our brunching agenda - the need for both responsible driving and budgeting generally deter us, and, let's be real, we'd usually rather spend our money on a loaded waffle than on alcohol. But there are some places that were made for Day Drinking - where you can kick back, relax, and laugh the day away with your friends, and where the drinks are good enough to spring for an Uber. Salazar is one of those places.

Brunch Menu at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Brunch at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Located in a former auto body shop in L.A.'s Frogtown neighborhood, Salazar's dining area is almost entirely outdoors in what was probably once a parking lot. It feels well-worn and comfortable, kind of like your grandma's backyard, with faded multicolor school cafeteria chairs and simple wooden tables arranged beneath a few trees and a pergola, with potted cacti and succulents lined up atop bright blue painted walls. It's packed with young, hip Westsiders and their dogs and/or children (we spied a few attempting to climb the trees - oh, to be a kid again), yet it is somehow unpretentious and welcoming. This is the sort of place where you want to spend an entire day, slowly sipping tequila and enjoying the sunshine while you nibble on tacos and street corn. 

Brunch at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

What was once the auto body shop's garage now holds a colorful bar area, while the office has been transformed into a kitchen with a view - thanks to huge windows around the outside, you can watch the experts barbecuing meats over a grill and making homemade tortillas by the dozen. This wood-fired grill is what chef Esdras Ochoa had been dreaming of as his next venture after making a name for himself with the wildly popular Mexicali Taco & Co. (which is so good, it's a standard on just about any "Best of L.A." list). Even at brunch, you can enjoy large portions of his expertly grilled steak, pork, fish, or vegetables, though with all the tempting starters, breakfast options, and tacos, you may not make it that far down the menu. The offerings here are Sonoran-style Mexican food, a cuisine that is not commonly seen here in Los Angeles, but will be familiar to those from Arizona and New Mexico, as well as Calexico, CA, where Ochoa was raised. 

In the Kitchen at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

The concept of making a reservation at Salazar is perplexing, particularly because as is stated on their amazing website (please, do yourself a favor and click that link), there is "NO PHONE YET." Thankfully, you can get by without a reservation just as easily. The wonderful cocktails from the bar will make you forget that you're waiting for something other than another margarita, and there's plenty of room for you to lounge around outside and shoot the breeze with your friends while you wait for a table to open up. Oh, and in case you've got a hangry person in your party, you can always order up a few snacks at the bar.

Cranberry Spritz at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Prickly Pear Margarita at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

To kick off our Day Drinking, we sampled the Prickly Pear Margarita and the Cranberry Spritz. Both were gorgeous in color, especially the almost neon pink margarita - which was also the more fun and flavorful of the two. It was tart, sweet, and all around a fun cocktail. We were hoping for a bit more of a tart punch with the Cranberry Spritz, but it was still tasty and it certainly packed a wallop. 

Prickly Pear Margarita and Chips and Salsa at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Guacamole at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

At around midday on a busy weekend, the wait for our table wasn't long as we expected it might be (we hadn't even finished our first round of drinks), and the short amount of down time offered us a chance to peruse the menu. We started with some guacamole (because why not?) and the Carne Asada Fries. The guacamole was just as delicious as you'd expect; topped with creamy queso fresco and some pumpkin seeds for added crunch.

Carne Asada Fries at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

The Carne Asada Fries are a perfect bar food: a huge pile of deep fried potatoes, topped with heaps of meat and drizzled with sauce - basically, exactly what the doctor ordered to accompany some Day Drinking (or perhaps to help you recover from whatever Night Drinking you did the day before). They're decadent, rich, and oh-so-satisfying. 

Green Eggs & Yams and Carne Asada Fries, Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Green Eggs & Yams at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

From the desayuno portion of the menu, we chose the Green Eggs & Yams and Chilaquiles. Green Eggs & Yams were another classic L.A. "all-my-favorite-things-in-a-bowl" moment: a base of vibrant purple kale topped with yams (a.k.a. camote), cheese, pepitas, and a gloriously crispy fried egg. There was a fun play on flavors between the sweet yams and the salted dressing, and the eggs and cheese added some creaminess into the mix. 

Green Eggs & Yams at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Chilaquiles at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

The Chilaquiles were exactly what you'd want them to be: a big bowl of once-crisp tortilla chips, made soft with gobs of deliciously spicy sauce, cooled off by a heavenly combination of cotija cheese, crema, and avocado, and of course, all topped with a fried egg that was crispy on the edges and runny in the center. This dish is a heartwarming bowl of goodness that will satisfy even the hungriest of tummies. 

Chilaquiles at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA 

Carne Asada Fries, Guacamole, and Tacos at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA 

Tacos at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

And because we couldn't resist (who would want to?), we ordered up a few tacos, too. While simple, these were really delicious and full of flavor. Each was accented with a robust, smoky salsa and some pickled onions for acidity, and was wrapped in those soft, heavenly handmade flour tortillas. The standout filling was the Al Pastor; its perfectly cooked meat showed off what that Santa Maria-style barbecue could really do. 

Tacos at Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA 

Salazar is a little bit like a home-away-from-home, as comfortable as your own backyard, but with significantly better food. Bring your kids, your dog, your mom, your dad, or your great uncle. Here, everyone will find something to love - especially if they're into tacos or Day Drinking. And who doesn't like at least one of those wonderful things?

Salazar, Frogtown, Los Angeles, CA

Salazar
2490 Fletcher Dr. 
Los Angeles, CA 90039

Sqirl | Silver Lake, CA

I have a confession to make. It's a really embarrassing one. 

Up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't been to Sqirl. 

I had been waltzing around Los Angeles, considering myself a "brunch expert," and I hadn't experienced what is widely considered the best brunch in the city. I know! I'm ashamed. And I'm here to say I'm sorry. 

Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

When I say that this place is widely considered the best brunch in Los Angeles, I do mean widely. Just about every list of where to eat in the city of angels includes Sqirl at the very top - and I'm not talking about lists of where to have breakfast or brunch or lunch in Los Angeles, I mean where to eat. Period. So that's a little bit amazing, since this is a breakfast-and-lunch-only kind of joint that closes at four o'clock in the afternoon each day. Just about every food critic in the country has written at least a paragraph or two about Sqirl, and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. Jonathan Gold poetically sang Sqirl's praises in his L.A. Times review, calling founder Jessica Koslow "masterful." For LA Weekly, Besha Rodell said that Sqirl has "some of the most thoughtful, satisfying, beautifully executed food in town." And in what felt more like a love letter than a review, Bill Addison said "Sqirl is literally the neighborhood restaurant of my dreams."

The famous line at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Koslow's new cookbook, Everything I Want to Eat, for sale at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Impossibly hip clientele at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

So what was keeping me from brunching at Sqirl? For one, it's basically on the other side of the world (we West Siders are the worst, aren't we?). And if you're going to drive an hour for brunch, do you really want to wait at least thirty more minutes in line once you get there (after, god help you, you've hopefully found parking)? And then there's always that pesky fear that it won't live up to all that hype - that you will have trekked across the city and waited in a line that's the stuff of legends, all for something you could have made at home. I mean, how good could ricotta and jam on toast really be?

Chalkboard Menu at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Outdoor seating at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Well, friends, I'm here to tell you that I was wrong. Even as a staunch hater of lines (fact: I got out of bed before 6 am while on vacation to avoid waiting in line for donuts), I can confidently say that Sqirl is worth it. Ricotta and jam on toast can be really good, and unless you're Jessica Koslow, you can't make it like this at home. 

Jessica Koslow working the line at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

It all started with jam. Koslow, unhappy in her television production career, returned to a job she knew she loved - working in a kitchen. After some time in the South, learning the ins and outs of pastry and preserving, she returned to Southern California and started to make jam the old fashioned way, in a huge copper pot. Her seasonally rotating market-driven flavors were a hit, and before long, she'd opened up shop in Silver Lake. The jam operation later expanded to a café in the very same space, with the team behind G&B providing delicious coffee and Koslow offering a menu of bright, vegetable-forward breakfast and lunch fare. Koslow's food was thoughtful and innovative, often setting the perfect stage for her much-loved jams and preserves to shine. You can guess the rest: word got out, people started talking, and soon there was a permanent line around the block. 

The famous line at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

We joined that famed line at a respectable 9:30 on a Saturday morning (as all reports indicate that the line is actually at its worst at the opening time of 8:00 am), and while it was formidable, it was not as ghastly as I had once imagined. In fact, it moved quickly enough that I wasn't quite prepared to order by the time we made it to the register, let alone did I have time to take a moment to appreciate Koslow herself hard at work behind the counter. By the time we were through, a perfect table opened up, and we settled in with our coffees. There's an elegance to how Sqirl operates, no matter how chaotic it may seem from the outside. 

Menu at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Brunch spread at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

As much as we wanted to taste absolutely everything on the menu, we restrained ourselves to four dishes: The Mosca Breakfast Sandwich, the Famed Ricotta Toast, Braised Chickpeas, and the Cauliflower Hash. We also had to sample a cappuccino with house-made almond milk and The “Al Puccino” - a sweetened iced cappuccino. 

Cappuccino with house-made almond milk at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

The coffees were both delicious - just what you would hope from a café that was home to the inception of G&B, one of L.A.'s absolute best coffee shops. The espresso was rich and flavorful, and the house-made almond milk was perfect. The "Al Puccino" will please those who like their coffee on the sweet side. It's also a fun treat to have a foamy cappuccino served cold - it's a rare find here in the states. 

The Mosca Breakfast Sandwich at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

The Mosca Breakfast Sandwich has both style and substance. Sure, it's great for the 'gram with a knife dramatically ensconced in its depths like the sword in the stone, a huge slab of griddled halloumi (be sure to add this when you order - it would be a mistake to skip it), a fried egg, and a healthy-sized chicken patty, all topped with a thick sauce of tomato, green peppers, and spices, and sandwiched between a shiny brioche bun. But then you bite into it, and it practically screams with flavor. When these already bold components combine - the savory chicken sausage, tangy halloumi, spiced menemen sauce - there is somehow harmony. Koslow didn't skimp on the fat in this dish, either, which makes it all the more decadent and satisfying. 

The Mosca Breakfast Sandwich at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Braised Chickpeas and The Mosca Breakfast Sandwich at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Served with an impractically long piece of toast (it's kind of comical how they refer to this as "long toast" on the menu - "long" doesn't begin to describe it), the Braised Chickpeas are a heartwarming, stick-to-your ribs breakfast. The stewed garbanzos are reminiscent of the middle eastern breakfast dish ful muddamas, delightfully soupy and flavored with bright lemon and spiced baharat oil. On top, thinly shredded chard add lightness and crunch, and two soft poached eggs make it that much more satisfying. You're going to want to slurp up all this delicious sauce - luckily you'll have enough bread to soak it up. 

Braised Chickpeas at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Cauliflower Hash at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Sqirl's Hash dish rotates seasonally, pairing fresh vegetables with roasted potatoes, fermented hot sauce, and a fried egg. The current special features tender roasted cauliflower, piri piri, and leeks. The hot sauce, served on the side, is really delicious and offers quite a kick. While simple, this dish was satisfying and felt healthy - especially since it came with a side of greens. 

Cauliflower Hash at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Famed Ricotta Toast at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Like the good children we are, we made sure to save our dessert for last: the Famed Ricotta Toast. It's truly the stuff of legend - it's the single-most Instagrammed dish in the world (I have no concrete evidence to support this, but I've got a strong hunch), and there are whole articles dedicated to the art of its construction. And yet somehow, the actual height of that brioche took me off guard. It's massive. But like other toasts you may have eaten since toast took over the world, this one is not a tooth-breaker. Though thoroughly toasted (read: nearly burnt), the brioche remains soft and supple, providing a buttery pillow for the impossibly creamy ricotta and the tart jam to rest on. The flavors are spot on; the play of sweet and tart to salty and buttery is heaven. Do not make the mistake of coming here and not ordering this. Just trust us. 

Famed Ricotta Toast at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Brunch Spread at Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

It's hard not to sensationalize a place that everyone in the world seems to love. You want to be a part of the excitement, to be a part of a movement, to eat the best thing you've ever tasted. On the other hand, it's also easy to unfairly criticize something popular just to be subversive. With this in mind, I maintain that Sqirl is great. Not everything we tasted was life-changing, but everything was good, and most was really good. If it weren't so far away, I'd be at Sqirl every week, just to make sure I could work my way through the entire menu. It's worth the hype, and it's worth a long drive - and I'm sorry I didn't experience it sooner. 

Sqirl, Silver Lake, CA

Sqirl
720 Virgil Ave #4
Los Angeles, CA 90029

Playa Provisions | Playa Del Rey, CA

Despite a turbulent political climate, it's been an exciting month for women - through events like A Day Without a Woman and Women's History Month, voices around the world have expressed support and admiration for the pivotal roles women play in business and society. Female empowerment is resonating loudly throughout the food world, as well - these days, some of L.A.'s hottest and most popular restaurants are helmed by women, from up-and-comers like Leona and Kismet to institutions like the Mozzaplex and Lucques. And earlier this month, foodies around the world witnessed two badass female chefs battle it out in the most recent finale of Top Chef. 

Chef Brooke Williamson, who ultimately took home the Top Chef title, is indeed a badass. Her passion for cooking propelled her to begin working in professional kitchens at age 18, and by age 24, she was executive chef at Boxer in Los Angeles. Today, she and her chef husband Nick Roberts own not one, but four restaurants in the Los Angeles area, as well as a beautifully curated culinary boutique. She's a woman on a mission, and she loves what she does. Oh, and she's currently sporting purple hair. It doesn't get much more badass than that. 

One of Williamson's four culinary ventures also happens to be a Brunchographers' mainstay - Playa Provisions. Located in Playa del Rey, a charming part of L.A. that feels like a small town on the East Coast, Playa Provisions is an ambitious concept. It combines four eateries in one - an ice cream parlor, a casual food counter, a whisky bar, and an upscale restaurant, all in a beautifully designed building just steps from the beach. And for the time being, while a new space is being constructed for it elsewhere, the foodie boutique Tripli-Kit is also housed inside. When all these concepts function at once, the massive space buzzes with life and activity. 

For weekend brunch, the full service restaurant portion (officially called "Dockside") is the place to be. Its outdoor patio is beautiful and relaxed, offering cozy blankets at each table and fire pits to huddle around when it's California-cold. The menu is varied, and reflects its seaside location with plenty of seafood and odes to New England fare. We love the cocktail list, which offers delicious and creative takes on the classics - which are perfect for sipping while enjoying some live music during a Saturday afternoon Jazz Brunch. 

On a recent visit, we sampled several cocktails - the Bloody Mary, served with a shrimp if you so choose, the Moscow Mule, and the Rose the Riveter, made with lemon, rosemary syrup, and sparkling rose. We had coffee as well, of course, which is strong and delicious, and comes in the daintiest little cups. 

We started the meal with some treats off the "from the baker" section of the menu. First, the dipping donuts: donut holes dusted with cinnamon sugar, and served with a delicious caramel sauce. These were light, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying when dipped into the sauce, and were a fun way to kick off the meal. Next were the biscuit bites; two-bite buttermilk biscuits served with rich dulce de leche. When paired with the rich and salty-sweet sauce, these buttery little biscuits are absolute heaven - and are hands down a must-try. 

For our entrees, we stuck to the breakfast side of the menu. The Skillet Baked Eggs are a colorful and healthy option, pairing seasonal vegetables with flavorful kale pesto, prosciutto, eggs, and arugula. It's impressive how many veggies are packed into this adorable cast iron skillet, and when paired with hearty egg and prosciutto, they become a hearty and satisfying meal. 

For the breakfast purists of the world, there is the Porchetta and Eggs. This reminded us of an elevated diner classic, with the standard bacon replaced by flavorful porchetta and dry toast replaced with delicate brioche toast. The crispy hashbrowns were exactly what you'd want for a Saturday morning indulgence - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and a little bit greasy (in a good way).  

Another riff on a classic was the breakfast sandwich, stuffed with sausage, eggs, gruyere, collards, avocado, and housemade hot sauce. The ciabatta bread was delicious, too - soft inside, toasty on the edges, and flavorful throughout.  

And finally, the pretzel croissant sandwich - one of our favorites. The lightly salted and buttery croissant is stuffed with soft scrambled eggs and bright arugula, offering a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. We subbed avocado in place of bacon, which added some satisfying creaminess into the mix. This manages to be satisfying and delicious, but not so heavy that you feel like you need to repent after - just the right amount of indulgence.

With Playa Provisions, Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts have created a neighborhood staple that goes above and beyond, offering its customers not just a comfortable place to unwind, but a place to experience some seriously delicious food made with care and respect - not to mention yet another reason to be grateful for all the badass women in this world. 

Fun fact: that's Conan O'Brien in the bottom left corner.  

Playa Provisions
119 Culver Boulevard West
Playa del Rey, CA 90293