LA Food Scene

It’s about time I raved about the LA gems where we gorged ourselves over President’s Day weekend. I’ll admit, the Bay Area has turned me into a local, seasonal, sustainable food snob. But our southern neighbors are staying up to snuff.

I was most blown away by breakfast at M.B. Post in Manhattan Beach. I mean get a load of these sticky buns, honestly! Also pictured: eggs Benedict, bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits (severely addictive), and Frittata.

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Eggs Benedict @ Manhattan Beach Post Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits with Maple Butter @ Manhattan Beach Post Fritatta @ Manhattan Beach Post

For a piece of New York in Downtown LA, I highly recommend Artisan House. With the adjoining gourmet market, I felt like I had stepped back into Eataly. But with a Prohibition-era twist. My favorite part of the meal was the table-side cocktail service, where we could choose from multiple Champagnes and liqueurs like Cassis and Elderflower, and the drinks were concocted right there.

Speaking of speakeasies, we snuck in for an after dinner drink next door at The Association. Hipster mixologists work hard shaking, chopping and peeling their way to refreshing, retro and dainty cocktails. Another NYC deja vu.

And if you find yourself on an afternoon beer crawl in Venice Beach, you can soak up those suds with a Bavarian pretzel at On the Waterfront Cafe, or a fireside pizza at Larry’s (where they have an endless beer menu – there’s literally something for everyone).

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For an incredible view, I highly recommend a drink on the bluff at Nelson’s at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. Oh and I can’t forget my girlfriends turned me on to a truffle salami from Bristol Farms. I could eat an entire log – thinly sliced, of course.

Ode to San Carlos

I’m loving San Carlos, which is the closest “downtown” to us and actually has some decent restaurants. Last night we kicked off our evening at Bair Island Tap & Eatery, which serves craft brew and food sourced from within 100 miles (think 4505 Meats).The philosophy reminds me a lot of Local Mission Eatery, but it has more of a mini brewery vibe, serving up sausages and sandwiches mostly.

We also bellied up to the bar at Cask Wine & Cheese Bar, for some Cava, beer on tap, Marcona almonds and Mediterranean-style green olives. Come to find out, they serve dinner off Spasso‘s menu, and will literally cross the street to bring you the goods. I enjoyed my Capellini, and David’s mushroom burger went down easy.

Cappellini @ the cask wine & cheese bar Mushroom burger @ the cask wine & cheese bar

But the biggest surprise to date were the “donuts to die for” at Piacere a few weeks ago. Made to order and filled with apricot deliciousness. More cream puff than donut, but who’s counting?

Jelly Doughnuts Made To Order @ Piacere Ristorante

The salmon crepe was also delicious, with a light butter and wine sauce.
Salmon crepes @ Piacere Ristorante

We’ve also become fans of Friday night deliveries from the San Carlos location of New York Pizza. But the real dining adventures await on Laurel Street.