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Morning Meal Guide: L.A.’s Breakfast And Brunch Bests, Part 1

Kelli Shiroma |
January 7, 2014 | 12:15 a.m. PST

Food Editor

The “Pocket Pies” at The Pie Hole L.A. are great grab-and-go options (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).
The “Pocket Pies” at The Pie Hole L.A. are great grab-and-go options (Kelli Shiroma / Neon Tommy).
Breakfast tends to be the most overlooked meal of the day, especially in today’s busy day and age.

But many L.A. eateries boast breakfast and brunch menus sporting a wide-variety of uniquely named, delectable sweet and savory entrees, ranging from traditional morning fare like bacon and eggs, to more “gourmet” items, like stuffed French toast and oh-so-sweet pancakes. 

Looking for a new place to try for breakfast or brunch? Eater L.A. recommends this extensive variety, while Refinery 29 signified these as its go-tos. Whether you’re searching for the best savory pancakes, most flavorful scramble or the best French toast cooked to perfection, the restaurant line-up below will be your guide to the City’s must-have morning (or mid-morning) meals. 

The Pie Hole L.A.

The breakfast menu at this L.A. Arts District eatery has only been around for about four months, but it has expanded quickly. The menu is innovative in of itself—sporting pie-themed breakfast fare—and soon, the restaurant’s entire menu—featuring popular dishes like “Chicken Pot Pie” will be available for breakfast. 

“You’ll be able to get our pot pies [on our regular menu] in the morning,” confirms Matty Heffner, one of the eatery’s owners and manager.

Some of the popular breakfast menu items include “hand pies,” which are classic grab-and-go items; “pocket pies,” which are the eatery’s version of Pop Tarts; seasonal quiches and scones. 

Bru’s Wiffle: A Waffle Joint

Though it’s known for its fresh waffles, Bru’s Wiffle includes many other delicious items on its menu, including chicken and waffle varieties, egg scrambles and burgers. Some of the eatery’s most popular dishes include “Bru’s Favorite Breakfast,” waffles topped with scrambled eggs, mozzarella, cheddar and prosciutto cheeses; “Dwight’s Special,” a Belgian waffle topped with two pieces of skinless, boneless, crispy chicken; and the sweet “Chocolate Waffle Party,” a delectable chocolate Belgian waffle stuffed with house-made buttercream topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and Oreo cookies. 

Doughboys Café and Bakery 

There are so many breakfast possibilities to choose from at Doughboys Café and Bakery that you might be stuck with the menu for a while. Some of the cafe’s specialties include “The Earl of Benedict”—two grilled halves of buttered, homemade, British breakfast muffins topped with slices of grilled Canadian bacon, two poached eggs, homemade benedict sauce and complete with a serving of sliced roma tomatoes, mixed greens with balsamic dressing, a side of fresh fruit and taters—and “Bonaparte’s Breakfast,” featuring French toast made with the bakery’s challah bread covered with powdered sugar and served with two eggs and three turkey bacon strips. 

More Than Waffles

Belgian waffles are all the rage at More Than Waffles, but the eatery boasts a variety of omelettes, pancakes, crepes, French Toast renditions and more. The breakfast possibilities are endless, ranging from “Peanut Butter Nutella Stuffed French Toast”—featured walnut cinnamon raisin bread with bananas—and “Almond Joy” Pancakes, made with coconut, nutella and almonds, to “Ika’s Crepes”—a medley of organic spinach, turkey sausage, organic basil, garlic, mozzarella, feta, and scrambled eggs—and “Love” Belgian Waffle, dipped in dark Belgian chocolate topped with strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream.

The Farm of Beverly Hills provides a variety of breakfast and brunch options for the hungry customer (Photo Courtesy of The Farm of Beverly Hills).
The Farm of Beverly Hills provides a variety of breakfast and brunch options for the hungry customer (Photo Courtesy of The Farm of Beverly Hills).
The Farm of Beverly Hills

This iconic eatery includes both breakfast and brunch menus that change quarterly, according to managing director Kelli Cotton. 

“We have great food and a great atmosphere,” she says. “We offer some of our favorites from both our breakfast menu and lunch menu [on the brunch menu] for people to choose from.”

Some of the most popular choices for brunch include the “Breakfast Burrito”—made with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, pico de gallo and aged Cheddar cheese—“Pulled Pork Hash,” which comprises roasted onions, peppers, BBQ pulled pork, two eggs sunny side up, and crispy hash potatoes; the “Fried Egg Sandwich,” featuring fried eggs, applewood smoked bacon, shallot aioli and Jack cheese atop a toasted croissant; and the “Farm Lobster Roll,” which is fresh Maine lobster with shallots, cucumbers, mayo, tarragon, pickled onions, butter lettuce and celery on a soft roll. 

Besides the delicious cuisine, Cotton also points out that specialty cocktails are available even during brunch.

“We have a full bar, so we can do mimosas, Bloody Marys or other specialty cocktails for brunch,” Cotton says. “It’s always fun to have a champagne brunch.”

Jacks n’ Jill’s Too 

Louisiana-inspired breakfast is served all day at Jack n’ Jill’s Too. The eatery’s breakfast menu features an array of both sweet and savory options, including the famous “Clare Sweet Crepe,” made with strawberry, banana and Nutella; “Huevos Loco Moco,” a savory hamburger patty served over brown rice, covered with savory mushroom gravy and topped with a sunny side-up egg; and the “Fried Chicken n Hot Cake,” featuring crispy, fried chicken with a buttermilk pancake and egg.

Fred 62

The retro Los Feliz diner boasts an extensive breakfast menu, featuring eggs, breakfast sandwiches and pancakes. Some of the most popular breakfast entrées include: “Mr. Frenchy,” featuring thick, fluffy brioche French toast with syrup, butter and powdered sugar; “Breakfast Enchiladas,” scrambled egg whites with roasted pasilla chiles, grilled onions and Jack cheese wrapped in corn tortillas topped with ranchero habanero sauce, cilantro, sour cream and black beans; and “Strawberry Beret,” the customer’s choice of pancakes, a waffle or French toast topped with fresh strawberries and served with syrup, whipped cream and powdered sugar. 

Bottega Louie

Though Bottega Louie is known for its delicious macaroons, the eatery boasts an upscale weekend brunch menu. Especially notable are the “Salmon Millefeuille,” featuring a smoked salmon and crème fraiche layered with puff pastry, and “French Toast,” made with home-made pain de mie, Vermont maple syrup and seasonal berry compote. 

Huckleberry Bakery & Café  

Though the breakfast menu at Huckleberry Bakery and Café isn’t extensive, it does include one notable feature — “Green Eggs & Ham,” which is served with La Quercia prosciutto, arugula and pesto on a homemade English muffin. Besides this unique menu item, the “House-Cured Salmon Platter”—complete with sliced red onions, cucumbers, capers, cream cheese, arugula and country toast—and the “Huevos Rancheros,” served with black beans, red onion, cilantro, salsa roja and two over-easy eggs. 

John O’Groats Grille & Pub

With items like “Huevos O’Groats”—a tortilla made from biscuit dough, topped with sautéed onions, peppers and black beans and with two eggs over medium, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream—“Oreo Cookie French Toast” and “Crispy Bacon & Sharp Cheddar Waffle” on its menu, it’s no wonder that John O’Groats Grille & Pub’s breakfast has foodies raving. The eatery not only prides itself on its unique assortment of breakfast items, but also its fresh, high-quality ingredients. 

Beer Belly 

Though Beer Belly, located in L.A.’s Koreatown, is known for its beer, late-night hours and unique menu fare—“Deep-Fried Pop Tarts,” “French Onion Mac ‘N Cheese,” or “Deep Fried Oreos,” anyone?—the eatery sports an equally unique brunch menu on Sundays from 12-4 p.m. With specialties like “Chicken in Waffle”—fried chicken fried in waffle batter—“Snickers Pancakes,” made with chunks of Snickers, syrup and whipped cream; and “Bacon-Fat Benny,” featuring a pork roll, eggs benedict, and rosemary bacon-fat hollandaise, brunch is definitely a must-try at this eatery. 

Swingers Diner

If you’re dining on a dime and looking for a late-night, breakfast-for-dinner joint, Swingers Diner is your best bet. The diner features an “Early Bird Special” for only $4.95—two organic eggs served with two pancakes or one slice of French toast and the diner’s choice of bacon or sausage, served until 11 a.m.—as well as different burritos, pancakes and eggs entrées. And the best part (besides the reasonable prices): the L.A. location’s hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. Talk about catering to the customer’s needs. 

Claimjumper 

Many eateries feature brunch buffets during the holiday season or for special occasions, but at Claim Jumper Restaurant, brunch buffets are the Sunday norm. Items on this wide-ranging brunch menu include an omelette bar, apple-glazed meatballs, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, country potatoes, strawberry and cream cheese-stuffed French toast, buttermilk pancakes, mini waffles, muffins, pasta, chicken tenders and more. 

Reach Kelli Shiroma here or follow her on Twitter



 

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