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November 2014

SECTION THREE

Larchmont Chronicle

Dining & Entertainment Guide Favorite brunch places serve more than eggs on the menu By Helene Seifer Indulging in brunch speaks volumes about us: we’re not running errands or schlepping kids, pumping iron or in front of the computer; that we want to slow down and take a breath. Now with eggs anointed as the new “it” food, LA has fallen in love with brunch again. So where are we going—and what are we eating when we get there? “With kids at home, my husband and I don’t go out for brunch!” claims Chapman professor Madeline Warren, although she has enjoyed morning meals with friends at BLD. “Their eggs Benedict ($14) is excellent!” She also likes LuLu’s Café. “It’s nothing fancy, just good home-cooked food. The staff’s so friendly!” She recommends the $10.95 house scramble with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, avocado, mushrooms and spinach. BLD. 7450 Beverly Blvd. 323-930-9744. LuLu’s Café. 7149 Beverly Blvd. 323-4386095.

OPTIONS are abundant: choices above are French toast from The Sycamore Kitchen and tacos from Antiquera de Oaxaca.

*** Graphic designer Sydney Nichols loves brunch because, “It’s fun to hang out with friends and have some eggs!” Her favorite is the Sycamore Kitchen, where she gets a cinnamon-laced iced Cubano latte and $11.50 pork belly hash with roasted peppers, onions, potatoes, and spinach, topped with eggs. Nichols

adds, “I also like Go Get Em Tiger. I get the iced almond macadamia latte because it’s amazing, and the baked eggs with chorizo and ricotta.” She enjoys the $10 dish while her fiancé Eric Kufs performs at Larchmont Farmer’s Market. Sycamore Kitchen. 143 S. La Brea. 323-939-0151. Go Get Em Tiger. 230 N. Larchmont. 323-380-5359.

Retired economist Joyce Davidson agrees that Sycamore’s hash is terrific and accompanies hers with some $3.25 buttercups. “They are incredibly buttery—a perfect morning bun.” Also at the top of her list is Antequera de Oaxaca, a neighborhood holein-the-wall, where she gets $9 chilaquiles with green salsa, black beans, chicken and cabbage over a thick Tlayuda tortilla, a regional specialty. Antequera de Oaxaca. 5200 Melrose. 323-466-1101. *** Tory Sparkman and fiancé, writer Zach Grossman, had two suggestions. She works at Le Pain Quotidien and they agree their tofu scramble ($10.35) is crispy and flavorful, especially when topped with avocado. Sparkman offers, “You can’t go wrong with the bread and jars of jams and chocolate spread!” They recently tried hot spot Sqirl. “The food was great!” enthused Grossman. “The sorrel pesto rice bowl ($7.75) with

egg was awesome!” Sparkman said her $8 veggie frittata was “the best I’ve ever had!” Le Pain Quotidien, 113 N. Larchmont. 323-461-7701. Sqirl. 720 N. Virgil Ave. 323284-8147. *** Stephanie Nakamura, an acupuncture masters degree student, recommends Chinese. “NBC has a wide range of $2 to $6 dim sum. I love their turnip cake with little bits of Chinese sausage. It has a deep earthy flavor!” For Hong Kong style food she raves about Sam Woo Barbeque. “They serve newer versions of old classics, like chow mein and scrambled eggs with shrimp and rice. Their roast meats are fantastic!” Having brunch out is important to Nakamura. “It almost feels like a form of self-care, to surround yourself with friends and good food.” NBC, 404 S. Atlantic Blvd., Suite A. Monterey Park. 626282-2323. Sam Woo Barbeque. 514 W. Valley Rd. Alhambra. 626-281-2038.

Marat Daukayev Ballet Theatre

The Nutcracker 2014

at the Luckman Theatre Cal State LA PERFORMANCES

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2pm and 7pm • Sunday, Dec. 7 at 11:30 am and 4:30pm • Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2pm GALA PERFORMANCES

with guest artist Maria Kochetkova of San Francisco Ballet Saturday, December 13 at 7pm • Sunday, December 14 at 2pm

For TickeTs VisiT MaraT DaukayeV.org Marat Daukayev School of Ballet

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731 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles 90036

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323. 965-0333