Three of our favorite spots for lunch in Los Angeles turn out to be the hidden spots of the rich and famous, those who do not have to be seen, but are semi visible nonetheless.
Kinara Café hidden behind one of the smartest health spas in Los Angeles, owned by Christine and Joachim Splichal of Patina fame, is one of the most inviting spots to dine on a perfect Los Angeles day. The interior is the perfect blend of East Indian, Balinese and French cultures. A tranquil garden beckons you to a leisurely dining experience overseen by John, one of the best built, most handsome and endearing servers in Los Angeles. That being said, his exemplary service does not disguise the mouth watering healthy concoctions prepared for you. Our favorites continue to be their rotating soups (especially love the Tomato), Steak Salad, Tuna Salad, their tasty Wild Salmon and their perfectly spiced Turkey Meat loaf (one of our all time favorites) with air dried French fries, all made to order and priced reasonably between $8 and $17 When it is in season, the pomegranate juice is a must. There is always a selection of fresh juices, squeezed to order. If you’re nice to John, he may let you squeeze him, as well. We also enjoy the salads in Pita bread. You may notice their celebrity regulars, Halle Berry, Robert Duvall and Diana Ross, quietly enjoying their relative anonymity.
Petrossian on Robertson, a Paris landmark, which dates back to 1920’s when it was founded by the two Petrossian brothers. It was always thought of as just a Caviateria, and since only Michael adores caviar, it turns out fortunately for Scott, there is much, much more than that. In fact, much to Scott’s surprise, it’s simple décor belies the fact that one of the biggest bargains in town, is their Crab Salad, overflowing with fresh crab and spiced with an avocado citrus dressing, at $10.50. Due to the caviar embargo, Michael feasted on three different varieties of farm -raised caviars, 15 grams of Sevruga, Ossetra and Beluga, for $138, pricey but well worth it, and excellent. The fresh baked blinis by executive chef, Claudia Sanchez, are superb and be sure to ask for extra because you will devour them. In Michael’s mind, there is almost nothing that compares to caviar with all the fixings including cream fraiche, capers, onions, egg whites. We saw Leonardo DiCaprio, well disguised, while we were there; Penelope Cruz is also a regular.
The latest addition to the LA restaurant scene is, a New York standard, City Bakery, owned by Maury Rubin, the quintessential New York deli owner, but, actually, he hails originally from Baltimore. It is under the careful control of chef Ilene Rosen. City Bakery offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. We particularly enjoy the fact that their sumptuous breakfast is available until 8PM but more about that in “power breakfast”, to come. Their luncheon buffet, attended by our very own governor, Arnold and his wife, Maria, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tom Hanks is a small miracle, at $16 per pound, one can eat to their hearts content (and still for less than $16) and enjoy a variety of specialties including Wasabi Crusted Chicken, Michael’s favorite and Fresh WILD Salmon, like Kinara, a major attribute, which is the only politically correct salmon according to Scott. Their baked goods are made fresh hourly and the pretzel croissant is not to be missed. We recently feasted on their decadent Carmelized French Toast, which is extraordinary. Try the fried chicken, which we adored, and remember there are many different items available, freshly prepared, on different days and finish with one of the best cups of espresso in Los Angeles. You will regret not taking pastries and cookies home, so make sure that you do and don’t leave before stopping into their special “all chocolate” room that’s like stepping into a secret booth for chocolate junkies.
City Bakery is brand new, only open for two months. They change their menu all the time, so be prepared to expect the unexpected!
Kinara Spa
656 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-9188
(310) 657-9184 (Fax)
Petrossian
321 N Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048-2415
(310) 271-6300
City Bakery
(310) 656-3040
225 26th St
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tuesday
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