Going organic in Los Feliz.

2005-11-12T23:17:00.000-08:00

For a quick, tasty, and organic bite, head to the Mustard Seed Café. The tiny restaurant is cozy and the staff is friendly. And the menu is full of organic options, from breakfast omelettes and pancakes with fresh sliced bananas and strawberries, to grilled eggplant sandwiches and BLTs. Everything is fresh--and fast--which makes it a great place to stop when you're on the go or shopping in any of the nearby boutiques on Hillhurst. I order the barbecue chicken and goat cheese quesadilla on recommendation, and while I'm waiting I scan the latte menu written on a chalkboard on the wall. Everything looks great in the restaurant scattered with wooden chairs and tables covered with a fresh sheet of brown paper. There's several tables outside, too--perfect for enjoying the cool weather with a cup of tea. Not long after I order out comes my quesadilla with a side of potato salad. Just about the only thing more noticeable than the amazing smell is the sheer size of the food on my plate. There's more than enough for an extra meal later on. The quesadilla is unlike any I've ever had before. First of all, it hardly looks like a quesadilla it's so overflowing with barbecued chicken and fresh sauteed spinach. I pick up half of it and manage to keep most of the fillings from oozing out all over the place. Upon first bite, the barbecue sauce is tangy and sweet and the gooey gobs of goat cheese contrast with it perfectly. There's so many flavors in one quesadilla that it's easily the best one I've ever had. Seriously. On to the potato salad. It's quite good, not my favorite as I'm not really a fan of relish, but pretty tasty nonetheless. Topped with shredded carrots, it's seasoned perfectly. No extra dash of salt or pepper required. At $8.95, it's an inexpensive and tasty organic lunch. Plus, there's so much food on my plate I've got dinner for later.

How to find it:
1948 Hillhurst Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.660.0670

What you say? A farm in Beverly Hills?

2005-11-06T00:30:00.000-08:00

Oh The Farm, how I love thee. If you haven't already heard about The Farm's legendary brownies ($3.25), then where have you been? As a worshipper of all things chocolate (the darker the better) I stop in every so often to feed my habit. The location at the Grove is a perfect stop after a movie or while shopping. The decor is cozy, and stepping inside feels like being transformed from trafficky Los Angeles to a quaint countryside cafe. White wood with high beams sets the scene with various farm tools nailed to the walls. The menu is country goodness meets California cuisine. And boy is it tasty. Go for a weekday lunch when the crowd is lighter, and try the BLTA sandwich (Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, marinated tomato, and avocado) and corn chowder combo ($10.75). Can't say I've ever had a sandwich that tasty, and no place makes better corn chowder. It's creamy, with whole kernels mixed in, and it has a slight kick to it. It really is that good. It's a pricier lunch, but the freshness and taste are worth it -- as is the warm and gooey Farm Brownie Sundae with vanilla bean gelato ($8.50). Dinner fare is more expensive, and brunch is served on the weekends. If you can't swing the cash for lunch or dinner, pop in for a brownie or espresso drink at The Farm's takeout counter. One bite of that fudgy goodness and you'll be glad you listened to Nibble L.A.

How to find it:
The Farm of Beverly Hills, The Grove
The Grove Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.525.1699

The Farm of Beverly Hills
439 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.273.5578
www.thefarmofbeverlyhills.com
Or to order brownies:
www.brownies90210.com

Dining with Royalty at Fred 62.

2005-10-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, Fred 62. A hip North Hollywood diner that doesn't really get going till after 11 p.m. In Los Feliz, Fred 62 is the ultimate in greasy spoon fare, trendy greasy spoon fare that is. There's always a bit of a wait to get in, but the food and ambiance are well worth it. On Vermont, a block from the Dresden (where the boys from Swingers go to look at the "beatiful babies"), sits Fred 62 in all its retro glory. The booths look like vintage car seats, cheesy framed pictures of wilderness hang on the walls, and there's more secondhand clothing on the patrons than in a Hollywood thrift store. From the pixie hostess to the waiters clad in black t-shirts with saying like "I'm Fred" or "I love 69," it's not exactly your typical restaurant. But what's better than the scene is the tasty goodness all over the menu. Feeling a burger? The Juicy Lucy ($7.75) is tops, with all the fixings and 1000 Island dressing. For those feeling a burger, just not a half-pound of it, go with the Wimpy burger ($7.25). It's just as good, but smaller. But what would be the fun in diner dining without having breakfast for...dinner? Any place that serves breakfast 24/7 is the place for me. An ode to the King, I go for the Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love pancake. Initially I'm drawn to it because of my strange fascination for all things Elvis (which has gradually subsided since my younger years...OK, so maybe I am listening to Suspicious Minds while I type this), but it's the peanut butter in it that seals the deal. For $7.82 you get one very much oversized pancake with chocolate, banana, and yes, peanut butter all folded inside. It's not as gooey as it sounds, and it's like heaven in your mouth. Trust me, just try it. If Elvis-themed pancakes aren't your thing, there's plenty of other items to choose from, like the Bearded Mr. Frenchy (cornflake-crusted french toast for $6.50), Apple Punk Tarts ($4) or the classic Red Velvet Cake ($5). Maybe it's a little more pricey than your standard diner, but no place else is this much fun.

How to find it:
Fred 62
1850 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.667.0062
www.fred62.com