Canele
After a night of rubbing elbows with a glamorous, “Who do you know?” Hollywood crowd, come down to earth in Los Angeles’ artsy Silver Lake neighborhood. With a cool, low-key vibe, it’s the perfect spot for brunching yourself back to normal.
By Tien Nguyen
2943 W. Sunset Blvd.
True to its name, Local proudly sources organic ingredients from nearby vendors and farmers. Lest you think this sustainable ethos translates to weak brunch fare, think again: The braised pork belly and eggs will battle the heaviest of budding hangovers, as will the BBQ pork hash and hearty whole-wheat, cast-iron banana walnut pancake. For something a little lighter, do as many locals do and order the chilaquiles with tofu, black beans, crème fraiche and salsa. The outdoor seating gives you full view of the hipsters motoring down Silver Lake’s slice of Sunset Boulevard.
3219 Glendale Blvd.
Canele’s brick-lined interior is a perfect setting for the restaurant’s inspired interpretations of rustic California-Mediterranean cuisine. The mountainous slabs of crispy, custardy French toast, topped with poached prunes and mascarpone, might be the best in the city. On the savory side, the Fried Farro with bacon, egg and Sriracha sauce is an unusually kicky dish that works. Regardless of what you order, a side of the house-cured bacon is a must. For a morning-time spin on your nighttime activities, try the London Mary, which replaces the vodka in a traditional Bloody Mary with pale ale.
3626 W. Sunset Blvd.
Cliff’s Edge is hidden in plain sight on bustling Sunset Boulevard; it’s marked only by a sign pointing you to the parking lot. Follow that sign and you’ll soon find yourself walking through an enormous castlelike door into a gorgeous, sun-drenched patio lined with bamboo and small palm trees—a garden oasis with a killer Mediterranean-influenced brunch menu. Here, the poached eggs are served with crab hash, and the Nutella-stuffed French toast arrives with a flaming brandy-soaked banana. Try the crepes with smoked salmon or Black Forest ham and eggs, and wash it down with mimosas, if you’re up for a glass or two.
Late-night nosh (and by late night, we mean early morning.): Sometimes there’s nothing better than late-night spice, which explains why Thai Town’s Ruen Pair (5257 Hollywood Blvd., 323.466.0153) is bustling right until it closes at 3 a.m. on the weekends. The Thai omelet, Pad Thai and pad kee mow comfort the soul, while the spicy red curry keeps you on your toes.
