Gjusta has been on my must-visit list for a while. It's owned by the same team as Gjelina, the ridiculously popular and delicious veggie-focused, Mediterranean-inspired spot in Venice, so you know it's got to be top notch. Their beautiful pastries, pizzas & veggies frequently pop up on my Instagram feed, and never fail to make my mouth water. On a recent trip to LA, I was staying in Venice and decided to take myself out to dinner and finally cross it off my list! The choices are endless, and everything is tantalizingly displayed in front of you (although you can order off a menu as well), making it tricky to narrow it down. After talking to an employee behind the counter, getting his input and suggestions, I decided on a nice mix of healthy (and not) delights. First, a slice of pizza smothered in braised greens and fresh mozzarella, was thin with a nicely charred (but doughy!) crust and a great proportion of toppings. I also got a combo plate of the day's fresh salad offerings- marinated fennel and grilled broccolini- both super well-seasoned. The star of the show for me is always dessert, and I had been dying to try their baklava croissant. I know- baklava fillings (think nuts & honey) all rolled up in a perfectly flaky croissant! Sadly, and not surprisingly, they were sold out of this popular item, but I ended up with something equally satisfying. The miso date cookie was super unique and I adored the sweet & salty flavors it boasted! I definitely plan to return to Gjusta on my next trip to LA, and I can't wait to check out what new, seasonal offerings that have available. Hopefully I'll have better luck snagging the famed baklava croissant then as well!
babu ji
Babu Ji has been on my must-try list for a while now, so I was excited to go the other night with my husband. Our consumption of Indian food usually involves delivery, so this was a welcome improvement. If you make a reservation at Babu Ji, then you must get the chef's table menu, which is a tasting menu chosen by the chef. My husband has had that before (and thoroughly enjoyed it), but this time we wanted to choose a la carte, so we walked in right when they opened before they got crowded. According to their site, the Hindu term Babu Ji refers to someone with a "mayor of the block" type personality, and they have successfully created a restaurant with that ethos & vibe. The menu offers a nice mix of Indian street food, regional curries & Tandoori specialties, all of which are made with high quality ingredients. Several of their items are also vegan and/or gluten free, so it's an enjoyable meal for almost everyone. We each got their housemade specialty (kulfi on a stick!) for dessert, which ended the meal on the perfect sweet note! Scroll through below for a peek at our flavorful dinner!
the mill
One of the best things about getting to travel so often for work is that I get to dine at amazing places all around the world. The Mill in San Francisco has a cult following (as seen on social media), and for good reason. True, it's just bread and coffee, but it's Josey Baker Bread and Four Barrel Coffee, which is some of the best around. All their bread is freshly baked each day, so get a loaf to take home and enjoy later. While there, however, you should indulge in their specialty item- toasts. Thick slabs of bread, toasted, and topped with various spreads and toppings. Think almond butter & cinnamon sugar on whole wheat sesame bread, or dark mountain rye with cream cheese, salt & pepper. The menu changes seasonally, and there's always a weekly special too. My choice was whole wheat sesame bread with almond butter, apple butter, and sea salt! Toasted to perefection, with a crisp and crusty exterior and chewy crumb in the center. Be sure to go early so you can snag a table!
isa
Isa is one of our go-to local neighborhood spots. I love the comforting atmosphere, which almost feels like a log cabin in the woods. When it's nice out and the windows are open, it creates a lovely open-air breeze throughout. A wood-burning oven is a sure fire way to make almost anything delicious, and Isa uses their's well. We love the pizzas, whether it's the breakfast pizza topped with an egg, a Spanish style chorizo with jalapeños & black olives, or a roasted cauliflower with nettle pesto! The crust is perfectly charred and chewy.
I loved how bright and beautiful the seared tilefish was, and the chickpea puree, shaved golden beets & rainbow carrots were the perfect accompaniments. For brunch, you can't go wrong with the brunch bowl. It's a healthy yet hearty vegetarian dish featuring whole grains, fresh & roasted seasonal veggies, all topped with a soft boiled egg. Their unique cocktails are refreshing and worth ordering as well- below is the Vernal Potion, with gin, celery, fennel, lime & herbed sea salt. The menu (which is a super cool piece of art in itself) changes often, but the food is consistently satisfying & delicious!
cafe colette
My husband and I love a late breakfast or early lunch on a quiet weekday, and one of our neighborhood spots is Cafe Colette. We almost always get the same thing too: the kale & butter bean stew is hearty & comforting, and topped with a fried egg, parmesan, & grilled sourdough bread. Derek gets it with an extra egg for added umph, and sometimes a side of sausage or potatoes. They make a mean cappuccino as well, which we occasionally double-up on. The team there knows us by now, and always make us feel right at home.
john's drive-in
What can I say about John's Drive-In? It's our absolute 'must go when in Montauk' place. Always, anytime of year, sometimes multiple times in one trip. It's a no fuss, no frills kind of place- good ol' griddled burgers, traditional onion rings, and malted milkshakes. More appealing to me, however, is the fact that they make their own ice cream from scratch. They offer all your typical flavors, like mint chip & cookie dough, but make seasonal & unique flavors as well (think pumpkin or coffee Heath bar). I'm kind of obsessed, as is evidenced below. Take your milkshake to-go, and enjoy it by the beach!
*Photos by Sean Greenberg as part of our feature on The Weekender Travel
