Whole Life Times: Where to Eat Now

September 2007 | Tastebuds

Where to Eat Now

The avowed locavore’s guide to farm-fresh fine dining

By Carly Milne

The more people become mindful of how and what they eat, the more they look for fresh, healthy options. But sometimes, planting and tending that tomato garden for a just-picked addition to your salad, or shopping a different farmers’ market every day of the week isn’t feasible. Lucky for you, eating seasonal, local fare can be a new excuse for a date night out on the town.

Here are six fine dining experiences around LA that go above and beyond — forming personal relationships with area farmers, changing up the menu based on what’s local and seasonal, or even accompanying you to the farmer’s market themselves — to bring diners the freshest tastes of the season.

BLUE VELVET
750 S. Garland Avenue, LA
213.239.0061
bluevelvetrestaurant.com
Chef Kris Morningstar rounds out his direct relationships with farmers with Wednesday visits to the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market to source the best organic produce for downtown hot spot Blue Velvet. After a recent summer selection, Morningstar created new dishes like Shelling Beans with Basil Pistou, Basil Tops, Morcilla Sausage, Clams and Charred Calamari and Slow-Cooked Pork Short Rib with a Spiced Caramel Sauce, Pickled Watermelon Rind and Summer Melon Salad. And with the exception of the all-natural Colorado Beef and Lamb, the majority of the meat he buys is local.

WHIST
1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
310.260.7500
viceroysantamonica.com/dining
Santa Monica’s Whist (in the Viceroy hotel) has made the move toward sustainability — starting with breakfast. Using organic, local and seasonal products, Whist’s new morning menu links delicious dining and the nearby farmers’ market. There’s a Shrimp and Roasted Vegetable Frittata featuring organic eggs; the Farmers’ Market Omelet served with local mesclun; and the Pain Pardue, with artisan-crafted baguette, organic maple syrup and pecan-honey butter. If breakfast proves to be a hit, reports Whist, a sustainable lunch and dinner menu aren’t far behind.

BLUE ON BLUE
9400 West Olympic Boulevard
310.277.5221
avalonbeverlyhills.com/dining
It may not be the most cost effective of the group — prices start at $145 a head with an additional $100 to join Chef Gabriel Gabreski on his hunt at the market — but Blue on Blue’s Chef’s Table Meal is a great way to spend a special evening. Once you make a reservation, Gabreski visits the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market for seasonal ingredients that inspire a four-course meal. Past dinner offerings include Spring Garlic Risotto with Diver Scallops and Chanterelles or Slow Cooked Rabbit with English Peas, Carrots, White Cheddar Biscuit and Wildfire Honey.

MADELINE BISTRO
18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana
818.758.6971
madeleinebistro.com
Tarzana doesn’t immediately spring to mind as a hotbed of green livin’, but don’t let that stop you from visiting Madeline Bistro. Chef David Anderson uses only the finest animal-free, organically-grown, seasonal ingredients from local farmers’ markets and artisans for his dishes. Some of his yummy offerings include Truffled Mac and Cheese, Portabella Mushroom Filet Mignon and Porcini-crusted Tofu Scallop. Not only is the menu dictated by the seasons, but Anderson has so perfected the technique for creating dairy and egg-free equivalents of his butters, cheeses and meringues, you’ll never miss the real thing.

RUSTIC CANYON
1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
310.393.7045
rusticcanyonwinebar.com
Their wine may be global, but Rustic Canyon keeps it close to home with their menu, which changes regularly thanks to inspiration from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen — all of whom practice responsible agriculture. Their lunch and dinner offerings are so delectable that you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re coloring outside the lines. Including Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup with Basil Oil, Wild Sea Bass Smothered with Heirloom Peppers, Onions and Tomatoes with Creamed Polenta, and Vahlrona Chocolate Cake with Caramel Whipped Cream, Rustic’s menu will convince you that this whole eating local trend isn’t a flash in the pan — it’s the way of the future.

JOSIE’S
2424 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, 90405
310.581.9888
josierestaurant.com
Josie’s does incorporate local ingredients in their regular menu — but it’s their Wednesday night prix-fixe meal that’s the real treat. Patrons are treated to an appetizer, entrée and dessert inspired by the “seasonal ingredient of the day;” you won’t know what you’re getting until the chef has done the morning shopping. Past dishes include roasted, still-on-the-vine Cherry Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Warm Burrata Cheese on Country Toast Bread; a Venison Burger with Homemade Pickles and Baby Corn Coleslaw; and Concord Grape Sorbet. A bonus for vegetarians — they’ll make dishes meatless if requested. Josie’s Farmers’ Market Wednesdays have become so popular that the restaurant has cult fans who only visit mid-week.

Recommend this page to a friend

Top Ten pages recommended to friends: