WINSOME // ECHO PARK’S LITTLE BREAKFAST BEAUTY

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WINSOME // ECHO PARK’S LITTLE BREAKFAST BEAUTY

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

 

Every now and then there’s a restaurant that pops up in LA that suddenly becomes the standard, the test, that determines just how on top of your restaurant game you actually are. For weeks while engaging in foodie talk I’ve been frequently asked by friends and peers if I’d been to Winsome yet, and every time with a hint of reluctance I was forced to answer “no”. I’m never certain how it happens, why it happens, and how which particular places become the “chosen ones”, but when the community speaks, I listen. Winsome is one of the latest chosen ones. Now that I can finally say I’ve been I’m aware of the many reasons that may be, but even before having visited it was clear that solely by the looks of it, the place had appeal. Winsome is exactly as advertised: it’s winsome (adj: attractive or appealing in appearance or character.)

 

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

Love and Loathing LA Winsome

 

Besides Winsome’s dreamy design and decor (designed by LA-based firm Wendy Haworth Design, which also designed Gracias Madre), chef Jeremy Strubel, formerly of Rustic Canyon, has crafted the perfect “LA inspired” menu that is both approachable in price as well as in taste. As of right now Winsome is open 7:30am – 3:30 pm daily and serves breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch from 830 am – 2:30 pm with plans later in the year to remain open for a dinner service. The space was created with the hope and intention of being the neighborhood place to “come and hang for a while”, but even those in a hurry can come in and order coffee/pastries to go from the coffee counter in the front of house. Even just a few short months now of being open, the casual, cozy, comfortable vibe Winsome brings to the Echo Park neighborhood is becoming increasingly sought after. Those riding solo feel comfortable coming in and enjoying their morning/afternoon at the counter, and those with friends in tow find the space’s cozy booths or sun drenched tables on the patio the perfect setting to catch up over coffees and delicious bites to eat. Simplicity, approachability, and a sense of belonging seem to be the key components to everything about Winsome; whatever it may be though, Winsome’s got it and LA knows it.

 

Favorite Beverage | breakfast beverages preferences are personal, but Winsome makes a mean cappuccino for those of you fancy coffee drinkers like myself. It’s worth noting though that Winsome offers some seriously delicious sounding Auga Frescas:

blood orange, beet, charred kumquat

quinoa, wild rice and toasted almond horchata

strawberry, seasonal berries, saffron, chia seeds

(These are all definitely in my near future.)

Must Order | If you head to Winsome for breakfast/brunch my favorite items I tried were the creamy polenta (applewood smoked bacon, ricotta salata, maple butter) and the duck egg toast (jaime farm’s duck egg, rustic toast, nduja, reading raclette, oregano). Winsome also has quite the pastry program; it’s difficult to choose when you want them all but I was very pleased with the crumbly coffee cake.

Perfect Spot For | breakfast // lunch // something new // something casual // healthy dining // outdoor seating // something quick // great coffee beverages // finding LA staples (avocado toast and acai bowls) all in one place // local + seasonal ingredients // a place to dine solo // a place to get some work done

Pro Tip | There’s usually plenty of street parking.

Fun Fact | Restaurant owners Marc Rose and Med Abrous are the genius duo behind the Spare Room at the Roosevelt Hotel. And in-house pastry chef Leslie Mialma (responsible for all the delicious bread and baked treats) was a former pastry chef at Republique…. aka she’s super talented, and super trustworthy.

Bonus Fact | The custom wallpaper on the back wall depicts artist Phil Dike’s 1938 watercolor “Sunshine in Echo Park”. According to The LA Times, Rose says it took him three and a half months to secure the rights to the painting and have the wallpaper made. That’s dedication.

 

WINSOME // 1115 SUNSET BLVD LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

 

HOURS:

COFFEE + BAKERY: 7:30AM – 3:30PM

KITCHEN:  8:30AM – 2:30PM

 

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