This was published 4 years ago
The best places to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in West Hollywood: DJ and restaurateur Grant Smillie
Grant Smillie
WEST HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
THE EXPERT
GRANT SMILLIE
Breakfast sandwich at Norah
This Melbourne-born international DJ-turned-hospitality-star brought together his passions for music and food at rooftop bar and restaurant, E.P. & L.P. on the corner of Melrose Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard. See eplosangeles.com; visitwesthollywood.com
BRUNCH
Norah is a seriously good local restaurant that is light and fun, and on weekends, it often has jazz happening. The ancient grain pancakes are pretty delicious as is the breakfast sandwich – I mean what else do you need when you combine sausage, egg and cheese with a deadly hangover? Oh, that's right ... a mimosa?
Alternatively, if you're looking for a solid coffee and atmosphere to match, you can't go past Alfred in the original Melrose Place location. You might have seen their famous "But First Coffee" slogan everywhere. Do yourself a favour and grab a macchiato from here. If you feel like spoiling yourself get the $10 Alfred Cone – an espresso served in a chocolate-lined cone.
Paramount Coffee Project on Fairfax is Aussie-owned and does a seriously good smashed avo. The coffee is excellent, too, as is the pastry selection.
See norahrestaurant.com; alfredcoffee.com; pcpfx.com
LUNCH
Raku is a small Japanese restaurant on La Cienega that, funnily enough, came to us here in West Hollywood from Las Vegas. Everything is very authentic, with super-fresh produce on display. I tend to go for the lunch specials including the teriyaki Chilean sea bass bento box, which comes with asparagus wrapped in bacon, uni, sashimi, miso and a dessert, all for $US26.
See aburiyarakula.wixsite.com/weho
SNACK
Happy hour at Cecconi's – you can't go wrong. It's an institution on Melrose and between 3pm and 6pm, you'll get some of the best value in town, be it a $US5 pizzetta of porchetta, fontina and mushroom or a $US3 Peroni. I defy you to find a better value proposition – with great people-watching to boot.
DINNER
The relative newcomer on the street is Rosaline, but what a newcomer it is. Chef Ricardo Zarate has defined a lot of the Peruvian dining culture in LA and I tend to gravitate towards everything wood-grilled on the menu – the prawns, simply grilled with lime, pea and garlic are delicious, as is the farroz con mariscos (a selection of seafood with rice). Come hungry.
See rosalinela.com
DRINK
You can't go past E.P. & L.P. with our uninterrupted views of the Hollywood Hills and an energetic vibe from 5pm until 2am. Jump straight into a Where Love Lives, our signature mezcal spicy tequila cocktail. Pro tip – come early Thursday to Sunday as there can be a line from 9pm onwards.
See eplosangeles.com
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