Especially when this little English bulldog stopper ushers you in? Irresistable.
(courtesy of www.gordonramsay.com)
Gordon Ramsay at The London
At a recent trip to Los Angeles, I somehow had the brekkie bug and found every excuse to eat it. Hence the "Battle of the Breakfast" series on ToT. One of my memorable morning meals was an early start at Gordon Ramsay's signature restaurant for The London West Hollywood.
The Hell's Kitchen star raised no hell in this elegant and contemporary dining outlet for the London, a boutique hotel and one of my favorite hotels. The entrance was serene and quiet... no chefs were being lambasted at the moment. Long, worn wooden planks paved the way for the hostess table. I was ready to be served.
Interiors are executed by renowned designer David Collins, who infused old-Hollywood glamour into a modern setting.
The Bar area is a myriad of mirrors, with a long marble bar and ivory swivel bar stools. But nothing spells breakfast like a booth seat, and that was my favorite spot for my favorite meal. Perfect as an intimate setting for a early morning rendezvous, or a little walk down memory lane.
Capturing the morning sun on the pastel-pink upholstery, this scene reminded me of a 50s movie set, until I see diners in sneakers with British accents talking about the next hip-hop album they are producing. That's so LA, and so 2010 and above. The London is a favorite of, you guessed it, hip brits who prefer something familiar while in Lala land.
The breakfast spread is a smartly edited buffet of pastries, fruit, cheeses and meats. Nothing too heavy, and everything you would find at a Hamptons beachhouse fridge. What caught my eye more than the food, was the impeccable styling of the buffet, making the slightly anemic spread look more abundant and fulfilling.
My favorite would have to be the berry parfait, topped with creme fraiche and homemade granola. The breakfast menu also serves some favorites with a twist, such as their Eggs Benedict. Croissant, prosciutto, herbs + poached egg equals a supposedly standard breakfast dish reinvented with sass.
Of course, the spread would not be complete without some self-promotion courtesy of Chef Ramsay's numerous cookbooks. Actually I wanted to buy the books after eating the spread just so I could figure out what was in the granola. Fantastic!
If you'd like to experience a little bit of London in West Hollywood, breakfast is the best way to start.
1020 N. San Vicente Boulevard,
West Hollywood,
CA 90069
T: +1 310 358 7788
I love this place. Haven't been for breakfast, but dinner is sublime. Worth every penny. Yum!
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