Trip: December 2016

City: Los Angeles, North America

Visited by: Francis Loughran

On a recent business trip to North America where I visited the food capitals of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles (LA), I can safely say that I experienced some extremely wonderful cafes, restaurants and of course a range of pop-ups and food trucks that America is so well known for. The city that stuck with me though was LA - a city of vibrant culture, cuisine and dynamic food offers with no shortage of experience and elevated hospitality.

LA has one of the most dynamic dining scenes in the country, offering everything from street food to California-cuisine focusing on organic ingredients, food trucks and Dine LA. The City’s culinary influence is so strong it can be felt across the country. Food aficionados can experience the restaurants of Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller and Nobu Matsuhisa, as well as a new generation of culinary stars like Kogi BBQ Truck founder, Roy Choi and Top Chef champion, Michael Voltaggio. Global kitchens can be found in culinary neighbourhoods across Los Angeles.

As we all know Los Angeles has many on-trend dining destinations including the best know locations of Hollywood, Santa Monica and of course, Venice Beach. However, there is one location that is is often referred to as LA’s best kept food and fashion secret, Abbot & Kinney Boulevard (A&K B) (the perfect final retail and dining therapy pit-stop for the busy Australian it would seem as it is conveniently located 20 minutes from LAX).

A&K B is located less than a mile from the famous Venice Beach boardwalk and is the artsy, hip alternative for anyone who wants to explore the more posh side of Venice. The boulevard is home not only to many art galleries and chic shops, but also to a great selection of restaurants. The boulevard’s dining options include bakeries and cafes such as 3 Square Bakery and Abbot's Habit. You can find more upscale options such as The Tasting Kitchen and Gjelina as well as other restaurants featuring international cuisine. Over recent years the shops and galleries have upped their game catalysing the restaurants to do the same. Plenty of smoke and mirror spots still dot the strip, but the great ones have cut through the fat, and we’re here to help identify them. Here are our top picks for A&K Boulevard where those who are short on time but big on food and retail can get a good snapshot of LA and what it’s food and fashion is all about.

Gjelina

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"New American in a rustic dining room setting"

Gjusta Bakery

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"Fresh baked goods, baked in house and to be enjoyed in a warehouse setting"

Blue Star Donuts

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"A sweet hit for those who need it mid-shopping trip"

Abbot's Habit and Abbot's Pizza Company

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"You can go into Abbot's Habit for your coffee and breakfast needs and go back for a piece of pizza later from the neighbouring business"

The Tasting Kitchen

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"Looking for something different? Try the Mediterranean-inspired menu at The Tasting Kitchen"

Plant Food & Wine

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"A plant-based restaurant , elevating the vegan experience. This is the food that LA does extremely well"

I can't help but give one special mention to a favourite spot outside of AK Boulevard and that is The Butcher's Daughter. The food and experience of this humble, all-vegetarian restaurant makes it a definite must on your food hit list the next time you land yourself in Los Angeles.

The Butcher's Daughter

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As the Future Food team continues to travel the world for business, projects and pleasure, we continue to experience and unlock the latest and most diverse culinary offerings from every corner of the globe. The Global City Hopping series is designed to share these experiences with you and open your eyes to what is happening in the food and beverage international scene.

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