Morning Glory: Breakfast spots for hungry Bruins
By Alexa Smahl
March 6, 2013 12:00 a.m.
Square One Dining
4854 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
The string of Angelenos waiting outside of Square One Dining was an indicator that we had hit a brunch hot spot.
But the simple flavor of its breakfast comfort food was well worth the wait. Square One Dining sells itself on using local and organic products wherever possible and it makes the difference.
One of the restaurant’s specialities consists of a perfectly baked farm fresh egg atop tender collard greens, melted gruyere cheese and stone-ground grits served in a cast iron skillet.
Once you take your fork to the dish, the egg’s yolk spills out onto the grits to create an overindulgent bite.
The restaurant also offers a dish it calls “migas tacos,” a breakfast version of the traditional Mexican meal.
Filled with scrambled eggs, spicy jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese and fresh avocado, the tacos were a spicy but tasty way to start the day.
Inside, the chalkboard walls and tightly packed tables created a vibrant ambience, welcoming conversation over a good meal. The casual vibe and the light airiness of the outdoor patio make it perfect for a weekend brunch with friends.
Bricks and Scones
403 North Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
If you want to live like the English do, Bricks and Scones is a viable local alternative to purchasing a ticket to London.
Located in West Hollywood, the two-story cafe offers an afternoon tea special that is friendly to a student’s wallet. The special includes a pot of freshly brewed tea and two scones with clotted cream and jam.
We opted for Earl Grey tea and tried both the blueberry and chocolate scones. Warm and flaky, the scones alone were worth the trip to WeHo and the tea was fragrant and piping hot.
But if you are seeking a lively coffee shop atmosphere or a chance to eavesdrop on interesting conversations, you’d be better off at a Starbucks.
With free Wi-Fi and a noise level that matches UCLA’s Powell Library, the cafe is a better place for getting some serious studying done than for chatting with friends.
The interior is full of cozy nooks and even has small bookshelf library that operates on a swap-in exchange.
Ultimately, Bricks and Scones is a good option if you want delicious pastries and a change from the usual Westwood study spots.
Headlines!
10922 Kinross Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
If Sunday morning rolls around and you don’t want to venture too far from campus, Headlines! is only a quick stroll into Westwood.
The restaurant epitomizes a classic diner atmosphere with its stainless steel countertops and black-and-white tiled floors.
More importantly, it serves up no-fuss, gratifyingly greasy breakfast food for those on a college budget.
For less than $10, the Bruin Special includes a stack of fluffy pancakes, eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage.
Needing some help to navigate through the restaurant’s many omelet options, I asked the waiter for some help. He recommended the Westwood omelet, which comes with bacon, avocado, tomato and cheddar cheese. The meal, which also included toast and potatoes, was filling and the perfect substitute to the omelet bars in the dining halls.
There is nothing on the menu that you won’t have seen before on a Denny’s menu, but sometimes you just need to satisfy even the simplest of cravings.
Oh, and there are free coffee refills. So there’s that.
