West Coast Eating Extravaganza, Day 4

I have just returned from a tremendous bout of traffic along U.S. Coastal Route 1. If I didn’t think that this was one of the most beautiful highways in the entire country, I’d probably be a bit more frustrated now. But a day of eating fried and hearty fare and I am cemented here dazed, trying to channel enough brain activity to complete this post. I’m going to be brief, as a picture is worth 10,000 words.

Today’s food highlights: Flore in Silver Lake for a spectacular brunch.

I got the Chicken & Waffles. Breaded and seared Gardein chicken cutlet and a thin banana waffle served with real maple syrup and Earth Balance with a side of gravy-smothered homefries.

Behold one fantastic dish. So, so salty, the maple syrup was oh so necessary. I was a member of the clean plate club.

I don’t usually like to eat things like Gardein (super-processed frozen patty type things), but every 3 or 4 years, sure.

For dessert, a lemon-berry cupcake. Adorable and so fine. The cake was light and spongey and the frosting was not cloyingly sweet or all shortening-ish.

The view of today, hazy and hot, from the Griffith Observatory.

Mohawk Bend is a huge restaurant, bar, and venue in Echo Park. They also have some amazing vegan dishes.

My choice, the Avo & Chips, beer-battered deep-fried avocado, side of fries, some horseradish slaw, and smoked paprika aioli. Deep fried avocado. What can be better?

Looking a bit closer.

CandyPenny‘s selection: Bangers & Mash. Amazing pub fare at an awesome space.

I think I need to fast when I get back to New York.