Sac Foodies

By Maria Chacon Kniestedt 

It’s become an annual occasion that my sisters and I meet up in Los Angeles each September. My sister Cara and I are only 11 days apart (we’re actually the same age for those 11 days, but you won’t get any actual numbers out of me!), so the excuse is we are celebrating the “September” birthdays. Real reason? Unbelievable shopping and a chance to try new restaurants and enjoy old favorites. This past weekend was no exception.

A Mysterious Green Door

Friday night we had reservations for a new restaurant-club called Green Door. (Not “The Green Door” or “A Green Door,” just “Green Door.”) This swanky destination, complete with Parisian-style décor and dimly-lit atmosphere, is located at Sunset and Van Ness in Hollywood, not too far from the ArcLight Cinema and Amoeba Records.

Despite the unmarked entrance, we arrived and were admitted into the restaurant after two men checked to make sure we were on “the list.” The French-inspired menu was surprisingly short (but not short on flavor), and the wine list extensive (no “by the glass” here). We enjoyed a bottle of Sanford Pinot Noir and each of us ordered something different: Sara had the sea bass and Yukon gold potatoes, while Cara and Katie feasted on crepes – one of black forest ham and gruyere cheese and the other filled with shrimp and spinach – both excellent. I devoured the French Onion Soup with chunks of sourdough bread smothered in fontina and gruyere cheeses – honestly, I think it’s the best I’ve ever had. Our server brought us dessert crepes (gratis!) with birthday candles, which we of course inhaled despite our very full bellies (who can pass up banana/chocolate and strawberry/cream?). I’d love to show these dishes, especially the innovative presentation, but alas there are no photos allowed inside Green Door!

Open Air Latin-Asian Fusion

Saturday night we hit one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Asia de Cuba, located inside the Mondrian Hotel on Sunset in West Hollywood. Despite having a reservation, we waited for almost an hour, but were rewarded for our patience by being seated outside with a gorgeous view of the L.A. skyline and beautiful trellises of vines above. We ordered a pitcher of Sangria and then decided on our strategy: we’d order appetizers and dessert so as not to get overly full. Hah! We over-ordered appetizers and couldn’t finish dessert (carrot cake and “Coco de Cielo” cake, which roughly translated to heavenly coconut cake). Our choices were insanely delicious.

When we finished dinner, we rolled ourselves next door to Skybar – again, one of my all-time favorite places – an open-air bar adjacent to the restaurant. It was there that we saw none other than Mr. Jamie Foxx grooving with his birthday entourage, enjoying a balmy evening in the City of Angeles. And, truly, what is a trip to L.A. without a star sighting?

Breakfast Squared

We wrapped our weekend with Sunday breakfast at Square One, which boasts being one of the top 10 places for breakfast in L.A. – and I can see why. First of all, their breakfast is out-of-this-world delish, and for another, the staff is so happy. Who doesn’t want happy on a Sunday morning? We sat outside on their brick patio with the sun shining and the murmur of the city passing by and enjoyed brioche French toast, a pressed egg sandwich on brioche with tomato, arugula and aioli, as well as scrambled eggs with applewood smoked bacon and a fresh fruit salad. Simply scrumptious!

Another September, another memorable trip to L.A., another 5 lbs!