Sac Foodies

Are you a coffee snob? You know, one of those people whose mission in life is to make and drink the perfect espresso or cup of coffee? In your world, the coffee must be ground to a particular standard, the water filtration must be just so, and even the method by which the coffee is expressed from the grounds is the subject of careful study?

If this describes you, then you must visit LA Mill in Silverlake. On a recent trip to Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of stopping by and experiencing this unique coffee house/French bistro. Only in LA could you combine coffee perfection and rustic French cuisine against an almost seemingly contradictory modern backdrop. And yet it works – the place was buzzing!

My sister Cara, the kids and I sat down for a late lunch in the posh dining room. Immediately, my children began to worry that the food would be too fancy, and therefore not edible. We were pretty famished, so we began with dessert – that’s what vacations are for, right? We started with the House-Made Brioche Doughnut Holes with a side of Madagascar vanilla crème. And with the kids won over (and no longer cranky from being overly hungry), we dove into the menu.

My daughter ordered the Elia’s Sliders, which were three sliders with carmelized onions, sweet pickle, tomato, arugula, and cheddar on brioche buns, served with a side of delicate shoestring fries. My son, figuring a ham sandwich was a pretty safe choice, ordered one of the baguette sandwiches, Jambon de Paris au Beurre Sale’, consisting of fine French ham with salted Vermont butter and a cone of handcut potato chips. My sister and I both feasted on salads: for my sister, the Chipotle Chicken Salad with apple, currants, scallions, almonds, and celery served with sliced ciabatta; for me, the Flank Steak Salad with tender seared flank steak, sherry honey vinaigrette atop a mesclun blend.

All of our meals were extraordinarily delicious, and we ended up sharing since none of us could decide which was the most delicious. Then, we punctuated our fancy lunch with some – you guessed it – perfectly crafted coffee: for me, it was a nonfat latte, and for my sister a soy version. Just the smell of the coffee sent me over the top.

By this point the kiddos were getting restless, so I never did have time to purchase some coffee beans to bring home and enjoy. But, from previous posts, you know my love affair with LA. Sactown is home, but LA is home away from home. And now, I have a yet another reason to visit.

Tell us, do you have a favorite coffee hangout?

LA Mill
1636 Silver Lake Boulevard
Los Angeles, Ca 90026
(323) 663-4441

By Maria Chacon Kniestedt