Huckleberry

09/23/09

Trendy, pretentious, overpriced...

by Cinemiller at Citysearch

There are a few words that describe Huckleberry. Pretentious. Trendy. overpriced. Noisy. Disorganized. Strange (menu items other than pastry that exist to be odd). Yes, I want poached eggs on top of veggie salad! Yuck! Duck hash?

Who on earth would return to this place? Are we that hurting for cool breakfast/lunch places in Santa Monica? The owners scored with Rustic Canyon. This place is a miss. But who would know based on the crowds? Then again, Los Angeles people think pizza is served at Dominos and Pizza Hut.

• Pros: Nice interior architecture

08/28/09

Huckleberry - My new go-to place

by luuuv2eat at Citysearch

Yes, it's packed. And it should be. But if you're patient you can always get a table. Just pretend you're in New York or San Francisco except the weather is better. The bread and pastries are beyond compare. The chocolate cake is perfect. Weekend brunch is something I look forward to all week. Duck hash with fried eggs, green eggs and ham, fried egg sandwich, mmmmm... And the donuts!!! There are also lunch specials. I love fried chicken Fridays. And the fresh pizza on Wednesdays. I hear there are chicken tacos one day but I haven't had those yet. Everything so fresh and farmer's market-y. Go, go go...

• Pros: Best pastries and bread!!
• Cons: None, since I don't mind the crowds

08/17/09

Wish I lived near here

by awrymag at Citysearch

I'm not sure whether to rave about the food first, or the staff - both were some of the best I've seen in Los Angeles.

Okay, food first. Fresh Valrhona chocolate croissants, amazing flat bread smothered in potato slices, perfectly poached eggs on grilled vegetables, fresh bread, homemade vanilla syrup in their vanilla lattes... I only wish I had more room to try more, but everything we had was exceptionally fresh and flavorful.

Now the staff. We went on Saturday morning. The place was packed and there was a line out the door. The counter staff moved the line through quickly and thanks to their "don't take a table until you've ordered" policy, which the staff make sure is followed, there was an empty table when we needed it. The counter staff were friendly and had great recommendations, our food and drinks came quickly, the bussers got our plates out of the way as soon as we were done and had tables cleaned the instant people had left... just outstanding service.

The only problem with Huckleberry is that I don't live in the neighborhood, otherwise I'd be there every Saturday for breakfast.

• Pros: Fresh, original food
• Cons: Busy and noisy on a Saturday morning