Joan’s on Third

The best thing about following other food writers/bloggers on Twitter is getting their fantastic suggestions on where to eat when you travel to their cities. Susan L., author of an LA-based food blog called reservationforthree suggested I check out Joan’s on Third among other spots during my 48-hour visit. I was so glad she did when I walked up to a counter in the gourmet market that offered cake stands filled with an endless slew of delectable-looking cupcakes. We were there for brunch, but I was immediately thinking about dessert, knowing I would have to decide between a pumpkin and a chocolate peanut butter cupcake. I went for the chocolate peanut butter, ultra rich dark chocolate with an intense ultra-whipped peanut butter cream inside and chocolate glaze on top.

But brunch came before the cupcakes, a small but perfectly edited list of omelettes, steel cut oatmeal, housemade granola with yogurt, a soft-boiled farm egg, chocolate French toast and a NY breakfast sandwich on country bread. I went for the goat cheese and asparagus omelette, so fresh it tasted almost healthy even with ultra rich and creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goat cheese inside and a large dollop of fresh sour cream on the side. Crunchy pieces of fresh asparagus added texture and the eggs were light and fluffy. Served with a side of microgreens rather than potatoes, and relatively smaller in size than Midwestern omelettes, we weren’t overly stuffed even with the rich ingredients.

Breakfast and cupcakes were out of the way, but we could’ve hung out all day at Joan’s, not only for the celeb spotting (Meg Ryan!), but for the amazing cheese, sandwich, spreads, vinegars, Halloween cookies, homemade candies and other baked goods. Enjoy a couple more shots, and definitely make a point to stop in next time you are in LA. 8350 W. Third Street, 323.655.1967