FOOD FASHIONISTA

AYC- Allston Yacht Club for Small Plates, Brunch, Drinks

Don't let the name fool you, Allston Yacht Club is not a member's only yacht club and no where close to water. Rather, it is a casual small bites wine bar in L.A. located four traffic lights from the Elysian Park entrance to Dodger Stadium. The name Allston Yacht Club derives from a student neighborhood in Boston, MA where the two owners, Charles Kelly and Bill DiDonna originate and hold fond memories of.

On several visits to AYC, I've been extremely pleased with the value of the cuisine - on all occasions, my check came out to no more than $30 per person for both brunch and dinner and that was including alcohol and gratuity. Everything on the menu is priced from $4-$9 for small bites and $6-$10 for wines by the glass. There is also a full bar and a special cocktail menu. The service is unpretentious and friendly with the owners always usually on hand to guide you through the menu.

 

Grilled Cheese (Dinner Menu)

Toast for Brunch & Red Velvet Cupcakes

L.A. is one of those towns that everyone loves to brunch. In the City of Angels, there is no shortage of citizens without the 9-5 grind and time to meet up with amigos at 11 a.m. or even 1 p.m. for some lengthy noshing and chit chatting. There are a number of good brunch picks for those in the Los Angeles area. One spot that you will be sure to find a swarm of hipsters and eye candy wanna be actors/models lining the streets for the next available table is Toast on West 3rd Street.

Affordable prices, something for everyone on the menu, and those cream cheese lathered red velvet cupcakes are some of the enticements that bring the throngs to this friendly neighborhood restaurant. Oh yeah, and the celebrity sightings for the out of towners is always an exciting thrill (for them). One time as I was walking in, Ms Paris Hilton was walking out and the flashes from the paparazzi nearly blinded me. To me it was just another day in L.A., but for my girlfriend who was visiting from out of town, it was a live in the flesh Us Weekly moment. Like it or not, Toast is a fun, casual cafe that offers great people watching, quick tasty food, and an ultimate L.A. brunch experience.

Toast Bakery Cafe
8221 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4302
(323) 655-5018