Coulda Been Better: Brunch at Larkin's
The girls and I headed out for Eagle Rock this afternoon in search of brunch at Larkin's. It was only alright, which is damning in a city of superior weekend brunch options. The mood set by Larkin's was fine -- a converted old craftsman style house, friendly waitstaff -- but the food left something to be desired. I think it might've been soul.
Now, Larkin's is a restaurant that touts itself as a soul-infused sort of establishment. Soul food for the vegetarian hipster set, if you will. I applaud their simple menu (chose any three from a short list of menu items), but I wanted more panache in the presentation and frankly more flavor in the food.
The french toast, thick slabs of sourdough encrusted with corn meal, sugar and cinnamon, was really first rate, but everything else on my plate -- and my brunching companions' plates -- was only just "meh." Scrambled eggs that were a distressingly grayish hue and seasoned w/ slightly too much salt by the cook. My vegetarian sausage patties were undercooked and mushy at the center. The coffee -- both the decaf and the regular -- was burnt, and needed some serious doctoring to become palatable.
The lunch and dinner menus look more inspired and tempting. I'd be willing to give Larkin's another chance at some other time of the day on another day of the week; Sunday brunch is sacred.
Larkin's Restaurant
1546 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
