Pay For Quality

After watching the news and seeing that Carmageddon was actually a blessing in disguise, causing less LA traffic than normal, we decided to head to Santa Monica's Huckleberry.  We arrived in the back lot where parking is free and abundant.  Heading through the back door, we were swamped with people.  The line was long, however it only took a few minutes to order.  While waiting in line, you can see all the delicious pastries in display cases enticing you.  Although most probably tasty, they were definitely marked up based on location and prestige.  We opted for 2 moderately priced donut holes; they sure were well-made.

Our ratatouille and fried egg sandwich arrived at the table, just after we snagged a table in the bustling dining room.  The ratatouille was filled with fresh vegetables and it really let the quality of the produce come through.  An egg on top added some protein and richness.  The thick bread on the bottom was crunchy and freshly baked, a nice touch.  A hearty and energy-packed fried egg sandwich was a great way to start the day.  It had nicely cooked sunny side up eggs that added creaminess to the sandwich along with the aioli.  Niman Ranch bacon added a nice saltiness and crisp texture to the sandwich, and the gruyere was nutty and melted.















Huckleberry serves up a terrific breakfast that showcases fresh ingredients and simple flavors.  The cost of ingredients inflates the prices beyond a casual breakfast, but for a special occasion or treat, Bob Barker would agree The Price is Right!

The best overrated burger?

Yes, I'm talking about Umami Burger. It seems as if the hype is dying down, but why all the craze? L.A. is filled with gourmet burger joints, and Umami is just another fish in a sea of burger restaurants. The menu is not all-that creative, the restaurants are small and every burger is $10 or higher. However, they have location, they execute their food well, and they draw a crowd. For that, I give them credit.

The Santa Monica Umami has a great parking lot that's free, so you'll never be without a spot. It's walking distance away from the 3rd Street Promenade, so you can stroll over while waiting for a table (which you surely will be).

The outside area is pleasant. Long tables are usually shared with random guests to maximize the amount of customers eating at once. Waiters and waitresses are attentive and our order was promptly taken. The food came out quickly, although one friend didn't get his soda, and he had to ask again for it. I tried something new that seemed to fit my criteria for healthy food, since burgers are always fatty (but good). I went with the Ahi Tuna Burger and to my liking, the flavor nor the full feeling after eating a burger was compromised. The spicy aioli sat beneath a monstrous lightly seared tuna burger. The fish was fresh and cooked rare, just how all quality fish should be cooked. The burger also had some pickled asian veggies that added a crunchy texture against the soft fish and bun.

I suppose Umami is not trying to be the most creative or be the most high end place out there, so credit is to be given for their success in L.A. Many new burger places fail quickly for all sorts of reasons, but Umami has managed to understand the trend and conquer it.

Sit down with a mediocre glass of wine, order a $12 burger smothered in everything truffle except raw truffle itself, and convince yourself this really is The Fifth Taste.