The Little Door, the romance-and-fairy-lights lovers' secret rendezvous spot, expanded last fall into the space next door as (natch) Little Next Door. The spinoff features a counter of breakfasty dishes, prepared salads, cheeses and sweets for the casual order-and-go crowd while also offering ample tables for a sit-down meal. Just a few blocks down the street, Joan's on Third—the resident doyenne of specialty food marts—suddenly seemed so forlorn and super tiny, like last season's designer jeans that somehow found their way to the back of the closet.

Now, Joan's got a snappy new look. The remodel is so shiny—and big!—it's literally traffic stopping. On a recent night, we saw no fewer than three cars come to a complete gawking stop. While we won't assume it's a direct response to the "little one" three blocks down, Joan's grand new expansion affords the opportunity to incite a little head-to-head competition between the Third Street neighbors. Since the approach, service, gourmet-ness and outlandish prices are mostly the same between LND and JoT—omg, ityk—that's what the kewl kids are calling them these days—what's a little friendly rivalry between fine food shops?

Click through to see the blow-by-blow looks. Who will emerge on top? »


Katherine Spiers is contributing editor for Metromix Los Angeles.

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