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Breakfast with a stranger

L.A.’s best filling stations for the morning after one of “those” nights

By Scott T. Sterling, Metromix

February 13, 2008

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A good sugar high helps ease any morning-after awkwardness (Credit: Victor Rodionoff)

In Los Angeles, it happens every night of the week. You and your entourage posse up and head out to a concert or club night to get your party on. But on those particular nights, drinking, dancing and catching the latest buzz band passing through town is all just a stage for more amorous pursuits. Like hooking up.

But while we’re out chasing those persistent libidinous urges, we don’t always plan ahead. And that’s when it happens. You wake up in a strange bed with someone who was just as foreign to you a few scant hours ago. You may have gotten some action, but now what? The sun’s up, your makeup is smeared, and that fancy outfit is all balled up in the corner. You could pull a fast one and make like a college student, which entails taking “the walk of shame,” creeping to your car, shoes in hand, hair askew in bed-headed glory.

Instead, we recommend that you (wo)man up and face the morning (and your new pal) with some serious backup. In this situation, that equals getting as much coffee and food as your belly, conscience and wallet will allow between the two of you asap. Thankfully, Los Angeles boasts an endless supply of perfect places to get your morning-after grub and “getting to know you” conversation on. Who knows? This could be the start of something beautiful. But if nothing else, hopefully you had a good time and now you’re full and wired. It could be worse—you could’ve gone home alone.

Auntie Em's Kitchen

4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles

323-255-0800

With Eagle Rock pretty much the new Echo Park, a night on the town has an even better chance of turning into morning within a stone’s throw of Eagle Rock Boulevard. It’s good thing, since you’ll just miss this delicious and cozy little red building right there. It’s a genuine rock ’n’ roll joint (the owner is Terri Wahl, formerly of the Red Aunts), which is always a good thing. Her sweets are beyond divine, so make sure to get something for the table (hint: Red Velvet cupcake). Your date will appreciate the sentiment.

The Belmont

747 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles

310-659-8871

This neighborhood bar and eatery serves a brisk brunch business, with Bloody Marys and Mimosas for those desperate to strike the previous night from their memories. The Belmont hits the trifecta of comfort: cushy seating (soft camel-colored leather), a menu of universal favorites (Mac n' Cheese with blue crab and bacon) and attentive service (a friendly, upbeat staff who won't judge you, unlike your so-called friends).

Café Tropical

2900 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles

323-661-8391

This purple palace boasts possibly the best coffee in the city, the Cuban sandwiches are good enough to remind you of debauched evenings spent on Miami Beach, and the cookies are as big as your head—just a heck of a lot tastier. Plus for all of your post-date blogging needs, they kick out free wi-fi. Get the breakfast croissants—especially the one stuffed with egg, cheese and smoky bacon, if you know what's good for you.

Chaya Brasserie

8741 Alden Dr., West Hollywood

310-859-8833

After last night's impromptu lovefest, Chaya Brasserie's intimate, pillow-lined garden patio provides sustenance before a shopping orgy along nearby Robertson Boulevard. This industry spot attracts those in the know—and those wanting to be—for its French-Japanese cuisine and extensive martini list, should you both want some hair of the dog to get through.

CJ's Cafe

5501 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

323-936-3216

Based on last night's performance, think your new soulmate likes things on the caliente side? Perfect: this homey joint serves both Mexican dishes and soul food, and does 'em both with style. On the Mexican side, you'll find authentic huevos rancheros, pollo a la pancha, pierna al horno and carne asada torta. To put some extra 'soul' into your new new soulmate, try the chicken wings or fried catfish with sides such as collard greens, black-eyed peas and grits.

Drawing Room

1800 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles

323-665-0135

If the giant dragon mural behind the booths and the eclectic crowd don't scare you and your date away while you're still sobering up after last night's boozefest, this tiny, narrow bar in Los Feliz is a rollicking good time. The Drawing Room is the perfect place for a super-casual early morning martini with your new main squeeze. With bars like these, who needs breakfast?

The Gaslite

2030 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica

310-829-2382

Wanna get cozy, but don't want your friends to spot you just yet? Head straight for the Gas Lite, an area classic where the booze starts flowing at 6 a.m., the Christmas decorations stay up all year long, and the nightly karaoke is as awesomely bad as it gets. Bonus: If things aren't going so well, you can make a quick exit while your new beau belts out the high notes of "My Heart Will Go On."

The Griddle Cafe

7916 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

323-874-0377

The next time you score with a bona fide celebrity and want to show off your conquest, this is the place. Depending on the wattage of the famous face you played kissy-face with last night, the regular stop on the paparazzi trail could land you in Us Weekly (Perez Hilton’s website is more like it—his “office” is the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf right across the street). Sure, you’ll wait an age with a bevy of beautiful and famous-to-somebody faces to secure a table, but when you do, it’s on. Decadent mountains of pancake confections with exotic names will have you feeling like it’s your birthday. The breakfast potato skins are like diner porn (so bad but oh so good). Go here with someone you like, and follow it with a hike. You’ll need it.

Home Restaurant

1760 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles

323-669-0211

It’s always the really hot ones covered in tattoos that seem to find you waking up somewhere between Hillhurst and Vermont on any given morning after. When it happens, the area offers a multitude of places that will feed your face while you see if this person across from you is worth another date. We have a special spot in our hearts for Home. Maybe it’s the casually cool front patio that feels like someone’s really nice if overgrown yard. The crowd is equally chilled. The food is good, the coffee is strong and you’re bound to run into someone you know. Of course that can be good or bad, so avoid Home if you’re trying to keep a particular hook-up on the down-low. If things get dicey, they also have a full bar.

Joan's on Third

8350 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles

323-655-2285

The bad news: people come here to be seen. The good news: people will be too busy checking out Jake Gyllenhaal's latest beard to notice you with your new "friend." This newly-expanded Third Street eatery features platters of variously iced cupcakes, a selection of cheeses and throngs of hungry customers. The seating is still somewhat limited—and even if you score a table you'll probably spend a lot of the meal being bumped into by take-out patrons—but the freshly-made sandwiches and salads are more than worth a few "excuse mes."

Kibitz Room at Canter's

419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles

323-651-2030

Open at 10 a.m. everyday, the Kibitz Room is a great place for a morning brew and a big bowl of matzo ball soup (ask for two spoons to make the meal romantic and cheap). Check out the plastered glossies of famous people who have played here, and impress your new lover with your deep knowledge of this Canter's-adjacent bar’s history. Here's a freebie: You: Did you know that the Wallflowers got their start here in the early '90s? Your date: Wow, I love that song “One Headlight.”

Kings Road Cafe

8361 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood

323-655-9044

The next time you get lucky with a young writer/actor type in the Bevery/Third district, there are plenty of places to sweat out a long, uncomfortable wait for a table. Let us recommend this top spot in the shadow of the Beverly Center. There’s an impressive newsstand right next door to help ease the time. Hand-pressed coffee, interesting omelets and regular star sightings will keep you coming back for more. Maybe even with the same person.

Marston's Restaurant

151 E. Walnut St., Pasadena

626-796-2459

When the new day finds you and your equally new “friend” in or around Pasadena and they’re even cuter and nicer than you remember from the night before, show them how you feel with a meal at this idyllic country house with exceptionally yummy brunch options. Set across the street from a quaint park and band shell, this nifty nook is classy enough to impress, but cool enough not to seem like you’re trying too hard. An order of the macadamia nut pancakes will all but guarantee a second date. If it doesn’t, you didn’t want to hang out with them anyway.

Nick's Coffee Shop & Deli

8536 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles

310-652-3567

You may not realize it, but Mid-City Los Angeles is rapidly becoming one of the coolest ’hoods in town. Which is why there’s a better chance of waking up in the area after going home with your latest after-hours conquest. If you and your new friend are in need of high-octane coffee and no-frills, carb-heavy breakfast classics, look no further than Nick’s. Relaxed and laid back, your date will be impressed with the casual atmosphere, ginormous portions and reasonable prices. Nick himself will more than likely stop by and make sure everything is OK. He's also a good judge of character, so get his opinion when your "lova" hits the loo.

The Original Pantry Cafe

877 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles

213-972-9279

This summer, it’s all going down in Downtown L.A. OK, I’ll just leave that one alone. Instead, I’ll remind you of this veritable Los Angeles institution, where the doors never close and the coffee always flows. This is the kind of lowest-maintenance brunch spot that will tell you volumes about your urban-based bunkmate. If they can hang with the gut-busting portions and excessively greasy (read: delicious) breakfast staples from loaves of toast to the notorious bacon platter, they’re a keeper. Just remember to bring cash. They don’t play that plastic business.

Polo Lounge

9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills

310-276-2251

Need some Hollywood wheeling and dealing to help drown out the awkward conversation? An icon of old L.A. glamour, the Beverly Hills Hotel's Polo Lounge is a favorite of today's Hollywood movers and shakers. At prices befitting Beverly Hills, the bar offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features an evening cocktail hour during which (free, really!) chips and guac are served with drinks. And when the next Ben Stiller debacle opens next summer, you can tell friends you saw the whole thing go down over Belgian waffles and an order of McCarthy salad.

S & W Country Diner

9748 Washington Blvd., Culver City

310-204-5136

Culver City is so hot right now. You know it. If not, you will the next time a sloe-eyed stranger entices you back to their bungalow off of Washington. When dawn’s early light slaps you back to reality (and the beginnings of a hangover), make tracks to this cozy little storefront. Nothing fancy, just the basics done well. Plus they have grits, which is always a bonus. The waitresses are hot and friendly, so be forewarned. It’s cash only, so hit one of the many ATM outlets in the area first.

Standard Hotel

8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

323-650-9090

The Standard's retro-mod space offers a perfect place to relax poolside after a night of heavy drinking, dancing and petting (the chlorinated water might help wash all of the "last night" off both of your bodies). The hotel offers its full bar menu from 6 a.m. every morning, so if the light of day isn't treating your big score nicely, order a double anything and try to quit staring at the door.

Swingers

802 Broadway, Santa Monica

310-393-9793

Made famous as the breakfast spot Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl hit up after they had awkward, baby-makin' sex in “Knocked Up,” Santa Monica's Swingers might not have the street cred of its Beverly Boulevard sibling, but it's still a mean place to get a cup of joe. With just the right amount of retro charm, this cozy diner will send out an undeniable last-night-wasn't-weird-but-we-should-probably-just-stay-friends vibe. Unless your lover's seen "Knocked Up" too, and thinks you're itching to be her babydaddy. Awk. Ward.

Toast

8221 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles

323-655-5018

Who would have imagined that a place with a plain, dry name like Toast would have a line down the block all day long? If you can stand the wait, this popular, pet- (and one-night-stand-) friendly eatery specializes in breakfast and lunch, but is open late enough to satisfy a breakfast-for-dinner craving. Just look for the tan awning—and even tanner patrons—waiting on the sidewalk along Third Street.

Union Station

800 N. Alameda St. , Los Angeles

After last night's union of mind, body and body fluids, it's only fitting that you take your new sweetie to Union Station, where you can spend the early morning walking hand in hand, exploring this art deco gem's beauty and rich history. Then hand what's-his-or-her-face a one-way bus ticket out of L.A. and rocket the heck outta there. What do they think you guys are, married?

Whist

1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica

310-260-7511

A feast from chef Warren Schwartz in the setting of stylishly hung wallpaper and English china alongside the manicured greenery and poolside cabanas totally beats breakfast in your ratty old bed. The Viceroy's Whist offers poolside and cabana dining so that hotel guests can enjoy their Californian cuisine in a very SoCal environment. Modern furniture and contemporary dishes underscore the helpful and friendly staff who have remarkably good face recognition and memory recall. Which in this case, hopefully isn’t a problem.

Needless to say, this is just scratching the surface of the numerous quality morning-after filling stations that call Los Angeles home. We’d love to know where you take new friends after a good night out. Even better, where do you dump those bad decisions you let the vodka make for you? Inquiring minds want to know…

Additional action...er, reporting...by Amir Kenan.

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Breakfast with a stranger

L.A.’s best filling stations for the morning after one of “those” nights

By Scott T. Sterling, Metromix

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