My residential trajectory in Los Angeles has been distinctly south west: towards water. No matter how many people tell me Eagle Rock and Silver Lake are enclaves of artist hipsters where I would find community, there’s nothing there that compares to living as close as you can to a giant body of water. The air in the northeast of the city sucks, the traffic is a nightmare, and have you seen the size of their potholes? The reason it’s a hipster enclave is because hipsters reject mainstream ideals to be iconoclasts. But the one thing the mainstream has right is a lifestyle of clean air, blue skies, and tidal balance. And for those of you who may criticize that I just haven’t spent enough time in the north east to appreciate it, I’ll have you know that the same weekend we went to Auntie Em’s Kitchen, I also ran the inaugural City of Angels Half Marathon which started at Travel Town in Griffith Park, crossed Los Feliz to descend into Silver Lake, traversed Echo Park and the lake, and climbed downtown to Civic Center. My wife has worked downtown for six years, I’ve driven all over Mt. Washington, and several of the “Eames-era” knockoffs in our house are from various parts of the north east craigslist community. Every second I am there the dominant thought is “sure, it’s nice, but couldn’t it be closer to the water?” I want my Case Study house with ocean views. With that in mind I’m both delighted and depressed to find a place like Auntie Em’s, because it’s so good I want it closer to where I live – I would eat here all the time! Of course, if it was on the west side it wouldn’t be what it is: a fabulous neighborhood cafe whose casual environment belies its exceptional, original quality. If it were located in Santa Monica it would be twice as expensive, five times as pretentious, and the coffee would suck. Everything at Auntie Em’s is made from scratch, and if not, is bought from small farms or artisnal cheese makers. Open faced breakfast sandwiches are generously portioned, and paired with a bottomless cup of coffee will set a pleasant tone for your weekend. The desserts look spectacular (and are made on the premises), and word is that their red velvet cupcakes are perfect. Auntie Em’s Kitchen changes their menu to reflect the season; another hallmark of an establishment that curates its food rather than simply serving it. This place is clearly a labor of love for food and community, damn it. I want to come back every day and be a regular, I want to spend a fortune in their adjunct market and go cheese-crazy, I want to indulge in their Farmer’s Market dinner. Sadly, it will be some time before I make it back because it’s really, really, really fucking far away. Two can eat blissfully well for $25.
4616 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, (323) 255-0800