Faith & Flower
Goblet of Water
Breakfast Bread and Muffin Basket – Croissant, Honey Walnut Bread, Vanilla Bombolini, Cultured Butter, Quince Jam
Croissant Pudding – Pine Nuts, Maple Gastrique
Malted Waffle – Brown Butter Pears, Quince Syrup
Roasted Mushroom Pizza – Confit Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano
Oxtail Agnolotti – Apricot Conserva, Bone Marrow Butter, Beef Tendon Chicharrones
Handmade Egg Spaghetti – Roasted Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Miso Butter
Carrot Cake – Cream Cheese Frosting, Candied Pecans
Chocolate Pudding – Whipped Cream, Chocolate Streusel
Named as one of the best new restaurants in America by Esquire, with just blocks separating it from an afternoon game at Staples Center, Faith & Flower was an obvious choice for Sunday Brunch and although the Rock & Roll Marathon presented a slight transportation challenge the meal our party of three experienced was rarely anything but impressive – an eight course affair in which only a waffle slightly less crisp than ideal and surprisingly pedestrian chocolate pudding were unworthy of praise. Every bit the swanky space, with high ceilings, wood and windows as far as the eye could see, it was mere seconds after arrival that we were whisked away to a table at the center of the room and with whimsical service that still felt professional the meal started off sweet – the pastry basket featuring shattering croissants alongside the bread and stuffed donuts while ‘day-old’ laminated pastries were presented as an aromatic block of steamy bread pudding that was immediately a table favorite with light savory notes and toasty pine nuts adding several layers of nuance to a dish often times trending far more sweet. Helmed by Michael Hung, a man trained at Michelin starred La Folie, there was admitted skepticism as the next round arrived but with pizza featuring an artisan’s touch any doubts were quickly cast aside – the lightly blistered crust with soft chew beneath an aromatic admixture of perfectly cooked mushrooms and confit fennel with plenty of aged cheese. Provided next with two pastas it was bright colors, beautiful textures, plus the brilliant use of acid that served notice of the diversity of Faith & Flower’s strengths, and although the hand-cut spaghetti was a beautiful reminder of summer just past it was the hearty agnolotti balanced by stonefruit that proved far more compelling, the acid a bit aggressive but entirely delicious when taken alongside tender oxtail and crispy tendon. Unable to pass on desserts by Indelisa Zarate I cannot really recommend the rustically presented pudding as it was really no different than that from Jell-O, but featuring a radiant orange crumb the carrot cake was exceptional, eschewing the traditional spice profile in flavors more befitting a lightly sweetened carrot and coconut smoothie.
RECOMMENDED: Croissant Pudding, Roasted Mushroom Pizza, Oxtail Agnolotti, Carrot Cake.
AVOID: Chocolate Pudding, Malted Waffle.
TIP: Located downtown with parking always at a premium the best bet for Faith & Flower is the lot across from City Target on South Figueroa, a $5 all-day charge and quick access to the highway making it a short walk from both the restaurant and Staples Center…plus a quick escape route from DTLA.
http://www.faithandflowerla.com/
