Food Lab Cafe & Marketplace
A Fashionable Austro-Cali Cafe & Marketplace!
Message from Food Lab Cafe & Marketplace
Located in the heart of West Hollywood, Chef Esther Linsmayer and her son Nino have opened the Food Lab Cafe & Marketplace. The Austro-Cali inspired cuisine is organic, nitrate- and hormone-free. Sandwiches reign supreme at Food Lab and they are worth every calorie you consume. The standouts include the organic chicken curry on walnut raisin bread with lingonberry chutney. It's the perfect ratio of sweet and spicy and has just the right amount of kick. Be careful as it is addictive and you'll find yourself stopping by Food Lab Cafe multiple times a week just for this culinary delight. Also, the produce is purchased on a daily basis and eat-ware and packaging are 80% environmentally friendly and biodegradable. It is extremely important to us to be a leader in keeping this planet clean! Mention Citysearch when you visit us!
Editorial by Citysearch
In ShortNino Linsmayer and his mother, Esther, have a much underused strip of Santa Monica Boulevard (between Fairfax and La Brea) in West Hollywood buzzing with this permanent cafe and marketplace. We say "permanent" because, until now, their savory organic offerings were only available via special event catering. Paying homage to the owners' Austrian roots, the sublime new menu consists largely of flavorful European-style offerings; fresh croissants (pain au chocolate, sugar brioche, et al.), breakfast sandwiches (smoked salmon with creme fraiche and sliced cucumber, Paris ham and Gruyere on a croissant) and fresh-squeezed fruit juices ensure a good morning. Lunch (and perhaps dinner since they stay open until 8pm) is served from a classic chalkboard beside the counter and punctuated by hearty helpings of organic chicken Wienerschnitzel, roasted vegetable and goat cheese salads, and Austrian meatloaf with dried tomato aioli, fried onions and Dijon on a ciabatta roll. The marketplace aspect of the eatery provides a variety of take-away items, from housemade soups and sauces to British jams and packaged gummy candies.
Key Points
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Gourmet Sandwiches
- Gifts and Cheesebaskets
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - Feel good about eating here: There are plenty of salads to please vegetarians and vegans; the owners insist on using organic, nitrate- and hormone-free ingredients whenever possible.
- What to Drink - Viennese coffee from Meinl is an excellent alternative to your usual Starbucks or Coffee Bean cup of joe.
- Where to Sit - The European-style cafe also has a secluded back patio to sit and enjoy the day.
- Where to Sit - The European-style cafe also has a nice patio to sit and enjoy the day.
- Where to Sit - There's ample space to enjoy your sandwich or salad on their secluded back patio. Order at the counter and they'll bring it out to you when it's ready.
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
At Last East WeHo Gets Fantastically Foodie
by Nuevohombre
I am addicted to Food Lab. They have this amazing assortment of everything from foodie gifts and munchies, deserts and drinks to actual meals that are absolutely delicious. I'm working my way through their salads, sandwiches, soups, deserts, not to mention their cheese and meat samplers. So delicious. I have yet to have a bad experience or a bad meal. The owners are incredible. The people that work that friendly and helpful. I've lived in the neighborhood 18 years and it is the best addition ever. I'm addicted. From a quick coffee to a full meal. And the backyard. Charming. I hope it catches on but just enough to remain a great best kept secret. Love Food Lab.
Pros: Everything
Cons: None.
Posted 07/27/09
Alert!!!!!
by WhiteWater
The morning of July 27th, I saw a lovely young lady tie her two small dogs to a table leg so she could get a sandwich, the puppies paniced, no fault of the young woman, she tried to save her pets as they were dragging the table into danger, and a vase broke, I then ask the young lady if all was Ok, No she said in tears, he made me pay 10.00 for the vase, so folks beware, it could be costly to take your children to this cafe, if they break it, you own it. Shame on this owner, he didn't care about the woman or her littles puppies safety. Shame!!!!! I wish to add to this review, I know this lovely lady as she has been doing my hair for several years, I spoke with her last evening, and she is a loving soul, she forgave the owner and says the food there is fabulous and she is very interested in small business's excelling in this economy and she will certainly eat their she told me, and requested that my family and anyone who has the opportunity, to eat at the Food Lab do so, as she said the food won't disappoint, and her heart has nothing but forgiveness, after talking to her I felt this was worthy to comment about!!! Wish the whole world had as much love as this lady has in her heart!!!
Pros: Good Food
Cons: Just take the puppies home first, puppies will be puppies!!!
Posted 07/26/09
Amazing sandwiches and coffee
by chimmychimmycocoapops
Went here for the first time and tried the Turkey, Brie, Pear sandwich on wheat with Fig Honey Compote and a big cup of their house Viennese coffee.
The sandwich was absolutely fantastic. Without question the best in the neighborhood, which has limited dining options. The bread was perfectly toasted. The fillings were fresh and tasty... the saltiness of the cheese balanced the tart and sweetness of the figs and honey. Really blew me away the quality and craftsmanship, and that you would find that in such a small cafe.
The coffee was also a knockout. Smooth, rich, no bitter aftertaste or grounds. Free refills. I had three cups it was so good.
The people behind the counter were totally laid-back and friendly. Usually places like this suffer from overwhelmingly pretentious servers with L.A. attitude, but not this joint. I'd be back twice a week if a sandwich and coffee didn't set me back $12.
I wish they'd stay open until 9pm.
Pros: Great house blend coffee
Cons: Closes at 8pm.
Posted 07/04/09
Amazing food. Amazing coffee. Amazing staff. AND, a patio.
by heyitsmikesmart
Wow. I love this place. It made me really happy when it opened up... finally, something delicious, low-key, friendly, etc. in ... er, what is that? East West Hollywood? Russian West Hollywood?
Anyhow, the food is SERIOUSLY top-drawer, and the coffee is amazing. Also, they have really fun products from central Europe: Almdudler soda, Milka chocolates, Julius Meinl coffees, etc.
They've converted a couple of parking spaces out back into a patio -- and though that sounds less than ideal, they've done an amazing job. It's so rare to be able to eat outdoors in LA, and even rarer to be able to do so without looking out onto some wasteland of a commercial strip with 50mph traffic zooming by. This patio is adorable and uniquely L.A.
This place ROCKS!
Pros: patio, no-frills elegance, fun product assortment, delicious food
Cons: it's really small... parties of more than, say, 3 will feel crowded.
Posted 02/25/09