BLD

Next door to the still newish and popular Hatfields on Beverly stands BLD, though the logo makes it a little hard to read. In fact, the first time Griffin and I went here we had to ask the hostess what the name of the restaurant was (only slightly embarrassing). After seeing couples and families enjoying a nice meal and the California summer weather, Griffin and I tried this place for breakfast. It's been almost a year since we first visited BLD, but it's never left our minds. It was still pretty new when we went and we didn't have to wait, but now I'd recommend making a reservation, whether you are going for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (all three are served here, hence B-L-D). The brunch menu is really great with a wide selection of cuisines. You can even get cheese plates if your palette can take them that early in the morning. To accompany the cheese (or not, up to you) are several types of Spanish meats, ranging from chorizo to Serrano ham, to Spanish salami. And it's not just a mini trip to Spain, the meats and cheeses come from all over the world, though most are from Spain, Italy, or France. If you are in the mood for a more traditional breakfast entree, they've got that too. French toast, Ricotta blueberry pancakes, and crepes are all served with an adorable tin cottage full of the most delicious maple syrup, warmed. Popular egg dishes like frittata, eggs benedict, juevos rancheros, and scrambles are all great choices too, but no matter what your entree be sure to try the bruleed grapefruit. That's not a mistake, it's a halved pink grapefruit with thick sugar crystals melted with direct heat on top. Even if you don't like grapefruit that much give this a try. It's not only inventive (way to go BLD!) but extremely tasty. Brunch costs are about what you'll find anywhere, around $10 an entree, give or take, and the meats and cheeses are about $6 a pop if you go for that. We've also been to BLD for dinner and I have to say the dinner menu is pretty disappointing. While the food is still great, the menu items are better suited for lunch, majority of which are sandwiches, burgers, and salads. They've got the meats and cheeses for $6 each for all meals, so you know you are at least covered there. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, butter lettuce, avocado, tomato, and garlic aioli on a sourdough roll with a side salad and Griffin had the short rib sandwich with fries. Everything tasted great, it's just a meal we'd normally get at lunch. We usually try for something a little heartier and with more zing than a sandwich for dinner. Not to mention for dinner sandwiches, BLD's are a little pricey, averaging at about $15-20 each. It seems like the lunch menu is a little bigger than the dinner perhaps and has more of a sandwich selection, though unfortunately with no price break. BLD does have a fun little wine section and they offer a full bar where you can eat if the wait's too long for a table. They've got a few tables outside too, so if it's a nice day (which it usually is in SoCal) go for it. Like everywhere else in LA, BLD has valet, but if you are lucky you'll find a spot on the street. We haven't gone back to BLD since moving back over the hill, but we need to. Just thinking about it makes me hungry!

http://www.bldrestaurant.com/
The site isn't built out yet, so in the meantime here's a link to the Citysearch page where the menu is available.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/42940063/los_angeles_ca/bld.html#