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The Sycamore Kitchen
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
The Sycamore Kitchen
8.5
The Sycamore Kitchen is a daytime bakery-café where serious pastries share the menu with composed sandwiches, salads, and breakfast plates. Patio seating, good coffee, and chef-driven fillings—like roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, and house condiments—make it one of the more polished sandwich experiences in the 90036 corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
BLT on rustic bread, Roasted turkey sandwich with avocado, Braised short rib sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Chef-driven daytime café pairing pastries with refined sandwiches and salads.
Who should go: Brunch and lunch diners wanting elevated café sandwiches.
When to visit: Late mornings or early afternoons on weekdays if possible.
What to order: BLT, roast turkey sandwich, a pastry for the table.
Insider tip: Order at the counter, then grab a patio table for the best vibe.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on La Brea and adjacent side streets; spots turn over regularly but can be competitive during peak brunch hours. No valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; most guests wear elevated daytime attire, especially on weekends.
Noise level: Moderate; indoor counter area has steady bustle, but the patio allows for easier conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the café closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Typically 5–10 minutes to order; patio seating availability varies but rarely requires a long wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, veggie-focused sandwiches, and pastry options suit vegetarian diners.
Vegan options: Limited — modifications can help, but offerings lean more vegetarian than fully vegan.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free salads available; baked goods and sandwiches are not consistently gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for daytime casual dates — the airy patio and high-quality food create an easygoing but polished setting. Not ideal if you're looking for a long, linger-friendly dinner date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s a counter-service café with first-come seating. Arrive before peak lunch hours for the best chance at a patio table.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for families with school-age kids; the patio offers room for strollers, though the menu skews more adult-oriented and there’s no dedicated kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: High-quality pastries and chef-driven sandwiches in a relaxed, daytime setting — ideal for business-adjacent lunches, brunch meetups, or coffee-and-pastry mornings.
Skip if: You want a budget-friendly meal, a broad vegan menu, or a dinner spot, as hours and pricing favor daytime café dining.
The Sycamore Kitchen
8.4
The Sycamore Kitchen is a daytime bakery-café where a large, setback patio off La Brea doubles as a shaded hangout for dog owners. Guests pair serious pastries and market-driven plates with coffee while their pups curl up beside metal café tables.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salted Caramel Pecan Babka Roll, Cured Salmon Tartine, Brioche French Toast with berries
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A serious pastry program and all-day brunch plates served on one of La Brea’s most dog-friendly patios.
Who should go: Daytime diners who value pastries, coffee, and room for dogs.
When to visit: Late weekday mornings for easier patio seating and shorter lines.
What to order: Salted caramel babka roll, salmon tartine, brioche French toast.
Insider tip: Grab a shaded table along the back wall for more space around your dog.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on La Brea and surrounding side streets; spots open up more reliably before 10am. No valet.
Dress code: Casual daytime attire — athleisure, jeans, and light layers fit the patio vibe.
Noise level: Moderate outdoors due to street noise; still easy enough for conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the café closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually a short line (5–10 minutes); peak midday can stretch to 15–20 minutes but moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — salads, tartines, pastries, and breakfast plates offer multiple veg-friendly choices.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be modified, but the menu skews dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — several salads and proteins are naturally gluten-free; pastries are largely not. Staff can guide safe picks.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for relaxed daytime dates — the shaded patio and strong pastry/coffee program make it low-pressure and conversational, though the counter-service style is more casual than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it's entirely walk-in. Arrive on the earlier side of brunch hours for the best shot at outdoor tables, especially if you have a dog.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for toddlers and older kids — spacious patio, quick service, and familiar dishes help. Strollers fit best on the perimeter tables.
Best For
Better for: One of the best pastry programs in the neighborhood and a top choice for dog-friendly daytime dining with shaded, comfortable outdoor seating.
Skip if: You want a full-service brunch, vegan-heavy menu, or a quiet indoor dining room — the patio can feel lively and the format is counter-order-only.
The Sycamore Kitchen
8.3
The Sycamore Kitchen is a daytime bakery-café from Karen and Quinn Hatfield that leans hard into farmers-market produce, house-baked breads, and seasonal salads. Guests queue up for pastries and grain bowls on the sun-drenched patio, making it a quieter, more casual farm-to-table counterpoint to the neighborhood’s splashier dinner spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salted Caramel Pecan Babka Roll, Double B-LTA sandwich, Jerusalem Bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A chef-driven, daytime-only spot where baked goods and market-driven plates showcase farm-to-table cooking without the formality.
Who should go: Brunch and lunch people who care about bread and produce quality.
When to visit: Late weekday mornings for easier patio seating and shorter lines.
What to order: Salted Caramel Pecan Babka Roll, Double B-LTA, Jerusalem Bowl.
Insider tip: Line up with a friend so one can scout a patio table while the other orders.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along La Brea and neighboring residential blocks; usually manageable on weekdays but tighter during peak brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and daytime-friendly — athleisure, sundresses, and jeans all fit the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate on the patio with steady chatter; still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the restaurant closes before dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait; 5–15 minutes during peak noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection of salads, grain bowls, pastries, and veggie-forward plates.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — usually 1–2 bowls or salads can be ordered vegan with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Several bowls and salads are naturally gluten-free; pastries are mostly not, but staff can guide you.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for daytime dates — the patio is sunny, relaxed, and low-pressure, ideal for casual conversation. Not suited for evening dates since it closes early.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s all counter-service and first-come, first-served. Arrive slightly before the lunch rush for the best patio seats.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the outdoor patio offers space for strollers, and the menu includes approachable items like pastries and simple egg plates. Best for toddlers and up.
Best For
Better for: Daytime farm-to-table cooking with exceptional pastries and a mellow patio experience, especially compared to busier brunch spots in the area.
Skip if: You want a full-service dinner, cocktails, or a more elaborate evening setting — this café closes before dinner and leans casual.
The Sycamore Kitchen
8.1
The Sycamore Kitchen is an order-at-the-counter café and bakery from Karen and Quinn Hatfield that’s built for casual but serious daytime meetings. House-baked breads, layered sandwiches, and grain bowls make it an easy choice when you want chef-level food in a relaxed, laptop-friendly setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jerusalem Bowl, Turkey Banh Mi Sandwich, Salted Caramel Babka Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A chef-driven bakery-café where counter-service lunches still feel considered and composed.
Who should go: Teams and creatives who like casual, patio-friendly meetings.
When to visit: Weekday late lunch after the peak noon rush passes.
What to order: Jerusalem Bowl, Turkey Banh Mi, Salted Caramel Babka Roll.
Insider tip: Plan extra time to order; the line moves steadily but can stretch at prime lunch hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on La Brea and surrounding residential streets; usually manageable on weekdays but can tighten around noon.
Dress code: Casual and work-friendly; most guests come in office attire, athleisure, or relaxed business casual.
Noise level: Moderate—easy enough for meetings on the patio, slightly louder inside during peak lunch rush.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—The Sycamore Kitchen operates daytime only.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak noon hours; minimal wait after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options including salads, grain bowls, and vegetable-forward plates.
Vegan options: Limited but possible—grain bowls and salads can be modified; check for dressings containing dairy.
Gluten-free options: Several bowls and salads can be made gluten-free; baked goods are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for casual daytime dates, especially if you want something low-pressure and outdoors. Not ideal for a romantic or intimate first-date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's entirely walk-in. Patio tables turn over quickly, especially after the lunch rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for daytime visits—roomy patio, stroller-friendly layout, and approachable pastries; best suited for toddlers and up.
Best For
Better for: Quick but chef-level lunches in a relaxed environment where you can still hold a conversation or low-key meeting.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, deep dinner menus, or a quieter, more formal setting for client entertainment.