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It probably won't come as much of a surprise that the best thing about the Grove isn't even technically a part of it. When construction on the Grove was approved, preservationists feared what would become of L.A.'s historic Farmer's Market. As it turns out, they didn't need to worry. Since the Grove opened in 2002, the Farmer's Market has for the most part managed to retain its individuality, while at the same time teeming with the overflow from its newer, flashier neighbor. It's even maintained its own parking lot so that Market patrons wouldn't have to worry about the hassle of the Grove's mega-garage.
The Farmer's Market is a landmark, and rightfully so. Where else can you enjoy fresh produce, crepes, cajun cooking, Malaysian, barbecue, a killer Brazilian buffet, donuts, pizza and dozens of other dining options all in one place? It's L.A.'s best food court, hands down, and it's also a great place to people watch, enjoy live music or buy souvenirs, stickers, toys and magazines. And no mention of the Farmer's Market would be complete without a nod to Du-Par's, an L.A. institution for over 65 years now.
The Grove has a few terrific restaurants of its own, but if you go at peak hours (and when you learn when the Grove's off-peak hours are, please let us know), you can find yourself waiting over two hours for a table. So when you're in a hurry, when you want something more affordable or when you just feel like something a little different, the Farmer's Market is bound to be your best option. It's more than just a second choice, though. For everything wonderful it has to offer, and for the rich part of L.A.'s cultural history that it's always been, the Farmer's Market is part of the Good Grove, and it's something special all by itself, too.
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I like that the trolley connects the two divergent worlds. The old world...the new world.
I'm also a big fan of the calzones at the Italian place and the caffeine-free Diet Coke at the ice cream place.
The only way Farmers Market is the best food court in Los Angeles is if you forget to count any of the others.
The Farmers Market is by far the best part about the Grove, without question. Too bad the Grove had to make the experience of going to the FM so much worse. The special surface parking area doesn't help much--it's still a madhouse now.
The thing that drives me nuts is the differing parking validation policies throught the whole FM / Grove / Container Store complex. Can't they get it together and create a unified, easily understood system?
BTW, that French waffle place rocks.