Recession Obsession: Soulful Jazz Brunch in Leimert Park

Recession Obsession: A Soulful Jazz Brunch in Leimert Park by Caleb BaconI Heart Biscuits + Gravy + Eggs + Grits + Butter


The Official Recession
has been upon us for fourteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a million inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is meal (or activity) that is fantastic whether times are good or bad -- because it's just that damn good. We last loved on Zankou Chicken and Santa Monica's Tacos Por Favor. Today, we...

Head to New Orleans and you'll find as many musical Sunday brunches as you will crooked politicians with high cholesterol. Or so I'm told. I've only experienced exported versions of these entertaining afternoons.

For $7-$10 per person a wonderful soul food-fueled jazz brunch can be found in Leimert Park (pronounced La-mert.) Your ears and taste buds will quickly recognize you're getting more than your money's worth. That’s why Papa West is LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.

My experience at Papa West was that both the music and food scratched itches I didn't know I had -- and didn't send me further into the red.

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Let's Get Jazzy

The band's musical stylings featured head-bopping uptempo numbers as well as lush downtempo tunes. The former placed a collective smile on the dining room, while the latter secured it. Over the course of brunch a handful of vocalists sat in with the band, each bringing different and worthwhile sounds. These guys were worthy of a cover charge... thankfully there wasn't one.

The Grub

My turkey gravy-blanketing-honey biscuits was a little too enjoyable. There's something about that warm gravy-lubricant which makes another round seem like it would slide right down. For the sake of my waistline, I refrained. However, I gladly helped my girlfriend with her bacon. It was the polite thing to do. I continued my politeness on her grits. A shot of hot sauce and they were perfect for this Yankee. Simple. Southern. Wicked.

The Official Recession has been taking a toll on Los Angelenos. It's nice to know there are guilt-free, wallet-pleasing, tasty ways to ignore it for a couple of hours.


(This video wasn't from my meal, but I still like it...)

Photos by Caleb Bacon for LAist

Ever done brunch in Leimert Park? Comment below!

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Comments (5) [rss]

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Down South a comparable meal would be half the price. Half the price would actually make this a good "recession themed" recommendation. At $7-$10, while a good price for a nice place: fail.

@Paul

Down south your comparable apartment would go for half the price too, but alas we ain't down south. As for these so-called "nice places" that run $7-$10, please do tell, because a) I have no idea what that label means (you don't think live music is nice?), and b) I'd love to find a fine dining establishment with appetizers in that range.

Your comment: fail.

Pronounced "La-mert" ?? Really? I always thouht it was "Lie-Mert."


Also, I went there a couple months ago for Sunday breakfast and had a pretty poor experience. I was surprised because I'd heard good things. Hopefully it was just the one time.

La'mert... L'mert... I know it's not Lee, and I don't think it's Lie.

I have to agree with Scuzzletop here. $7-$10 bucks a pop for homemade, good food, live music, and fun atmosphere is pretty good. This is L.A. after all.

ps- Papa West's was awesome.

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