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Echo Park's Ostrich Farm Is The Gem Of Sunset Blvd
The Ostrich Farm is one of the small, unassuming gems of Sunset Boulevard. Just opened late last year by husband and wife team Jaime Turrey and Brooke Fruchtman, the Echo Park spot offers a small menu packed with flavor, and an intimate space filled with friendly waitstaff and fellow diners. (Our table neighbors—who aren't always great—gave us their nearly full bottle of Pellegrino when they departed!)
The cheese plate, for one, is a must. For $18 you get a selection of four cheese perfectly paired with items like fried almonds, olives, grilled bread (dabbed with truffle oil), and various seasonal items—currently: grilled peaches and grapes (which both have a woody flavor), and house made fig chutney. The plate often features other edibles, like tiny strawberries, carrots and parsnips, all fresh-picked from their garden with their stems still in place.
(Photo by Navid Baraty/LAist)
There are no ostriches on the menu, by the way—the name comes from the old Ostrich Farm, a tourist spot connected to various parts of L.A. via railway in the 1880s. The land is now part of Griffith Park.
You will, however, find a lot of classics being on the menu, which changes up from time to time. Preparation relies heavily on grilling and roasting—even the Caesar salad comes with grilled romaine—as Chef Turrey has a live wood-fire grill back in the kitchen. Currently you can order a half roast chicken (with truffle mashed potatoes), citrus marinated chilean sea bass, a soft shell crab BLT (note: the crab is not fried, and a little tougher to eat), a selection of flatbreads, roasted vegetables, and salads. They've also got you covered with dessert, brunch, snacks, wine and beer. But seriously, get that cheese plate.
Ostrich Farm is located at 1525 W Sunset Blvd Dinner: Tues-Sun: 5:30 p.m.; Happy Hour at the bar: Tues-Sun: 5:30-7 p.m.; Brunch: Sat & Sun, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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