Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Fresh Bites in West Hollywood is Versatile
Fresh Bites, Luca Giorgetti's new joint in West Hollywood is a spacious, comfortable oasis from the zooming traffic of Sunset Boulevard. The ceilings are high, an eco design that is smooth and sleek, with a curve on one wall leading effortlessly to the restrooms. A long, glass window allows you to watch food prep from beginning to end.
The key to the success of Fresh Bites on Sunset in West Hollywood is its versatility. Looking for a last minute lunch reservation because you forgot it was Julie at the office's birthday? Fresh Bites has an 18-top table permanently in place. The rest of the seating is designed with flexibility in mind to seat groups large and small. Is the IT guy vegan and your boss can't do gluten? Again, Fresh Bites is ready to accommodate.
If you want to chill out in the corner on your laptop all day drinking latte after latte, there is wifi and the Cadillac of espresso machines straight from Italy. On a jog and need an energy boost (because, yeah, we all jog on Sunset and Crescent Heights)? There is a fresh made-to-order fruit and vegetable smoothie and juice bar. Hit the espresso bar for fresh, moist and innovative pastries from Pastry Chef pastry chef Rebecca West for an after-movie snack. There is even a decadent brunch on weekends.
Last week, Fresh Bites invited LAist to try out their Italian-California menu. Chef Claudio Marchesan's pizzas have a thin Napoli-style crust and light, creative toppings. We shared a Rico Spinacci: ricotta, spinach, walnuts & garlic pesto, which arrived with with just a light smear of tomato sauce and sprinkling of cheese.
Our next course was a salad: Beets and Goat: beets, tomato, corn, walnuts, goat cheese,
romaine, baby mix greens, balsamic vinaigrette. I will confess to picking all of the beets and cheese off of the top. The beets were pure perfection, soaking up just enough of the vinagrette to give them a kick without overwhelming their natural flavor.
Next we tried the Kickin’ Turkey: oven roasted turkey, brie, tomato, arugula, olive paste & mayo. We dipped it in aioli and pesto, so the olive paste was kind of erroneous. It was one of those tightly-wrapped baguette sandwiches that remind you of European train stations. The combo of brie and arugula made the sandwich really stand out.
Finally, a plate of grilled steak with grilled mixed vegetables and a delectable quinoa, rich with Mediterranean flavors. The steak was cooked medium rare, and extremely tender. Even the side dishes were worth getting into fork-battles over.
But the best was yet to come -- a heavy layer cake, similar to those served in Europe and Canada, with an intense combination of citrus flavors. Usually you only get a treat like this at Christmas here, so with the Italian Meringue frosting and cream cheese layers, it was truly special.
Fresh Bites also offers a fun-looking kid's menu, light bites, all kinds of smoothies, vegetarian hot breakfasts and even banana ice cream. Fresh Bites may not be the fanciest place in town, or the oldest, or the most cutting-edge. But what they offer - a clean, spacious, comfortable, unpretentious room with delicious food and the welcoming feel to stay all day in the bamboo chairs and banquettes if you like, it will quickly become your go-to place.
Fresh Bites is open 7 days a week, from 7am to midnight. Just in time for a little pick-me-up before you hit the the Chateau Marmont.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.