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Recession Obsession: Soulful Jazz Brunch in Leimert Park
I 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.
- Papa West | 4336 Degnan Blvd | Leimert Park | Los Angeles, CA 90008 | (323) 290-9575
(This video wasn't from my meal, but I still like it...)
Photos by Caleb Bacon for LAist
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Ever done brunch in Leimert Park? Comment below!
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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