Wake Up LA: Bread and Porridge

Bread and Porridge has gone through a number of changes since LAist last reviewed it in 2004. It still retains its tiny dining room, decorated simply in red and white with lots of little country decorations about. They bought the space next door and stocked it with brown leather couches and ottomans, newspapers and a coffee counter and now it’s become the perfect place to wait for brunch. Because wait you do, my friends, 20 minutes, an hour on weekends. But here’s the secret – it’s worth it.

There’s not much Bread and Porridge doesn’t do well. Most folks go for their vast variety of omelets, always served with black beans and salsa. For those of us not so omeletly inclined, they have excellent pancakes, huge and fluffy, which they will serve with any of the following: blueberries, strawberries, pecans and bananas or chocolate chips. I bet if you asked real nice, they’d mix them all together. Their French toast is delicious and custardy. (Though both are served with fake syrup, unless you ask and pay two dollars extra for the real thing.)

I also like their cream of wheat. I get it with strawberries, brown sugar and raisins and then alternate bites between strawberries and raisins. Of course, that leaves you kind of protein bereft, so ordering some sausage is imperative. They have a bunch of different kinds – spicy, pork, chicken, no fake meat though. I like the mild chicken apple. The bacon always sounds good – ‘Smokey Applewood Bacon.' Before, when it came, it was always a little disappointing. But this last time, they seemed to get it just right.

The coffee deserves its own paragraph. It comes in French presses. It’s strong and good. I sometimes get very high off it.

A new addition to the breakfast menu is a side of corn muffins. I want to go there soon and just have them with jam. They are wonderful – slightly crunchy on the outside, or perhaps crisp is a better word, and soft and moist in the middle. I can absolutely see myself sitting there with my French press and corn muffins. Ah…

Bread and Porridge is also open for lunch and now dinner. Some of these dishes are less successful, but most are wholesome and delicious. A personal favorite is the BBQ Brisket (either the sandwich or the entrée. Really, BBQ like that is usually in the south.

But uh…breakfast! Bread and Porridge is nifty!

2315 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 453-4941

Photos by Jacy for LAist.