Lemonade, Larchmont, Hancock Park

Feb 6, 2014

626 No Larchmont Blvd · Los Angeles, CA 90004 · Neighborhood: Larchmont

Just like everyone else around this time of year, I’ve been trying to focus on getting healthy. You know… “Get in shape!” “Loose weight!” “Avoid carbs!” etc., the New Years resolution drill…

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been doing a pretty good job of hiking up Runyon Canyon a few times a week and busting my butt with my trainer friend’s super fun, barefoot-on-the-beach work-out soccer drills. Even still, I gotta say, it’s especially tough to be on any specific “diet” as a food blogger. After all, it’s my “job” to try various foods All. The. Time. And that includes the occasional carbs, fried, saucy, greasy, cheesy, pastry, chocolatey goodness. Hard job, right?

I try to eat at healthier (healthy-ish) restaurants as often as I can. Just cause it’s good for you, doesn’t mean it can’t taste good, right? Indeed. Lucky for me, one such restaurant recently opened up in my neighborhood.

Lemonade is a great spot to get your guilt-free lunch on. And as I learned this week, when I didn’t feel like cooking dinner, it’s also a great, quick grab-and-go meal.

You may have driven by a Lemonade on your way through Abbott Kinney, or perhaps driving through Beverly Hills. You may have even seen one during a visit to the MOCA, or maybe you were about to hop on a plane and noticed them at LAX!

Lemonade shops are popping up EVERYWHERE… and that’s a good thing.

I remember just a few years back when I had a really hard time trying to find fresh, healthy food that was quick and easy. Lemonade is a fast-casual cafeteria-style concept restaurant that’s the kind of grab-and-go you wished your college cafeteria offered. (I had to settle for fast food way back when – Froshman 15 anyone?)

Couscous, brussels sprouts and lentils

Chef Alan Jackson who helped start up The Farm in Beverly Hills, thought up the fast-n-fresh “Southern California Comfort Food” concept around 2008. He partnered up with Lemonade COO, Ian Olsen to re-interpret the modern cafeteria experience.

Lemonade is the answer to, “What’s for dinner?” or “What’s for lunch?” It’s clean. It’s colorful. It’s fresh. And most importantly, it’s tasty.

I was invited to sample a few seasonal dishes, as well as long-standing menu items. A few standouts for me were the spicy pineapple chicken, the curry cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts and the truffle mac and cheese.

If you’ve never been, here’s what awaits you…