Los Angeles - September 17, 2007

Natural High

Lift Cafe and Restaurant

You’re not ashamed to wake and bake.

Why should you be when the outcome is so delish?

Especially at Lift, the cafe and restaurant opening today inside Hollywood’s Hillview building. To get warmed up, they’re serving breakfast and lunch, with dinner and late-night menus on the way.

Past the sidewalk seating and lobby’s grab-and-go coffee and sandwiches, find the bright, modern neighborhood spot with rustic touches like exposed brick and succulent-filled planter boxes.

Pick up muffins, sticky buns, and Graffeo espresso beverages (beans are ground to order) or, like the sweatsters over at The Joint, get into the juices, smoothies, and slushes from the press. Take a seat for roast hanger steak and eggs; the chopped Cobb (corn, fava beans, bacon, chicken, egg white, Humboldt Fog cheese, and Green Goddess dressing); and homemade veggie, albacore, and turkey burgers.

Generally, count on an unfussy seasonal food using organic meats and fish and farmers market-fresh fruits and veggies.

Good thing, considering your diet could use some green, bud.

Lift, 6531 Hollywood Boulevard, at North Hudson Street, Hollywood (323-469-1848).