Los Angeles - February 18, 2009

Berry Nice to Meet You

Huckleberry Cafe Opens

Huckleberry: the Great American Bakery, starring Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan

Act I: Breakfast
A buttery scent of fresh-baked bread and pastry fills the light-drenched industrial space. “Early bird gets the glazed donuts,” says a voice beyond the open kitchen. Served with La Quercia proscuitto and a house-made English muffin, green eggs and ham are scarfed down.

Act II: Lunch
Customers queue up at the far end of the glassed-in counter for farmers market-driven deli salads (spicy tomato chickpeas, cumin roasted carrots and avocado). Checking the chalkboard specials, they debate between the turkey meatball sub and the BTLA. Or perhaps, a whole rotisserie duck to take home.

Act III: Dessert
New classics like whole-wheat butter cake and chocolate pudding pie pair with caffeine from Caffe Luxe.

Just try not to make a scene.

Huckleberry Cafe, 1014 Wilshire Boulevard, between 10th and 11th Streets, Santa Monica (310-451-2311 or huckleberrycafe.com). Soft opening hours, Wednesday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.