Field Trip puts new twist on breakfast
Mornings should not be taken lightly in a bustling city such as Los Angeles. Coffee should be single-sourced, grown ethically and piping hot. Pastries should be gluten-free, stuffed with locally grown fruits and baked fresh. Field Trip, an adorable new breakfast through lunch spot (they will begin serving dinner later this month) in Hollywood, serves up all of these on a slightly peculiar menu — Asian with an Amish twist.
Can’t hardly wait · Located in the Hollywood Farmers Market, Field Trip requires a long stay in line but its innovative flavor is worth the wait. – Photo courtesy of Field Trip
Head chefs Minh Phan and Sarah Lange boast an impressive résumé, including L.A. favorites Gaji, Beachwood Café, Hart & the Hunter and Flores & the Ladies Gunboat Society. Together they marry the traditional American breakfast with that from East Asia.
Located in the old Farmer’s Kitchen at the Hollywood Farmers Market, Field Trip is right in the center of Los Angeles’ hustle and bustle. Inside, the décor is sparse but trendy, with lots of natural light. The vibe inside Field Trip is a little industrial, with metal tables and sturdy wooden chairs — which makes it a bit uncomfortable. Diners soon get the vibe that this is a no-nonsense, chic L.A. eatery boasting locally grown ingredients and seats that don’t really let them slouch.
Field Trip isn’t a “sit down and get served” restaurant. Patrons stand in line behind a dozen other hungry and cranky non-morning people just to try the inventive menu. What the service staff lacks in tableside service, however, they make up for with friendliness and helpfulness at the register. With precise information on how the food is prepared and great recommendations on the most complementary flavors on the menu, the staff plays an important role in the dining and coffee drinking experience.
After ordering, customers might be hard-pressed to find a table, but with some luck one will open up by the massive windows, and they’ll be able to enjoy rare moments of morning sun without any L.A. smog.
Predominantly a breakfast place, Field Trip is truly creative when it comes to putting a spin on both Amish and Asian dishes. Customers have the option to taste a variety of different flavors on the menu since the plates are small and sharing is encouraged.
In addition to imaginative breakfast foods, the lunch items on the menu do not disappoint. Hearty options like smoked sesame chicken banh mi with salad or short rib sandwich with salad will fill up even the hungriest farmer’s market shopper.
The menu is divided up into brunch served all day and lunch beginning at 11 a.m. Ranging from $4 to $15, the menu is not overpriced, and while banh mi enthusiasts may scoff at a $14 version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich, it is worth the extra money if authentic banh mi joints aren’t close by. The frittata with underwood summer squash and roasted suncoast tomatoes is rich, full of flavor and artfully decorated, served with a side of salad.
If customers are not in the mood for protein, Field Trip offers amazing, fluffy and decadent seasonal pancakes ($10) that melt in the mouth. Paired with raspberry-geranium and whipped crème fraiche, the only thing mildly health-redeeming about this choice is that all of the ingredients are locally sourced and farmers market-procured.
Since dishes are to be shared, customers should feel free to order a mini feast. The condensed milk yogurt, granola and KnK ranch fruits ($9) put a delightfully Asian spin on classic yogurt and granola. Pro-tip: condensed milk is a commonly used ingredient in East Asian sweets, like, for example, in Vietnamese Coffee.
For just $13 the crispy rice and eggs meurette wowed the entire table. The dish is the epitome of what Field Trip is trying to accomplish. It happily marries the Western and Eastern hemispheres in an exciting amalgam of delicious textures, flavors and presented with an artistic flair that is irresistible in photos.
The menu at Field Trip boasts no weak spot. Everything from the fresh-brewed Verve coffee to the pastries is imaginative delicious. Since the menu is so affordable, there is no excuse to not grab even the smallest scone and coffee, adorably dubbed the Farmer’s Nosh ($4) when hanging out in Hollywood.
A meal for five, including three coffees, can end up costing only around $55. The food is delicious and the ingredients are fresh. Though Field Trip may be out of the way for many USC students, it is a great choice for special mornings or for those willing to brave the traffic just for a spin on coffee, eggs and inventive sandwiches.