Lazy Daisy Cafe
11913 Wilshire Boulevard (@ Westgate)
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310.477.8580
Though the cell phone was buzzing, I didn’t move. My eyes were still closed, my perfectly shaped brow furrowed, and I was drawing upon every ounce of force and energy in my half-asleep brain.
Twist the other way. Turn the other way.
Through the semi-transparency of eyelids, I could tell that the blinds over my bed hadn’t responded to my telepathic commands. They were still facing in exact solar-planetary-vertical alignment to blind me with sparklingly happy, hyper-caffeinated Starbucks sunshine if I opened my eyes. Ugh. All I wanted to do was stay curled up under my Binkie with Pookie and Pooh and remain in a healing unconsciousness for another, oh, two, three, maybe four more hours. It had been a rough night. Maybe I could just pray for a very large stormcloud.
Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed, pulled my hair into a swallow’s nest on top of my head, and stepped into some flip-flops. Then I thought better of it and actually decided to change out of the sweatpants I had been sleeping in, into fresh...sweatpants.
Much better. Yeah, whatever. Can you tell that I get cranky, snarky and oh-so saracastically witty when I am hungover, decaffenated, and still sleepy?
so cute it hurts
We were going to have breakfast at Lazy Daisy Cafe, a place I had never tried, and to be quite honest, never thought to try because the name was way too cute. What am I, some sort of hypocrite?! I love rhyming, alliteration, cutesy phrases with double entendres. I’m a goddamned wordsmith on my blog! So, maybe Lazy Daisy was just particulalry irritating to me because they took over the spot that used to be Togo’s. (Wow, I’ve lived in this area for way too long). You’d think they’d change the sign in the parking lot that says “Parking for Togo’s and Kenny Rogers Roasters” by now, though. It’s been, what, how long now? Wahoo’s drop-kicked Kenny’s cornbread at least five years ago.
The name is cute. The place is cute. The tables and tile-topped tables are cute. The barely twenty-something waitress is cute (not hot, you sicko, cute). Even the curly cursive writing on the chalkboard over the coffee counter is cute. It was all so damned cute I needed a very very large cup of coffee to deal with it. I like cute. Just not the morning after.
like sitting in central perk
When you sit down at a table on the front patio that is just a mere few feet from a very quiet, relaxing Wilshire Boulevard, you order coffee, and the waitress gives you a mug that you go inside to fill yourself from those pneumatic pump coffee dispensers that you have to pussh down from above, and that emit embarrassingly loud juicy, uh, blasts of air when there’s no more coffee left. I was once traumatized by such a coffee dispenser, but I’ve gotten over it. There’s a whole row of different coffees from which you can choose, and the beauty of it is, if you’re willing to get your lazy-ass up and walk those ten feet, you can drink as much as you want.
Lazy Daisy’s coffee mugs are colorfully mismatched, and the size of a soup bowl. They totally remind me of the café in Friends – Central Perk (oh my god, way too cute). Ross and Rachel, (un)fortunately, were not there. I’ll tell you who was there, though. I shall call him Chad, which is short for Chadwick.
Chad was sitting by himself at a corner table, back to the corner, facing outward, of course. For you see, Chad is one of those VIP corner-table, but must face out to see the action kind of guys. Never mind that it’s Saturday morning at Lazy Daisy Cafe in West LA and not the Newsroom Cafe on Robertson. I had my back to the action because I’m not paranoid like that, so I was very fortunate enough to be diagonally facing Chad. He was dressed in very expensive running shoes, which by the looks of them, he never used to actually run, USC-emblazoned sweatpants, and an Ivy league emblazoned sweatshirt that he must have bought from the student store when he went to go visit his smarter, younger brother 15 years ago. *ouch* I need more coffee.
foil wrapped butter for $5.95
spotted, not dusted, with powdered sugar
We had ordered an omelette and a simple stack of pancakes. The omelette was big, puffy, full of vegetables and cheese, definitely worth the $5.95 or so, but the egg was a little dry and overcooked, which is also understandable when it’s only $5.95. The omelette plate came with toast and foil-wrapped butter, but what took it to the next level was that it was gold foil. Fruit was a little pallid, but what does one expect in the dead of LA’s winter? Pancakes had powdered sugar on top, but instead of looking like a fairy dusting, they looked more like elfin tabs of...sugar. The pancakes were thinner than my preference, like crepes that needed only the intro course at Jenny Craig, but let’s face it, I am a pancake whore. A pancake is a pancake, thin and crepe-y or thick and fluffy, as long as it tastes good.
Now Chad, on the other hand, had a plate of scrambled egg whites which he was pushing around his plate, and every once in a while prodding at the fresh fruit, but not eating. I don’t think Chad has an eating disorder. I think Chad has a talking disorder. The whole time we were enjoying our Friends-coffee-mugs of coffee, omelette, and pancakes, Chad was leaning back in the curly wrought-iron backed chair, jabbering away into his cell phone that if it weren’t for that fact that his hand was up there by his ear, I could have sworn was welded to his head. Maybe Chad needs to be introduced to bluetooth. Then maybe he could use his other hand to play with his whole wheat, unbuttered toast.
Anyway, I am not a nosy person. Certainly, everyone is a little bit curious about what goes on around them, but I am not as nosy as say, my sisters. They have absolutely no problem completely turning around in their chairs, craning their necks and straight-up staring at someone for five minutes at the nudging of the other to “check that out.” So, maybe I am just as nosy but far more discreet. In any case, it doesn’t matter, because Chad was talking into his phone as if it were a megaphone at a pep rally. We were sitting at the next table over, but I know I know I know that the older man sitting at the far end of the patio reading the paper over a bowl of oatmeal and who was probably 90% deaf, could hear Chad.
Now, based on what Chad was wearing and what he looked like and what he was not eating, I couldn’t really get a sense of exactly what he does for a living (like I can do that with so many other strangers in restaurants!), but I could sort of guess at the type of person he was. But Chad definitely wanted all of us on the patio at Lazy Daisy to know that he is an agent. Or maybe a manager. Real estate? Entertainment? Wal-Mart? Not Wal-mart, because Chad referred to his “clients” a lot on the phone, and I know at Wal-Mart, we are “valued customers.” He must have been in some sort of commission-based business because if he gets that “hundred thousand dollar bonus” he is definitely going to “get the two-door coupe.” I swear, that is exactly what he said. Hundred thousand dollar bonus. Impressive!
Chad also talked about women that he met in bars last weekend, through the week, last night, though I didn’t quite catch which bars since I may have excused myself momentarily for a second, then third, cup of coffee. He also talked about how his “maid” continues to move his things and how he can’t find them, which just “irks” him “like you wouldn’t believe.” Oh, Chad, I believe it. Every one of us sitting there at Lazy Daisy Cafe, inclusing the waitress and the owner who was behind the counter inside, we all believe it!
We finished our omelette and pancakes. And perhaps Chad noticed that he’d be losing his audience, or perhaps he really was done talking, but as we got up to leave, I heard him end his cell phone conversation with “You too, Mom. Bye.”
I felt so much better after breakfast at Lazy Daisy Cafe. :)
** a year ago today, the dining room was optional at beechwood restaurant **
Genevieve says
wow. you are really good at taking pictures of pancakes.
i just stumbled on your blog. i like your writing style :)
Genevieve says
wow. you are really good at taking pictures of pancakes.
i just stumbled on your blog. i like your writing style :)
City Muse says
If you really want a great omelette, I suggest the Harbor House Cafe at Sunset Beach. Quite aways but worth it, especially their crab omelette.
The crab omelette is almost eleven bucks, but they use real canadian crab, not, heaven forbid, surimi!
City Muse says
If you really want a great omelette, I suggest the Harbor House Cafe at Sunset Beach. Quite aways but worth it, especially their crab omelette.
The crab omelette is almost eleven bucks, but they use real canadian crab, not, heaven forbid, surimi!
sarah says
city muse: a crab omelette! that sounds awesome. and you know, $11 isnt so bad, considering that at other breakfast places around here, an omelette costs almost $10 anyway. now i just have to figure out where sunset beach is...
Anonymous says
That was too funny!!
Chad says
What is wrong with the name Chad? Why does this arrogant agent-type in pilfered Ivy league gear have to be called Chad?
Jonah says
I like the Lazy Daisy over on Pico, they have a nice outdoor patio. It's just west of 26th. Great for light lunches.
sarah says
anonymous: thanks, but all credit for humor belongs to...chad.
chad: there is nothing wrong with the name chad - it's just that for some reason, that name popped into my head. i mean, he certainly didn't look like a "fred" or "vinnie" to me. :)
jonah: that's the one that my friend who recommended it to me in the first place goes to!
sarah says
anonymous: thanks, but all credit for humor belongs to...chad.
chad: there is nothing wrong with the name chad - it's just that for some reason, that name popped into my head. i mean, he certainly didn't look like a "fred" or "vinnie" to me. :)
jonah: that's the one that my friend who recommended it to me in the first place goes to!
Skip says
Sarah,
I was reading some of your posts from last year, and I wanted to let you know something.
Your "unemployed" posts are hilarious.
Reading something about your office going to happy hour at Shane made me sad. I'm an office drone these days, but you?
(Stay real, player.)
Maure says
There is something about a pancake that always makes me smile. Why back in the day my old lady used to make me chocolate chip pancakes
with tons of real butter and i would always give them a big kiss before digging in - the pancakes that is.
omelettes on the other hand - well that seems a little more of a commitment oriented food for me.
too much so, like i should be hiding a ring somewhere inside the protein/albumin mixture.
Chad's maid is also irking me a little too - i believe she's been
hiding my "women of the food network '06" calender - and i must remember where i'm supposed to be on the 23rd of rachel ray.
Stephanie says
You know, I searched everywhere for mugs like that. Finally found some, and stocked up. Not being a coffee drinker, I love sipping on a cup of cocoa the size of my head!
sarah says
skip: aw, you went back and read through some of the archives? thank you! *sigh* life was so delicious back then, huh? then again, you're right. i did go to places like pacifico's and shane. LOL!
maure: if you think about it, a chocolate chip pancake is really the same thing as a chocolate chip cookie only softer, and WAY bigger. *ew* and why would rachael ray be in the food network calendar? i want paula deen!
stephanie: i wish i had the mugs, too! coffee, yes, but they're actually a bit of a nusisance because the wide mouth makes it easier to spill. i'd love to use them for soups!
Xericx says
I good like this restaurant. Lunch eat do I here frequently. Tasty are the burgers indeed! Cappuchino they right make over starbucks!
nosh says
Does anyone else miss Togos? This one in Brentwood went to that take-out in the sky about the same time the Westwood location did. Is there still one alive near the Costco or Home Depot in MDR? What a loss -- their overstuffed pastrami or hot roast beef were so superior to the Quiznos that are popping up all over. And their cold subs were much more satisfying than Subway. And they always reminded me of the first I went to upon coming to California in Santa Cruz in the 70s.
sarah says
xericx: are you okay? LOL!
nosh: um *raises hand* i totally miss togo's. that was one on heavy rotation when i was at cal. i was super excited to see it down in la when i moved here, and then it disappeared. don't even know if they're still in business in this area at all. how sad!
hot.
pastrami.
reuben.
extra dressing, always.
City Muse says
Sarah, Sunset Beach is south of Long Beach, about 7-8 miles.
Harbor House Cafe is a 24-hour roadside diner with a ginormous menu. They serve breakfast -- large selection of pancakes, waffles and omelettes including the aforementioned crab omelette -- round the clock.
Here's the web site: http://www.harborhousecafe.com/
Xericx says
Togos was one of my ol' reliables back in High school...the #8...turkey and roast beef....oh so good. The one next to Uncle Darrow's should be open still though.
On an unrelated note, I ate at the Arby's on Lincoln today. COULD YOU BELIEVE A SANDWHICH THERE ALONG COST $4.59!!!!! That's INSANE! What happened to the days of the 5 Arby-Q's for $5!!!!
Foodie Universe says
I like Lazy Daisy, but not enough to get up early enough to go out for breakfast!
jason says
what
a
tool.
sarah says
xericx: you ate at arby's?!?! okay, i have to admit that i used to loooove the beef n cheddar. wow. those were the days, when i could be happy with a 99 cent pseudo meat and vinyl cheese sandwich. horsey sauce. LOL!
foodie universe: you're right, but luckily, you can order breakfast all day (though they close at 4 pm)
jason: i saw your comment appear in my email, and at first, i had no idea which post it was for, and thought it was for the one about caffe delfini, and i was like "yeah! damn right my dinner date was a tool!" (even though, in reality, he wasn't) lol!
sarah says
xericx: you ate at arby's?!?! okay, i have to admit that i used to loooove the beef n cheddar. wow. those were the days, when i could be happy with a 99 cent pseudo meat and vinyl cheese sandwich. horsey sauce. LOL!
foodie universe: you're right, but luckily, you can order breakfast all day (though they close at 4 pm)
jason: i saw your comment appear in my email, and at first, i had no idea which post it was for, and thought it was for the one about caffe delfini, and i was like "yeah! damn right my dinner date was a tool!" (even though, in reality, he wasn't) lol!
Maure says
hey, i used to work at arby's! opening shift. for breakfast would have a bowl of arby-q, chocolate milk and their "brownie". now that was a wholesome meal.
by the way, i can get anyone a deal on some second hand horsey sauce - no questions asked.
Xericx says
I wonder if they still have the Jamoca shakes. I love the Beef N' Cheddars.....I was starving and my office was like a mile away.....didn't feel like chicken cafe...and....why am I justifying eating at arbys...i wanted some "roast beef" sandwhich (although I settled for a "turkey rueben" sandwhich).
Horsey sauce rocks.
sarah says
maure and xericx: how did you guys turn a post about "chad" into a comment thread about arby's?!?! LOL!
just for that, i might actually go and look at an arby's. maybe go in. i don't know if i could eat there, though. i think i'd rather eat half a can of spam (but not a whole can - what am i crazy?)
Maure says
sarah: i'm going to send you my recipe for peanut-butter filled spam with a lobster coulis - on a bed of foie gras and caviar gelee.
as chad would say - yummers!
fyi, when you do go into arby's, don't ask for the roast beef rare or well-done. you don't want to know how they do that.
Catherine says
lazy daisy cafe! i worked there one summer during college when i would return from the east coast and interned in downtown. i lived just a few blocks from the lazy daisy then; on the days i alternated my paying job with my non-paying internship, i enjoyed every moment of the commute from the westside of Wilshire Blvd to the eastside of Wilshire Blvd, scattered with UCLA bus riding college students as it tapered to L.A.'s hispanic community hard at work on the streets of downtown: i missed l.a.'s diversity, something Pa. lacked. anyway, LDC rocks! inexpensive breakfast items, bottomless cups of coffee, wonderful young proprietors and a staff to match, if i say so myself. ;)
sarah says
maure: ew. peanut butter. that might be worse than the spam ;) oh, and i think "yummers" is a little too pedestrian-Rachael Ray for chad. :)
cat: awww...that lazy daisy over on wilshire! i've seen it!
Catherine says
haha, i worked at LDC 90025 :) when i say westside, i mean westsiiiiide lol
there's also another lazy daisy, an offspring, on wilshire near miracle mile. that one even delivers! sarah, it's too bad you weren't hung-over on that side of town. ;)
plau says
I remember when a friend from up north came down here and was telling me about Togo's
talk talk talk talk about sandwiches..
Then I said "Oh, that's pretty cool.. '.. To Go... Togos.. I get it.."
He just looked at me blankly... the wheels turning in his head..
Me again, "OMG (said, not spelled), you're kidding me, you never saw that?"
Him: "Uh.. no..." Mr. Stanford kept looking in disbelief...
Me: "Well, it wasn't until recently that I figured out the whole 'Arby's' thing..."
Him: "What 'Arby's' Thing?..."
Me: "Oh.. uh.. never mind.."
Really, though, he is and was a smart guy.. just not with fast food names..
GA-GA OVER PANCAKES! says
Is this the same Lazy Daisy Cafe in Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica? I was just wondering because that place I reaaaaally loved -- especially on days when it's drizzling and everybody is trying to get a table inside the small dining area (most tables are outside) and the organic pancakes are really yummy! My special favorite is the banana walnut pancakes.....!
Anonymous says
I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEED FOOOOOOOOOOD RECIPIEEEEEEEEESS