Alfalfa

Whenever we have visitors in LA, we urge them to go to the Main Street part of Santa Monica instead of the Promenade part. But there’s one catch—lunch. You can always grab quick omusubi at Sunny Blue, but when we’re in the mood to sit down for a salad or sandwich, we’ve been disappointed by soulless sandwiches and salads at Shoop’s and Urth. That’s why we love Alfalfa, a transplant from Hoboken, New Jersey (didn’t see that coming) that pulls off the counter-service salad-wrap-coffee thing. Their sunny back patio is ideal for catching up with a friend over matcha and lunch or an excellent breakfast burrito with silky eggs and charred, shredded potatoes.

photo credit: Andrea D'Agosto