Bright young people, all the way down to babies, crowd into the bright young Cabbage Patch in Beverly Hills.
They line up for fresh, organic, farmers market ingredients put into sandwiches, salads and bowls, and desserts that alone are worth the trip.
It would be nice to drop in just for a whoopie pie and coffee, only there's no coffee. The options are "home-brewed" organic green or organic mint iced tea, homemade organic lemonade, water and sodas.
I ordered a BLTA sandwich in which A (arugula) replaced L (lettuce). It was actually a 3A sandwich, because aioli subbed for mayonnaise, and avocado was in there too. The bacon was what else but applewood-smoked. I guess that makes a fourth A.
The sandwich was good, but what I really liked was the sweet cabbage slaw on the side, crunchy with peanuts and laced with cilantro.
My friend's pan roasted Jidori chicken breast bowl was full of vegetables and a great mound of brown rice, too much for a tender appetite to deal with. Besides, she wanted to save room for dessert.
As soon as I got there, I scoped out the counter where the desserts sit, individually wrapped and ready to go.
The choices were Meyer lemon pound cake, a big flat everything cookie, assorted whoopie pies, a Valhrona chocolate brownie and a roasted apple blondie.
The chocolate whoopie pie was lusciously tender and chocolaty. The strawberries and cream whoopie pie was what I would call interesting.
But I adored my roasted apple blondie. Firm enough to cut into squares, it was almost entirely apple, with just a wisp of crust.
Cabbage Patch operates like a fast food place (it's painted green, naturally). You order and pay at the counter, then wait for a server to bring the food to your table. I toted my own dessert and drink, which means I owe myself a tip.
Just one thing marred our lunch. It was Tuesday, not Saturday or Sunday, when The Cabbage Patch serves brunch.
We had to sit there facing the brunch menu, written on a blackboard on the wall. It was painful to realize that we were missing out on chocolate orange scones, old fashioned doughnuts (not donuts) and sticky buns. Sometimes whoopie pies aren't enough.
The BLTA sandwich is $11, the chicken bowl is $12, and desserts are $2.75 each at The Cabbage Patch, 214 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Tel: (310) 550-8655. Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Anjali, I almost ordered the cheeseburger, it sounded so good. Next trip, I'll have to have it.
Posted by: Barbara | June 20, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I love the Cabbage Patch. I work just a few doors down and can honestly say I have never had a bad meal. The cheeseburger is incredible, although of course not as virtuous as some of their other dishes.
This is my first comment, but I've been reading your blog for awhile now. I just wanted to let you know I truly enjoy your thoughtful, well-written posts!
Posted by: Anjali | June 19, 2009 at 12:56 AM