I eat Mexican food only at places that are genuinely Mexican, not “tourist” spots that figure customers are happy if they get big margaritas, plenty of chips and a bowl of tired salsa.
Now there’s an exception. It’s Bloom Café on Pico Boulevard. This informal neighborhood eatery has an eclectic menu that ranges from Mexican through Asian to pizza, along with sandwiches, salads and pasta.
I’ve done the Asian (a whole wheat organic soba noodle salad), the pasta (summer artichoke ravioli) and the pizzas (spicy chicken; Provencal; three onions and goat cheese) It was all good, but with my taste for Mexican food, Bloom’s huevos rancheros stand out. 
Light and fresh (meaning not greasy) these eggs aren’t a bit like huevos rancheros in Mexico. The usual refried beans are missing. So is spicy salsa.
Bloom layers the fried eggs between two crisp corn tortillas. Small white beans in a mild but tasty chili sauce spill over the tortillas, and Cheddar cheese oozes onto the plate in golden rivulets. A thick cluster of avocado slices and a big blob of sour cream sit on top. Salsa, composed of chopped fresh tomatoes, onion and cilantro (no chiles) is in a separate dish.
Bloom’s fish tacos are also good. And I once had an artichoke heart salad topped with slabs of ques
o fresco (Mexican fresh cheese). A warm goat cheese and sweet corn tamale salad sounds interesting, but I’ll have to go back for that.
Bloom is as fresh and pleasant as the food. Flower pots on a counter, big bright flowers painted on the walls, airy space inside and plenty of seating outside make it a happy place to be.
Bloom Café, 5544 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019. Tel: (323) 934-6900. Open Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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