Netty's in silverlake

[Louis]

Ok my girlfriend and I went for the second time in a row for sunday brunch and were equally amazed we both could not stop thinking about the BLTA and the pancakes!!!!! We have been telling all of our friend and I suggest you check it out for yourselves quick!!! Great Job!!!!!!

[Cicely]

yeah, I went last week and really liked it... tried to post but it disappeared and I forgot to try again.

The menu is short but, as the fashionistas say of chic boutiques, well edited. There are seven options (plus kiddie plate), $10-$12, and we had a really tough time deciding what to order.

I was very attracted to the two poached eggs (on corn fritters with grilled asparagus topped with spicy bechamel sauce, pancetta and shaved Parmesan), but eventually went the way of the open-face BLTA - a pile of arugula, tomatoes, crisp bacon and avocado with basil garlic aioli, over a cheddar-chive waffle. Someone at a neighboring table was having it and raving about it.

I wouldn't get all breathless about it, but it was very good - the basil garlic aioli was a really nice touch, and the tomatoes and avocado were just at the peak of ripeness. The waffle maybe wasn't qutie as crisp as I would have liked, but I imagine that would be hard to sustain with all that was on it.

My boyfriend had the ricotta pancakes with lemon creme fraiche, maple syrup and berries. I noticed that this was the only sweet item on the brunch menu. It's just right, though - the pancakes are tender and light, and the slight tang of ricotta is amped up by the lemon creme fraiche. Note that the pancakes are daintily sized, but there are about five of them - my boyfriend said it was just enough to feel satisfied, not stuffed. But definitely not lumberjack portions.

Sometimes I get bitter about brunch - it seems we often throw away money on meals made of the cheapest ingredients around: flour, milk, eggs. The value-for-money ratio must be the lowest of any restaurant meal.

On the other hand, it is a particularly Southern Californian pleasure to spend a lazy Sunday midmorning (btw Netty's brunch is 11am-3pm) in the fresh air (ok not really outside but windows are open and plants everywhere), eating fruits and vegetables that would be hard and sour elsewhere at this time of year.

So if you live in the 'hood, or within a reasonable distance, or if you have friends who do, check out Netty's.

Link: http://www.nettysrestaurant.com/index...