Lesley BallaThere's something new happening at Auntie Em's Kitchen in Eagle Rock, and it's not just the seasonal strawberry cupcake with orange cream cheese icing. A few months ago, chef and owner Terri Wahl updated the space and opened a fantastic little marketplace for take-out food, cheese, charcuterie and gifts. She had us at the jam selection alone.
Auntie Em's is still the go-to spot for hipster-happy breakfasts, comfort-food lunches, and, of course, cupcakes. But now you have a newly organized dining room and a pretty expansive covered patio out back, in addition to all the sidewalk tables. That means there's more room to spread out, especially for the special farmers market dinners that Wahl holds: The next one is July 20.
Credit: L. Balla
Some other nips and tucks include switching entryways so you no longer walk into the kitchen to order before sitting down. Now you enter the bright and cheery marketplace–the walls are covered with paintings inspired by ads from the '40s and '50s–where you can pick up sweets and other treats, like Auntie Em-made cakes, pies, pickles, condiments and soups.
Wahl says her favorite part is finding other unique gift items to showcase, like the colored French glassware and linens, cool tin boxes, books, candles, vases and other gift-y things. There are a slew of artisanal goods, most made on the West Coast, like Happy Girl Kitchen jams and pickles, Echo Park's Laura Ann's Jams (Laura Ann Masura actually works at the cafe), and Highland Park's Bitter Tears bitters (Peppercorn bacon! Hibiscus lavender!).
“We consider this our gourmet pantry of general deliciousness,” says Wahl. And who doesn't need that?
Credit: L. Balla
Fresh coat of paint
New covered patio out back.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.