27 Nov It’s Time To Take Notice of Commerson LA

Heading to brunch with a friend recently, we went to Commerson located in mid-Wilshire. Situated on La Brea Blvd, on the corner of 8th Street, one block south of Wilshire Blvd., Commerson has been open for two years but has gone under-the-radar. It is located in the southern corner of a large multi-use building and yet it went unnoticed. So, I am quite happy that I have now noticed it! Open for dinner Tuesday – Sunday, Commerson is open for brunch on the weekends. While the outside doesn’t look anything more than a suburban cafe, inside the space is open and bright. It is modern with light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, flat screen televisions behind the bar and minimal decor. Along La Brea and 8th Street are glass windows letting the light in. And inside, a long bar lines one of the interior walls and the kitchen is along the other. Commerson has many popular eating destinations as neighbors, including Odys + Penelope, Sugarfish and Republique. And Commerson can hold its own among its neighbors. As my friend and I were having a leisurely brunch, we enjoyed a variety of cocktails. We started with the Coffee Saliza made with bepi tosolini almond liqueur and caffe luxxe coffee and the guava, pear and sage Bottomless Bellinis. The two cocktails were smooth and balanced and went down so easily. Our second round included the Citron Presse made with Charbay meyer lemon vodka, Barrow’s ginger liqueur, Prosecco and mint and a house-made Bloody Mary. As our brunch was on the later side of the morning, we opted to start with fresh West Coast Oysters served with cucumber mignonette, cocktail sauce and lemon. The Persimmon Salad is thinly sliced persimmon topped with endive, frisse, baby arugula, Point Reyes blue cheese, candied walnuts and pomegranate vinaigrette. Tinga Sopes are housemade sopes with a poached egg, chicken tinga, black beans, avocado mousse, cotija cheese and watermelon radish. I was intrigued by the Waffles as they were made with bacon and chives and served with vanilla butter and maple syrup. The waffles were savory and then sweetened by the syrup….and good combination. We decided to end on a sweet note and ordered the Coconut Pandan French Toast with macadamia nuts, Crusoe rum butter and coconut chantilly cream. This is some darn good French toast! We were full from our breakfast and could not eat another bite, despite being tempted by the strawberry shortcake and banana bread pudding on the dessert menu. What that means is that I will have to return to Commerson. And, now that I know where it is and how good it is, that will not be hard to do. Commerson 788 S. La Brea Los Angeles, CA (323) 813-3000 Happy Hour: Tuesday through Sunday 5 – 7 p.m. Dinner: Tuesday through Sunday at 5 p.m. Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.