Eat Out. Food + Lab.

Silverlake surely isn't lacking another great brunch spot, but that doesn't mean they don't stop popping up. And I'm definitely not complaining -- especially when it brings us places like Food + Lab.

Food + Lab already has a location in West Hollywood, but opened up its Eastside branch just a few months ago out on Sunset, down a storefront from Dusty's. And it already fits in perfectly -- a casual joint that's friendly and has stellar cuisine. All the menu choices are scrawled on blackboards against the back wall, and filled with organic and vegan choices. But you also have your usual indulgences, and an overall balanced menu featuring delicious ingredients.

Above, you'll see potato, onion, gruyere and bacon omelette, which packed with goodness and the perfect sort of accent from the cheese. The sandwich was the organic chicken with gouda, sundried tomato aioli, and arugula on cibatta bread, of which the aioli was quite amazing. And I couldn't even fit our massive bowls of coffee into the picture. But overall, the food had rich flavors thanks to fresh ingredients, and portions were perfect -- filling but not overwhelming. I'm dying to try the sunny-side eggs and Australian speck featured on the website.

Yep, just another great brunch spot in Los Angeles. Us spoiled folk we are.
Food + Lab is located at 3206 West Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Do It. EATLACMA Public Fruit Jam.

Fallen Fruit is one of my favorite homegrown community efforts. The collective began as a way to map the spots in Los Angeles where one might be able to obtain public fruit, or rather free food, like in areas where tree branches grew over sidewalks or public property. Soon, they grew their fruit-finding horizons, teaching people about fruit with neighborhood fruit tours and advocating for public gardens. Most recently, they've taken part in and planted a garden for LACMA's latest program, EATLACMA, which explores the role of food in art and culture.

And to celebrate its participation in EATLACMA, Fallen Fruit is presenting one of its most popular and well-loved activities: the public fruit jam. In this event, people are invited to bring their public fruit and then learn how to make jam with it. No recipes are used, so as to come up with unique and original flavors. It's practically like performance art, and at the end of the day, you get to take home a jar of your own homemade jam.

And it's all free, with tickets to be handed out the day of from noon-3pm--but come early because the event is sure to be popular. And remember to consult the fruit maps beforehand, you'll want to bring your own public fruit finds for the full experience.

EATLACMA Public Fruit Jam takes place this Sunday at 12 p.m. in Hancock Park at LACMA, located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. in Miracle Mile.

-- Chau Tu