Rich B*tch Grocery Shopping!

Though the large forehead may confuse you, I’m missing the thick thighs and tattoos. The above photo is Rihanna leaving a very ritzy market right outside of Beverly Hills.

Rich folks and celebrities need food too, right?!

Of course they do, and when they do, these are the high end grocery stores in Los Angeles you’re most likely to find them in:

Bristol Farms

9039 Beverly Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048

Let’s start with the one who’s the thumbnail of this article, Bristol Farms. This “gourmet market chain with carefully selected meat, seafood, produce, cheese, wine & imports” is absolutely immaculate. One step into the door, you can see why Bajan songstress Rihanna chooses to shop there.

Rihanna bags her own groceries at Bristol Farms in West Hollywood on March 29, 2021. source : Hollywood Life by Bonnie Fuller

Rihanna bags her own groceries at Bristol Farms in West Hollywood on March 29, 2021.
source : Hollywood Life by Bonnie Fuller

From the pictures, it looks like Rihanna may have picked up some of their hard-to-find wine. I always go for their gourmet, fresh-baked cookie. Oh my heavens! It’s so girthy and rich. (What girl wouldn’t want something with that description? [inserts sly smile]). When you walk in, bakery’s to the left. Thank me later.

The West Hollywood location is directly across the street from a Ralph’s, so whatever you can’t find (or afford) at Bristol Farms, you can conveniently hop over to Ralph’s and pick it up there, while you’re out. It’s slightly west of the Beverly Center, and a few blocks south of celebrity hot spot eateries, such as Catch LA, Bottega Louie WeHo, and Cecconi’s.

Parking is super easy at the West Hollywood location, which is not a common statement when talking about any place in Los Angeles. You can pull right into the parking lot free of charge, and even plug up your electric vehicle to charge while you go in and shop.

Bristol Farms has 14 locations total, and some other Greater Los Angeles areas with one are: Woodland Hills, Santa Monica, Westchester, and Manhattan Beach.

grocery shopping la erewhon new.jpeg

Erewhon Market

7660 Beverly Blvd Ste. A
Los Angeles, CA 90036

The New York Times recently said Erewhon has become L.A.’s hottest hangout. Yep, a grocery store… a hot spot. Erewhon and Bristol Farms are equally gorgeous. Every item is neat and in place. The signage is cute and clear. The layout is lovely. It would be like comparing Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

However, what I will say is that Erewhon seems more inviting for you to come in a hang for a bit. There’s plenty of seating, and at the one by The Grove, the first three stations you see are stay-a-while options. There’s the sushi station, the salad bar, then the buffet, the a wall of desserts, then a whole tonic bar where you can order a tiny little health shot or a whole acai bowl. All of the items are made fresh and say “eat me right now,” or at least that’s what they say to me. So, I go right outside and do just that.

While eating at Erewhon, I overhear conversations about 50-thousand-dollar losses on an investment like it’s a glass of spilled water (not even spilled milk, less troubling), or acquiring a share of a new company that now has a valuation of 90-million dollars. It’s just their regular lunch talk. It’s inspiring to be around this type of dialogue.. I’m reminded there’s so much money out there to be made.. so much more I can do.

Miley Cyrus and male friend exiting Erewhon after a successful grocery run. source : Here's What The Grocery Store Where Tons Of Celebrities Are Doing Their Pandemic Shopping Is Like

Miley Cyrus and male friend exiting Erewhon after a successful grocery run.
source : Here's What The Grocery Store Where Tons Of Celebrities Are Doing Their Pandemic Shopping Is Like

There are only six locations: Los Angeles, Calabasas, Venice, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, and Silver Lake.

Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins

710 South La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Lassens is a small health foods store with a deli, prepared foods and salad bar. Key word: health.

Lassens says it’s “supporting people who care about their health: Eco-consumers, Vegans, Raw Foodists, Foodies, Athletes, & you!”

Organic matters.

Los Angeles is a rather health-conscious city. So the previous stores on this list, and a number of others, do prioritize organic and healthy options, but Lassens only offers organic and healthy options. For example, Bristol Farms and Erewon both have whole wine sections in their stores; whereas, you will not find a drip drop of alcohol in a Lassens. Or, how I can go to Bristol Farms and get the orange chicken, whereas there’s no fried anything at Lassens.

The bakery at Lassens is all vegan, all gluten free desserts. They also offer an array of sugar-free sweets. I want no parts. I want “the cookie” from Bristol Farms with all the dairy, all the gluten, and all the diabetes. Yes, please, and thank you. It may sound as though I’m giving Lassens a hard time, but it’s actually the high end grocery store where I shop most often.. sometimes I’m there twice a day!

A couple of notable people I’ve bumped into at Lassens are Insecure’s Daniel, casting director Melana, and fashionista Tosha Eason. (Yes, Tosha was just as cute in-person, on her little beach cruiser and all, honey.)

Lassens is only in Southern California and has 11 locations, some of which are nestled into neighborhoods of Echo Park, Los Feliz, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura.

If Neiman’s and Saks were grocery stores..

They’d be these. Bristol Farms, Erewhon, and Lassens are the Neiman’s, Saks, and Nordstrom of the grocery realm. And the same way the wealthy and famous shop at those luxury fashion retailers, is the way they shop at these upscale grocery retailers.

If you’re visiting Los Angeles, pop into one of these at some point, even if it’s just for a morning cold-pressed juice to start your day. I’ve lived in and visited a great number of states, and I never knew luxury grocery shopping to be a thing until living here, so it’s definitely one of those smaller LA-lifestyle aspects worth experiencing during your visit.

If you live in Los Angeles, treat yourself to the luxury of shopping at one of these fine food shops occasionally. Or, don’t.. because you may be like me and get addicted. I honestly can’t do traditional (lower end) grocery stores anymore; I already don’t like grocery shopping, and then they’re messy, and crowded, and stuff is in the wrong place, and they don’t have truly fresh produce.. Yeah, it’s a no for me.

These upscale boutique markets are definitely pricey, but they’re worth it. It takes the chore out of grocery shopping. It makes the task more of a fun trip. (No exaggeration, my old co-worker and I would take “trips” to Bristol Farms as our outing for the day when Los Angeles was all shut down during the thick of Covid restrictions; whether we needed something or not, we’d find a reason.)

Let me reiterate, these stores are expensive. Don’t come back saying I sent you to a store and you didn’t know what you were getting yourself into. Be prepared to spend double what you would at a Walmart, per se. Okay, now that I’ve made that clear and you have your coins together, and you’re about to be all cute like Rihanna, go shop, friend! Tell me what you liked, I may want to try it out!

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Six Spots for a Southern Sunday Brunch in L.A.

After a hike at Runyon the other Sunday, a couple of my old co-workers and I sat parked along the street trying to figure out where we would go to eat. We referred back to an Instagram post I’d sent prior, and as beautiful as the Black-owned Sunday brunch spots list was, it wasn’t functional for us in that moment because only one allowed you to eat there (My 2 Cents — which is where we’d just eaten our previous Sunday linkup; plus, one of the girls wanted mimosas and that’s not something they offer). All of the other places were only doing to-go.

We’re tired of ordering to-go. We want to eat out! And, at these places, you can… literally eat out.

Los Angeles County still has quite the restrictions in place, but businesses are finding a way to stay strong during this debilitating public health crisis. From lining tables along the sidewalk, to turning parking lots into full-blown dining “rooms”, some restaurants have figured out a way to allow their guests to dine onsite with them while still following public health guidelines.

Southern brunch is like soul food for breakfast.

It’s filling, rich, and warm. These ain’t no avocado toast type joints. We’re talking thick, creamy grits. We’re talking alcoholic beverages and not worrying about it being 5 o’clock somewhere. We’re talking sweets; dessert isn’t reserved to dinner in this culinary category. (My diabetes-ridden family has me slightly paranoid and playing it safe with this one, but occasional indulgence won’t have me pricking my finger anytime soon, hunh?) We’re talking bacon-fat-cooked anything. Who’s tossing out good grease after a single use?! (Remember, soul food was born out of American descendants of African slaves using leftovers from what they had prepared for the master’s meal). Whew, don’t get me off on a tangent. Let’s get into this list!

My 2 Cents

5583 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019

You see, I’m going to be completely honest; their shrimp and grits is absolutely mouth-watering (my mouth is watering as I type this, no joke); it’s one of my favorites, but I’m still hungry after I finish them. The serving size is small. Maybe it’s only my little fat self, but I’d say you have to order something to accompany them, like maybe some biscuits, if you want to feel full. But wait, this is L.A., where people are more health-conscious than where I’m from, so someone who’s interested in lighter fare while still getting to enjoy that savory Southern cuisine may opt for this menu item.

I have been here multiple times with different friend groups, where we all order various meals and I’ve not heard one single complaint. If I haven’t ordered it myself, I’ve nibbled off of someone else’s plate (which I’m good for doing) and everything has been tasty. Their menu doesn’t confuse you with two many options, and you really can’t go wrong no matter what you choose.

Stevie’s Creole Cafe

5545 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019

If the two sisters, daughters of Mr. Stevie, that run this place, don’t know my name, they definitely know my face. It’s hard not to become a regular after eating their food. It’s so good that when I met Mr. Stevie, I had to ask him where he’s from. He told me he’s from Los Angeles, but he must’ve done some mighty good research because his Louisiana Creole-inspired fare is rather convincing. It’s not my Teedie’s, but it definitely satisfies my cravings for comfort food while in Los Angeles.

If you’re anything like me and can always make room for dessert, add an order of beignets when you visit. Baby when I tell you, they’re worth every single calorie, they’re worth it! Go bike or hike it off later ☺

Delicious at the Dunbar

4229 S Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90011

The name “Delicious Southern Cuisine”, the location in the historic Dunbar Hotel (which was once the heart of Black Los Angeles), and articles about the restaurant that focus on talking points such as a “promise to return to South LA decadence,” could easily lead one to believe that this is a Black-owned establishment. It is not. (It’s the only one on this list that isn’t.) Let’s hope those characteristics are only coincidental, and weren’t intentional to seem Black-owned in hopes of getting more of the Black dollar. I digress.

The executive chef immigrated to Los Angeles from Puebla, Mexico when he was 20 years old. He started off washing dishes at a spot in South Central LA where Civil Rights leaders would meet, went on to work at other long-standing soul food restaurants, and eventually worked his way up to Cook, then built his own foundation, that he was able to pass along to his daughter. (That’s the story I much rather hear.)

This Latina-owned restaurant boasts Southern cuisine with a Mexican-Angeleno twist. I haven’t yet ventured into the menu items with a Mexican flare, but if it’s prepared as well as any of the other dishes I’ve had, I’m sure they’re good too. For brunch, I’m stuck on the french toast because it’s crispy then a tad gooey in all the right places. Yum!

Now these next three are on my list for my next available Sundays. Though I haven’t visited yet, I personally called each one and confirmed that they are indeed offering Sunday brunch and that patrons are able to dine onsite.

BlaqHaus NoHo

11671 Victory Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91606

According to the raging reviews, this place is poppin’! Out in one of the valleys surrounding L.A., this restaurant offers all of your brunch classics, including mimosas! It’s giving bourgeoisie and down-to-earth vibes at the same time. This looks like a spot where it’s totally appropriate to arrive all dolled up.

Yes, sis, go get cute and sip your bubbly in their open-air patio dining area!

Serving Spoon

1403 Centinela Ave
Inglewood, CA 90302

This spot gives me “hey, baby, come on hea, sit down and eat you some food.” They hashtag their posts with #AintNoBetterBreakfast. And a scroll thru their feed also shows they’ve had quite some notable guests over the years, from L.A. Clippers’ Paul George to soon-to-be Vice President (we hope) Kamala Harris. It’s not some fancy smancy place that people would go to only for the look, so the actual food itself must be pretty darn good!

M’Dear’s

2450 E Carson St
Lakewood, CA 90712

A visitor to Los Angeles said in an Instagram post, “it’s like mama’s kitchen.” This little diner can make you feel at home and fill up your belly.

Gather your girls and go have brunch!

(But don’t gather too many, because even in open air spaces, Los Angeles County is still only allowing restaurants a party maximum of six; so if you show up with more than six people, they’re required to split your group into separate tables.)

Save this for later!

Who knows how long these restrictions will remain in place?! And even when they’re lifted, this is still a great list to choose from because you’ll know these spots have been in operation, even through the tough times.

All of the restaurant names in large font are links that you can click to go directly to their website, if you’d like to check out their menu or more about them.

Maybe you’re reading this and it’s not Sunday yet, or you aren’t in L.A. at the moment, or you already have plans for this upcoming Sunday… Just save this Instagram post, retweet this article, or share it on Facebook to easily come back to it when your ready to have a yummy Southern Sunday brunch in Los Angeles!