You wake up in the morning and what do you do first?

Maybe you hit the snooze button, say a prayer, or you toggle through a series of apps on your phone. Heck, maybe you do all the above, I know I do. When I get my bearings at the top of the day, I figure out what’s on the radar for breakfast. I could go the boring route and boil an egg and quietly pretend that it’s something more than what’s in my hands. Or I could get dressed and visit a restaurant for something that’s worth getting out of bed to have. Honestly, more often than not it’s the egg scenario, but recently I put on decent clothes and made my way to Poppy and Rose in Downtown Los Angeles, because I not only wanted a great breakfast but darn it, I deserved it.

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At the time, there was nothing that I did that would make me be deserving of such a great breakfast, but who am I to say no to anything so satisfying. Finding parking within the flower district and a short walk landed me at the black-owned American style restaurant. Opened and operated by Michael and Kwini Reed, the restaurant is simple and comforting the moment you walk in. While the chairs may be stacked and the tables form a barricade due to COVID-19, the space carries reminiscent notes of the days before the pandemic. From the art on the walls to the trinkets on shelves the restaurant has manage to carry the energy of past as if it won’t let it go until a new return is established.

Although I was only in the space briefly, the moment the food arrived time seemed to slow down.

Minutes moved like hours when looking at the Acai Coconut Bowl ($14). Frozen acai was covered in banana slices, goji berries, strawberries, a cluster of blueberries, granola, and cocoa nibs. Barely sweetened, the cold acai had such a refreshing taste on a hot day that cooled down the body. The addition of the fruit with crunchy granola managed to bring it all together to make it not only beautiful but incredibly satisfying.

Time crept along gradually as the scent of the Buttermilk Fried Chicken + Waffle ($15) wafted across my face. As straightforward as the name implies, the plate took two pieces of fried chicken and placed them on top of a beautifully browned waffle sprinkled witch chives and served with honey butter and maple syrup. It a pleasant way to ease into a breakfast that would start the day and move you forward until lunch. Whimsical and delectable, it’s one to order at least once.
While waking up comes with its own series of decisions in how to maneuver through the day, breakfast at Poppy + Rose will always be a great option. Hit the snooze button once or twice, say a morning prayer, and spend more time browsing through your phone then necessary. Once that’s done, make your way to Poppy + Rose for a breakfast that will be the best jumpstart of your morning that you deserve. Even if you’re only there to grab your food and go, do it—I’m sure you deserve it.

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Address: 765 Wall St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: (213) 995-7799
Hours: Daily – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Social: Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.