Bringing Farm Fresh to Your Plate: Farmhouse Celebrates Seasonal Fare

Farmhouse Eggs Benedict with Salmon. Executive Farmer, Nathan Peitso, works directly with his family farm and the region’s top farmers to grow, harvest, and create seasonal and vibrant dishes. (Photo:Ruksana Hussain)

​Los Angeles’s leading farm to fork restaurant FARMHOUSE opened doors in the city amid much fanfare March last year at the Beverly Center – the launch day party was the talk of the town for days after. The city’s culinary aficionados certainly took note of the grand debut and many remarked rather surprised that the space was helmed by Executive Farmer Nathan Peitso.
 
You did read that right…Executive Farmer. Peitso comes from more of an agricultural background, farming at Kenter Canyon Farms until this venture was announced. While meat is served at FARMHOUSE, Peitso shines the rare spotlight on veggies, many of which are from his own farm and the rest sourced from other local farms. If you wanted to know where your food came from, there’d be no doubt when dining here. 

Bloody Mary and Farmers Scramble. Executive Chef Craig Hopson – a featured chef of the James Beard House and veteran of Michelin-starred kitchens - uses grain for the pasta, pizza and bread from Peitso’s family farm.

Don’t take my word for it though. Peitso is usually at the restaurant greeting guests and available to answer questions while Executive Chef Craig Hopson takes the lead in their open style kitchen, managing a fine crew of kitchen and floor staff. The restaurant itself has an airy open feel with sort of multiple individual rooms seamlessly flowing into each other though each is slightly different in décor. 
 
The living room, the lounge, the café, and the veranda provide multiple seating areas and a few different choices for dining depending on your party. My favorite is the living room with the fireplace, though pretty much any spot would make a good corner for a couple or for a larger group of guests. There isn’t a wrong choice in this restaurant, that’s for sure. And ample parking is a blessing, you know how much that factors into plans in L.A.

Cheers to the weekend buffet which is not pictured here so you will have to visit to see it for yourself! Peitso creates a seasonal farm-traceable “seed-to-plate” cuisine that showcases ingredients at their peak each month. (Photo:Ruksana Hussain)

As for the menu, the cuisine is North American. Expect what’s in season to be on your plate – you can even check the website where they update this information monthly. I was especially happy to see beets, carrots, and cabbage and cauliflower options available this month. You can also see their social media for what’s currently being served.
 
Sourcing locally and seasonally gives Farmhouse the advantage of not charging the heavens for a good meal in a fancy looking spot. Or at least, that is what Peitso has chosen to focus on. Honestly, take one look at the weekend buffet and what they charge for that healthy selection, variety and quantity – that is no joke by L.A standards. (I’ll save you the trouble – its only $32, you are welcome).

The chocolate tart for dessert. They also have a pear crostata that is still calling my name so you might see me back there when yo visit. (Photo:Ruksana Hussain)

​My visit over was on a Saturday about noon and said buffet was in full force, folks plating endless portions of starters and sides – they have more than ten on offer – and a choice of mains from a handful of options including croque madame and eggs benedict. Decided to go a la carte though, see pictures for the choices. I will say their cocktail menu is quite enticing as well – the mimosa and bloody mary pairing just right.
 
Dessert was a chocolate tart with candied pecan and orange. Overall, great portions and an enjoyable dining experience. I especially appreciated the open floor plan, almost bringing the green and fresh air of the farm to the middle of a crowded indoor shopping mall, that you forget you are pretty much seated in the corner of one of the busiest intersections in the area!

So you can see why the living room is my favorite. Tell me yours after you visit. (Photo:Ruksana Hussain)