Los Angeles Flower Market

It might seem crazy to drive 2 1/2 hours to go to a flower market, but in my opinion, there are crazier things in life.  I have always loved flower markets, but unfortunately the ones we have in San Diego are a bit small.  I had been hearing really great things about the Original Flower Market in L.A., and after reading online that it is the largest flower market in the United States, I decided that it was time go.

We woke up super early to beat traffic (we still ended up sitting in traffic, but just less) and try to get to the flower market to have first choice of the flowers.  Well, I now know that there is no concern about needing to get there early to have choice, this place is huge!

It is so much fun, a feast for the eyes.  You pay a tiny fee and then you are free to go through all of the markets.

oodles of orchids

we saw so many delicately shaded hydrangea

There is truly every flower imaginable.  It was almost overwhelming.  When I go to the flower market in San Diego, I never go with a plan of what to get.  Since it is so small, most of the time they are sold out of the flower or color that I want, so I just decide based off of what they have.  In L.A., you need a plan.  They have everything in any color, it feels like the Willy Wonka of flower shops.

After spending way too much time perusing, I finally decided on two beautiful flowers to bring home, white lilacs and purple bluebells.

Since we had rushed out first thing in the morning to make it to the market, we were both ready for some brunch.  Luckily the highly reviewed Bottega Louie is just a stone’s throw away.

Bottega Louie instantly draws you in with its sleek lines, marble floors, fresh flowers and endless dessert counter.  However we exercised some self-control and decided to save the dessert counter for the end of our meal and got a table right away.

We were sat just in time to still order brunch, and so glad we were able to! I started with a mimosa, and the Mr., a bellini.

As an appetizer we shared the deliciously crunchy potato pancakes.  Served with creme fraiche and homemade applesauce…yum!

For brunch we settled on sharing the eggs benedict and lemon ricotta pancakes.

Both were equally delicious and generous.  Creamy eggs spilled over the perfectly seasoned spinach and seared ham; and the pancakes were light and fluffy pouches of creamy lemon flavored goodness.  After finishing off our entrées, we had the complete pleasure of enjoying the freshly fried doughnuts.

These were the best doughnuts either one of us has ever had (and we’ve had our fair share of doughnuts).  Warm, lightly sugared, perfectly cooked.  No tough crust on the outside, no under-doneness on the inside –  just light and moist the whole way through.  Served with a deliciously tart raspberry purée that was the perfect balance to the sweetness of the doughnuts.  Since our visit, I have seriously contemplated driving up to L.A. just to grab a few.  And while you could walk in and just order one from the front dessert counter, it doesn’t come hot from the fryer like these babies.

Stuffed to the brim, we figured we should do a quick pass of the dessert counter to see if there was anything beckoning to come home with us.

more doughnuts

beautiful rows of macaroons

how cute is this little buddy?!?

Although very tempted, we both felt so satisfied with what we had already eaten that we decided to quit while we were ahead.  Flowers in hand, we hopped back in the car, and got home in time to sit out on a lounger for a bit and catch a few winks.