Five Leaves LA’s curvy bar is the ideal spot to try out cocktails such as the pineapple-tumeric punch, made with vodka or tequila.
When Jud Mongell opened Five Leaves with then-business partner Heath Ledger 11 years ago, the location—a dead zone between two Brooklyn neighborhoods—was questionable. But, almost immediately, word got out about the bistro’s craveable Aussie-American menu and effortlessly cool vibe, and, before long, it became one of the toughest reservations in town. With the debut of Five Leaves LA, Mongell is playing a similar hand. Located in the shadows of the Scientology center, the restaurant connects East Hollywood, Los Feliz and Silver Lake in a beautifully restored 1930s building. Mongell and executive chef Warren Baird have brought many of the flagship favorites along—don’t miss the ricotta pancakes, the Moroccan scramble, or the Five Leaves burger—and are taking advantage of L.A.’s abundant produce to create new seasonal dishes. Also notable: the coffee, made from Leadfoot, Mongell’s own brand of L.A.-roasted beans; the creative cocktails; and the stunning design by HOME Studios. Welcome to the neighborhood! 323.426.9997
Photography by: Jonny Valiant Photography
