Bloom

I'm beginning to appreciate more the idea of a good concept for a restaurant. I last blogged that MILK was so successful because you know when you go there, you can expect that most everything's made with dairy and that everything is better enjoyed accompanied with milk. I found another restaurant with a great concept- BLOOM. (It's conveniently located across the street from my chiroprator's office. I can get adjusted and then get a good meal.) When I read the sign, I expected that the menu must pride itself on freshness and the use of seasonal ingredients. When I sat down and looked at the menu, my expectations were met. The first page on the menu consisted of smoothies and juices, many made with organic fruits. The soups and salads were also made of fresh seasonal ingredients. My friend and frequent dining partner Alex has the soup du jour- a lovely baby spinach soup. It was tasty and creamy, but the spinach was the star, not the cream. He also had the vegetarian chili, which was as good as one can make a chili without any meat. I had the Moroccan Mint lamb skewers served with a delightful lentil salad and pommes frittes, crispy on the outside but soft to the taste. The green tea chai latte was also a soft subtle delight. The hit of the evening was their ginger creme brule, a light custardy sensation with a smooth spicy after kick. We gobbled it down in record time. Overall, Bloom was a delicious experience with a well-thought out concept. Nice friendly service, fun neighborhood atmosphere. Bloom is located at 5544 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019. Check out their fun website for the menu: http://go2bloom.com/