From traditional Danish flavors to elevated American fare, you will find something for everyone at Open Face Food Shop. Simply put, chef Lene Houck creates amazing menus using farm fresh, seasonal ingredients in modern, inventive pairings. Lene and her husband Mark hope that their neighbors and friends will enjoy both the food she’s lovingly created and the welcoming atmosphere surrounding it.
Homemade. Handmade. Honest.
Summer Hours:
Wednesday- Friday 11am- 4pm
Weekend Brunch 10am- 3pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Periodic Closures for Private Events are noted at the top of the page.
OK everybody, here we go! The final City Council meeting on the LA alfresco dining program is starting at 10 AM today. I really think your amazing efforts over the last couple days have had an effect and I think we have a real shot at prevailing.
We can’t thank you enough, we are deeply honored.
Call Lin and share your thoughts… Speaker mind!
Details are below, and if you can’t, crush your fingers for us and all the little “hidden gems “across LA that need your support
The Council meetings will be broadcast live on Cable Television Channel 35, on the internet at https://clerk.lacity.gov/calendar, and on YouTube. The live audio of the hearing will be available via telephone at: (213) 621-CITY (Metro), (818) 904-9450 (Valley), (310) 471-CITY (Westside), and (310) 547-CITY (San Pedro Area).
The City Council will take public comment from members of the public in the Council chamber and also by teleconference. To make a public comment via teleconference, call 1 (669) 254-5252 and use Meeting ID No. 160 535 8466 and then press #. Press # again when prompted for participant ID. Once admitted into the meeting, press *9 to request to speak.
From the bottom of our heart, thank you for all your support. You have touched us deeply and we appreciate knowing that you are there for us.
We are here for you too. 🙂
Mark, Lene and the Open Face team
. #openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
Updates! Thanks to everyone for their amazing support; it warms our hearts. We’re not quite done yet, though.
1. In response to your request for a copy/paste version of our letter to the city council there is a link in our profile available to everyone. Hope that makes it easier.
2. As requested, below is a link to the full text of the recommendations, #2 is our principal concern. In short: “When an Outdoor Parking Area is located in a building’s parking area, automobile parking spaces may be replaced by Outdoor Dining Area, except that at least one automobile parking space must be provided, unless exempted by state law.” While this language is well meaning, as you can see by the photo above we will lose the 40+ seats we have built for our neighbors. Without that, we will likely not survive as a business.
https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2020/20-1074-s4_rpt_plan_11-27-23.pdf
3. The final vote is tomorrow so there is still time to act!
Look, it’s easy to hit “Like” to a post and feel like you’ve done something but right now that’s not going to be effective. The city council isn’t reading this post, but you are.
I’ve tried to make it easy to reach out to our elected representatives but I can’t do that for you. Our officials WANT to hear from you so they can make decisions we agree with and make our lives better. Please take a minute todo just that.
We appreciate you and thanks.
Mark, Lene and the Open Face Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
Friends, this is the hardest post I’ve ever written.
Yesterday’s meeting of Planning and Land Use Management didn’t end well for the smallest and most vulnerable restaurants in LA, but there is still time to act. If you can copy/ paste, you can help us save outdoor dining and the restaurants you love. 2 minutes, no more.
1. Copy/paste ALL the addresses below into the “To” field of a new email
2. Copy/ Paste the subject: Oppose LA Al Fresco Recommendation #2
3. Copy/paste the letter below into the body of the email, amend to suit you
4. Ask EVERYONE YOU KNOW to help. Only a massive action will move the council. Fill their inboxes 🙂
We care deeply about our community.
Help us preserve what we have created.
With thanks,
-Mark, Lene and the Open Face Team
Addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Councilmembers,
I write today to share my opposition to Recommendation #2 of the proposed Al Fresco ordinance.
This provision will put the smallest of our neighborhood restaurants at serious risk of closure, places we love and that improve our lives. They NEED the extra capacity the program provides to offset rising costs.
This must be supported, not curtailed.
It's worked for the last 3 years and we don’t want it changed. Recommendation 2 is a “one size fits all” solution to a complex issue and will harm local businesses we love. You can do better.
Help small businesses and move to a greener future. Help us build on what YOU created. The program works and must be supported. Oppose #2.
Thank you, (name)
Need your help!!
Hi, everybody.
We just learned that today will be the last day for public comment regarding changes to the LA alfresco dining program before the city council. Some of the new changes they have slipped in at the last minute, could cripple us or, heaven forbid, force us to close. It’s serious.
The new regulations would force us and all restaurants to maintain one parking stall on premises. This may not sound like a lot to ask since parking LA is a problem for everyone and for larger restaurants, it’s not an issue.
For us and all of the small restaurants like us however, it would mean the loss of most, if not all of our outdoor dining which you have all come to know and appreciate. Those extra seats have allowed us to survive the worst of what Covid had to throw at us… It would be a shame to say the least, if we were finally filled by a single parking space.
https://cityclerk.lacity.org/publiccomment/
File number 20-1074-S4
PLEASE follow the link
above and place your comment in support of small restaurants like ours and let them know they should rethink a more nuanced approach that works for everyone in the community.
thank you as always for your amazing support and remember, today is the last day for public comment! 🙂
Lene, Mark and Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
Hail to the King!
While the product we get from @the_freshfoodies_kitchen is always beautiful, this week they’ve really outdone themselves:)
These gorgeous King Oyster (King Trumpet) mushrooms will make a beautiful centerpiece in this week’s farmers market toast. With a slightly nutty flavor and firm, meaty texture, they are a great compliment to the other amazing mushrooms we get from Lauren and Ralph.
Black Futsu squash from Rocky Canyon and sautéed broccolini from Mendoza Farms round out the dish, a terrific testament the flavors of the season.
Here’s to autumn, to amazing ingredients, and to our unparalleled local growers!
Happy holidays, and we’ll see you soon 🙂
-Lene, Mark and the Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
Winter menu testing is officially underway!
In the pan right now, the beginnings of a spicy vegetarian stew. These are homegrown Chile de Agua, although the final recipe is still taking shape.
One thing’s for certain though, with colder weather on the way, warmer food will be required. It’s just a fact 🙂
See you tomorrow for lunch!
Lene, Mark, and the Open Face team.
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmally
20 years and counting!
Lene and I have known Hugo Gomez @gomezmunak ranch since our earliest days of catering here in Los Angeles.
He and his family are some of the most hard-working, professional and talented growers anywhere in the country and over the years we are proud to have come to know this amazing family well.
Their produce graces the kitchens of the finest restaurants in LA and offer new experiences to our own customers every day. Whenever someone tells me they “don’t like tomatoes”, I just smile and ask them to try what the Gomez family grows. We have had dozens of converts just this season 🙂
The best news? Hugo told me at the market this week that if they don’t have a hard frost, they might have tomatoes through the END OF THE YEAR … Imagine heirloom, tomatoes and burrata at your Christmas table! Fingers crossed the weather holds.
Thank you to all of the hard-working growers at Gomez Munak for helping us serve our amazing customers the best food available every day. We are proud to call you our friends.
See everyone soon!
-Mark, Lene and the Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
Beautiful Fresno chilies, ready for pickling!
As we enter into the turn of the seasons, it’s so exciting to have access to the amazing produce we’ve missed since last fall.
This week @weiserfamilyfarms had the most gorgeous (and spicy!) Fresno chilies just in time for the cooler weather ahead. Can’t wait to share them with you!
As we begin to head into the holiday entertaining season, please remember to check the website or here on Instagram for upcoming catering closures and special hours.
And while we’re at it, don’t forget to stop by our sister store @hyawestadams for your holiday gift giving! So many beautiful new items are arriving daily we hardly have time to keep up! 🙂
See you soon for a spicy avocado burger and pickled chilies, and thanks as always for your amazing support. We appreciate you 🙂
Lene, Mark and the Open Face Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
It’s not often that something at the market surprises us (after all these years) but these gorgeous Chestnut mushrooms from @mahealanifarms actually made me do a double take. Simply spectacular.
They’re as delicious as they are beautiful, too. The crisp, elegant stem has a fresh nuttiness that surprised us all in the kitchen. The cap is earthy, but not funky… Really lovely.
And we haven’t even cooked them yet!
They certainly earned their place in our mushroom toast this week, at least until we run out. Along with our other beauties from @the_freshfoodies_kitchen this has turned out to be a really wonderful week.
No, I am not going to make a “fun guy“ joke this is serious business.🤪
Come visit!
– Mark, Lene, and the Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmallt
Hi, everyone. We will not be open today.
We are concerned that our staff will be traveling home during the worst of the rain and it doesn’t make sense to only be open for a couple hours this morning. Taking carte of people is our first priority.
Instead, we’ll finish the new Peach Ginger Shrub (!!) do paperwork and start getting prepped for our long catering week which will keep us closed until the 30th.
Additionally we could be looking at power outages, street flooding etc… all depends on how angry Hillary gets and where all the water decides to go.
Stay home, have a cup of tea and listen to the rain. As an East coaster and a Native Dane, we’ve always liked the sound of rain (Hey! I rhymed!) 🙂
See you on the 30th and keep your fingers crossed for our friends in the desert, they are probably going to get the worst of it. Stay dry.
Warm regards on a wet day,
- Mark, Lene and the open Face Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmallt
Thank you, Dad.
For raising us with a firm but gentle hand. I’m stronger and gentler for it.
For teaching me everything… but most of all the feeling of family, the beauty of laughter, the power of community and the LOVE of food.
Thank you for always making us such wonderful lunches before we left for school. We felt how much you cared for us every day. They are some of my most powerful memories.
Thank you for teaching me that I should always have enough in my pocket to make it home safely on my own.
I’ve always made it home, Dad. I’m safe, surrounded by people that love me… and I’m not alone.
Thank you for welcoming Mark. He loves me deeply, and he loved you too.
Thank you for teaching me that there should always be enough to share, no matter who stops by unannounced.
We have a beautiful sandwich shop now, Dad. We take care of our neighbors and we always try to have enough, no matter who stops by. I hope you would be proud.
Thank you.
You were always the strongest of your friends, Dad; amazingly strong… and always the gentlest. Together you and Mom raised four beautiful, determined and loving Danish women. Even if I’m far away in Los Angeles I will always be that, and it’s because of you both. Because of you.
They say a true test of a man’s strength is how he cradles a baby. You wrapped us all in so much love, so much kindness… so much respect… that I know I can handle just about anything. Even this.
You were the strongest of men, Dad. Our guiding star.
Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you.
You were wonderful man, Niels Flemming Andersen.
You were powerful and kind, thoughtful and fierce, protective and still willing to let us make some mistakes… to be exactly who we are. Who you helped us become. You were deeply, endlessly loved.
You lived a good life, Dad. A really, really good life. Just how you wanted it.
You live on in us all and you will always will.
Thank you. I’ll try to make you proud.
Your daughter,
~Lene Flemming Andersen
@openfacefoodshop @regardingherfood @hyawestadams
From the “Did NOT see that coming” department:
Lene spotted this little marvel earlier today on our way to work.
Yep, that’s actually a cherry tomato, growing 6 feet off the ground in the crotch of a tree outside our gate. Will wonders never cease…
Just another example of how amazing our world can become when we take a minute to look around. Just incredible:-)
Take a minute and share something that amazed you this week!
See you all on Wednesday!
-Mark, Lene, and the Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmallt
Apologies, everyone, but we got a couple curveballs this week.
Old buildings need maintaining and we are a couple days behind where we planned after the weekend. We will be closed Wednesday to finish up and Thursday for an off site event. We REALLY apologize for the late notice but you all know we need to be prepped and ready when we open our doors; you are our friends and nothing but our best will ever do.
We will get everything done by Friday and we'll see you this weekend with a couple new items to surprise and delight 🙂
Thanks for being so amazing, all the time. We appreciate you!
Mark, Lene and the Open Face Team
PS- Thanks to Dall-e for the graphics help with "Tiny hero fights fire breathing restaurant stove", Lascaux cave painting style. Heh, heh, heh.
PPS- the stove is fine, I just liked the drama. See you Friday 🙂
M&L
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
You are a treasure…
Tough in the face of hardship and kind in the cause of charity, you inspire us all to be our best in everything.
You are so skilled at so many things, I think I’ve lost count. You are, nonetheless, humble about it all.
You are one of the most diligent, hardest working people I’ve ever met, especially when someone else’s well being is involved. This sort of generosity is so rare, so beautiful to see… it leaves me speechless.
You are beautiful, loving, caring and warm. All these things, and still a “straight shooter” when you need to be.
You are simply a marvel…
…and I am a lucky man.
Today on your birthday my wish for you is to see yourself as others do, as I do.
As we all do.
I know sometimes it’s hard, but you got this.
Happy birthday, beloved.
Happy Birthday, Lene.
Until the end of our days,
Mark
#happybirthdaylove #openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
What a Wednesday!
The Santa Monica farmers market is truly inspiring this time of year. Today’s highlights?
50 pounds of incredibly flavorful bing cherries from @peaches.la_ What shall we do with them? They were so beautiful I couldn’t pass them up. 🙂
50 pounds of magic Myrna potatoes from the amazing @weiserfamilyfarms
Baby squash and zucchini from @valdivia_farms
Gorgeous, fennel, purslane and spinach from @jimenezfamilyfarm
Beautiful and rare Momotaro tomatoes from a good friend @stephenfukumoto
And of course, six cases of greens from @the_garden_of_ that are so beautiful they look like they have been Photoshopped! 🙂
With huge thanks to all our growers for giving us access to the best produce on the planet. Come sample the bounty of the first days of summer!
See you soon,
Lene, Mark, and the Open Face Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
What’s so special about Wild Oregon Bay Shrimp? A whole lot.
Recently recommended by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program as a "Best Choice" for environmentally concerned seafood consumers, these sweet and delicate little marvels are as close as we can get to the Greenland shrimp Lene grew up with in Denmark (and they are right on the mark).
One of only a handful of shrimp species we can get that are NEVER frozen, Wild Oregon Bay Shrimp are highly seasonal and only available during the summer months. The flavor and texture are both unique and familiar at the same time; sweeter and more delicate than any other shrimp we’ve ever had.
Served in a style reminiscent of the classic East Coast Lobster Rolls, the Larder Bakery split top brioche and incredibly fresh salad from our friends at The Garden Of make this truly one of the best shrimp dishes you’ll find anywhere in LA.
If you are a shrimp lover, this sandwich was made for you.
Wild
Seasonal
Incredibly fresh
Certified Sustainable
Absolutely delicious
Only @openfacefoodshop
That’s what makes the Wild Oregon Bay Shrimp sandwich so special.
See you soon! 🙂
Lene, Mark and the Open Face Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord #scandifood
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall #larderbakingco #the_garden_of_
More Gaviota strawberry shrub in the works!
You all drank the first 10 gallons so fast we didn’t even get a chance to put it in the store @hyawestadams !
It’s OK, we’re making more right now. So many of you said it’s your favorite we figured we had to 🤗
Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, and thanks to @tamaifamilyfarms for the gorgeous berries (seriously, look at ‘em!!
-Lene, Mark and the Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
“Who’s on the menu this week?”
This is such an amazing time of year… everything is just perfect and summer isn’t even here yet!
This week:
@weiserfamilyfarms potatoes, Nantes carrots, sprouting broccoli and cauliflower
@the_garden_of_ Salanova and Gem hearts (first time!!)
@stephenfukumoto Momotaro tomatoes (really going to miss these)
@jimenezfamilyfarm Fennel and cauliflower heads
@tuttifruttifarmsca green cabbage
@harrysberries Gaviota strawberries (what else?)
@j.g.berries amazing bush berries
We are so grateful to our growers for always…week after week, season after season for more than 2 DECADES… giving us access to the work of their talented hands. We’re so lucky- Stop by and let us
show you how lucky we are!
-LeneMark and the Open Face Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
What an amazing Saturday!
Super busy, super smooth, just the way it ought to be.
Now, for a cocktail to celebrate… How about this?
“The Super Saturday”
2 oz. Bulleit 95 Rye
1 oz Open Face house made pomegranate shrub
.25 oz fresh lemon juice
1 Ojai Pixie, juiced
Small splash elderflower syrup (optional)
1 oz soda
Simple, fast and delicious!
Thank you to all of our amazing and valued supporters (especially to Mark S. for the pixies!).
More than anything thank you to all our veterans for their heroism and commitment. We are all better off because of their sacrifice. #rememberthefallen
Happy Memorial Day to everyone.
See you for brunch tomorrow!
-Lene, Mark and the Open Face Team
#westadams #westadamsla #losangeles #hiddengem #losangelessale #hya #shoplocalla #supportlocalla #localla #adamsblvd #smallbusiness #hyageneralstore #smallbusinesssale #westadamssmallbusiness #shoplocalsalela #cumulusdistrict #midcityla #shopsmall #bestgifts #regardingher #womenowned #laistgifts #memorialday #rememberthefallen
What day, what day, What a day!
We are SO grateful to all of you for your support while we worked on this fantastic and deeply meaningful event.
NFYI (National Foster Youth Institute) seeks to place alumni of the child welfare system at the center of child welfare policy discussions and strengthe the social safety net for vulnerable children and families.
more to come when we have a little more time, but I can’t imagine a better way to spend the day. We’re both energized, and frankly… pretty tired:-)
Thank you all again, and we’ll see you for brunch tomorrow!
Lene, Mark, and the Open Face team.
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
