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.
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
Prepping for Saturday’s big event and finishing our new Gaviota Strawberry Shrub!
Deep strawberry flavor with enough zing to make it super refreshing… A perfect complement to your Danish open faced sandwiches or burger!
Can’t wait for you to taste it when we reopen on Sunday (after Saturday’s big catering event).
Thanks again to all our amazing guests for their support! ❤️❤️❤️
-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
Record breaking Friday! … Daddy needs a cocktail 🙂
Thanks to everyone for an amazing Friday!
On a day like today we soooo feel the love and want to express our gratitude to everyone that came out to join us on a busy, beautiful afternoon. We know you have choices and we’re honored you chose us. Thank you.
Daddy’s cocktail tonight; the classic
“Brown Derby”
2 oz Woodford Reserve
1.25 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit
.75 oz honey syrup
Thanks to our neighbors Kenn Thomas and Maria Perez for the grapefruit ( from his own trees) and the honey ( from her own bees!)
So grateful to you all. See you tomorrow for brunch!
- Mark and Lene
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
First real sunrise in weeks!
With all the rain( a-a-a-allll the rain…), it seems we haven’t had a beautiful sunrise in forever.
Yeah,we have to get up early to prep everything and open the restaurant but days like today make the early hours worth it! So beautiful.
Hope everyone that didn’t get a chance to sleep and got a chance to welcome the day the same way. Looking forward to feeding you all today!
Now… where is that coffee? 🙂
-Lene, Mark, and the Open
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmalll
The upside of all this rain*
Hi, Everyone! Happy first days of spring!
With luck the “monsoon season” is pretty much behind us and we can get back to the business of serving farm fresh deliciousness in sunny comfort on a regular basis. Many, many thanks to everyone for their patience with the unpredictably wet days. We’re looking forward to more of the glorious SoCal spring weather we’ve been accustomed to from now on. Fingers crossed.
While it’s still a little early, gorgeous spring produce is beginning to peak its head around the corner at the markets and we couldn’t be more excited. Stay tuned for lots of fresh new things on the menu.
Thanks again for your support and we look forward to seeing everyone soon!
-Lene, Mark and the Open Face/ HYA West Adams team
@openfacefoodshop
@hyawestadams
*The buds are really starting to come out at the restaurant! Bonus points to anyone that can name the beautiful plant in the photo growing at the restaurant.
Hint: It’s edible… for the fearless 🙂
M
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthyeating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shops-mall
Hi, everyone. Just a quick note that we will be closed Wednesday 03.08.23 for a multi day corporate event. Sorry for the inconvenience but we’ll be open for regular service Thursday. We appreciate your patience.
For those that are curious, the photo is of the dry ingredients for our home made Danish rugbrod (Danish rye) that is the underpinnings of our beautiful Danish sandwiches. It looked so cool it almost seemed like art 🙂
Thank you to everyone for your continued support; you are the reason we get up in the morning 🙂
Mark and Lene
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthy eating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm #hyawestadams #shopsmall
Hail-leluyah! It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen hail… Not since we left the East Coast!
What an amazing, crazy thing 🙂 and now the sun is out!
Super fun
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthy eating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord #feediyourfriends
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm
A quick note of thanks
Lene and I wanted to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to all our customers, supporters and friends for helping us through a truly busy and amazing week. We have missed seeing you in person, and we are looking forward to getting the restaurant open for service again starting Wednesday.
Another great big THANK YOU to Mary Sue Milliken @regardingherfood for inviting us as well as the team at Breguet Timepeices for their kindness and support. It was a fascinating experience being around the most sublimely beautiful machines in the world and the team that creates them. They are works of art without equal and a week we won’t soon forget.
One more heartfelt thank you to everyone, and we’ll see you on Wednesday!
-Mark, Lene and the Open Face/ Food By Lene Team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthy eating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord #feediyourfriends
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm
Last evening event of the week!
Tomorrow morning we’ll make another 165 delicious meals for our Frieze friends then wave goodbye to an amazing week.
Thanks again to our hosts, to all of you and everyone who supports the arts in this incredibly creative city ❤️❤️❤️
-Lene, Mark and the Open Face team
#openfacefoodshop #westadams #healthy eating #farmersmarket #freshfood #putapickleonit #bestsandwiches #sandwich #danish #smorgasbord #feediyourfriends
#regardingherfood #saverestaurants #eatlocal #replenishrrf #cumulusdistrict #smfm #thehfm#breguet
