Eagle Rock:A Cozy Winter Menu from Four Cafe

This would be the third time I’ve posted about Four Cafe. I really can’t help myself. Owner/chef Michelle Wilton (easily the sweetest restaurateur on Colorado Blvd.) always manages to keep me dazzled with her ever-changing selection of comfy soups, sandwiches and salads. Her newish Winter menu is no exception.

I’ve been frequenting this perfectly casual neighborhood restaurant for 3 seasons now, and I have to admit, I always get a little antsy when I hear that the menu is about to change. I get attached, you know—especially to their soups. First, there was my beloved gazpacho, and then my fall favorite, Kabocha Squash Red Curry.

In search of a new sensation, I chose the Curry Cauliflower soup (I had to take baby steps away from the Squash Red Curry). What I appreciate most about Wilton’s cooking is that she doesn’t hide her flavors under loads of salt, a very common transgression, especially when it comes to soup creation. With this savory puree, you can actually taste the earthiness of the cauliflower and distinct curry flavor, offset by a tart green apple garnish. Its lightly grainy texture gives it a lot of substance.

Fat-bomb salads become refined and nourishing at Four. Take this Cobb Salad, for example. When you order a cobb at most restaurants, they usually hand over a bowl filled with mountainous portions of eggs and bacon deluged by dressing. Not so with Four’s rendition—it’s a generous salad, for sure, but it’s lightly dressed in red wine vinaigrette and the components are so balanced that the Point Reyes blue cheese and applewood smoked bacon don’t show up the egg and avocado.

A hearty mix of kale, root veggies and avocado, the Seasonal Salad (pictured at the top of the post) is as visually striking as it is delicious. It’s also tossed with a punchy mixture of sunflower seed and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. We opted to add smoked albacore, which took it to new, even punchier heights.

I couldn’t resist ordering the Prosciutto Wrapped Dates from the Small Bites menu. Sweet and meaty, the manchego-stuffed dates added a little decadence to the meal without going overboard. Well, it wouldn’t have been going overboard if I hadn’t eaten the entire plate all by myself.

What can I say? I shamelessly love Four Cafe.

-Valentina

P.S. I didn’t order a sandwich this time around, but I did eye the veggie burger that was served one table over. The patty is house made and the bun is brioche. The guy eating it gave it the thumbs up.

P.P.S. Try the house made sodas at Four. The grapefruit is especially refreshing and just sweet enough.

Four Cafe
2122 Colorado Blvd (Map It)
Los Angeles, CA 90041