The new Joan's on Third: Open early

The newly expanded Joan's on Third has finally opened (looking very sparkly and very Dean & DeLuca) so  I stopped in for breakfast this morning. Breakfast for me turned out to be a latte and gelato in brioche -- a big scoop of dark chocolate gelato (from the new gelato bar) sandwiched between a sliced brioche bun and sprinkled with powdered sugar and wrapped in white paper. "Just like on the streets of Palermo," said manager Chester Hastings.

But the real breakfast menu from the new kitchen includes a soft-boiled organic farm egg with toasted  pain de mie, a French omelette with sour cream (owner Joan McNamara used to have an omelette restaurant in New York), buttermilk pancakes and chocolate French toast. An antique communal table is decorated with rosemary topiary. (Joan's planning to hit the flea market when she's in Rome next month for more of her final touches.)

The cheese counter has expanded, there's more wine (and wines by the glass will soon be offered) and a new olive bar; you'll even find some fresh produce and frozen cookie dough in the back corner.

And they're now open at 8 a.m. (until 8 p.m.), for those early-morning gelato-in-brioche cravings.

Joan's on Third, 8350 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 655-2285.

-- Betty Hallock

Photos by Betty Hallock