Local produce, happy people and the best BLT you will ever have in Los Angeles are the things you will find on the corner of Magnolia and Whitsett Avenue.
The Harvest Moon is an American breakfast, lunch and now dinner spot, in Valley Village that has brought many people for dining or just simple pass-time.
The owners are former high school sweethearts and now married couple Christina and Rick Drapkin who both grew up in the neighborhood. As locals they have incorporated the theme of local vendors, local producers, in-house bakery and much more into their concept.
“It’s about creating a community place, more than just a place for people to eat,” said general manager Devin Curry.
He said that they started out as a catering company serving food for children. Harvest Moon is currently involved with the lunch program at the Wesley School in North Hollywood and serves nutritious and organic food.
The Bowl is a good example of local produce integration consisting of your choice of brown rice or quinoa, brussel sprouts, baby spinach and butternut squash. There is also a list of different proteins you can chose from. Harrissa sauce, an on the side option, is light, healthy and affordable.
If you are up for indulging in something a little heartier, bacon is recommended. It’s in their BLT made with fresh tomatoes and lettuce stacked up on top of thick slices of sweet and spicy bacon and lemon aioli on grilled country white bread.
Providenza Catalano, a local, comes to the Harvest Moon often and says it’s not solely for the food,
“Most spots in L.A. feel impersonal, this feels like a neighborhood place,” she said.
When asked what her favorite thing on the menu is she said that she gets the same thing every time – the BLT. Her friends Summer Benton and Anita Brown, who are here for the first time, enjoyed a vegan breakfast burrito and the steak burrito. Both were satisfied with the taste and prices.
For hot days you might want to get their cooling lemonade, with the flavor of the month, and the extra kick is that you can refill your cup as much as you want. For a caffeine kick, the Macadamia Joy latte is definitely a favorite here.
The restaurant has also extended its hours for dinner, and as a way to expand that audience, they will soon be serving alcoholic beverages and showcasing the local products such as California wine and new California craft beers.
The atmosphere here at the Harvest Moon is quite pleasant. It gets busy but the variety of people dining seem very happy and content, and so are the staff. Throughout the busy day waiters were constantly polite, upbeat and made sure everyone got their food on time.
If you are around in the Valley Village area, be sure to pay a visit to this pleasant eatery.
