The Eats: An assortment of light and spring-inspired brunch options
The Location: The Valley
The Vibes: Trendy, cute, quaint
Good for: Alone, dates, groups (large and small)
When-To-Go: Sundays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., for brunch
The $$ Factor: Entrées range from $14 - $26
The Names behind the scenes: Chef Perry Pollaci
The 4-1-1: Firefly is also open for dinner, daily
Parking Situation: Valet parking and plenty of free street parking
I’ll Be Back…: For the Thick Cut Brioche French Toast!
Firefly is a bar/restaurant/lounge in Studio City that somehow manages to be simultaneously chic and chill. With a rather dapper crowded, an unmarked entrance covered behind a wall of vines and a somewhat happening vibe, the space makes it feels like you’re in a trendy part of WeHo or DTLA, rather than in the Valley. Firefly is absolutely gorgeous, and IMO, one of its biggest selling points is its semi-enclosed outdoor patio, complete with a roaring fireplace and secluded, tucked away seating areas (pictured below).
I’ve been a fan of Firefly for quite some time now, but I had only been for dinner and evening cocktails.
Last month though, I saw another side of Firefly, when I was invited for a media tasting event to check out its Sunday brunch. Although brunch here has been offered for a few years now, Chef Perry Pollaci came onboard last Fall 2016 and has been busily putting his own personal touch on the menu. Now, there are eight main entrees, a handful of sides and a few breakfast cocktails.
We had a chance to sample almost every item on the menu, and if I had to describe a common thread between everything, words like light, fresh and flavorful immediately come to mind.
With that said, here's a quick snapshot of a few brunch items worth mentioning:
The Cocktails. Firefly boasts a host of breakfast libations to pair with any item. There are three types of flavored Bellinis — peach, berry and strawberries — and two types of Bloody Marys, including a super hot and spicy one that’s made with Sriracha sauce. There are a few more additional specialty cocktails, including the Pineapple Express, pictured below, made with vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon and pineapple. Pretty to look at, and delicious to sip!
The Pastries. Firefly features an assortment of pastries from the well-known La Brea Bakery. I typically wouldn’t rave about pastries — especially if there are so many other more filling options — but there is one here that’s totally worth mentioning: a fabulously decadent croissant. Fluffy, flaky and oh so buttery, it’s topped with a sugary almond butter spread and chopped almonds. Not to be missed!
The Avocado Toast. Firefly has its very own twist on this L.A. staple. Creamy avocados cover a warm, toasted baguette; red and orange chili flakes on top provide a subtle spicy kick.
The Egg Scrambles. There are two types of scrambles: one with veggies and one with lobster. The ingredients in the veggie scramble change weekly, depending upon what’s in season and available at a local farmer’s market right up the street. The lobster scramble is exquisitely rich and fancy, made with truffle butter and topped with caviar.
The Thick Cut Brioche French Toast. As the sweetest entrée offered, it’s like this French Toast is on steroids, with such indulgent and over-the-top garnishes. It’s not only maple syrup; it’s spiced maple syrup. And it’s not only whipped cream; it’s vanilla whipped cream. Brandy roasted apples also come alongside the French toast, which itself is crunchy and covered in cinnamon and sugar.
Bonus – The Hamachi. While not on the brunch menu, the Hamachi can still be ordered upon request. There have been several past Hamachi renditions, and this most recent one has a pleasant juxtaposition of crunch and smoothness, thanks to a tower of crunchy root vegetables and soft hearts of palms piled high on top of a bed of ahi tuna. A tangy Yuzu Kosho sauce covers it all.
Other brunch items on the brunch menu include the Steelhead Salmon, a Market Kale salad, a Wagyu Burger, Jidori Chicken and a Hanger Steak.
So the next time you're looking to do some al fresco brunching on the weekend, especially as we ease into spring, consider Firefly. It has the perfect ambiance to bask in beautiful weather and also an array of vibrant breakfast and lunch items to enjoy.
See you there soon!
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