It was only a matter of time before cheery all-day café Little Ruby wound up on the West Coast. The Aussie concept, which already has two outposts in New York, is prime fodder for our sun-worshipping city; there are salads, cauliflower rice bowls, juices and—of course—avocado toast, all available on a breezy patio that opens up onto Santa Monica Boulevard. It seems a sure-fire destination for Angelenos, especially given its prime location: Today, Little Ruby opens in Santa Monica, just off Ocean Avenue and a short walk from the beach.
There’s been a spur of Aussie-backed concepts—see: Great White—where laid-back, day-long fare often takes the lead in casual and breezy spaces full of natural light and “brekkie.” At Little Ruby—which comes by way of Nick Mathers of Eveleigh and Goldie’s, Tim Sykes of Ruby’s Café in NYC and chef-partner Thomas Lim of Goldie’s in L.A. and Duke Bistro in Sydney—expect this and a bit more, with a handful of hearty pastas and stacked burgers at the ready.
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Because all that Aussie living—surfing, shopping and wandering in the sun, so you know, essentially our own lifestyle—can work up a thirst, there’s also a beverage program that’s focused on bubbly, vibrant spritzes, wines, sangrias and mimosas. Not one for boozing on a patio in the sun? (Come on.) There’s also fresh-pressed juice, like the house-made basil lemonade, cucumber-and-ginger elixir or some young-coconut juice, not to mention smoothies and a full espresso bar.
Round out your meal with a few classic Australian treats, from sticky date pudding to the Banoffee Pot, where bananas meet dulce de leche, cream and a cookie crumble.
Take a peek at some of the juices, salads, burgers and prime hangout spots in your future, then head in for a taste of Oz:
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Photograph: Courtesy Little Ruby/Jakob N. Layman
Little Ruby is now open at 109 Santa Monica Boulevard, serving from 8am to 11pm, daily.