Willie Jane, Chef Govind Armstrong, Bartender Derrick Bass, Los Angeles, Venice, CA, California, Chef’s Recs, Chefs Feed, Where Chefs Eat, Insider Recommendations, Go Where The Pros Go, #GoWhereTheProsGo, Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, Venice Guide, City Guide, Travel Guide, Where to eat in Los Angeles, Chef’s Favorite Restaurants in Los Angeles, Venice, Chef’s Favorite Restaurants
“It is our hope for people to walk in and feel the comfort of home,” says chef Govind Armstrong about Willie Jane restaurant. He and bartender Derrick Bass are creating food and cocktails using fresh ingredients from their garden.
Chef Govind and bartender Derrick talk about the inspiration they get from their garden ingredients and pass along their tips for eating, drinking and shopping around Los Angeles.
March 10, 2014
Willie Jane’s Chef & Bartender Los Angeles Guide
Los Angeles, CA
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General Information
Willie Jane
Venice
Southern
1031 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90291
T: 310.392.2425
Website | Book a Table | Menu
Photographs courtesy of Willie Jane
Bartender Derrick
Bass
Chef Govind
Armstrong
Chef and co-owner of Willie Jane and Post & Beam in Los Angeles, and 8 oz. Burger Bar in Seattle. Raised on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, he has worked with an impressive roster of acclaimed chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Mark Peel, Nancy Silverton, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, Joachim Splichal and Juan Mari Arzak.
Bartender at Willie Jane in Venice, CA. Known for his garden-to-glass cocktails. Aside from their own garden, he sources local fruits, vegetables and herbs for his seasonally driven drinks menu.
The Experience
Govind: It is our hope for people to walk in and feel the comfort of home. Brad Johnson, the co-owner, named Willie Jane after his 100-year-old aunt who always says “another day of sunshine,” so with the food and ambience of the restaurant I hope to recreate that motto on a daily basis.
Southern Cuisine + California Ingredients
Govind: We utilize neighboring Cook’s Garden to infuse seasonality and freshness in our dishes. What’s ideal about this practice and our relationship with the garden is that it allows me to pick ingredients at any stage of their growth and incorporate them into my menu immediately, which is ever-evolving with the season. Currently, I’m cooking with their red sorrel, baby chard, upland cress, pea tendrils, mustard frill, confetti cilantro, baby blue kale, kale shelling peas. Our guests are offered California’s agriculture everyday.
Buttermilk Biscuits with Burnt Orange Honey Butter
Photograph courtesy of Willie Jane
The Cocktails | Garden Ingredients
Derrick: I have quite a collaborative process in growing unique ingredients in the garden for my cocktails. It’s ever-changing based on the seasons. I have been using a lot of rosemary, thyme, and lavender, but those are pretty typical. I’ll use summer savory, which has a unique smell that goes great in gin. In the fall, I use herbs with a more an autumn feel, such as anise, dill, pumpkin, apple and spice.
Not To Be Missed Cocktails
Derrick: The Coal Miner’s Daughter with honey, lavender, bourbon and lemon and The Floral cocktail with everything fresh from the garden: cucumbers, rosemary, thyme, and vodka. My personal favorite is the Scarlet O'Hara which combines a homemade shrub with watermelon and basil from the garden, as well as bourbon and pomegranate.
Cocktail Recipe
Get Derrick Bass’ cocktail recipe for The Coal Miner’s Daughter.
Los Angeles Guide
Eating, drinking, and shopping recommendations from chef Govind Armstrong and bartender Derrick Bass.
McCall’s Meat & Fish Company
Photograph courtesy of McCall’s Meat & Fish Company
Butcher & Seafood | McCall’s Meat and Fish Company
Govind: They always carry interesting cuts I enjoy using, especially the house-made sausages. They can just do about anything with a pre-order and are always very knowledgeable and very helpful.
2117 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
T: 323.667.0674 | www.mccallsmeatandfish.com
Wine at Domaine LA
Photograph courtesy of Domaine LA
Wine | Domaine LA
Govind: They have an incredible selection of imported and domestic wines. They always have great specials, including a big selection of wines for under $20.
6801 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
T: 323.932.0280 | domainela.com
Sycamore Kitchen Bakery
Photograph courtesy of Sycamore Kitchen Bakery
Bakery | Sycamore Kitchen Bakery
Govind: The polenta and blackberry cake is incredible.
143 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
T: 323.939.0151 | thesycamorekitchen.com
Bar Keeper
Photograph courtesy of Bar Keeper
Bar Tools & Liquor | Bar Keeper
Derrick: For hard-to-find items, I love Bar Keeper in Silverlake. This place is a cocktail's enthusiast’s dream. They have their own line of bitters, rare liqueurs like Salers Gentiane, Cocchi Americano, and Becherovka, plus the equipment needed to turn yourself into the next great bartender.
3910 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029
T: 323.669.1675 | www.barkeepersilverlake.com
Seafood at Connie & Ted’s
Photograph courtesy of Connie & Ted’s
Seafood | Connie & Ted’s
Govind: The seafood and service is impeccable. Diver Scallops, simply prepared served on the shell- sweet, delicious, meaty.
8171 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046
T: 323.848.2722 | www.connieandteds.com
Chicken & Waffle Croquettes at Mud Hen Tavern
Photograph courtesy of Mud Hen Tavern
Gastropub | Mud Hen Tavern
Govind: It’s a comfortable space, great energy, the menu offers sophisticated versions of classics like the Chicken and Waffle Croquette. I love the Tuna Ceviche with avocado, tangerine, chipotle, toasted corn.
742 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
T: 323.203.0500 | www.mudhentavern.com
Republique
Photograph courtesy of Republique
French | Republique
Govind: I took my chefs and sous chefs over the holidays and had a flawless meal. They recreated that space perfectly and we tried so many items from the menu it’s hard to pick a favorite. However, the Hamachi Crudo, Duck Breast, Pate, Roasted Cauliflower with butternut squash puree, hazelnuts, and medjool dates were very memorable.
624 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
T: 310.362.6115 | republiquela.com
Tacos | El Taurino
Govind: It’s a bit of a trek, but well worth it for the carnitas, santos tacos, and the sweet tamale.
1104 S Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA 90006
T: 213.738.9197 | eltaurino.com
Seafood | Neptune’s Net
Derrick: For restaurants off the beaten path, I would take the trip up to the county line to check out Neptune Net. This is a little drive but well worth it, the fish is fresh, the cocktails are great.
42505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
T: 310.457.3095 | neptunesnet.com
Coffee | Andante Coffee Roasters
Govind: They have a great blend called 50/50 that I always go for; it’s rich and delicious.
7623 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
T: 323.525.0355
Graffiti Cafe
Photograph courtesy of Graffiti Cafe
Coffee | Graffiti Cafe
Govind: It’s calm, cool, and always has good music. This is the perfect place to bring your computer and work.
180 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Dive Bar | Frolic Room
Govind: I’ve been going for years and it’s a classic Los Angeles bar.
6245 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
T: 323.462.5890
Cocktails | Library Bar
Derrick: If you can make the trip downtown, this is my favorite place not-to-be-missed. Just make sure you’re dressed to the nines as they can be somewhat strict.
630 W 6th Street #116A, Los Angeles, CA 90017
T: 213.614.0053 | librarybarla.com
The Wellesbourne
Photograph courtesy of The Wellesbourne
Cocktails | The Wellesbourne
Derrick: It's the best place for cocktails on the Westside. It gives off the vibe of an old school New York Library. The bartenders are knowledgeable and whip up any cocktail of my liking. Local's tip: go on Thursdays for the live Jazz.
10929 W Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
T: 310.474.0102 | www.thewellesbourne.com
The Corner Door
Photograph courtesy of The Corner Door
Cocktails | The Corner Door
Derrick: I love coming here. The bar program being headed by Beau Du'Bois who is incredible with cocktails, making a proper Monte Carlo and Old Fashioned. He’s not afraid to experiment with new creations. They also have some bites and a great happy hour Monday through Friday until about 7 pm.
12477 W Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90066
T: 310.313.5810 | thecornerdoorla.com
