Charles Jackson
Over two Decades ago, from the dais at Inglewood city hall, former Inglewood Mayor
Roosevelt Dorn declared that “now was the time to buy property in Inglewood”.Fast forward to 2010, and James T. Butts captured the Mayoral seat, with a grand vision to revitalize the City of Champions. With an 18 million dollar investment the city partnered with Chase Bank and Madison Square Gardens to rank the Forum among the highest ranked venues in the nation.
We’re back. The growth of the city has been nothing less than phenomenal. Soon to be a metropolitan transportation hub, sport’s juggernaut, and overall entertainment metropolis.
This morning, I just wanted some breakfast. I had heard about a new eatery in Inglewood, by the name Hilltop Cafe Kitchen. The restaurant is a second location owned by partners Ajay Relan and Yonatan Hagos, who have also owned a location by the same name just across the
LA/Inglewood border on Slauson Ave. since 2018. If you’re a fan of the well received series,
INSECURE, then you will recognize their new partner and part owner of the new venture, Issa Rae. This locationis right in the middle of downtown Inglewood, across the street from city hall, and the newly introduced Astra.
Knowing the area, I expected parking to be a problem, so I parked at the Astra. The restaurant doesn’t presently offer validated parking over there, but public parking is free for one hour and $2.50 every 15 minutes after that. I took a quick walk over the crosswalk, to the front door right on the south east corner of La Brea and Regent. Before entering the spot I had few preconceived notions about the restaurant or its faire, and the notions that I brought with me were mostly wrong. It’s clean and well appointed with an upscale trendy style of art and signinage.
I would describe it more akin to a barrister fountain, leading with coffee, breads, danish and sweet rolls on display. Just this side of the Thanksgiving feast, I needed to watch my figure, so I opted for a black coffee and a simple egg breakfast sandwich, which was delicious. My server, Derek had my order in my hands, within five minutes.
I became acutely aware that nobody else in the house had gray hair, and I was among a bunch of recent college graduates.They either came in, grabbed a latte, tapped a debit card and headed out to sights unknown, or they ordered a light breakfast, grabbed a booth and nibbled at it with their nose buried in an electronic device. So it’s not your daddy’s breakfast nook. In fact if you’re of a certain age, get there early because I did not see an elevator to the upper deck. Still it was a great experience. Ms. Rae has assembled a perfect team to meet the cosmopolitan direction of the sport and entertainment minded tourists and fast paced individuals, poised to take advantage of the many changes hovering just over the horizon. There is a quiet ambiance in the space, the food is not too expensive, and the house is staffed with a friendly, well oiled machine. Derek. My, my server even remembered my name, on the way out the door.
Their catch phrase is Breakfast, & lunch plates & pastries, served up in a chilled-out coffee shop with an airy dining room.
170 N La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
findyourhilltop.com
