The Astronomer, June, and I had a great Sunday brunch at Lulu back in April. It was so memorable, in fact, that June insisted that I write about it on the blog even though its been several months. “It might’ve been my favorite lunch,” she says. “It just had amazing food, baby birds, and the seats were like couches. It was a long drive, but totally worth it.” Consider this post the first-ever June x Gastronomy collaboration.

This bastion of California cooking from legendary chefs Alice Waters and David Tanis opened last November on the ground floor courtyard of the Hammer Museum. Lulu’s food and vibe are laidback yet confident, leaning into the season’s best ingredients and letting them do what they do best. The menu is reminiscent of what’s served at Chez Panisse Cafe, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well this East Bay import fit in here in Los Angeles.

With two menus available — a three-course prix fixe for $45 and an a la carte menu with dishes large and small — it’s easy to choose your own adventure. The kitchen’s commitment to coaxing the purest flavors from its impeccably sourced ingredients is apparent with every dish.