Puran’s Hillhurst- Fresh and Organic

by Liz Dodder

Nestled in a picturesque section on one of Los Feliz’s main drags is a small unassuming organic restaurant worth your attention. Seating is available right on Hillhurst Avenue’s sidewalk, complete with white tablecloths and area heaters, as well as in the warm and cozy terra cotta indoor dining room. All ingredients used by the chefs at Puran’s are organic, the meats are lean and the flavor is full.

For starters, try the firecracker shrimp nestled on toasted slices of crusty baguette bread, sizzling with garlic and herbs, and drizzled with a spicy green cream sauce. The dish manages to be creamy and fiery at the same time; a delight in the mouth. Also worth noting is the tender filet mignon salad with apples and feta cheese, dressed with a light vinaigrette to complement the greens. But, don’t fill up just yet on appetizers.

Pasta is one of Puran’s specialties, and you can’t miss the Angel Hair a la Puran, tossed with plump sautéed artichoke hearts and garlic, then covered lightly with a pesto lemon sauce. European-style pizza is also a local fave, and you can get anything from basic ingredients like sun-ripened tomatoes, recently picked basil and fresh mozzarella cheese to gourmet toppings like artichoke hearts, fresh goat cheese and dill. The sesame-crusted ahi tuna steak, seared and served steaming on a plate of ripe flavorful grilled vegetables is done very well, making it a great dinner choice. But, if you are lucky, the dinner special will be a filet mignon kabob with gorgonzola mashed potatoes and roasted organic tomatoes, the best dish that’s not on the menu.

Desserts are also a delight, including homemade tiramisu, vanilla crème brulee, chocolate cake and a vanilla cream tart with mixed fresh berries. The wine list is comprehensive, with a nice variety of prices, and you can also bring your own bottle for a small corking fee. There is also a special brunch menu additionally offered on weekend mornings until 3pm.

For full-flavored hearty dishes that taste like they were grown out back and hand-picked by the chef, make sure you are plenty hungry and stop in at this inviting bistro in the heart of the Eastside.

Address:
2064 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA  90027
323-667-1357

Hours:
Sunday through Thursday - 11:30am to 10:30pm
Friday through Saturday - 10:30am to 10:30pm