Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop, the first restaurant from Valley natives Chef Anthony Jacquet and Pastry Chef Lea Newton opened in Encino May 14. Serving breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, and a variety of freshly baked and baked-to-order goods, the neighborhood restaurant uses sustainable and artisanal ingredients that highlight the bounty of local and seasonal produce in California. Located on Ventura Boulevard and designed by Beleco, the space features blue-toned molding and paneling, contrasted with crisp white handcut subway tile. The restaurant features an open kitchen, which allows guests to watch Chef Newton create her delicious and visually satisfying creations all day long. In addition, the bakeshop features a blackboard wall, which displays an ever-changing graphic narrative by local artist Christopher Linquata.
In anticipation of opening in the neighborhood where both chefs grew up and reside, chef and owner Jacquet says, “Lea and I are honored to open a restaurant in the Valley, merging our passions of creating and providing great quality food and baked goods, with the community we both know and love. The kitchen and bakeshop has been a dream of mine, since my late sister, Claudine, encouraged me to attend culinary school.”
Offering both kitchen and bakery menus, Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop serves breakfast and brunch items such as the Malted Milk Pancakes with Cinnamon-Berry Compote, Salted Honey Butter, Warm Maple Syrup and Bacon, and ‘Verve” Braised Short Rib Hash with Poached Eggs, Fresno Hot, and Hollandaise Sauce. Lunch provides a diverse selection of salads, bowls, sandwiches, grill items, and dishes from the hearth oven. Highlights include the Marrakesh Market Bowl with Ancient Grains, Heirloom Beets and Market Vegetables, Pomegranate Molasses, Dried Apricots, and Harissa Vinaigrette and Serrano Ham and Olive Naan with Fresno Chili and Oregano. Additionally, Chef Newton’s ever-evolving selection of baked goods include sweet and savory treats such as the Prosciutto & Gruyere Croissant, Malted Milk Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Buttercream and her signature Spinky’s Original Chocolate Chip Cookies, Baked-to-Order in six minutes.
As a destination for coffee, lunch, a meal on-the-go, brunch or simply a stop to satisfy a sweet tooth, Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop also has a custom draft beer system at the center of the bar, designed in the restaurant’s signature blue hue. Serving a local beer and wine menu, Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop takes pride in highlighting a rotating selection of craft breweries such as 818 Brewing, Beachwood Brewing and Smog City Brewing and wines exclusively from California wineries.
