Showcasing Local Foods on a Bun: Short Order Opens at the Farmers Market

In a city consumed by the search for the best burger, a new restaurant at the world famous Farmers Market is throwing down the gauntlet and offering up the creators' passion for locally raised, organic, and seasonal ingredients served on a bun. Now open, Short Order is luring diners to the southwest corner of the market to try freshly made comfort food and home-baked sweets.

The two-level restaurant has been designed to fit into the classic architecture of the market. Downstairs diners can order at the window and find a seat on the patio or anywhere in the market. Upstairs features table service and a full bar with cocktails created by Julian Cox.

Their menu tells the story: "Short Order is a celebration of over thirty years of friendship and culinary collaboration between Amy Pressman and Nancy Silverton," both celebrated local pastry chefs and bakers. Only a few months before the restaurant was set to open, Amy Pressman passed away. Her devoted family and friends continued the plans to open Short Order as a testament to their devotion to Amy and to share Amy's delicious recipes with the world.

The dishes highlight the simple cooking Pressman and Silverton like to serve in their own homes and their obsession with creating the perfect burger. After she perfected her favorite burger blend, Silverton's freshly ground beef chuck blend has been available at Huntington Meats, also located in the Market, for the past few years. At Short Order, burger offerings also include turkey with sage cheddar, pork with rapini, lamb with feta, and tuna with pickled onions. Diners can munch on wedge salads, crispy Short Order spuds, and corn dogs. Classic rafts are filled with a tuna nicoise and a beef & frisee with lardoons. They offer three melts including albacore tuna, patty, and grilled cheese. For a vegetarian option, glazed tofu comes with spicy slaw and a secret miso sauce.

Restauranteur Bill Chait reflected on the pressures of opening a new restaurant while paying tribute to his friend. "It was probably the most pressured and successful opening I have done in my career. The great pride and satisfaction of watching it, when I had a moment to reflect, was always followed by the thought about how proud and excited Amy would have been. Many elements, the little things that she bought, designed, fought for, were so beautiful in the final iteration. It really is a very special place. I say that with tremendous pride and respect for so many people who worked on it. Amy would have been charged to the hilt and jumping out of her skin. The sadness that she missed seeing it is perhaps the most difficult emotion to deal with, for each of us who worked closely with and loved Amy for so long. I will never forget Amy. Short Order reminds us all of her constantly and it is a dream realized. I know she can see it."

Memories of good times and her passion for food continue to fill the hearts of all who loved Pressman. Her recipes for baked goods are made in their own Short Cake bakery that will open inside the Market in a few weeks. The bakery will also be serving up single origin coffees made with Verve coffee beans to enjoy with their home baked chocolate chip cookies and fruit pies.

Short Order
The Farmers Market
6333 West 3rd Street, Stall #110
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 761-7970
More Info
Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Brunch service begins January 1, 2012

By Julie Wolfson
@juliewolfson
Images by Julie Wolfson