Jasmine flowers are known for their sweet, exotic fragrance and delicate white petals These flowers are highly symbolic in Indian culture and commonly used in weddings, religious ceremonies, and other celebrations. If you’re looking to purchase fresh jasmine flowers for a special occasion or just to brighten up your home, it’s nice to know you can find these gorgeous blooms right in your local area.
The Garden at Horses has become one of LA’s hottest new restaurants, garnering attention for its stylish ambience and mouthwatering farm-to-table menu Located next door to the renowned original Horses restaurant, The Garden offers a more relaxed vibe while maintaining the same commitment to sourcing quality local ingredients
As a frequent diner at The Garden I’m constantly impressed by the variety and creativity of their menu. Chef Liz Johnson and Chef Will Aghajanian have put together a selection of wood-fired pizzettes crudos, and small plates that highlight the bounty of California’s farms and waters. After many delightful meals at The Garden, I wanted to provide an in-depth look at what this phenomenal menu has to offer.
Seasonal and Local Ingredients Take Center Stage
The first thing that stands out about The Garden’s menu is the emphasis on seasonal locally sourced produce and seafood. By fostering relationships with nearby farms and fishmongers, the chefs have access to an ever-changing array of fresh ingredients. This allows them to let the produce itself shine through in each dish.
Some standouts during my recent visits include sweet heirloom tomatoes, plump figs, and crisp summer squash from local farms. Local line-caught fish like salmon, sea bass, and amberjack make frequent appearances as crudos or wood-fire grilled entrees. Even the cocktails rotate seasonally, incorporating herbs and produce like basil, stone fruit, and citrus.
This commitment to ingredients at their peak of freshness takes the flavors to another level. You can taste the backyard garden in every bite.
Creative Takes on Comfort Favorites
In addition to highlighting pristine ingredients, Chefs Johnson and Aghajanian put their own spin on comfort food favorites. Dishes like bourbon maple glazed pork belly, potato chip-crusted fried chicken, and grilled avocado with charred scallion salsa offer playful riffs on familiar flavors.
A standout is their wood-fired mushroom pizza, which transforms the humble fungi into a delicious medley of meaty shiitakes, earthy maitakes, creamy beech mushrooms, and chewy hen of the woods. I’ve never tasted mushrooms with such depth and complexity!
Finally, you can’t miss the showstopper kale salad studded with sweet corn, crunchy pepitas, pickled onions, crispy pork belly, and tangy green goddess dressing. It puts all other kale salads to shame. The Garden gives you comfort with a healthy dose of culinary flair.
Signature Dishes Showcase Technique and Creativity
Every menu has a few signature dishes that showcase the chef’s skill and creativity. At The Garden, some of my favorites include:
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Amberjack Crudo – Thinly sliced raw amberjack dressed simply with lemon, good olive oil, and Maldon sea salt. The fresh fish really sings.
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Gnocchi Carbonara – Housemade ricotta gnocchi meets smoky pancetta, English peas, and parmesan in this decadent twist on carbonara.
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Spicy Crab Dip – Lump crab meat blended with cream cheese, garlic, and Calabrian chilies, topped with toasted breadcrumbs. Served with grilled bread, it’s a dip you can’t stop eating.
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Black Tiramisu – A stunning twist on the Italian classic, with espresso soaked ladyfingers layered with whipped black sesame mascarpone and chocolate shavings. Pastry chef Hanna Grubba really outdoes herself here.
These dishes display thoughtful composition and technique while allowing the main ingredients to shine. It’s easy to see how much creativity goes into crafting the menu.
Accommodating All Dietary Needs
Dietary restrictions don’t have to prevent anyone from enjoying delicious food at The Garden. There are fantastic gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available.
The kitchen is meticulous about avoiding cross-contamination for gluten-free diners. For vegetarians, I highly recommend the charred cauliflower steak with romesco sauce and the forest mushroom flatbread.
Vegans will love the watermelon and arugula salad with compressed watermelon, smoky grilled eggplant, and vegan feta. The vegan bucatini with oyster mushrooms and maitake “scallops” demonstrates how satisfying vegan pasta can be. It’s thoughtful touches like this that make The Garden an accessible spot for all food lovers.
Cocktails and Wines Enhance the Farm-Fresh Cuisine
Beverage director Yael Vengroff has assembled a fantastic wine list and roster of original cocktails tailored to complement the seasonal menu. Absinthe blends into the Bramble On cocktail with blackberry and lemon while the watch chain mule mixes Italicus and ginger beer beautifully. During tomato season, the heirloom tomato cocktail with herb infused vodka is the perfect pre-dinner drink.
The wine list focuses on small producers, with lots of biodynamic and sustainable growers represented. Don’t miss the orange wines, which pair amazingly with vegetables and seafood. Ask your bartender or server for pairing suggestions based on your meal for the full experience.
A Festive, Stylish Atmosphere
While you’re enjoying the top-notch food and drink, take time appreciate the setting. The Garden’s open, airy space features whitewashed brick walls, hanging greenery, and rustic wood tables bathed in natural light. During lunch service, sunlight streams in through the soaring windows as you dine.
In the evening, the atmosphere shifts as flickering candles on each table create a romantic mood. Throughout the space, accents like the central olive tree and custom ceramics made by local artists reinforce the restaurant’s laidback yet refined style. Whether you’re stopping by for a business lunch or celebrating a special occasion, it’s an atmosphere like no other in LA.
Insider Tips for the Best Experience
As a regular, I’ve gathered a few tips for newcomers to ensure the best possible meal:
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Ask if any daily specials are available since they showcase the freshest ingredients.
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Request to sit on the charming patio for lunch to enjoy the sunshine and peek at the open kitchen.
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Make reservations in advance as walk-in wait times can be long, especially on weekends.
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Bring a group to sample as many dishes as possible family-style.
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Save room for dessert – the tiramisu and seasonal pie are sublime endings.
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Come before 7pm to avoid the boisterous Hollywood crowds that arrive later.
Follow this advice for a memorable evening filled with delicious food, great drinks, and excellent service.
Farm-to-Table Excellence in Hollywood
It’s no wonder The Garden has been showered with praise since opening last year. The passion for seasonal cooking and knack for imaginative flavor pairings are evident in each dish. Dining here feels effortless, yet every detail has clearly been meticulously prepared.
Next time you’re looking for an outstanding meal in LA, I can’t recommend The Garden at Horses highly enough. The combination of the relaxed vibe, talented chefs, and focus on quality ingredients come together to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Just come hungry and ready to enjoy the best of California’s bounty!
The Significance of Jasmine in Indian Culture
In India, jasmine flowers (also known as ‘chameli’ or ‘mallige’) have tremendous cultural importance. They are considered sacred flowers in Hinduism and are often used to adorn deities in temples. Jasmine garlands and loose flowers are ubiquitous at Indian weddings – the bride and groom exchange and wear jasmine garlands during the ceremony. The flowers represent purity, fertility and auspiciousness for the couple’s new beginning. After religious ceremonies, festivals and celebrations, devotees will shower jasmine petals on the deities’ statues or idols as an offering.
The sweet scent of jasmine is also believed to have healing and calming properties in Ayurvedic medicine. Indians will often string the flowers together to make fragrant jasmine garlands to wear in their hair. So you can see why having access to fresh jasmine is so integral for Indian diaspora communities abroad. With the proper care the blooms can stay fresh for up to a week after purchase.
Where to Buy Jasmine Flowers Locally
Luckily, with the availability of imports, it’s relatively easy to find authentic, high-quality Indian jasmine flowers in most major US metros. Here are some tips on finding fresh jasmine near you:
- Search for Indian grocery stores or flower shops in your city Brick-and-mortar Indian markets and florists will often stock fresh jasmine flown in several times a week from India. The blooms are cared for properly and you can inspect quality and fragrance
- Look for online sellers that ship nationwide. Many vendors specializing in Indian flowers now offer nationwide shipping on fresh jasmine. Options like Jasmine Flowers 2 Go or Jasmine for SoCal allow you to order jasmine to be delivered directly to your door.
- Ask friends for local recommendations. Talk to Indian friends, neighbors or colleagues about where they source jasmine flowers. People are usually happy to share supplier information.
- Search local listings on Google Maps. Using search terms like “Indian flowers” or “jasmine flowers near me” can help surface florists and specialty stores in your area.
- Check for local farmers markets or nurseries. Some urban farms or specialty nurseries may grow jasmine plants and sell cut flowers. Bonus – locally grown flowers are fresher.
- Look for temples or cultural centers. Hindu or Indian cultural centers, temples, mosques and churches may sell jasmine flowers for offerings or ceremonies.