Los Angeles

The desire for life's simple pleasures doesn't rule out superlative quality: witness the Kobe Burger, or Shannon Tweed on Cinemax HD. Bringing you a peerless cup of Joe: LAMILL, opening today.

Styled after a mid-century, upscale clubhouse (vintage club chairs, 1800s brass chandelier), this gourmet café is new from the Alhambra beanery relied upon by everyone from Katsuya to Bastide -- the romantic standby inspired by the cuisine of illegitimate Bostonites. Even the details support the excellence: espresso's served at 165 degrees, mochas're made with fresh chocolate ganache, and specialty drinks are truly special, i.e., the "Coffee and a Cigarette" features tobacco-infused whipped cream -- act now, before the state forces you to enjoy it on the sidewalk. The menu's from the Providence chef, and includes an Asian Pork Belly, arugula, and heirloom tomato sandwich, a pumpkin soup with crème fraiche, and frisee salad au lardon w/ coffee vinaigrette -- dressing of choice for truckers and air traffic controllers.

LAMILL opens at 6am with pastries, and starts slinging full breakfast at 8 -- perfect if you spent the midnight hours working up a hearty appetite with Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death.