THIS WEEK: BREAKFAST

Mama always said, “Eat your breakfast.” But mama didn’t say you had to do it at the obvious spots.

PHILIPPE THE ORIGINAL

Nine-cent coffee (10 with tax) and homemade biscuits are among the many reasons this 100-year-old institution does a brisk morning business. There’s also a French toast or pancake combo with eggs, sausage or bacon, and orange juice or coffee, for less than seven bucks. Can’t conceive of going here and not eating one of their French dips? Not to worry. They start dipping at 6 a.m. 1001 N. Alameda St., Chinatown, (213) 628-3781

COMME CA

Scrambled eggs get the luxe treatment at David Myers’ buzzy, fab-looking brasserie. They’re finished with truffle salt. Problem is, you’re forever ruined for plebeian scrambled eggs after this. Prefer something on the sweet side? Choose a pastry from the excellent sister patisserie Boule, or perhaps their scrumptious pain perdu, better known as “French toast” in these parts. 8479 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 782-1178

AKASHA

At the rate restaurants are opening in Culver City, who has time to hit them all? Fortunately this 6-month-old looker just added breakfast to the mix. They’re even making their own bagels. Try one topped with organic cream cheese and house-cured gravlax. Wash it all down with a latte made with coffee that’s fair trade and organic. 9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City, (310) 845-1700

LITTLE DOM’S

How to ingratiate yourself in the neighborhood? Serve tasty and affordably priced Italian, American and Italian-American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week in a comfy space that’s just the right level of cool. For meal No. 1, we’re torn between the warm breakfast risotto topped with dried fruit and the ricotta cheese and fresh blueberry pancakes. 2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, (323) 661-0055

RUSTIC CANYON

Pity anyone still trying to do the low-carb thing, especially when confronted with the display of delectable pastries -- such as Valrhona chocolate croissants and kouign amann (the name means “butter cake”) -- that pastry chef Zoe Nathan bakes up for the new, ultra-laid-back Saturday morning breakfast. Except this Saturday, when she’s “gone fishing.” Or to be more accurate, gone to France. Research, of course. 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 393-7050

--

theguide@latimes.com