My Experience
In identifying insanity as the tendency to repeat the same actions with the expectation of different results, Einstein was unwittingly foreshadowing the online dating habits of many – swiping on the same corporate bros with wardrobes largely selected by their ex-girlfriends, limiting yourself to the same 5-mile dating app radius. Eventually, a string of mediocre, nearly indistinguishable matches inspired me to pull a Miranda Priestly and take a chance on someone outside of my comfort zone (a la hiring the smart, “fat” girl for once). Why not take a chance on the lanky art curator who’ll wear a velvet bomber jacket and loafers on your first date, even if he does live over an hour away but changed his app settings to Los Angeles because he’s “moving there this summer 🙂 .”
Anyway, he ended up disappointing me more than all of the other silly bros (iykyk). The first date dinner at Neighbor that I’d so greatly anticipated was thwarted when we sauntered over from the otherroom (RIP) only to find that the restaurant had already closed for the night. Fortunately, two daytime dining experiences in the couch entryway area have left me just qualified enough to write about this establishment’s brunch and bar offerings, specifically.
Scores
Food & Drinks : 8
It’s hard to mess up scrambled eggs, but it’s ALSO hard to make them look particularly noteworthy or appetizing – and yet somehow the chefs at Neighbor have perfected picturesque scrambles. That being said, adventuring beyond the “soft scrambled eggs” is a must for anyone with sub-Ron Swanson level fervor for the dish.
Entertainment : 7
You’re on Abbott Kinney. The clientele are guaranteed to provide more than enough material for people-watching and subsequent conversation.
Romance level : 7
There’s a lot contributing to this. The shade of strategically placed plants and drapery. Couches to bring you closer. Dinner tables lit by candles that I have yet to see in person due to the aforementioned dinner date fail.
Buzzworthiness : 6
“If you’re not first [to tag a restaurant in your Instagram story] you’re last,” and that ship sailed when Neighbor opened back in 2017.
Originality : 7
The vibe is by no means unparalleled by other LA restaurants, but I dare you to find two matching pillows throughout the entire restaurant.
OVERALL DATE SPOT SCORE : 35/ 50/
Order this : The buttermilk blueberry pancakes, the sweet nominee for “Most Photogenic Brunch Item.”
Wear this : The daytime statement piece you’ve been looking for an opportunity to wear (which will immediately feel less fashionable as soon as you enter).
Say this : “These drinks don’t even taste like they have alcohol in them!”
Expect this : To forget all about the steep drink prices by the time you’ve finished your first craft cocktail.
