claudine artisan kitchen and bakeshop cafe verve coffee encino california sprudge

Outside the San Fernando Valley is like an oven. But step insideย Claudine Artisan Kitchen and Bakeshopย and you’ll get a breath of fresh air, figuratively and literally. The Valley has its share of good food, but it has a ways to go in developingย a quality coffee scene. The Encino neighborhoodโ€”where Claudine opened in Mayโ€”has been mostly dominated by big coffee chainsย since the ’90s. But as the suburb-esque outer reachesย of Los Angeles continue to expand, specialty coffee was bound toย follow. Claudine is one of the first coffee-dining hybrids to hit the Valley.

claudine artisan kitchen and bakeshop cafe verve coffee encino california sprudge

Headed by Anthony Jacquet and Lea Newton, a duo of chefs who are Valley natives, Claudine is the result of their desire to open a fast-casual restaurant where people canย also get a good cup of coffee. โ€œLea and I wanted to bring something great to the neighborhoods we grew up in,” says Jacquet, “a casual, hospitable space that people could come to multiple times a week.โ€ And theyย do come: on aย visit during off-peak hours, a constant wave of people streamed inย looking for a bite or a cup.

The large menuโ€”sourced from local produceโ€”consists of light and healthy but extremely tasty options. Leaโ€™s Lightened Quiche is as simple as it is flavorful: there’sย just one egg in it,ย alongsideย basil, spinach, and cheese. The avocado toastโ€”popular everywhere nowadaysโ€”is hereย topped with not only a perfectly fried egg, but also rich Serrano ham, cayenne pepper, and chimichurri.

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claudine artisan kitchen and bakeshop cafe verve coffee encino california sprudge

claudine artisan kitchen and bakeshop cafe verve coffee encino california sprudge

While Jacquet is responsible for the savory side, Newton is the driving force behind the coffee and pastry programโ€”cakes, cookies, galettes, and more. โ€œAll of Leaโ€™s baked goods are great,” says Jacquet, perhaps a little biased. “But the coffee cake, blueberry scones, Spinkyโ€™s chocolate chip cookies, and that pot de creme [are unmissable].โ€

With such a formidable menu, the coffee component needed to hold its own.ย โ€œCoffee is comfort, it is something a lot of people look forward to every single day,” Jacquet says. “We wanted to have a great cup no matter what. So Lea and I [went with] what we believe is one of the best roasters in Los Angeles,ย Verve.โ€

claudine artisan kitchen and bakeshop cafe verve coffee encino california sprudge

The Verve coffee is expertly pulled on a custom machine. โ€œWe use a Spanish espresso machine,ย Iberital,” Jacquet explains. “[It’s] highly recommended for its ease of use, its ability to pull accurate shots, and its clean look. We even got ours wrapped with our logo.โ€ย Beyond what the shiny turquoise workhorse turns out, special options includeย the Cafe Claudine Caramel and the nitro cold brew on tap.

For the time being, Jacquet and Newton simplyย plan toย keep experimenting with new dishes, with an eye toward seasonal specials. “Look out for pie season this summer!” says Jacquet, adding, “We are only one month into this concept, so letโ€™s see where it takes us.โ€

Claudine Artisan Kitchen & Bakeshop is located atย 16350 Ventura Boulevard, Encino. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Tatiana Ernst is a Sprudge staff writer based in Los Angeles. Read more Tatiana Ernst onย Sprudge.

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