tl;dr even if charcuterie boards and boutique home goods aren't your thing, don't miss the…read morenot-so-secret farm-to-table sandwich selection
Lady & Larder is no stranger to the spotlight. This tiny Santa Monica wine-and-cheese concept debuted in 2016, and their charcuterie boards earned acclaim from Oprah and The New York Times alike. During the pandemic, Lady & Larder ventured into the sandwich game, and the result was a resounding success. Nowadays, the not-so-secret "Secret Lunch" lineup of gourmet sandwiches is among the best in Los Angeles.
The tiny Santa Monica shop shares the block with a Sherwin-Williams and a boxing gym. Cross your fingers for metered street parking on the trafficky block of Pico. Outside, red metal patio furniture is shaded by the overhanging storefront. Natural light runs through multicolored windows to the shop within. The mosaic tiled floor is effortlessly chic. The soaring whitewashed walls are minimally decorated, while shelves and refrigerators are carefully curated with wines, cheeses, tinned fish, and candles. The tablet register is set up on a worn kitchen countertop. Soft, instrumental music immediately feels welcoming.
I've visited multiple times for early weekend lunch, and our Toast pre-order was ready upon arrival. We grabbed a table outside, and numerous takeout customers popped in and out during our meal. My favorite was the Disco Only. This elevated turkey club featured an impressive depth of flavor, from the sharp alpine cheese to the rich garlic mayo to the tangy pepperoncini vinegar. The thick-cut Bub and Grandma's sesame bread held up admirably well, and the arugula added a welcome fresh factor. The proteins were plentiful but were outshone by the other components. I also loved the Hot Girl Salami. The sweet-and-hot mustard and crispy baguette accentuated the rich, almost buttery salami. Meanwhile, the Venice Cowgirl was like a cheeseboard on a baguette. The sweet peaches and apricot-habanero jam dominated the subtly rich cheese or thin prosciutto, but the sandwich nonetheless proved to be a unique, summery option worth sharing. Lastly, the Yes, Honey elevated the ham-and-cheese with tangy relish, but the other components felt standard and forgettable.
The service was friendly and efficient, and sandwiches ran for $15-20 each. Overall, the food tasted like the Santa Monica Farmer's Market on a premium roll, with sandos ranging from good to excellent. They are worth a dedicated visit if you're in the neighborhood, and I can't wait to work my way through more of Lady & Larder's menu.
