First Look: Akasha

Miss Irene thought she'd find Ed Begley Jr. and a lot of bicycles in front a small café (?), but instead found sleek, urban Akasha. Not disappointed. "You can't go wrong with her prosciutto pizza: a crisp oval crust topped with caramelized onions, figs, Gorgonzola and prosciutto and wild arugula. House-made onion rings are dusted with rice flour before frying for a particularly light touch. She bakes quinoa corn bread in a square cast-iron skillet and turns out a diminutive shiitake and oyster mushroom tart with a flaky short crust. A turmeric-seared pear salad with romaine, chickpeas and much more is fresh and delicious." [LAT]