Auntie Em's Celebrates 10 Years With Farmers Market Menus

By Lesley Balla

Auntie Em’s Kitchen has always been a little punk-rock-meets-moms, a very neighborhood-y spot in Eagle Rock. The kind of place you'd stop in for a quick sandwich and bowl of tomato soup, wait for a weekend brunch table, or swing by for a cupcake (they're legendary). It's little out of the way unless you lived there - or remembered chef and owner Teri Wahl from her days in a 90s rock band. Over the years there have been upgrades and expansions (the bakery and marketplace, for one), but still has the convivial, laid-back vibe.

Wahl and her crew of tattooed and tussled staff celebrate 10 years this month, which is hard to believe, and want to celebrate with a series of monthly Farmers Market dinners, beginning August 26. She's always had a penchant for seasonal, market-friendly fare, and even delivers CSA boxes to a growing list of subscribers. The first of the dinners will feature dishes like summer vegetable tempura with lemongrss creme fraiche, Moroccan-spiced lamb shank with smoky lentils, and slow-roasted pork shoulder and mashed fingerling potatoes. For dessert, pluot and peach galette. Cost is $45 per person, and there are two seatings each night (subsequent nights are September 26, October 24 and November 14). Look for "10 items under $10" specials come September, too.

Photo: SomethingFromNancy/Flickr