L.B.M. - It's A Secret

Upon reading the recent edition of the Lakewood Observer I noticed OB, (Jim O’Bryan) which is how I’ve always known him, from my early bartender days at the Lakewood Rush Inn in the 80s, is asking people to check out the culinary scene in Lakewood and write about it. 

Upon moving back to Lakewood after nearly ten years in San Diego as a chef, I thought what a great idea. My passion is writing and cooking, what a great combo. Since moving back I’ve been slowly but surely discovering the plethora of culinary delights Lakewood now has to offer. I’m on a mission.

I decided to check out Birdtown, since that is one part of town that remains virgin territory to me. I walked into the L.B.M. 12301 Madison on the corner of Ridgewood, formerly known as The Corner Pub. They just opened, it was 4 o’clock, but I thought ,“It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” I met John Gibian, one of five owners and the bartender.

I looked over the craft cocktail list and ordered a classic margarita-- $6 during Happy Hour, which runs weekdays 4-7 pm. The first thing I noticed having been a bartender for decades, was they didn’t use that big gallon jug of Lemix, or shoot it out of a cobra-gun, which is what bars use for soda and mixes etc. In fact, they don’t even have one. They use fresh ingredients for their hand-crafted cocktails, and dehydrated fruit, which they make in-house, Jimmy Buffet look out.

After looking over the menu and talking with John, his recommendation was the Pork Belly, hoisin braised with spicy pickled veggies. I’m not much for a lot of fat, that’s what Pork Belly is, however it does melt in your mouth, and the hoisin complemented it quite nicely. Since I was heading down to the Little Italy Feast, I wanted to travel light, saving room for festival delicacies.

I was impressed with the paper straw I was given. John said they never started out with plastic, they are environmentally and sustainability conscious. They use local food purveyors and the menu items are seasonal, with some items changing every two to three weeks.

Upon further discussion with John, I learned that L.B.M. won the coveted Tales of the Cocktail 2018 award for Best New Cocktail Bar USA – Central. What the Oscar is to film, the Tales of the Cocktail award is to the restaurant/cocktail industry. 

The ambience is unique, the bar top, shelving and a long table in the dining room were made from a single felled Sycamore tree. There is a Viking ship above one of the doorways, and other artifacts which lend a little mystery to the place. Speaking of mystery, what does L.B.M. stand for? I asked John. It’s a secret. The secret is spreading fast about this little corner pub, and it won’t be long before they sail to seas unknown for more intriguing menu ingredients. Hours of operation Mon – Saturday 4 pm – 2:30am, closed Sundays.

Eva Starr recently moved back to her heartland state of Ohio, after the transition of her mother. Starr spent the last ten years in San Diego digesting the alluring buffet of wisdom the West Coast had to offer. While there she attended the San Diego Culinary Institute, and worked as a chef in San Diego. 
     Starr also published her book Quit ‘Should-ing’ on Yourself, while in San Diego featured at the 2016 LA Times Book Festival, and Oprah Winfrey’s Reading Room. 
     She continues to follow her metaphysical path, teaching Astrology, hosting her television show Reach for the Moon, and exploring the diversified culinary delights Lakewood has to offer.

Eva Starr

     Eva Starr recently moved back to her heartland state of Ohio, after the transition of her mother. Starr spent the last ten years in San Diego digesting the alluring buffet of wisdom the West Coast had to offer. While there she attended the San Diego Culinary Institute, and worked as a chef in San Diego.
     Starr also published her book Quit ‘Should-ing’ on Yourself, while in San Diego featured at the 2016 LA Times Book Festival, and Oprah Winfrey’s Reading Room.
     She continues to follow her metaphysical path, teaching Astrology, hosting her television show Reach for the Moon, and exploring the diversified culinary delights Lakewood has to offer.

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Volume 14, Issue 16, Posted 7:15 PM, 08.21.2018