Breadlam: Elevating the At-Home-Picnic One Cheeseboard at a Time
For the restaurant industry, the ability to shift business models to make it during COVID is an accomplishment worth celebrating. Nestled in the Arts District, Breadlam has accomplished to continue pleasing the palates of fine cheese fanatics all over DTLA.
Despite only being a year old Breadlam enjoyed the time they had as a fully operating sandwich shop on the bustling E 3rd St strip. Serving up sandwiches, fine cheeses, and charcuterie boards is all that owner Thomas Ferraro has known since he landed his first job at a deli during his college years. Ferraro, an O.C. native, became an expert and a self-declared “cheesemonger” after college in 2008 New York. He dedicated himself to the art, moved back west, and established his brick-and-mortar.
Ferraro’s knowledge is infectious, it makes you want to learn more about the world of cheese, and his curation of boards + deli sandwiches are a refreshing contender to DTLA’s food scene. In April 2019, Thomas opened Breadlam’s doors and was immediately greeted by our eager community. Following the shutdowns amidst COVID, Thomas didn’t throw in the towel after the realization that he’d be celebrating his first business anniversary with no dine-in option. Instead, he adjusted and the quality of his product did not suffer, if anything he’s got the perfect stuff for an at-home or virtual picnic.
The menu is divided into two categories, it’s simple and not overwhelming, and the quality of Breadlam’s ingredients shows. Their cheese platters come ready for whatever the occasion- Date Night, Impress Your Friends, or Rager. Each curated differently and accompanied by various other goodies like dried mandarins, dates, and crackers that don’t dissolve like powder to the touch. The sandwiches, such as the 5th Ave, which has an incredible aged gouda cheese, and the Raymond, which has tomato mayo to die for but the true spin lies in the peppadew peppers. They're creative, not overly stuffed, and therefore very pleasant to eat.
The attention to quality and detail is reflected in Ferraro’s favorite menu item- his cheese platters. However, if you’re not a platter person, cheeses blocks that won’t cost you an arm or a leg are available for purchase and constantly in rotation so there’s something for everyone. Ferrero’s current favorites include a Prima Donna Gouda and a Brie from France.
With delivery and pick-options available, Thomas has been happy to see some regular and locals continue to support Breadlam. Plus, given that socializing has become a virtual activity, a Breadlam indoor picnic (perhaps with a nice bottle of wine) might be the perfect idea for a Saturday afternoon in Downtown LA.
Written by Marian Ramos | Photography by Rebekah Lemire
