"Pardon me a deep dive into the murky waters of cliché, but Betsy (the restaurant), which sits some distance up Lake Avenue in Altadena amid the ruins of January's Eaton fire, is a phoenix of a destination, rising from the devastation that once surround it, to feed locals a very personal cuisine - with hope on every plate, and in every bite. This minimalist storefront isn't so much a restaurant, as it is a testament to our ability to carry on, despite the odds. Dining at Betsy feels like a communion of survivors. It's a meal that makes you believe in the enduring strength of the human spirit."
"Chef Tyler Wells has turned what was Bernee into Betsy, with a blazing wood burning hearth behind the counter - which gives you a front-row seat to the preparation of every dish. The flames that devastated Altadena have been tamed, turned from a destructive power, to a culinary force. It's a bit like being witness to human history, with flames brought under control, and made to do brilliant things to meat and fish."
"And focaccia, which is as good as bread can be. It's not so much a dish, as it is a symbol. A statement that Altadena is back in every bite. Traveling up Lake to Betsy, near the intersection of Lake and Mariposa Street, is a sobering experience. The ruins are mostly cleared, leaving a moonscape of vacant lots waiting for the return of life."
Betsy occupies a rebuilt storefront on Lake Avenue in Altadena near Lake and Mariposa, rising amid cleared fire ruins. Chef Tyler Wells transformed the space from Bernee into a wood-hearth-focused restaurant with a blazing hearth behind the counter, allowing diners to observe preparation. The menu and dining setup foster a communal atmosphere among locals, with standout items such as exceptional focaccia symbolizing recovery. The surrounding neighborhood shows a moonscape of vacant lots awaiting revival, while the small interior and street seating create an intimate, survivor-oriented dining experience. The establishment is rated 3.5 stars and lists contact details and a website.
Read at Daily News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]