West Hollywood is about to get a little more chill. Aside from the countless destination bars and legendary annual Pride parade, the city will soon be known as the home of L.A’s first cannabis cafe.
Lowell Farms: A Cannabis Cafe is set to open September 1 on North La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood. This innovative new dining spot will feature food and drink by Head Chef Andrea Drummer, Le Cordon Bleu graduate and experienced cannabis chef. Drummer is one of the founding members of Elevation VIP, a medical cannabis dispensary with a focus on food.
Despite her extensive experience cooking with cannabis, Lowell Cafe will not be serving an infused menu. Lowell Cafe was granted the first of West Hollywood’s cannabis consumption licenses. Current regulations allow cannabis smoking, vaping, and edible consumption on-site.
According to the cafe’s website, Lowell will offer “a range of high-quality cannabis flowers, vapes, pre-packaged edibles, concentrates and extracts” plus a Dab Bar for smoking and vaping. Pre-packaged edibles made by Lowell Cafe and other manufacturers will be available for purchase and consumption.
Lowell Cafe’s menu is focused on pairing cannabis strains and flavors with food and drink options. This farm-to-table menu will change seasonally to reflect farmer’s market produce and to match available cannabis strains. Vegans and omnivores alike will find something to cure their munchies.
Lowell Cafe’s signature smorgasboard, the Sweet FL(HIGH)T, will tempt tastebuds with millionaire’s bacon, caramel popcorn with thai chili almonds, peanut butter cookies, milk and cereal ice cream sandwich, sweet potato beignets, matcha and black sesame cake, creme brulee and homemade s’mores.
Sip on craft cocktails like the Lincoln Haze, a heavenly combination of orange peel and edible flowers. This smoked cherry cocktail is made with cherry puree, star anise-infused English Breakfast tea, cold pressed lime juice, and an apricot and smoked hickory shrub. The rocks glass will be smoked with mesquite while it is being built and garnished with edible marigold flowers plus an orange peel.
To facilitate this comprehensive dining experience, Lowell Cafe will provide a Tableside Flower Service. Flower Hosts, akin to sommeliers, will be on-hand to explain strains, flavors and their effects all while rolling perfect blunts. The cannabis menu will change daily according to seasonal availability from the cafe’s network of family farms.
Planning to visit Lowell Cafe? Lowell Cafe is 21 and over so be sure to have a valid government-issued ID, just like you’d present at a bar. Leave the kids and pets at home. While trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs are allowed, the Lowell website notes that “emotional support animals” are prohibited.
No need to bring your own rolling papers or lighters, the Dab Bar will be fully stocked with cannabis accessories and flowers. Leave your weed at home but don’t forget your cash. Cannabis purchases are cash-only, due to the federal government’s classification as an illegal, Schedule 1 substance. Food and drink purchases can be made with credit and debit cards.
Lowell Cafe will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and last call for cannabis will be 9:50 p.m. According to Lowell’s website, they anticipate a high-demand and encourage guests to stay at their tables no longer than 90 minutes. Lowell Cafe is available for private events and reservations will open two weeks ahead of their planned opening date.
Another notable component of Lowell Cafe is its Social Equity and Reparative Justice Program. This hiring initiative will give special employment consideration to recently pardoned, non-violent cannabis offenders and offers a wide spectrum of resources to individuals hoping to enter the cannabis space at various levels, according to the Lowell website.
Can’t wait for September? Check out Chef Andrea Drummer’s Cannabis Cuisine: Bud Pairings of A Born Again Chef cookbook and practice your vape-game.
