Executive Chef and owner Eric Greenspan has been serving reasonably priced fine dining fare to Angelenos at The Foundry on Melrose since 2007, cementing the WeHo-adjacent establishment’s position in the upper echelons of venerated go-to L.A. eateries. Patina veteran and Iron Chef contestant Greenspan, with the help of new Chef de Cuisine Nick Russo, shifted the à la carte focus to that of a shared-plate concept, allowing guests to experience more fully that which they have come to respect most about The Foundry: gastronomic creativity and flavorful exploration.

Divided into Earth, Sea, Land and—for the adventurous—Uniquities, the menu has something for everyone. From the Earth offerings, the aerated sunchoke soup served with crispy black kale, parsley and generously deviled quail eggs, successfully traverses the tightrope between light and creamy. The sweet potato spaetzle, a modern spin on the German staple, is served over earthy maitake mushrooms and begs to be tried.

The spicy shrimp toast is an example of textural perfection, with the delicate meaty sweetness affixed to the crunchy toast thanks in large part to the sticky mint chutney. Also from the sea is the halibut dish; an elevated take on the traditional fish and chips, served Foundry-style it’s complete with fava beans in a malt vinaigrette.

Land options abound, but personal favorites include the lamb osso bucco with a rich goat cheese polenta and gremolata, as well as the tried-and-true taleggio grilled cheese sandwich on thick raisin bread with a sweet-and-savory apricot-caper puree. Blood sausage atop cheddar Guinness risotto and a truly tasty monkfish liver crostini round out the Uniquities section.

No decadent meal is complete without a sweet finish, and the rich herbal deliciousness of the Earl Grey crème brulee will rival even Paris’ best. Also of note are the sour cherry beignets dressed in almond cherry marmalade.

Thanks to the culinary variety at the Foundry, repeat visits are encouraged; because the prices of all shared items are under $14, these visits don’t have to coincide with payday.

The Foundry on Melrose, 7465 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 651-0195; thefoundry.com

foodknow: Grilled Cheese
Whether enjoyed with a bowl of hot tomato soup on a cold day or with a mimosa while brunching al fresco, there’s no denying that this sandwich reliably hits the spot time and again. Here are some of our favorite places to grab a grilled cheese sandwich.

Campanile, 624 S. La Brea, L.A. (323) 938-1447
If it’s Thursday, you’re guaranteed to find many takes on this childhood classic—and many people lined up to partake.

The Grilled Cheese Truck, Locations vary, thegrilledcheesetruck.com
On the go? No worries, so are they!  From Echo Park to Long Beach, they’re everywhere you are.

Jar, 8225 Beverly Blvd., L.A. (323) 655-6566
Chef Suzanne Tracht’s brunch menu boasts one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches in town!

Lucques, 8474 Melrose Ave., WeHo, (323) 655-6277
With roasted shallots and fresh thyme, James Beard Award-winning Chef Suzanne Goin’s grilled goodness serves the denizens of WeHo daily.