Nestled near the entrance of the botanical Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, Farmhouse at Descanso Gardens opened for dinner on May 30, 2025, and kicks-off its first weekend brunch on May 31, 2025. 

The grand opening has been receiving quite a buzz in the community, due to renowned Executive Chef Rich Mead, known for his success at Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens. He is collaborating with esteemed chef Adam Cherney (Saltie Girl and A.O.C. Wine Bar), to provide a rotating menu of fresh, seasonal, and innovative farm-to-table menu items.

Walking up to the 7,800 square foot restaurant, one immediately notices the indoor/outdoor bar crafted by local artisan William Stranger. Made from fallen trees reclaimed from the Gardens, its eye-catching top is already a popular spot for those to enjoy a cocktail or beverage after visiting the gardens.

There is also a relaxed lounge area and large shaded dining patio for visiting families, friends and couples on a date night. Inside the restaurant there are rich wood textures and hand-painted murals on the walls of dining nooks. The open kitchen invites diners to gaze in to watch the creativity and care behind each dish.

Sitting at one of the semi-private nook tables, Chef Rich welcomed us and asked, “Do you like bread and butter?” When we replied yes, he said he would be right back. Within minutes two thick slices of warm brown bread arrived with a dish that looked like clarified butter. “This is my favorite butter,” said the chef. “It’s from a farm in Sonoma and made with cow’s and a little sheep’s milk. It’s fermented to offer a ghee consistency.” This butter was so soft to spread on the slices of rustic bread and almost tasted like beloved movie theater popcorn butter.

The menu right now offers an array of starters, such as crudités with hummus and ranch dips, roasted asparagus, and four different types of salads. The Farmhouse Market Salad is a cornucopia of veggies, nuts, herbs and Green Goddess dressing. We ordered the Chopped Grilled Vegetable Salad that was a dazzling array of balsamic grilled onions, grilled corn, feta cheese, avocado, chopped lettuce in a light red wine vinaigrette. There is also a Roasted Beet Salad and an Asian Chicken Salad that is enhanced with a citrusy kumquats and sesame vinaigrette.

Savory items include a Grilled Albacore Tuna Sandwich with long strips of pickled ginger. The pickling of ginger mellows the root giving it an appealing flavor. It’s served with sweet potato wedges and a lovely papaya mustard dipping sauce.

They also make a DG Burger enhanced with Autonomy Farms smoked bacon and a Grilled Hoisin Soy Glazed Pork Tenderloin served with a potato puree, fresh bright cherries, arugula and almonds.

Vegetarians will appreciate the Veggie Pasta and Roasted Spaghetti Squash and Braised Greens Enchiladas.

Pescatarians may want to try the Seared Salmon on top of Tehachapi Grain Project Sonora Grain with ginger leeks, mushrooms, spinach, green beans and a Thai vinaigrette.

Share plate prices range from Roasted Fingerling Potatoes $11 to Prince Edward Island Mussels $24. Salads are priced at $17 to $22. Entrees range from $25 for the DG Burger to $55 for the Grilled Autonomy Farms Grass Fed Coulotte Steak.

Later in the meal when we ordered an Apple Crisp a la mode, Chef Adam arrived at our table. “It’s such a thrill to be working with Rich,” said Cherney. “He was my mentor over 20 years ago and I have such admiration and respect for him.” We learned that Chef Rich was an innovator in sustainable cuisine and is passionate about supporting local farmers.

These two talented chefs will be seasonally rotating the menu with new items based on the freshest produce they gather at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market and local Farmer’s Markets. “I’m going to check out the La Canada and La Crescenta Farmer’s Markets too,” said Cherney.

Farmhouse at Descanso is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Reservations are available on OpenTable. 

For more information and to make a reservation visit farmhousedg.org or call 818.949.4212. Follow the restaurant on Instagram @farmhousedg.

This review was featured in the Patch Los Angeles.