Hatchet Hall & Tomat LA
This city is so spread out, I find myself wondering how anyone in Woodland Hills can think they live within the same jurisdiction as someone in Koreatown. What a messy jumble of neighborhoods and tastes Los Angeles is. And what fun it’s been to seek out off-the-beaten-path dining all over town.
This month’s finds hail from Westchester (yes, there’s more than an airport there!) and Culver City, a long-burgeoning hot bed of culinary adventures, and they each showcase very different cuisines.
Hatchet Hall
Hatchet Hall is not new to Culver City. In fact, it’s been around long enough to earn and then lose a Michelin star, and it continues to thrive through various chef changes. Even early on a Tuesday evening, the joint is bustling, which, considering what a massive warren of rooms it encompasses, is especially impressive. The restaurant was founded on historic American cooking traditions and hence, is partial to wood-fire cooking and Southern cuisine.
The most delightful hush puppies with a succulent crab dip, excellent shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes with hot pepper jelly and sprouted cauliflower enhanced by a subtle jalapeno bagna cauda and preserved lemon all landed right on target. The corn bread is apparently beyond, but, come on, how much can two people eat at one sitting? That was a rhetorical question for most; I could’ve kept on eating. Suffice it to say, this place deserves the attention it’s gotten, and I can imagine it would be a terrific place for a group celebration.
Tomat LA
Onward to a parking lot behind a complex of Rite-Aids and Petcos where hides an innovative and inviting restaurant called Tomat. The cuisine is a mash -up of British and Indian tastes which reflect the owner/chef’s heritages and combine for truly inspired dishes. The atmosphere is hip and neighborhood- friendly, the commitment to sustainability is off the charts, and the food is delicious. Especially fabulous: the trout and chips, the barbari bread with tomato butter, charred brussels sprouts and ribeye kabob with charred chimichurri. Even when a dish, like the Hamachi crudo didn’t wow, it was interesting, and the vibe and mission of this restaurant is so positive, I whole-heartedly endorse going out of your way to support it. P.S. there’s a fabulous bookstore right next door, so…..
Molly Cheek
Molly Cheek is a retired actor and Epicurean School graduate. She is best known for her roles in “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” and the “American Pie” franchise, (she baked the pie!). For her second act, she turned to her real love: Eating!!! Molly created a catering and home-cooked gourmet gift basket business, placing her baked goods in coffee joints and on craft service tables around Los Angeles. And even though she’s moved on from that endeavor, she still loves to eat. She starts dreaming of lunch as soon as breakfast is done. Cooking is fun, but eating out is her happy place. And she loves to talk about what she eats…..and what you eat and what people on TV eat…. So, she hopes her enthusiasm for food will ignite some tastebuds and inspire you Tomatoes to try something new.
