Sawtelle Kitchen
Los Angeles, CA 90025-6230
Phone: (310) 445-9288
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Mississippi Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Sawtelle Kitchen – by Nicolas Rabinovitch & Laura Schneiderman
The Scene
In early 2007, this once kitchen-sized Japanese restaurant was converted into a higher-end eatery but still retains the warm, homey atmosphere of the original. The crowd has an eclectic feel, with local businessmen eating alongside artists, families and ladies who lunch. The romantic patio is a couples-favorite in the early evening, when the western sunset dimly shines on its candlelit tables.
The Food
Blurring the lines of cultural cuisine, Italian and American dishes are prepared with Japanese ingredients. Plump, shell-clad black mussels are steamed in sake and seaweed, and a cold, lemony-fresh whole artichoke comes with sesame aioli. Among entree highlights are the fried red snapper with a tangy citrus-soy dressing, and a crispy skin-on grilled half chicken. The spicy, intense spaghetti with Pollack caviar, daikon sprouts and squid sounds unusual but is surprisingly delicious. Katsu, the fried soul food of Southern Japan, can be ordered as a rich curry made with chicken, beef or pork.
Hits: The food is reasonably priced, making the large portions a great deal. As an added bonus, the waiters really know the menu and can give great tips on what to order.
Misses: The hustling kitchen sometimes churns out lukewarm food in the lunch rush, and it comes out too fast unless you specifically ask your server to pace the order.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Look GoodWhen it gets busy, service tends to be rushed. If you are having several courses, ask your waiter to pause between them so the table doesn't get too crowded.
Save TimeAt lunch, they only take reservations for parties of five or more. To beat the rush, arrive right when they open at noon, or when the crowd starts to dwindle after 1:30pm. The small counter usually has free spots even during the rush.
What to DrinkThe restaurant serves an impressive array of domestic and foreign wines tailored to the Asian-inspired food. Corkage is $15. There's also a small selection of Japanese, European, Tahitian and American beers.
User Reviews for Sawtelle Kitchen
11/28/2007 Posted by famousblueraincoat
never went when it used to more casual, so can't compare but i had a nice lunch here one day with some coworkers and tried diff stuff. lunch specials are good value, usually about $8.50 each and include soup, salad and rice. i like the 1/2 chicken best, very moist, while the snapper was ok but not remarkable. my spaghettin with roe was interesting, not sure i'd repeat, more of a novelty. wine list is very good, obviously someone knows what they are doing. i think corkage is reasonable. it's gets crowded at lunch. i don't think they take rez, so get there early or be willing to sit solo at the bar. service is good. patio is nice on pretty days.
Pros: good food, value lunch deals, nice wine list
Cons: busy at lunch, not as cheap as it used to be
11/18/2007 Posted by marpop
I've only been to this place once, but for me, all it takes is one bad impression. Though it's probably the cutest looking restaurant on the Sawtelle strip, the food is not good. I had the chicken lunch special and just as I had feared, the chicken was all nerve-y and cartilage-like. Gross. The cold artichoke appetizer was unusual but not necessarily tasty. All I kept thinking was, why is this place so busy??
Pros: Cute exteior with a cottage-like setting
Cons: The cartilage-filled chicken
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