dining by neighborhood | Culver City

It's the Bermuda Triangle of LA: Culver City lurks in the center of Los Angeles, and once you enter, all the streets change direction. Seriously. But as of about two years ago, Culver City started to heat up: world-class art galleries moved in, then hip boutiques, and now hot gourmet eateries. The best new restaurants in LA are cropping up here, so get sucked into this Twilight Zone of city planning (we found out the streets are wonky due to the encroaching mountains, and old railroad lines). The second you take your first bite, you'll be glad you got lost in Culver City.

Ford's Filling Station

Chef Ben Ford fills the plates at his Filling Station, a gastropub with sturdy fare like fish'n'chips and Tuscan-style flattened chicken. Gastropubs specialize in offering small plates to go along with beer or wine, perfect for unwinding with friends after work. Grab a draft Hefeweisen or Anchor Steam and enjoy a plate of cured meats like Finocchiona Salami or Prosciutto de Parma; a cheese plate or the tasty four-cheese flatbread; a savory split pea soup with smoky bacon, or melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef cheeks.

9531 Culver Blvd. • LA , CA 90048 • (310) 202-1470 •  website

White Shrimp Flatbread

Flatbread Dough

1 Qt. water
1 Oz fresh yeast
¼ Cup kosher salt
1/6 Cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 Gal AP flour

Mix together the yeast and the water. Add the salt and the oil. Using the dough hook attachment, add the flour. Reserve 1 qt. (you may not need it). Mix for 6 min. on speed setting #1; then, 6 min. on speed setting #2. The finished dough should be firm and moist (not sticky!!). If the dough is still a bit sticky, then add more flour. Roll out 2.5 oz pieces of dough. Must be very thin. Par cook individually rolled out flatbreads on parchment ( the weight of the topping wont hold up otherwise at 550 degree oven for 2 min. Reserve par cooked flatbread for toppings

White Bean Hummus

1/2 Qt White Beans
1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. white wine viniger
1Tbsp. tahini
1/4 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. roasted garlic
10 Oz. cooked white beans

\Combine all the ingredients together in the food processor and puree very well. Run the puree through the food mill on the finest grate.

Pizza

4 shrimp (cut in half)
Lemon juice (to taste)
1/2 oz caramelized onions
1/2 oz sauteed leeks
1/3 Cup mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp. parmesan
cheese

Spread white bean hummus on the par cooked flat bread. Top with shrimp(cut in half if too large). Sauteed leeks, caramelized onions, shredded motzerella and parmensan. Finish with lemon juice. Cook at 550 until done approx. 4-5 min.

Recipe courtesy Ford's Filling Station

 

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Bharat Bazaar and Samosa House

This tasty neighborhood institution serves up vegetarian Indian food alongside an Indian market featuring imported South Indian spices and ingredients. The family that owns the place is super friendly, chatting with you as you order and explaining any exotic dish you need defined. And of course, try the samosas: flawless flaky pods of potatoes, peas and spices, cooked to perfection. Be gutsy and try the jackfruit: it's a surprisingly delicious meat alternative. Who knew?

11510 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 398-6766


Meltdown

Grilled. Cheese. Restaurant. How could it get any better? Meltdown makes grilled cheese an art form, giving that much-loved combo of bread, butter and cheese the respect it so richly deserves. Yes, it's a bit pricy for just grilled cheese ($6-$9.50), but we're talking the Cadillac of grilled cheese sammies here: try the sharp cheddar, smoked ham and apple butter on sourdough, or the sweet brie-and-apricot on walnut bread. Getting cheesy never tasted so good. Beware, late risers: it's only open for breakfast and lunch.

9739 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 838-6358

website

 


Tender Greens

The freshest local organic produce you can find is on the menu here at Tender Greens. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant (meat is available, but the whole menu emphasizes veggies) fosters relationships with nearby farms to ensure their salads, line-caught ahi tuna, rustic bread sandwiches and savory soups are amazingly delicious. Order at the counter and sit on the patio for a refreshing afternoon.

9523 Culver Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 842-8300

website


Fraiche

Los Angeles Magazine chose Fraiche as the best new restaurant in LA for 2007, and we totally understand why. Styled after a French brasserie, the desserts are especially gorgeous: profiteroles with butterscotch, a flawless panna cotta, carrot cake and a luxurious pot du creme round out the selections. The menu runs toward rustic French selections and Italian specialties like risotto and ravioli. It's busy, so make a reservation, at hit the bar while you wait for your table: their house drinks are crowdpleasers unto themselves.

9411 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 839-6800

website