Hinoki & the Bird

When the biggest issue you can write about a restaurant is that it’s difficult to find, you know this review is going to glow.  I’m sure by now you’ve heard of Hinoki & The Bird which opened in January.  David Myers imaginative food is amazing but you’ve come to expect that, right?  David’s long list of restaurants include Sona, Comme Ca in West Hollywood and Las Vegas, Pizzeria Ortica in Orange County, multiple Sola locations in Tokyo and now of course, the Silk Road-inspired Hinoki & The Bird in Century City.  

I ventured in to Hinoki & The Bird last night with friends only after having to call the restaurant to truly figure out where it was.  That’s because it’s part of a new building in Century City on a road that didn’t exist when the GPS in your car was last programmed.  

But that was the last of my challenges as I arrived early and seated me immediately.  Unheard of in LA, I know.  I ordered a drink, the Gordon’s Cup on my waiter’s recommendation and eased into some serious people watching.  And then I noticed it.  The kitchen.  The only kitchen I’ve ever seen with the best looking kitchen staff EVER.  Now, I’m not talking model thin, crazy high cheek bones good looking.  I’m talking about the kind of attractiveness that just makes you want to invite all those people to your house, visit and drink long into the night.  Well that’s my version of good looking at least.

Our waiter was sweet and kind and knowledgeable.  We went over half the menu before my friends arrived but that was all I needed to put us in his hands for the evening.  We started with the Raw Bar and devoured the Marinated Tuna and lemongrass salad along with the Scallops with grapefruit and lime leaf.  Next was the Crispy Marinated Chicken with lemon aoli, Chili Crab Toast with spicy cucumber and coriander and Salt & Pepper Marinated Fried Calamari with ajwain-tomato jam.

What I’m about to tell you is shocking, I know, but I ordered too much food.  So hold on to your hat.  After the Raw Bar and Fun Bites items, I moved to the bigger course with the BBQ Pork, Apple marinated Shortrib, the Lobster Roll, Coconut-curried Mussels, Hinoki scented Cod and the Caramel braised kurobuta Pork Belly.

Oh yeah and then we had dessert.  Yikes!  

Nick, one of the managers, came over to see how we were doing and he couldn’t have been more delightful.  Even the restroom had a bit of whimsy and something unusual about it.  If you haven’t tried Hinoki & The Bird yet, you must. 

Heather’s Rating: Worth Going Back Over and Over

Hinoki & The Bird

10 Century Drive, Los Angeles 90067

(310)552-1200

Open: Tue-Sat 5:30p-10:00p, Lunch Tue-Fri 11:30a-2:30p

Reservations

Salt's Cure

This is what happens when friends go to dinner and blog - dueling reviews!

Heather: This review is incredibly old because Craig and I are crazy busy and had a bit of mis-communication.  But we’re here now so here we go.  Craig’s going to do a lot of complaining about Salt’s Cure which tells you he has exacting standards.  He also doesn’t play well with others but then again, I don’t either.  That said, I liked Salt’s Cure - a lot - and would go back if it wasn’t so far away from where I live.  You see, I used to live right up the hill from it’s locale but now I have kids and live on the westside of LA.  If Salt’s Cure were in West LA, I would certainly be there more often.  But it’s not, so I’m not.  :(

The menu is incredibly limited and changes almost daily.  That chalkboard above is pretty much it which is amazing if you think about how much they save in printing menus every day.  The meat is a little salty but don’t you expect that from a place that cures/brines everything and is called SALT’S CURE?  Exactly.

Go, eat the food but the past part are the owners - those two guys in the picture above.  How can you not love them?  They take their meat VERY seriously and I can appreciate that.  Just like I appreciate Craig for his high expectations and demanding nature. 

Craig: I had heard about Salt’s Cure for some time.  Heard about it opening, heard about lots of people going there, heard about, heard about.  But I actually, come to realize, knew very little about the place.  I certainly didn't know that their fancy chalkboard contained the only items on the menu and not just the specials.  (Wait, you have, like 9 total dishes?)  I didn't know the guys behind the bar owned the place.  And I certainly didn’t know that all those appealing dishes other people were ordering that were not on the chalkboard were actually on a printed wine menu.  I mean, guys, get it together!  You can’t tell me the whole menu is on the chalkboard and then hide the cheese plate on the wine menu.  You hide a cheese plate from me, and I will come after you.

Aside from my cheese rant, the place was enjoyable enough.  The food was good, and the wine was good.  After a long and stressful week, it was a nice, relaxing evening even amidst the rare Los Angeles rain.  But what made it really great, not to be too pandering, was the company at hand.  In the end, it doesn't matter if you go to a McDonald’s, it’s the glittering nature of conversation and friendship that makes even what was really just an “OK” meal a great time.  So go ahead and try Salt’s Cure once or twice.  It’s not a repeat kind of place.  Unless you repeat with a good friend.  In which case, you should try someplace that matches the company.

Craig’s Rating: Worth going back…maybe.

Heather’s Rating: Worth Going Back

Salt’s Cure

7494 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood 90046

(323)850-7258

Open: Closed Tuesdays, Dinner 5:30p-10:00pm, Sat & Sun Brunch AND Weekday Lunch 11:00a-3:00p

Reservations

Picca

I’m going to take the surprise out of this review and let you know that my vote for Picca has always been “Go again and again”.  

And I have.  

Liberally.  

And usually with a taxi, given the deliciousness and wide range of cocktails made only with Peruvian liquors.  (You’d be surprised how strong pisco is.)  

The delight in Picca is when you go “again and again” and take someone who is tasting this delightful hotspot’s food for the first time.  Like a pro, I know to order the Black Cod Anticucho (even though I have no idea what anticucho means), and the Chicharron de Pollo (fried chicken nuggets!), and then I look all smart when my good friend looks across the table with a smile.  Little does she know that I only know what to order because this restaurant’s staff are just as helpful and friendly as any in town.  Conversation makes a meal, and the conversation certainly was the best part of Tuesday night’s dinner, but it certainly helped that Picca’s small plates are universally delicious the perfect complement to a fantastic dinner with a good friend.  

Craig’s Rating: Go Again and Again and Again

Picca

9575 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles (310)277-0133

Open Every Day: 6p-11p

Reservations

Stella Barra Pizzaria

I’ve been in love with Stella Rosa in Santa Monica for awhile now.  Amazing pizzas, great drinks, decent wines and probably the best burrata appetizer I’ve EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.  Yes, you heard me.  THE BEST.  I just want to take it and smear it all over me so I can love on it 24/7.  Oh wait, I digress.

Stella Rosa has a paternal twin in Hollywood.  Not an identical twin but they look an awful lot alike.  Stella Barra is Chef Jeff Mahin’s Hollywood version of Stella Rosa.  The pizzas are there but they’ve added a few more things in - like lunch and breakfast.  Sounds like a must-go to me!

Stella Barra

6372 West Sunset Blvd.

Between North Cahuenga & Vine

(323)301-4001