That would be Sawtelle Kitchen. I had often passed by the tiny cottage-like restaurant while walking (or driving, often at the same speed as walking, thanks to rush hour LA traffic) down Sawtelle. I was always a little scared to eat there should I burst the perfect bubble image I painted in my head of the ever-so-cute-from-the-outside restaurant. But yesterday I finally faced my fears (with some encouragement from Scott) and stepped inside.

I waited for it to be too drafty or have boring decor – it was hip yet warm and cozy. The staff came up to greet us and I waited for them to be rude biznatches – they were uber-nice and attentive. I waited for the table to be all awkward and anti-feng shui-ish – it was against the wall but was nicely intimate and not too cramped. Was the food going to be bland? The portions too teeny? No – the wasabi sauce on Scott’s salmon was amazing and my shrimp & mushroom gratin was ginormous – quite the mother of all gratins. Would the meal cost me my first born child? No, $30ish for 2 people including salads and dessert! Perfection.

I left not being this excited about a place since Sloopy’s. The only thing that could ruin my trip would be if I got food poisoning, but until then A++ for Sawtelle Kitchen!!

P.S. I made the unforgivable mistake of not bringing my camera so please make do with this one I borrowed from Yelp.