The bounty of spring is upon us, and spring holidays like Easter and Passover are the perfect occasion for feasting on the season’s bounty. The star of the show? The very traditional and just decadent enough lamb is the perfect centerpiece for an Easter feast. It’s hearty, not heavy and pairs wonderfully with fresh green herbs and vegetables. Passover classics like hearty brisket and local potatoes are better than ever. Whatever the occasion, here’s a can’t-miss-list of where to enjoy the perfect holiday meal this spring.
All photos courtesy of Wagstaff Worldwide
Stellar lamb dishes for Easter feasts:
The Little Door Santa Monica
246 26th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310-310-8064
www.thelittledoorsm.com
Celebrating their first Easter, The Little Door Santa Monica offers their classic Couscous Royale, a gussied up lamb stew with lamb chops, merguez sausage, roasted vegetables and couscous. Served traditional style in a tajine with spicy harissa and sweet chutney on the side, this dish has been a staple of Chef T. Nicolas Peter for almost 20 years and is always available on the dinner menu at both The Little Door locations for $44. Also, take advantage of their new French Moroccan Menu offered Sundays and Mondays for $40 this Easter Sunday and experience a French adaption of Moroccan flavors and cuisine. This menu is designed to be shared and features selections like Chicken Tajine with green olives and zucchinis, Grilled Marinated Mediterranean White Sea Bass Tajine, and a selection of Moroccan treats for dessert.
Fogo de Chão Downtown Los Angeles
800 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-228-4300
www.fogodechao.com
Celebrate Easter the gaucho way with traditional Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão at its newly opened downtown location on Figueroa and 8th. Fogo de Chão has two lamb, or cordeiro, staples on the menu: tender delicious leg of lamb and grilled lamb chops. Traditional condiments, such as mint jelly and chimichurri, are available. Fogo de Chão will be open all day on Easter from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and your Churrasco-style dinner complete with the all-new Market Table is priced at the normal dinner price of $54.50.
Fig & Olive
8490 Melrose Pl,
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310-360-9100
www.figandolive.com
Melrose Place staple Fig & Olive presents Rosemary Lamb Chops for your traditional Easter enjoyment. Chops are grilled, smoked à la minute with a bouquet of Herbs de Provence and served with goat cheese and chive gnocchi, roast honey, thyme eggplant and rosemary garlic olive oil. It is available during dinner service all season for $39.
Terrine
8265 Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-746-5130
www.terrinela.com
Chef Kris Morningstar of California brasserie Terrine serves up a Grilled Lamb Sirloin with artichokes en barigoule, chickpeas, tapenade and preserved lemon that’s perfect for springtime celebrations. Enjoy this dish through Easter Sunday until it runs out.
Abigaile
1301 Manhattan Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-798-8227
www.abigailerestaurant.com
Blackhouse Hospitality Group’s Chef Tin Vuong of “globally-influenced + domestically-sourced” Abigaile offers two lamb dishes in contrasting styles for your Easter lamb cravings. First up is Moroccan Lamb Kibbeh, which is a type of meatball, served with spicy tomato fondue, celery and mint salsa, tzatziki, feta and toasted pita for a mere $14. Second only in mentioning is the rich and hearty Poutine for $15 with braised lamb belly, organic fried egg, caramelized onions and fries.
Steak & Whisky
117 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-318-5555
www.steakandwhisky.com
Newly opened Hermosa Beach hotspot also brought to you from Blackhouse Hospitality Group’s Chef Tin Vuong is Steak and Whisky, which presents a fresh take on a classic that’s perfect for Easter Sunday—Lamb Pot Pie with roasted root vegetables and mint crème fraîche. The dish is presented tableside and constructively served crust down, with all the roasted goodness on top. Try this dish all season for $33.
The Larchmont
5750 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-464-4277
www.thelarchmont.com
The Larchmont’s new executive chef Kevin Kathman, a French Laundry alum, creates an “Everything from the Rabbit” dish, just in time for Easter. This dish is exactly what it sounds like – it features all parts of the rabbit, including leg, loin, rack, liver, kidney and even includes housemade rabbit bacon. Additionally, Kathman incorporates all the food that rabbits eat – roasted carrots, carrot top chimichurri, carrot top puree and braised romaine lettuce. This dish is truly one-of-a-kind and those seeking Easter lamb will not be disappointed.
Faith & Flower
705 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-239-0642
www.faithandflowerla.com
Executive Chef Michael Hung of Faith & Flower turns your Easter lamb into a pierogi—an Eastern European dumpling. Pierogis are traditionally made of unleavened dough, filled, boiled and then pan fried. Try the Lamb Pierogis with caramelized onion, crème fraîche and apple salsa all season long for $19.
Acabar
1510 N Stanley Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323-876-1400
www.acabarla.com
Two completely contrasting yet delicious lamb options from Chef Kevin Luzande of Acabar are available Easter Sunday for your lamb fix. First up is the Crispy Lamb Bun with braised lamb, sriracha aioli, pear chutney and cotija cheese for $16. If you want something a little heartier, try the comforting Lamb Tagine with braised lamb, couscous, garbanzo beans and preserved tangerines for $29.
Photo: Emily Hart Roth
For Passover celebrations, check out these standout options to complete your holiday celebration:
Huckleberry Bakery & Café
1014 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-451-2311
www.huckleberrycafe.com
For Passover celebrations, consider letting co-owner and baker Zoe Nathan of Huckleberry Bakery & Café cater your Passover dinner. Highlights include Sunfed Ranch Braised Beef Brisket ($110, serves 8-10), Weiser Farm’s Potato Kugel with caramelized onions and thyme ($50 serves 8-10). Catering options must be placed 48 hours in advance by calling 310-451-2311. Passover-friendly items are also available in house like Warm Housemade Brisket Sandwich on ciabatta or Creekstone Farm’s Brisket Hash with Weiser Farm’s roasted potatoes, sunny-side up eggs and arugula both available all the time for $13.50.
Freds at Barneys New York
9570 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310-276-4400
Newly opened Freds at world-class chopping meca Barneys New York in Beverly Hills will be offering a Passover Menu available for dine in and take out. Both options will feature Homemade Matzoh, My Mother’s Brisket, Gefilte fish and vegetable sides—to name a few. With stunning panoramic views of the city, it’s the perfect spot for your Passover feast. The dine-in menu is $95 and take out options will range from $15 – $25, depending on the quantity. Take-out menu items must be placed 48 hours in advance.
AKASHA
9543 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310-845-1700
www.akasharestaurant.com
For a complete Seder, check out Culver City restaurant icon AKASHA. For the sixth year in a row, since the inception of the restaurant, AKASHA will host a traditional kosher-style Seder on Friday April 3, complete with Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Chef Akasha Richmond’s very own Matzoh Ball Soup. Other dishes will include Sephardic Fish Balls with Tunisian Tomato Sauce and Meyer Lemon Horseradish, Tuscan Style Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with Weiser Farms fingerling potatoes and Agrodolce carrots with golden raisins and pine nuts and Eggplant Melanzane with Almond Milk “Ricotta” and asparagus with spring onions. Reception and arrival begins at 6:30 p.m. with Seder and dinner to follow at 7 p.m. Cost is $90 for adults and $45 for children under 12. Phone reservations only and must be made in advance. Chef and owner Akasha Richmond is also working on her second concept to open in Culver City down the street from her namesake.
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