In a typical year, the Palisadian-Post publishes an array of dining reviews—dining in at restaurants in town and within driving distance. This year, in response to Public Health orders, the paper focused on takeout reviews, with our editor-in-chief snapping shots of dishes in her kitchen. Here are some of this year’s highlights.
April 23 Tallula’s: Nachos “Sencillo”
The first establishment in our Reviewing from Home series was Santa Monica Canyon’s Tallula’s, which, since opening in May 2017, has served Mexican fare from Entrada Drive. Tallula’s is part of the Rustic Canyon Family, a collection of dining that is geared to seasonality and making as much as possible in-house. “All of our restaurants are neighborhood restaurants at heart, and Tallula’s happens to be our neighborhood’s restaurant,” Co-Owner Josh Loeb, who has roots in Santa Monica Canyon, shared with the Post. Pictured here are the Nachos “Sencillo,” with salsa roja, spicy giardiniera, crema and “lots of cheese” served over tortilla chips.
April 30 CinqueTerre WEST Osteria: Pollo al Limone
A look back at dining reviews in 2020 would not be complete without highlighting fan-favorite Monument Street eatery CinqueTerre WEST Osteria, run by Palisadians Gianbattista “Gianba”and Marlo Vinzoni. “We are a part of the community,” Marlo shared with the Post about why it was important for the couple to keep the restaurant open for takeout and delivery, even at the start of the pandemic, “not only as a business, but this is our home.” CinqueTerre shared a few of their most popular dishes, including the Pollo al Limone, featuring a half chicken with garlic confit with a white wine sauce.
May 7 The Draycott: Casarecce
Palisades Village dining spot The Draycott, owned and operated by Palisadians Matt and Marissa Hermer since it opened with the development in September 2018, quickly shifted its operations as Public Health orders went into place to remain open for takeout and delivery. The restaurant also launched its “YOU GIVE. WE COOK. THEY EAT,” feeding first responders, essential workers and senior neighbors. One of the dishes served at The Draycott at the time of the review was a homemade pasta: Casarecce, an arugula-cashew pesto.
October 1 Nueva: Smokey Caesar
With Vartan Abgaryan and Mesraim Llanez leading the culinary team, Nueva opened its Venice doors in August in the midst of the pandemic. The “contemporary Mexican cantina” is a joint effort from restaurateur Jared Meisler along with Dave and Patti Reiss of the Reiss Co, which has been in the works for more than a year. One of the most memorable dishes sampled from the restaurant—and, quite frankly, the year—was the Smokey Caesar, with grilled romaine, tortilla strips and parmesan topped with a chipotle Caesar dressing.
October 29 Honeybee Burger: The Bee-rito
After originally opening April 2019 in Los Feliz, Honeybee Burger, owned and operated by Palisadian Adam Weiss, has buzzed over to the Westside to deliver a 100% plant-based menu from Santa Monica Boulevard. “What’s different is that we are totally mission driven,” Weiss explained at the time of the review. “Our mission is to help save the planet by getting people to choose plant-based food over animal-based alternatives.” Though burger is in the restaurant name, Honeybee serves more than just that: there is The Bee-rito, packed with JUST Egg, cheesey tots, house-made pico de gallo and a roasted pepper sauce, all rolled into a toasted jumbo spinach tortilla.
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