Culver City is without a doubt one of the best places to eat, and this month’s ‘hottest’ list from food site LAEater gives bouquets to two of our newish and nicest; Lodge Bread on Washington Blvd. and Hanjip on Main Street.
CC Foodie has been a huge fan of Lodge Bread since they opened, and I have to confess that watching Michael Pollan’s new doc, “Cooked” lead me directly over to pick up a loaf of sourdough raised whole wheat, and for good measure, and assortment of oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies. Comparing Lodge Bread to anything else you can buy in a supermarket or a bakery is kind of unfair. It’s a whole other experience, and one of those soul satisfying things that are both crazy delicious and really healthy. To paraphrase Pollan, wheat is magical, and what makes it magic is air. Good bread is the basis of most of what we consider to be civilization. Oh, and whatever they are offering on special, get some. Great ideas result in spontaneous yumminess.
Hanjip is Culver City’s third or fourth iteration of Korean BBQ, but one that gets it so right. The meat is outstandingly high quality, and the cooking stands as Seoul food. Lunch is often easier to get in to than dinner, and some of the one bowl specials like Soon Tofu and (of course!) Bibimbap are better than anything you can find on Sawtelle north of Olympic. When it’s dinner, bring friends – the open grill is there to share. If you are a serious carnivore, you really can’t do better than the Chef’s Cuts. Whoever is sourcing the steak has the heart of a cowboy, and the budget of a ranch boss. Ban chans are side dishes, and they enhance and enchant with texture, flavor and aroma. Get lots.
While ‘locavore’ might be about planting your garden and filling your basket at the farmer’s market, it can also be about keeping the neighborhood eateries in customers. When it’s been dubbed the best, it’s time to try it out. I can bet you ‘ll be back soon.
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