Restaurant: The Little Door Santa Monica
Location: 246 26th Street. Santa Monica CA 90402. 310-210-8064
Date: October 5, 2014
Cuisine: Vaguely French
Rating: Tasty and Cute
The Little Door has been a midtown institution for around 20 years, and my wife and I even celebrated there the night we got engaged. Now they’ve moved west into my hood, taking over the old Villetta (and before that Chez Mimi) space across from the Brentwood Country Mart.
The patio here is lovely. It’s always been one of the cutest local spaces.
The Little Door has redecorated a bit with a tad more “rustique” (their word, not mine).
The French/Moroccan menu.
From my cellar: 1996 Maison Roche de Bellene Chambolle-Musigny Collection Bellenum Vieilles Vignes. 92 points. A very nice mature villages.
French bread of course.
SPICY STEAMED BLACK MUSSELS IN A RAS EL HANOUT BROTH. Tomatoes, Cilantro, Garbanzo Beans and Preserved Lemon.
SPICY AHI TUNA TARTARE WITH A SHAVED FENNEL SALAD. Brioche Toast and Green Olive Tapenade.
HEIRLOOM TOTATOES, WILD ARUGULA, GORGONZOLA CHEESE AND CANDIED WALNUT. Champagne Walnut Vinaigrette.
BARTLETT PEARS, PROSCIUTTO AMERICANO, FRESH LOCAL BURRATA, CROSTINIS. Aged Balsamic reduction, basil infused extra virgin olive oil and basil chiffonade.
GRILLED MEDITERRANEAN WILD SEA BASS, TOMATO PERNOD SAUCE.
GRILLED FILET MIGNON, ROASTED CIPOLLINI ONIONS, PORT WINE DEMI-GLACE. Herbed fingerling potato frites, haricot vert, and baby carrots.
COUSCOUS “ROYALE” WITH LAMB STEW, LAMB CHOPS, CHICKEN & MERGUEZ SAUSAGE.
Chocolate Soufflé.
Various ice creams.
And sorbets.
It’s nice to have another restaurant back in the neighborhood that executes well and isn’t Italian. Brentwood and environs is overrun with Italians. Not that I don’t love Italian food, but a little variety is nice. The Little Door is situated in a lovely space and serves up tasty (if a bit expensive) fair. Interestingly, it isn’t straight french but has strong Moroccan influences, which reminds me a bit of one of my local favorites: Sam’s by the Beach.