Put this story into the category of a “hidden secret” because up until a couple of weeks ago I was not familiar with Sadie Kitchen and Lounge, which is tucked away in Hollywood on North Las Palmas Blvd. It is an impressive space that has just been augmented by their large outside patio area, and it is eight months since chef Jonathan Moulton took charge of the kitchen. The people who do this kind of thing have decided it is about time he was introduced to a larger audience, so at a dinner this week I got the chance to try some of his signature dishes. The restaurant used to be the Les Deux Nightclub, a place I had not heard of either, but by all accounts a rather uncivilized place.

Moulton has been in charge for about eight months, and his cooking is on the eclectic side, with a typical example being the Moroccan Spiced Grilled Octopus, a dish that I have seen popping up on menus lately with increased frequency. His version is served with pickled turnip, tomato, herbs and a garlic aioli, and although a bit chewy, well worth ordering.

Also seen on a lot of menu’s lately is fried chicken, and the version at Sadie’s comes with a sweet potato waffle, maple sriracha butter and coleslaw. Cooked in buttermilk of course, it was perfectly tender and a good choice to order. I also liked the Bourbon Glazed Ham Chop with spoonbread and a crispy poached egg, and if you are into savory style food then Sadie Kitchen is for you.

Dessert of Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate was quickly waffled down and consisted of a peanut butter crunch bar, malted mocha pot de crème and coconut hot chocolate.

Of course no decent restaurant these days survives without a bartender/mixologist who knows his stuff, and in the case of Sadie it is Giovanni Martinez. Examples of his signature cocktails are a fruity summer drink called ‘Summer Lovin,’ featuring Bombay dry gin w/strawberry-melon syrup, aperol, lemon juice and soda. ‘French Summer’ is more classic with Noilly Prat dry gin, lime juice, vanilla syrup and jasmine.

Later on we tried ‘Kentucky Ninja,’ a Japanese single malt whisky w/bourbon, lemon juice, lavender induced wild honey all shaken and stirred and topped off with peychaud’s bitters.

Sadie Kitchen and Lounge
1638 North Las Palmas Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 467-0200

Valet Parking    $5