16
Larchmont Chronicle
JULY 2017
SECTION ONE
New English pub joins the ranks at Highland, Melrose I was sad when Mud Hen Tavern closed. It had that great indoor/outdoor patio, and good food, thanks to Chef Susan Feniger. Alas, when she and partner Mary Sue Milliken took on the Huntington, the Hen squawked her last. The shuttered property sat empty for what seemed like ages, even after the announcement that the historic Cat & Fiddle was moving in. Great! Pub grub and brews to counter the excess of fabulousness that is the culinary kingdom around Highland and Melrose. A few days after launching, five of us gave her a whirl. Physically, hardly anything has changed since Hen days. A few lanterns and stained glass nod toward Merry Olde England, but that’s about it. The menu, however, pays homage to typical pubs: bangers and mash, fish and chips, sticky toffee pudding. Prices rarely surpass $12, but don’t
T U E S D A Y , J U LY 1 8 • 5 – 9 P M
9TH ANNUAL
SU PP O RTI NG TH E FI RST- I N FI R E FOU N DATIO N
Join us for our 9th Annual tasting extravaganza featuring the finest culinary delights The Original Farmers Market has to offer. The event supports the work of the First-In Fire Foundation benefiting LAFD youth leadership programs and projects at local fire stations, in partnership with the brave firefighters from our neighborhood firehouses — Station 61 & Station 29.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • Over 50 tastes from your favorite Market merchants • Special “Firehouse Chili” (veggie & meat lovers) made by our local firehouse chefs • Firefighter meet & greets • Fire truck on display for photo opportunities • Live entertainment • Community craft table • Meet & greet w/ Wilshire the fire dog
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! ADULT TICKETS: $35 $40 AT THE DOOR. 10% GROUP DISCOUNT ON 10 OR MORE TICKETS
CHILD’S TICKET: $10 10 tastes for 10 and younger
BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AT FARMERSMARKETLA.COM OR AT THE FARMERS MARKET OFFICE (upstairs, above Gate One until 7pm daily)
Adult ticket price includes: food, beer & wine tastings, and two beverage vouchers good for non-alcoholic beverages.
HURRY… THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT ! 6333 W. THIRD ST. • LOS ANGELES 323.933.9211 • FARMERSMARKETLA.COM /FARMERSMARKETLA Insta
On the Menu by
Helene Seifer expect any culinary finesse. The mashed potato topped ground lamb and beef in the $10 shepherd’s pie was under-seasoned. A perfectly adequate accompaniment to a beer, but not as good as the best of that ilk. Same with the curried chicken pie, also $10. The $8 fries were terrific, though. Crispy, with fluffy innards, served with an addictive malt vinegar aioli. Spicy grilled shrimp was overcooked, but the vinegary green papaya slaw worked. The $12 mac and cheese needed a hot sauce boost. Arguably the best thing on the menu is the $11 Angus Beef Burger. A succulent patty was topped with a flavorful combo of Monterey Jack, mushrooms and aioli. Cocktails were very good, although a tad sweet. Service hasn’t found its groove yet. We waited at the bar for a table and they forgot about us. Once served, we had to ask twice for the hot sauce and a drink. Still, I think there’s a need for this kind of easy-going establishment in the neighborhood, and I trust they’ll fix some of the kinks in the months to come. Cat & Fiddle, 742 N. Highland Ave., 323-468-3800. • • • A recent girls’ night out found us longing for Thai food, so we headed to Night + Market Song for spicy street fare. Chef Kris Yenbamroong cut his teeth in the family restaurant, Talesai, and started Night + Market in an adjacent space before opening this second iteration in Silverlake (Song means “two”). Bright colors and a youthful ambiance energize the space; bright flavors and a creative flare energize the food. A $14 special of garlic shrimp and green beans vibrated with flavor. Uni fried rice, $17, layered creamy sea urchin over jasmine rice; fish sauce and salmon caviar added the right jolt of salt. Roast duck with eggplant and green curry was a homey offering. I’d try a curry with a little more heat next time. One of the most complex dishes we tried was the “startled pig” salad of pork, basil, lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, lime, chile, onions, cilantro and rice powder. The $9 sour, sweet, salty and spicy dish was a major flavor bomb, by turns refreshing and sweat-inducing, exactly what we wanted. Wine, beer and sake are served. Night + Market Song, 3322 W. Sunset Blvd., 323-6655899. Contact Helene at onthemenu@larchmontchronicle.com.