Doma Kitchen is a hidden gem, and I can’t believe I’m only now just discovering it! After just one bite of the sugar-coated sweet potato fries, I knew I would be coming back soon and bringing all of my friends. Located outside of the Manhattan Village Shopping Center, Doma Kitchen is the ideal restaurant to hit when you’re in need of a shopping break and want to enjoy a glass of wine, a hot cup of traditional Turkish coffee, or a satisfying gluten-free meal…
After speaking with Angie, the owner, and discussing her passion for healthy eating and trends in the food industry, I was really inspired by her dedication to provide a gluten-free meal to any diner. What makes Doma Kitchen special is its unique style of food; they serve global cuisine with a specialty in European and Asian food. This is not your basic lunch or dinner spot that serves simple soups and burgers. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes from Nutella and berry crepes to a sweet chili lamb salad.
Doma, meaning “home” in the Slavic language, is the perfect way to describe the environment of the restaurant with both communal and individual tables decorated for the season. As an appetizer, I insisted on ordering the sweet potato French fries cooked in cottonseed oil, and then doused in brown sugar and cinnamon and paired with a spicy horseradish sauce, giving a great mix of flavor. With so many enticing selections on the menu to choose from, I ended up ordering both a salad and main dish! I opted for the Autumn salad, which was large enough to be my meal on its own, as well as the Grilled Chicken sandwich with no bread. The salad dressing at Doma Kitchen was made from scratch for each order. Although it was a simple wine vinaigrette, it was the perfect compliment to the variety of flavors that came from the squash, beets, and goat cheese on the salad. The chicken was served on top of a bed of roasted Brussels sprouts that practically melted in my mouth. I think the pictures alone will make your mouth water.
I didn’t think I could be any more impressed by my meal, but then the gluten-free pumpkin cake was brought out. That festive treat was served in a jar and topped with marshmallow whipped cream and warm, cinnamon coated apple slices. Although full from the previous dishes, I couldn’t seem to stop myself from finishing every last bite! Doma Kitchen is now at the top of my list of restaurant recommendations in the Manhattan Beach area. It was as if eating gluten-free wasn’t a concern (which is rare…)! The waitress and chef were very accommodating and understanding of my dietary restriction and the meal didn’t make me feel compromised in the slightest bit!