So, I’m starting to learn the big names and restaurant groups in Los Angeles, and several people have told me that any restaurant Bill Chait is affiliated with is a must-try. Chait’s name is behind several of Los Angeles’s most popular restaurants, including Republique. Located in Hancock Park, Republique was listed on just about every “Top Hotspots” list I looked at before my trip…
I had the opportunity to go to Republique and was blown away by the restaurant. **NOTE** The menu affiliated with this review is a very ROUGH look at the types of dishes you may see at Republique as the menu changes daily. For instance, the ora king salmon gravlax that was listed under TOAST the night I went to the restaurant (not GF) was featured as part of a fingerling potato salad the night before (GF), and the night before that it was served in a spoon (GF). This brings me to one of the most important features of the restaurant. The kitchen was VERY accommodating when it came to gluten allergies and other dietary restrictions. When I was at the restaurant, rather then just withholding breadcrumbs or brown butter in dishes (I’m dairy free too), the kitchen went out of their way to come up with off the menu food pairing for the items I ordered that needed alternations. So what should you order? To start, the hamachi crudo with a banana-thai curry and pineapple was pretty amazing, as were the scallops. The beef tartare was also gluten free, and although I didn’t order it, I wish I had! The little gem salad with avocado, fennel and almonds was the PERFECT appetizer for you to have on your own or to split with a friend; it was deliciously light and tangy. My table and I also ordered the roasted cauliflower and broccoli, octopus salad, and roasted vegetables. All were delicious! The capers that were paired with the cauliflower and broccoli were incredibly unique and made the veggies all the more amazing! There was no gluten free pasta or bread at the restaurant, so that knocked out the menu’s TOAST, BREAD, TARTE, and PASTA sections, but how many nobread-friendly options the restaurant had kept me full for HOURS.
All in all Republique was amazing… I mean, any restaurant that has a lively scene on a Monday without hosting an “industry night” or some other sponsored event is off to a good start in my book. The restaurant is most popular for brunch, and I NEED to go back and try it! The kimchi fried rice dish is calling my name! Republique is also one of the LARGEST restaurants I’ve seen in both LA and NYC, and I’m amazed that a restaurant so big can keep such a loyal dining base and popular reputation. Perfect for your next date, a large group party, catching up with a friend, or dinner with your parents; I highly recommend checking out this LA hotspot!