Spartina opened just this past December here in Los Angeles, and has quickly risen in the ranks of popular LA restaurants. The vibe is awesome, the location is prime, and the food is pretty incredible. So, let’s just say, I’m not surprised. The restaurant has already had visits from A-list celebs including Jennifer Lawrence, and I’m thinking Spartina will be a household name in no time…
The restaurant is known for their pizza and pasta, and the pairings on these carb-filled dreams sound SPECTACULAR, but unfortunately, they do not serve gluten-free alternatives. Not to worry, much of the menu IS gluten-free and pretty amazing. To start, you MUST order the chickpea farinata and the grilled avocado topped with moroccan lemon oil, calabrian chili oil, and ricotta salata. If you’re not sure what a farinata is, I like to call this dish a chickpea pancake. Eat it plain, or top it with bites of the grilled avocado– both options are heavenly. My table also ordered the octopus with salami and potato, the prosciutto, and eggplant parmesan to start. I’m not an eggplant person so I sat it out, but I hear it is an absolute must-have if you’re a fan of the veggie. There is a veggie section on the menu, which you know I loved seeing! The broccolini was delicious, and the fried kale, roasted acorn squash, and grilled cauliflower all sounded amazing. For my main course, I went with the sea bass with slow roasted carrots, meyer lemon, capers, and brown butter. This was one of the best sea bass dishes I’ve ever had! Sea Bass can often be boring, but this dish was anything but! To complete our meal, we ordered the prime aged sirloin with yam… phenomenal, as well.
What I really love and appreciate about Spartina is how spacious the restaurant is. In no way do you feel like you are dining with your neighbors, and it makes for an intimate dining experience as well. On warmer nights, dine outside! The patio out front (equipped with heat lamps) is adorable and a great place to scout out the scene on Melrose Ave. Oh and a quick note, the restaurant is beer and wine only, but I hear a full liquor license is in the works!