I met chef Lowenthal at The Eastside Food Festival and had no idea of what a treat I would be in for when he and his publicist invited me in for a promotion they call Bird and a Bottle. I was told that my writing about my experience was not really necessary, but I opted to write about it anyway. Some thing this good needs to be shared with all of my readers.
This great little gem is right in the heart of Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock, pretty much the new up and coming foodie capital. Little Beast is something to be cherished and remembered. Housed in a 1911 craftsman bungalow, it is charming, and gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
I sat in one of the patios, under the stars on a nice balmy Los Angeles evening. Chef Lowenthal gave me a few choices of small plates and generously made the Coq Au Vin a whole bird instead of half.
Here’s what I tried:
The wine:
A Full Bottle of Vacqueyras Domaine De LA Verde 2011, so very French and so very perfect with my bird.
The Food:
Roasted Tomato Soup with three-cheese crostini, Parmesan, cheddar, cream cheese, avocado purée. This soup is delicate and delicious; the crostini is just what the doctor ordered.
Burrata & Proscuitto with asparagus, mizuna, shaved crouton, charred shallot sumac vinaigrette. This burrata is very creamy and the pairing of it with the asparagus is new for me. A big dish so be prepared, but very scrumptious all the same.
California Sea Bass Crudo with blood orange, frisée, cucumber, radish, yuzu vinaigrette, crispy wonton. This dish is part Asian and part Latin, the fish is perfectly fresh and the accompaniments are just the right amount of everything.
Coq Au Vin, Red wine braised whole chicken, roasted mushroom, pearl onion, pancetta, baby carrot, mashed potato, jus. Home cooking is what this dish is all about and talk about your comfort food. The chicken skin is crispy, but the inside of the chicken is so tender and flavorful. Just the best version of this dish ever. All I could do was think about my father in every bite, he used to make a mean Coq Au Vin!!
Dessert:
Brioche bread Pudding with crème anglaise, cinnamon caramel, and whipped cream. It tastes like a big vanilla French toast dessert with lots of caramel flavor, a real big hit with me.
Belgian Chocolate Pudding with Chantilly crema, shaved chocolate, maldon sea salt. Everywhere you read about Little Beast they say you must try this dessert, I know why!!
Little Beast Restaurant is the realization of years of culinary training, family dreams and determination by husband and wife team Deborah Schwartz-Lowenthal and Chef Sean Lowenthal. Offering a menu of progressive American comfort food, the menu speaks to the seasons, the availability of pristine, local produce and to the talents of Lowenthal’s team. A culinary graduate of the Art Institute in Colorado, Lowenthal served as the Chef at Greenbriar in Boulder, Colorado before relocating to Los Angeles in 2010 where he then became the sous chef at LA’s iconic Chateau Marmont. Meeting his wife Deborah, at the dog park in 2009 completed his missing pieces to what was already a good life. The name “Little Beast” came from their term of endearment of their son, Miles. Little Beast has been in business for 2 years, they have had much success and well deserved, Little Beast gets my highest accolades, truly delightful food with a great atmosphere!
The staff is just so accommodating, my server Sarah was a wealth of knowledge, she instructed me to try the Vacqueyras Domaine De LA Verde, she said hands down her favorite wine on the list. Sarah was so right; it made all the difference in the world to have someone guide you through this fantastic culinary experience.
Located at the old soul food Larkin’s restaurant, Little Beast offers both indoor and outdoor seating, with its front porch and cozy patio. They also have two wicker baskets filled with ultra-soft blankets for guests to snuggle into if they catch a chill.
On my way out the door I met a couple from Pasadena and this is their go to restaurant for any occasion. They seemed to know the menu pretty well and told me about everything that I should try on my next visit. The gal was just so enthusiastic about the food at Little Beast it made my heart sing. Someone else loved the food and the experience just as much as me. You will see some hipsters dining here and a few parents taking their students studying at the nearby Occidental College out for a great local meal. I don’t live anywhere near Eagle Rook, but I would make a special trip to go and eat at Little Beast again in the future, it’s worth the drive.
Little Beast
1496 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90041
323-341-5899
http://www.littlebeastrestaurant.com
