The Wallace Opens in Culver City
3833 Main Street, Culver City, CA 90232
In downtown Culver City, just off the main drag, The Wallace replaces the Brazilian BBQ Libra, and quite nicely offers up a fresh spot, and soon-to-be locals favorite. As with the typical California fare we’ve all come to know and love, here you can expect locally sourced, seasonal, sustainable plates – the bonus – a welcoming, unpretentious vibe and cool ambiance.
Helmed by husband and wife team, Carol Teich and chef Michael Teich (formerly of SBE), The Wallace soft opened to friends and family yesterday and is set to open officially to the public this Saturday, November 30th.
Come this weekend, when you’ve finally had enough turkey left-overs, step out and pay a visit to this new hip joint for some good food and a fancy cocktail or two. Bring a date or your best pals and come prepared to break bread and learn to love your veggies all over again.
The Grommit – mezcal, white rum, velvet, falernum, blackberry liquer, lime and
Five o’clock Shadow – cava, rye, amaro, ciociaro, honey, lemon
There are tables, communal seating, an outside patio and a long welcoming bar at the entrance. However, my favorite seat was in the rear of the restaurant with a perfect view of the working kitchen.
Instead of your traditional appetizer-entree-dessert standard menu, here they encourage you to order small, order lots, get a few dishes and pass them around. Here are some standouts from what I ate…
I started with the Braised White Beans, with sofrito, smoked paprika, and shaved parmesan.
A few small bites on toast – a delicious tease.
To wash it down…
Day Rate – coffee infused scotch, cognac, honey syrup, chocolate chili bitters and
Morning Sex – bourbon, chai fennel syrup, passion fruit, lemon, peychaud’s bitters (my fave drink of the night!)
Another lovely small dish was the Chicken Liver Mousse with balsamic onions and five spice. Good for 2 or 3 people to share.
A light and satisfying Salmon Belly, with horse raddish, beets, cucumber and pumpernickel…
More bite sized munchies… I just had to try the Salt Cod Fritters made with capers, lemon, roasted garlic aioli. I was expecting the saltiness of the capers and fish to be overpowering, but the flavors blended perfectly. It was crunchy yet soft inside.
Braised Pork Cheeks with lentils, apple, horseradish and red onion agrodolce. I liked the tenderness of the pork, but this wasn’t my favorite dish. Still, interesting and good.
Cauliflower is the new Brussels Sprouts. Yep.
Roasted Cauliflower, creamy parmesan, almond bread crumb, rosemary. Yummm.
Roasted Carrots, parsnips, cumin, honey, soy.
My favorite of the night. Short Rib Ravioli. Braised greens, parmesan butter, vinocotto.
Inside The Wallace.
A dessert worthy of saving room for. Almond Cake.
Also very nice. Salted Caramel Custard.
After a night of dining, the food left me satisfied and yet wanting more in the best possible way.
Current hours of operation are for dinner, seven days a week: Sun-Wed 5:30 -10:30p.m. Th-Sat 5:30 – 11:30p.m. Brunch and lunch will be available starting in January.
This is a great post. Just visited for the first time while on vacation in California and am recapping the experience currently. Your short rib ravioli came out beautifully. Love your work and tastemades!!