[category]
[title]
Saltie Girl opened a decade ago in Boston with just 28 covers and a late-night “cocktails and tins” menu. Now, with spacious, chic locations in both Boston and Los Angeles, Kathy Siddell’s ode to her East Coast childhood is connecting with seafood lovers on both coasts. As one of the most stylish restaurants on the Sunset Strip, the west coast outpost of Saltie Girl is beautifully suited to the neighborhood, nailing aesthetic appeal and delicious, inventive fare in equal measure.
Ingenious concoctions like fried lobster and waffles from chef Kyle McClelland make the brunch menu just as interesting as dinner, and both services offer guests the chance to experience decadent presentations of caviar, smoked fish, and their signature tinned fish. The latter, long a delicacy in European coastal regions such as Portugal and Spain, is having a moment in Los Angeles and has quickly been adopted into the dining culture. Since it’s always been at the heart of Saltie Girl’s offerings, the staggering number of options available in the specialty menu will surprise and delight newcomers to the snacking trend. Starting there, or with a large format serving of selections from their constantly changing raw bar offerings, are two options on this massive, choose-your-own-adventure menu.
Many of the staple dishes stay the same throughout day and night service, meaning the crispy fish sandwich (one of the best in the city), lobster rolls, and lobster frites are available pretty much anytime. But a brunch cocktail list full of stunners like the kiwi, with gin and chartreuse, or the passion fruit, with tequila, lime and a milk wash, pairs surprisingly well with the buttery, savory, and salty seafood that makes up the heart of most plates. In ultra casual Los Angeles, this spot has been embraced for another reason—the elevated atmosphere makes it a bit of an occasion restaurant. It’s an excuse to get dressed up and splurge on luxury-coded items like caviar and lobster in whatever amounts make sense for your budget; martinis come dotted with caviar too, or find some whipped up next to a soft scramble at brunch.
If for no other reason than soliciting a true-to-form lobster roll in a coastal city where they’re surprisingly hard to find, a visit to Saltie Girl never disappoints. And if you happen to roll in when one of the stars from Selling Sunset has sauntered across the street to grab a pink chicory salad and a glass of Grillo while gossiping about a coworker, well, that’s all the better. After all, this is still West Hollywood.
The vibe: East coast charm dressed up in Los Angeles glamour, with a seriously chic dining room and a prime people-watching patio
The food: A seafood-focused spread that channels maritime favorites from coastal regions all over the world, but especially Boston
The drink: A stellar wine list to pair with all the fresh, raw seafood on offer, plus some of the best cocktails in town—especially at brunch
Time Out tip: If you’ve never indulged in tinned seafood before, go for something packed in olive oil; it tends to bring down the fishiness and boost umami, resulting in a better bite