Dine LA- Simon LA

So, what started with me mentioning going to Simon ended up a group dinner. I'm so glad it did. My dining companions were lovely and a good time was had by all.

Simon LA is located in the Sofitel Hotel...which is absolutely lovely. Also, we had to walk through the Stone Rose Lounge, which is super cute, before reaching the restaurant. Since we were early for our 6:30 reservation, we had time to have cocktails. I decided on the Honeytini. It was really good. Grey Goose Pear, pear puree, honey and simple syrup. It sounds really sweet, and it was. However, it was not syrupy sweet. So, we talked and sipped on our cocktails until time for our seating.

Everyone decided to try the Dine LA menu. My three courses consisted of the Jumbo Lump Crab Salad, Fresh Hearts of Palm, Soybeans, Pea Shoots and Grapefruit Vinaigrette, Braised Beef Short Rib, Sweet Potatoes, Brocollini, and Dried Cherries, Citrus Watercress Salad, and Red Velvet Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

My thoughts. First course. Initially, I was torn between the crab salad and the yellowtail carpaccio. I really love yellowtail. It's just a really mild, nice textured fish. However, the crab salad won out when I realized the yellowtail dish contained cilantro. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I hate cilantro. It tastes like soap. So, I had the crab salad. Prior to ordering, our wonderful waiter mentioned the crab was served with guacamole. Hmm? I actually like guac. But, it would have thrown me a bit if he hadn't told us. So, the crab is nestled on the guac with the watercress (lightly dressed) on top. Verdict. It was good, not great. I think I would have preferred nice little chunks or thin slices of avocado instead of the guac. The texture was just weird. I will add that the vinaigrette was very delicious. Perfect amount of acidity. Second course. The short rib was cooked very nicely. Juicy, tender, and well seasoned. The side was good, but I would have preferred more. The dried cherries, couple with the sweet potato was really nice. Third course. Cupcakes. I make a pretty gosh darn good red velvet cake. Frankly, I'm usually disappointed in most. First of all, I prefer a little more cocoa in my red velvet cake. Oh, and nuts. It's not red velvet unless I have pecans! Still, the little cupcakes were good. Perfect little size to pop them in your mouth (which of course I didn't...I used my utensil, of course). Finally, they topped off our dinner with a little whimsical bowl of cotton candy. It was adorable. Oh, let me not forget that one of my dining companions knew one of the managers and he sent over a delicious flatbread pizza. Good cheese, tomato, basil. Yum! Honestly, it was so simple, but a definite highlight for me.

Oh, I want to kick myself. I almost forgot the best part. The Simon LA bread basket is Awwwesome! It was literally a cornucopia of flatbread crackers, small flavor packed squares foccacia, mini challah loaves, and biscuits. It was the United Nations of bread baskets. I don't think I've ever been that excited by a bread basket before. I was a little disturbed by my reaction, but I couldn't help it. Simply, it rocked.

Final thoughts. It was good, not spectacular. I definitely plan to hang out at Stone Rose Lounge again. I will give Simon another try. I have to try out the regular menu. Most of all, I had a great time hanging out. My dining companions were a hoot and a half!