AMERICA'S love of the summer barbecue is as vast and cultivated as a Nebraska wheat field. If only you could say the same about your backyard.
It might not be the place to host a civilized fete at the moment. Or maybe you're wilted like a head of butter lettuce in a locked car and probably can't take more heat-based punishment. Fortunately, a slew of L.A. restaurants are here to help with a variety of summer barbecue parties sure to satisfy even the most insatiable grilled-meat cravings.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday, June 26, 2008 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 22 words Type of Material: Correction
Restaurant location: A Restaurant Journal item in Tuesday's Food section said Clementine is in Studio City. The restaurant is in Century City.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday, July 02, 2008 Home Edition Food Part F Page 2 Features Desk 1 inches; 24 words Type of Material: Correction
Restaurant location: A Restaurant Journal item in the June 25 Food section said that Clementine is in Studio City. It is in Century City.
Clementine in Studio City is best known for its made-from-scratch American comfort food and its dreamy baked goods, so it's little wonder that the restaurant's "BBQ Fridays" excel at more of the same. The menu features mini barbecue brisket and chicken sandwiches on house-made buns as well as Sheboygan-style bratwurst sandwiches. Sides include cold watermelon, corn on the cob with cumin butter, and traditional potato salad. Also look for root beer floats and fruit crisps and cobblers.
"We're going to start using peaches soon," says manager Anastasia Sotiropulos, adding that a recent hit at the barbecue was the "perro caliente" -- a bacon-wrapped Niman Ranch hot dog with jalapenos and mayonnaise.
In Santa Monica, Wilshire restaurant is hosting a Sunday "Neighborhood Barbecue Night," featuring what chef Andrew Kirschner calls "classic all-American backyard barbecue." The restaurant used to be closed Sundays, so Kirschner says that when they decided to keep it open, they wanted to do something with a casual vibe. Hence the mixed barbecue sampler platters piled high with juicy Chimay-braised baby back ribs, Kobe tri-tip, Andouille sausage and pulled pork meant for unfettered sharing and sticky fingers.
For barbecue that breaks the traditional mold, Vinoteque in Culver City themes its Saturday barbecues around a different world region each week and serves the results in a lush backyard patio shaded by lemon and orange trees.
"You feel like you're in Tuscany," says co-owner Gil Ran. Vinoteque's barbecues are priced at $28 per person and include four to six courses and one glass of paired regional wine or two glasses of beer. Ran says upcoming themes include Mediterranean (fish kebabs, lamb koftas, house-made pita), Australian ("shrimp on the barbie") and a New England clambake.
If you're looking for sleek-urban cool, Katana's Red Sun Sunday barbecues take place on the Sunset Strip restaurant's chic front patio.
