Crossroads Kitchen Storefront
Cannolis are one of my favs - although I would prefer it without candied kalamata olives!
Ready to dig into my Gazpacho
|  Bring your reading glasses - Candlelit table If you're at all familiar with any of my articles and/or postings (either on Travelin' Cousins, FB, or Instagram) you'll already know how much I LOVE food and how many times I've frequented this establishment! Knowing how much I enjoy food that is influenced by the famed chef Tal Ronnen, when I first got word that he was opening a restaurant in LA I was totally stoked! Crossroads Kitchen was scheduled to open for business in March of 2013. I patiently counted down the days as my excitement built! And since March happens to be my birthday month, I thought there would be no better place to go celebrate!! The only thing that had stopped me from doing this on the actual day of my birthday (19th for anyone wishing to send me cards or gifts! LOL) was that this is a Tapas style restaurant and that wouldn't work so well to satisfy my family, which is full of HUGE appetites (especially Dominic & Cosette)! So I went ahead and made reservations for after my birthday and come that night, I was extremely excited! Maybe even too excited, as my expectations were probably through the roof! And we all know how that goes... "Recipe for Disappointment" Here are my "notes" from Yelp on that first visit in March 2013: "Definitely worth a visit! It was a lovely experience. I'd only say that after eating at several restaurants with vegan menus designed by Tal Ronnen, that I'd expect 'Crossroads' be the best; but alas it was not. Flavors are somewhat lacking and there is definitely room for improvement. This is not to say that I won't be returning - just with lowered expectations. Hopefully they step up their game!" |
| And my "notes" from Yelp after a follow-up visit in September 2013: "Gotta say - I hate the premature busing of my table (still eating)! And how dare the bus boys reach over and across the table (and my plate) while I'm attempting to enjoy my meal! Excuse the reach and ask me if I'm finished before you assume that I'm done. For a "fine" dining experience these folks definitely lack the training needed." 
Heading out for Date Night!
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Espresso at Crossroads Kitchen
Anniversary of when we met!
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Kale Spanakopita - one of their most popular dishes. I've gotta say I really don't care for it with the sauce that they serve it with, but rather enjoy it on its own!
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OMG Dave is wearing the same shirt!
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After all of that, you'd probably be surprised to know that since then we've dined at Crossroads Kitchen several several times, and it has actually become somewhat of our Place on 'Date Nights'!
The food is definitely always good, I'm so glad that they've stepped up their game and worked out some of the kinks that once bothered me. I had always assumed and/or hoped that the kinks were from them being a brand new establishment, and therefore I understood that it tends to sometimes happen.
The specials here always sound amazing, though can sometimes be a bit over-priced, and the crowd is definitely a bit pretentious. But it has the best atmosphere of fine dining for vegans anywhere around in Southern California and is a great place to try vegan food for a first timer or go with an Omni crowd, everyone will be happy (unless they are even more picky than I am...and that's really bad!)
Tal Ronnen has put together a menu of familiar foods, mostly Mediterranean and tapas style, so you order lots of small plates and share. That way you get to try more dishes!
The menu changes seasonally, and a few items are staples, one being the Wood Fired Meaty Lasagne - and like I've said before, there's a reason people call me Tanya Lasagne! I've ordered this entree a few times, it's delicious, one of my favorites and definitely the most filling dish on the menu!
The food is definitely always good, I'm so glad that they've stepped up their game and worked out some of the kinks that once bothered me. I had always assumed and/or hoped that the kinks were from them being a brand new establishment, and therefore I understood that it tends to sometimes happen.
The specials here always sound amazing, though can sometimes be a bit over-priced, and the crowd is definitely a bit pretentious. But it has the best atmosphere of fine dining for vegans anywhere around in Southern California and is a great place to try vegan food for a first timer or go with an Omni crowd, everyone will be happy (unless they are even more picky than I am...and that's really bad!)
Tal Ronnen has put together a menu of familiar foods, mostly Mediterranean and tapas style, so you order lots of small plates and share. That way you get to try more dishes!
The menu changes seasonally, and a few items are staples, one being the Wood Fired Meaty Lasagne - and like I've said before, there's a reason people call me Tanya Lasagne! I've ordered this entree a few times, it's delicious, one of my favorites and definitely the most filling dish on the menu!
Tal Ronnen shaving white truffle mushrooms table-side! A pricey $90 special treat of the night!
Cheers! Tal Ronnen is chef-to-the stars and it's no wonder that his restaurant is frequented by all of LA's Famous Vegans, and as well plenty as non-vegans who want to see and be seen in the new "scene"!
So far on our visits we've already run into Russell Simmons, as well as No Doubt's Tony Kanal (sitting separately) at least on two occasions a piece, as well as on our most recent visit seeing my favorite (very funny) ex-weatherman and current radio personality Mark Thompson who was there with his radio partner Elizabeth Espinoza.
Keep in mind that place is always packed, and reservations are required! They are open for dinners, and have expanded their schedule to include mid-week lunches, and Sunday Brunch.
Now here's what you've all been waiting for...the FOOD! I apologize for lots of poor lighting, as the restaurant is very dimly lit at night.
So far on our visits we've already run into Russell Simmons, as well as No Doubt's Tony Kanal (sitting separately) at least on two occasions a piece, as well as on our most recent visit seeing my favorite (very funny) ex-weatherman and current radio personality Mark Thompson who was there with his radio partner Elizabeth Espinoza.
Keep in mind that place is always packed, and reservations are required! They are open for dinners, and have expanded their schedule to include mid-week lunches, and Sunday Brunch.
Now here's what you've all been waiting for...the FOOD! I apologize for lots of poor lighting, as the restaurant is very dimly lit at night.
Virgin Bloody Mary
Chilled Cucumber Soup
Stuffed Pepper
Fig Upside Down Almond Cake (this was SOOO good)
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Lobster Mushroom Cocktail
Faux Crab Cakes!
Risotto Del Giorno
Dark Chocolate Roulade
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| So there you have it. I went, I critiqued. I went back again, I still had some more to critique. Yet I continued to go back again and again. I was always honest and never smooched up for anyone's sake. I am a foodie, and I need to enjoy what I'm eating, as well as the experience! And now that I generally do (not saying that every dish is always spot on wherever you go), I invite you to go test it out for yourself! Bon Appetite! |
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