Literati II
12081 Wilshire Blvd.
L.A., CA
South Bundy Drive
310-479-3400
Set at the corner of Bundy and Wilshire, and nowhere near a restaurant row of any sort other than the fast-food joints, Literati II is a breakout restaurant for the neighborhood. The location is so unlikely, I had a hard time persuading anybody to come with me to try it.
One night's would-be dinner guest wrinkled his brow, trying to picture the address. Wasn't that insidious cartoon-themed kids' restaurant right there? Or was it that low-rent all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet, he asked, dubious and desperately casting about for some excuse to break our dinner date.
Actually, it was last a branch of Koo-Koo-Roo. But that's all in the past. There's nothing predictable about the kitchen under Kidder, who used to be chef de cuisine at Campanile.
-- S. Irene Virbila
Times Restaurant Critic
June 15, 2005
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sun.-Thu., 6-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5:30-11 p.m.; brunch, Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Venue Details
| Cuisine |
California
,
Mediterranean
|
| Rating |
|
| Ambience |
Modest West L.A. restaurant with a literary theme and appealing and earthy food from a former chef de cuisine at Campanile.
|
| Best dishes |
Shaved cauliflower salad, citrus salad, bruschetta with baby octopus, vegetable fritto misto, steamed mussels, wood-grilled hamburger, cavatelli, sand dabs, wild king salmon, wide-cut pork chop, steak frites.
|
| Best table |
One of the corner banquettes.
|
| Desserts |
Carpe diem seven-layer chocolate cake, fried churros.
|
| Of Note |
Full bar. Valet parking.
|
| Prices |
Dinner appetizers, $8-$16; main courses, $14-$34; sides, $5; desserts, $6-$12.
|
| Service |
Charming and personable.
|
| Wine list |
Savvy choices at reasonable prices. Corkage, $15.
|
