This corner restaurant, located on Santa Monica Blvd. & 6th, is home to Chef Andrew Kirshner and a favorite dinner spot for many others. I suspect they will become a happening place to lunch too, once they open during the day.
Two of my closest friends and I dined at Tar & Roses in celebration of my finishing law school back in May. I haven't re-visited the restaurant yet, but that first meal was noteworthy enough to leave stick in my memory. That's pretty impressive, considering what I was consuming -- and more significantly, what was consuming me -- this summer. (I also really need to start making a habit of writing down my food thoughts in a Moleskine).
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$14/glass; $56/ bottle |
Tar & Roses is known for describing the aromas of Italy's famous Barolo wine. While I didn't sample T&R's Italian wine, which constitutes a lengthy list, the Emanuel Tres from the Tempranillo vines of Santa Barbara County did a splendid job of starting off the night down the right path.
One of the beauty's of T&R's menu is it offers snacks, small plates, and large plates, all of which can easily be shared. So that's what we did.
3-item Chacuterie & Cheese Plate - $14 |
{ Snack } Crispy Pig Tail |
The highlight was the kitchen's special for the evening: Fried Pig Tails. The honeyed crispiness of the batter and the cilantro made for a delicious combo. As imagined, there isn't that much meat found on a pig tail, but what was there was devoured.
{ Small Plate } Lamb Belly w/ minted apple chutney - $11 |
{ Large Plate } Duck Breast with Plum Chutney & Hazelnuts - $24 |
Strawberry Ricotta Crostata w/ a side of honeycomb ice cream - $9 |
I found the ice cream tastier than the strawberry crostata, but of course that did not stop me from eating both until I reached glutton's door.
In sum, T & R is a place you need to check out! The meal can end up being a bit pricey, but keep in mind, a lot of plates can be shared. Enjoy.
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cuisine: American
location: Santa Monica
websites: { T & R | yelp }
attire: Casual
parking: street or valet
notes: Make reservations.