Herringbone can be found at the Mondarin hotel in LA, Executive Chef Brian Malarkey has done a great job of bringing this restaurant to the forefront of the LA dining scene. The reputation of this restaurant is very good, and we were excited to check it out whilst in LA.
Malarkey’s ethos is one of ocean-to-table, with the menu offering an excellent selection of dishes. There is the option for guests to dine inside, or out, and we were very glad we chose the latter. I can honestly say that our table on the terrace had one of the best dinner table views over LA, that I have ever experience. This made for a very enjoyable evening indeed.
“In terms of location and food quality, Herringbone really sets the bar high”
That’s not to say that the interior falls flat, however, as there has been a lot of thought put into the design. With a truly Californian style, the restaurant boasts natural fabrics, set off by luxury fixtures and fittings, such as a beautiful chandelier, and clean white marble. They’ve made the effort to bring the outside in, also, with beautiful plants adorning the space.
To start, we opted for the smoked grape, pickled serrano gribiche, and crispy duck medley, which was ever so beautifully presented with salad leaves acting as petals as they lay on the dish. We also chose the jumbo shrimp cocktail on ice, with the fish coming served in a metal dish filled with ice, and accompanied by dipping sauces. These dishes were impeccable.
For our main courses, we then went on to sample the 8oz filet steak with king crab, asparagus and “beefy” béarnaise. We also went for the steamed whole Thai snapper with mushroom consommé and crab tendril ragout. The Thai snapper was most certainly the standout dish for us - beautifully fresh fish, incredible flavours, and gorgeous presentation. We were very impressed indeed.
We decided to share dessert, so as not to miss out on the opportunity to sample another of Herringbone’s dishes, and we went for the “Cookies & Sweets” - a selection of freshly baked cookies and macaroons. It was the perfect end to a very good meal.
Herringbone also boasts an impressive wine list, which is certainly worth exploring. We opted for a bottle of the Pinot Noir, Banshee, Sonoma County, 2012, which provided the perfect accompaniment to our meal.
In terms of location and food quality, Herringbone really sets the bar high. We really enjoyed our evening. The terrace makes for an excellent atmosphere, and we would thoroughly recommend that you check it out for yourself We will certainly return, even for just another taste of the Thai snapper!
The Bill: £83 per head
