Koreatown: Brisket at Saint Martha

 

 

Saint Martha has now been opened for approximately two months in Koreatown. Self described as “modern American cuisine,” it’s a gem amid the U-shaped shopping center. Stepping through the red door seems like you’re entering a different world. Toto, we’re not in Ktown anymore! The hipster paradise (no, really, there’s a blue neon sign of the word hipster in the kitchen) has cool categories on their menu like “rawsome” and “meaty things.” There’s also beer and wine. Make sure you ask about all their fun and occasionally kooky wines.

 

 

We started out with an amuse bouche of just a simple piece of melon with a little cheese and spices. It promised more good things to come.

 

I knew before going in we would have to order the sea urchin tataki with seaweed doritos. I was just too intrigued. It turns out the seaweed doritos are fried pieces of seaweed, not unlike snacks Asian kids find in their lunch boxes though a bit thicker. The sea urchin had been torched and and I was glad because I am generally a big fan of cooked (or in this case, slightly cooked) uni. I piled everything on a chip like a nacho. A rich, creamy nacho.

 

I was very surprised by the chicken liver mousse. I haven’t had such wonderful chicken liver since Mozza’s. And I loved that it came already slathered on butter roll like a sandwich. Sliced raw okra gave it some crunchy contrast.

Another favorite dish of the evening was the tomato raw milk panna cotta. The tomato dashi was killer and it looks like a work of art. This may be one of my top dishes of the month. Maybe the year.

 

 

I loved the presentation of the steak and oyster tartare with bone marrow beignets and champagne sabayon. I knew I had to have this dish when I heard about the bone marrow beignets. I was not disappointed. This was a perfect portion for two people.

 

We found out brassicas are veggies in the cabbage/ mustard family. As a result, this broth with Brussels sprouts, maitake mushrooms and poached egg was one of my favorites of the night. I did partially wish for noodles. Veggie ramen anyone?

 

Initially, I had heard so much about the meaty dishes like the brisket, I didn’t hear much about the veggies. I loved every dish we had at Saint Martha and the summer corn with “burned” (or lightly torched) avocado was super amazing. Of course, some might say it’s because the whitefish roe and chicken skin had something to do with that.

Speaking of the brisket, it was quite the deal. The portion could feed four people! I loved the slight sweetness from the hoisin sauce. It’s a beautiful dish I want to share with everyone but most particularly very good friends for there’s nothing sweeter than a good meal with adored friends.

 

 

The honey dessert was interesting with honey cake, honey ice cream and pollen. Overall it was a little bit too sweet for me but perfect for anyone looking for something different and not the usual chocolate desserts.

 

My favorite dessert was the PB&J. Inspired by the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly, this was Saint Martha’s take on a childhood favorite. The cake was rich without being overbearing. And the roasted grapes! Fantastic! Every component including the peanut butter ice cream was very integral to this dessert.

 

Time to go home, baby bird. #foilswan #ftw

Saint Martha

740 S Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005  — (213) 387-2300

 

© The Minty  2014