The Little Door

I've used the term 'hidden gem' a few times already...but when I say this place is a hidden gem, I mean I literally walked right past it on the way to our reservation...much to Christopher's amusement. ;) It's sister restaurant, the Little Next Door, is open to the street and has a French patio cafe look to it, so naturally I gravitated toward that scene and walked right past the entrance. 

To be fair, there is no sign, no windows, no indication of what lies on the other side of the wall. Just an address and a small wooden door. This is part of the allure of the restaurant, as you feel like your in on a little secret as you quietly step through the unmarked door.

Once you're inside it's hard to remember you are still in LA, and haven't magically transported to a garden hideaway in France. The busy street outside becomes inaudible and is quickly replaced by the serene waterfall and calming music. 

The decor and ambiance of this place alone would earn itself a five star review in my book. From the rustic wooden tables, to the overgrown vines, plants, and greenery- this restaurant is charming at every turn. It's no mystery why it carries titles such as Best Romantic Restaurant in LA, Most Charming Restaurant in America, and the list goes on and on.

Our server was beyond excellent; he had great recommendations and was attentive without being overbearing. Such a difficult balance for some restaurants (and retail stores!).

I'm pretty familiar with the 'farm to table' approach many LA restaurants have taken in recent years, and I've never been disappointed with the result. Seeing the words 'farm to glass' on the Little Door's cocktail menu was pretty exciting, and I could definitely taste the difference! 

For appetizers we ordered the Mezze plate and a roasted eggplant and vegetable dish. Both were a great start to the meal, and a delicious indicator of how flavorful the rest of the mediterranean menu would taste.

The presentation of a dish is such a huge factor on how I rate a restaurant. When they brought out my Filet Mignon, the creative way they arranged the veggies and amazing potatoes made the dish even more appealing to my taste buds.

Chris ordered the Lamb Stew with Merguez Sausage and it was fall apart in your mouth delicious. He has been searching for a great lamb dish for quite some time now and I think it's safe to say we've finally found it.

For as long as the Little Door has been open, the executive Chef has been purchasing produce directly from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market. A tradition they still follow today. The seasonal menu changes every few months, which allows guests to continually experience new dishes each time they visit.

Once the dessert menu came around, we were so full that we firmly agreed we would be skipping it all together. However, we then decided to "just take a look" (rookie mistake!) and next thing we know we've each ordered something sweet. 

The tea was the icing on the cake, so to speak. It capped off the meal well, and allowed us to relax and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the now bustling restaurant, rather than being rushed out for the next reservation.

 

The perfect date night. Whether it's to enjoy drinks by the bar, or to indulge in the fresh seasonal dishes of this romantically charming restaurant, we will definitely be returning to the Little Door Restaurant and Lounge.

What's your favorite 'hidden gem' restaurant?!