In the Arts District, ROW DTLA continues to intrigue food lovers. East Coast oyster purveyors Rappahannock Oyster Bar is finally opening their L.A. location! I happened upon their soft opening today.
Inside, the buildout looks great - Bright and airy.
Peruvian bay scallops, with yuzu, burnt orange, poppy seed & tarragon… Fresh and flavorful!
Butter lettuce salad, with watercress, dill-tofu ranch, smoked almods & fingerling potato… Clean and satisfying.
Smoked trout dip. with beet pickled shallot, celery, ikura & grilled bread… This hits the spot. It’s just a notch below the trout at Petrossian, but still - quite, quite good.
Peel & Eat shrimp, with celery, Meyer lemon &achiote cocktail sauce… Old school. Fun to eat!
Oyster po’ boy, with remoulade, celery root slaw & butter lettuce in focaccia… A terrific sandwich!
Anson Mills farro & beans, with caramelized onion and smoked tomato… A fitting accompaniment.
“Rapp Burger”, with caramelized onion, cheddar cheese, B&B pickles and smoke sauce… I would NOT have expected a stellar burger like this from a seafood joint. But nonetheless, here it is. Very simply - One magnificent burger! Get this.
Chef Nick Erven, who ironically ran a vegan eatery not too long ago, jocularly espouses the philosophy that vegetables do not belong in a burger. And with such a delicious invention as this Rapp Burger, it is hard to argue with the man.
Dessert time!
Bread pudding a la mode with salted caramel… Beautimous.
Masa cake, with poached plums, vanilla syrup & white chocolate ice cream… WOW!!! Corn is the star of this stupendous (and serendipitous, according to the chef) dessert.
Chocolate - peanut butter mousse, with banana, graham cracker and candied peanuts… As wonderful as it sounds.
A very strong soft opening. Full service will commence later this week. And yes, I am told by management that the the raw oysters (which were conspicuously absent today due to a one-time logistics snafu) WILL make an appearance from here forth.
RECOMMENDED.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
ROW DTLA
787 S. Alameda St. #154
Los Angeles, CA 90021
323.435.4004
website