Cassia
Cassia is not an easy reservation to get in LA. Our friends were able to get us in. The first seating was 530 but somehow she was able to get it to 630. Although on the west side of LA people are generally eating earlier than later.
The “family style” share seems to be big in the new spots that we have been to since we arrived. The issue is that family style only works when the plates are reasonably big. The family style menus should have less options and you can get it for 2 or 4 or 6. The size of the plate changes. Sharing one of the multiple appetizers just doesn’t work when there are 2 bites. Cassia actually worked perfect sharing everything for four. I think because my experience has been that sharing plates have been on the small size is that we over ordered here. Although the food is the best I have had (except for the superior sushi) since we got here.
We began with the Vietnamese pate. Rich tasty and the bread is delicious.
Kaya toast is the thing to order here. Signature. Decadent oozing grilled cheese sandwiches with a bowl of coconut jam and an egg on top. Mix up the jam and egg and slather on top of the sandwich. Honestly one piece of this is enough for lunch. It is worth indulging in.
Smoked salmon dip with pickled shallot, horseradish and grilled Country bread. I used to make a salmon dip so I have to say I was happy to try this. Lots of bread for a first course but we managed.
Deep fried cauliflower with a light crush to be dipped in fish sauces. This was really delicious.
Beef cheek curry with jasmine rice, sambal, kaffir limes and peanuts. Lots of rich intense flavors.
A side of Chinese broccoli with a caramelized fish sauce. On the lighter side and delicious.
Grilled pork belly with pickled kolhrabi, carrots, herbs, green leaves and shrimp toast. The pork just pulled apart and the lettuce made it almost like a deconstructed pork bun.
A whole grilled sea bass with tumeric and dill. Really well prepared. The fish had been deboned keeping the head and tail on. Easy to serve.
All and all a really fun meal. Definitely going back. Other things on the menu to try!
Comments (Archived):
Fried cauliflower obsessive here.Pinging friends in SM to see what can be done to get in on my next visit.Thanks!
Interested in your opinion on LAla land food. You live in NYC which has some of the best food in the US-albeit at a high price. SFO has a great food scene, and so does Chicago. My own opinion is New Orleans is the best in the US. My limited experience with LA was awesome taco stands, some good burger joints, incredible seafood but the rest meh.
It is hard to compete with NYC
Lol. Your comment about sharing the two-bite appetizers made me think of this video. https://m.youtube.com/watch…
hilarious!
I don’t know how this measures up to your tastebuds, Joanne, but a friend recently sent me a cookbook from one of LA’s darling restaurants called Cafeteria. You pick and choose your meals buffet style as the name implies, but it’s super healthy and beautiful food. I made the kimchi and the cauliflower soup tonight and they both turned out deliciously.
that was funny.
Right? College humour has some great writers.
Big fan of College Humor for a very long time.
.Your usual food porn pics are a little dark as if your flash was not working. I looked at all of them and didn’t gain a single pound which is unusual.JLMwww.themusingsofthebigredca…
Looks good and hearty, but a bit too eclectic, no? From beans to smoked salmon to fried stuff to grilled cheese, to fish…wow. I was full watching 🙂
It kinda works
http://www.cassiala.com/did you try the reservation function via OpenTable? it seems super convenient….if there are indeed any open tables to be had.”A 3% charge is added by the restaurant to all checks to help offer fully covered healthcare to all of our employees. Please let us know if you have questions or if you would like the charge removed. Thanks for supporting a healthier staff.” – Seems an odd way of going about things.
I happened to be in the bar across the way…otherwise I’d use it.