Son of a Gun is one of the hottest joints in town. Launched last year by chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, Son of a Gun is the seafood version of their amazing meat-centric restaurant Animal. Like Animal, Son of a Gun is situated in a small, cozy space and serves pricy little plates of creative genius. The atmosphere is casual and fun. The walls are strewn with nautical tchotchkes and the bar turns out luscious libations such as Tiki-Cones (alcoholic snow cones) and Dark & Stormies made with housemade ginger beer. Dinner reservations at Son of a Gun are difficult to get on short notice, but walk-ins are accommodated at a very long communal table in the center of the restaurant.
The menu, which changes daily, features around 35 different small plates, almost all of which are meant for sharing. Surprisingly, one of the most popular items at this seafood eatery is a fried chicken sandwich. It’s incredibly delicious and is prepared with an unruly mass of spicy bread & butter pickle slaw and “Rooster” aioli. Other sandwiches that are definite must-haves are the Lobster Roll with Celery and Lemon Aioli and the Shrimp Toast Sandwich with Herbs and Sriracha Mayo. I also highly recommend Benton’s Country Ham Hush Puppies with Honey Butter, which looks at first glance like falafel balls with hummus. If you want something healthier and equally delicious, get the Amberjack Crudo with Galbi Vinaigrette and Pink Lady, as well as the Raw Gloucester Scallop with Yuzo Kosho Viniagrette and Wood Sorrel. The desserts are less impressive, but each time I get to that point at Son of a Gun, I’m usually too stuffed to care.
Son of a Gun is located at 8370 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles (Mid-City).
Lobster Roll with Celery and Lemon Aioli
Fried Chicken Sandwich with Spicy B&B Pickle Slaw and Rooster Aioli
Shrimp Toast Sandwich with Herbs and Sriracha Mayo
Benton's Country Ham Hush Puppies with Honey Butter
Octopus Confit Salad with Mirepoix and Chili
Raw Gloucester Scallop with Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette and Wood Sorrel
Amberjack Crudo with Galbi Vinaigrette and Pink Lady
Monkfish in Pho Fumet with Herbs, Lime and Bok Choy
Frozen Lime Yogurt with Graham Crumble and Toasted Meringue
The big communal table
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Okay, the shrimp toast DOES sound and look really, really good, but I also want to know about the monkfish, which looks amazing to me. Now I want to go TONIGHT.
The monkfish was good, but I think it’s odd to have pho (or any kind of soup) at a small plates/sharing place.
had the ham hush puppies last night. i gasped. i almost fell over. i embarrassed myself gushing over them. and then i actually ran one through the smear of honey butter. and i really did fall over.
They are dangerously good.