Checking All The Boxes

Odys + Penelope, the most recent undertaking of the owners/chefs of the late Hatfield’s, checks every box of a new trendy LA restaurant:

1. A name which is actually two names connected by a “+” or a “&” such as Faith & Flower, Barrel & Ashes, Pine & Crane; who do we blame for starting this trend?
2. A space with an interesting lineage; O+P’s building originally housed a printing press; hence the restaurant being named after characters from Homer’s The Odyssey
3. A modern industrial chic interior which includes a communal table; O+P’s look is uber cool with exposed brick, a steel high beam ceiling and a concrete floor; the communal table is made from reclaimed wood
4. Creative craft cocktails; chipotle infused tequilla, anyone?
5. Small plates and/or bigger platters, all of which are intended for sharing
6. A themed twist on an otherwise eclectic menu; O+P’s specialty is Brazilian charrasco dishes
7. A commitment to local and sustainable ingredients
8. Some sort of unorthodox practice in connection with gratuity or additional amounts on your bill; here it’s a mandatory 18% service charge
9. Brussels sprouts
10. Kale

What distinguishes Odys + Penelope from many other new hot spots is that the food, for the most part, is really good and some dishes are exceptional. Pre-summer diets be damned, I highly recommend the Fried Wild Mushrooms with Persian Garlic Sauce. And although it looks like the odd man out on the menu, the House Made Pappardelle with Pork Belly Bolognese and Fried Sage is not to be missed. I also love the Marinated Niman Ranch Skirt Steak with Carrot Ginger Purre, Chilies, Cilantro and Radish. If you don’t order the Chocolate Pie with Rye Crust, Peanut Crumble and Vanilla-Malted Ice Cream (pictured above), you’re massively missing out.

Odys + Penelope is located at 127 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles.