Blue Cow Kitchen
350 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 621-2249
Hours:
Lunch- Mon-Fri: 11:30 am – 2 pm
Dinner- Mon-Sat: 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Happy Hour- Mon-Fri: 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
The newest addition to downtown LA’s eateries is the Blue Cow Kitchen in the California Plaza. This casual, trendy spot, within walking distance of the Music Center, Disney Hall and MOCA, has an eclectic menu for both lunch and dinner.
The interior is a mix of industrial and rustic, and has become the latest meeting place for 30-somethings in L.A. But that doesn’t mean someone over 40 won’t have an equally rewarding experience. One of the reasons for its popularity: with both a bar inside and out, it’s a great place to grab a cocktail or glass or wine or beer after work, avoiding perhaps the heart of rush hour traffic.
You can get a good deal on light offerings during Blue Cow’s Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their popular baked-then-fried potato wedges with a horseradish ketchup are $4, or if you prefer crispy roots and baby carrots with a sour cream-onion dip, that’s only $3. It may sound bizarre, but Pink Eggs and Ham is a customer fave (beet-marinated deviled eggs with mustard, smoked bacon and candied jalapenos), and will only set you back 2 bucks.
The dinner menu is a bit more pricey with entrees ranging in price from $14-19, but the portions are more than adequate. The $19 Steak Frites is the most expensive item on the menu: marinated prime beef with Philly cheese poutine, pickled shitakes and wild arugula. Quite a taste treat! There’s also a $17 Brick Tribute Chicken, a roasted Pitman Farm’s half chicken with parsnip mash, green beans and pan drippings au jus to keep the bird nice and moist. Vegetarians can order a $15 Curried Cauliflower Singapore style with root veggies, roasted cauliflower, pickled peppers and homemade naan. And if you’re a vegan, just let your server know, and he or she will be happy to accommodate.
There’s also a nice selection of salads, sandwiches and small bites on both the lunch and dinner menus.
Not a large choice of desserts. In fact we were only offered one: Gooey Butter Cake with Strawberry and Cream: grandma’s recipe, we were told. But if you’re only offered one dessert, this is most definitely the one!
Blue Cow is the latest offering from the Mendocino Farms group that prides itself on supporting farms, ranches, fisheries and artisans committed to sustainability. One of the most pleasant aspects of Blue Cow is the service. From the moment you walk in, everyone is friendly, and it doesn’t seem phony. If you order something you don’t like, they immediately offer an alternative or even give you a chit for a free meal! (Please don’t take advantage…)
Blue Cow Kitchen is open for lunch Monday-Friday 11:30-2. Dinner is served Monday-Saturday 5:30-10.
Parking is validated in the California Plaza underground garage on Olive Street with the first two hours free after 3 p.m.
Hettie Lynne Hurtes
