Culver City has given birth to another winner, this time the newly erected LYFE (love your food everyday) Kitchen in downtown Culver City, next to Rush St. The long lines are well-deserved for this healthy gem, since all items are under 600 calories, with the sodium count falling under 1000mg.
It's hard to believe that this chain was the brainchild of one McDonald’s superstars. CEO Mike Roberts, who was at McDonald’s for 20 years, brings a wealth of food knowledge to LYFE. Their first location was in Palo Alto, and now that Culver City has hit a home run, there will be locations in Tarzana and West Hollywood. It’s a hot concept, and it’s growing.
In most restaurants, chairs and tables are stacked together like dominos. Even at some of the finest restaurants, you can barely slide into your seat without banging into your neighbor, let alone having to hear all about their iPhone accolades.
At this place, you can breathe. There are a variety of seating options. Want a cushy couch? Or how about some groovy aluminum chairs? Then there’s the patio, all dining options giving you room to relax without feeling cramped by your neighbors. They have decent prices, great-tasting food, and they also provide a gluten-free and vegan menus. There’s something for everyone.
We sampled several items from their regular menu, and were very impressed. Clearly, Chef Art Smith and Chef Tal Ronnen have a winning recipe for success.
LYFE’s congenial General Manger, Thomas Davis, brought over a few suggested coolers. I loved the cool Cucumber Mint ($2.99) with fresh cucumber juice, mint, lime and agave, along with the zingy Hibiscus Beet, ($2.99) with hibiscus tea, beet, apple, lemon and ginger. Nice start indeed.
Our favorite was the Roasted Mushroom and Goat Cheese Flatbread, with Portobello, crimini, roasted onions, fresh herbs, and pomegranate-balsamic drizzle. ($9.99) Hard to believe this was less than 600 calories.
Check out their Farmer’s Market salad, with organic greens with blackberries, agave-pickled onions, spiced pecans, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette ($8.99). It went well with their Grilled Artichokes, coupled with a garlic aioli ($7.99).
We both loved our fish entrees, with me favoring the Roasted Loch Duart Salmon, with steamed baby bok choy, shitake, jalapenos, scallion and ginger miso ($14.99). On the more mild side was the delightful Grilled Barramundi, with soba noodles, edamame, baby spinach, shitake, scallions in a kimchi broth ($13.99)
If you have room for dessert, there’s the cute shot-glass sized Chocolate Budino with pomegranate-soaked chia seeds and toasted almonds ($3.99). Also good was the delightful Rhubarb Quinoa Crunch, which we both preferred ($3.99).
There are often lines at this place, but they move quickly, with the food coming out of the kitchen by a host of servers in ample time. Spread out, enjoy the scenery and this delicate balance of fine food, a groovy atmosphere and a progressive concept.
LYFE Kitchen 9540 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 507-7955 http://lyfekitchen.com/
