Brussels Sprout 8-Ways And Great Seafood at Tapenade (West LA)

New restaurants keep popping up on Sawtelle Blvd and they're not all Japanese. Tucked inside the Olympic Collections is Tapenade, which all brussels sprout lovers should visit.

The chef, Ressul Rassalat, also loves it so much he serves it multiple ways at his restaurant. They're all prepared the same style and crispy, but with different flavors. Currently I'm counting eight different flavors of brussels sprout on the menu, and he will either rotate or add more! I had to order the "Indonesian" (because I am one, in case you didn't know) even though that was not one of the waitress' recommendations. This latest addition is made with pineapple, cashews, lime and chili ($9).

It wasn't quite typical Indonesian flavors but it was spicy and tropical. I want to try the Moroccan one next, which comes with lamb, olives, goat cheese, and red wine vinegar.

Goat cheese tapenade, brioche bread ($10)

I had to try a tapenade because of the restaurant's name! I liked its creaminess (and wished there were more bread).

I especially enjoyed the seafood dishes here, where I think the chef's classical training really shows. Try the Seared scallops, New England chowder ($14)

I thought New England chowder was the white, creamy ones and that the red one is a Manhattan chowder? Well, anyway, the scallops were perfectly cooked and fresh, and the light chowder broth had a lot of of flavors.


My favorite thing on the menu was the Oven-roasted sea bass, green melon, aromatic lime emulsion ($28)

The green melons were delightful in this dish. Their light sweetness and crispness really enhanced the flaky (again, nicely cooked) fish. I would definitely go back for this dish.


I was underwhelmed by the warm mushroom salad and while I liked the lamb agnolotti (with madeira-truffle sauce, $14) it seemed expensive for the number of pieces we got in the dish (4-5 pieces).

The desserts all sounded interesting but we were full and in the end went with Tiramisu, caramel sauce, honey gelato ($9)

I love my tiramisu and this was a good, moist version of it.

I'm glad more diverse restaurants are opening up on Sawtelle Blvd and Tapenade is a nice addition. They have a small but interesting wine and beers-on-tap menu (Goose Island Matilda!)


Tapenade
11301 W Olympic Blvd #116
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 312-6233
http://www.tapenade.la/