One of the most highly-anticipated openings of 2019 was Birdie G’s in Santa Monica. The Eater LA team met up for dinner at Chef Jeremy Fox’s homage to Midwestern fare this past summer and managed to make a sizable dent in the impressively extensive menu.
First up for me was a fitting and fine cocktail called “Mum’s An Old Fashioned Gal” ($15) made with chrysanthemum, cane sugar, Sazerac rye, barrel aged bitters, and a lemon twist.
Lighter bites included the burrata tomato salad with a fermented tomato vinaigrette, basil, capers, and Calabrian anchovies ($19)…
…artisanal matzo smeared with cultured butter and seasoned with salt and pepper ($4), paired with a platter of silky Lady Edison country ham ($25)…
…the famous relish tray with pickled, cured, and marinated vegetables served with a five onion dip ($29)…
….heirloom cucumbers with a dill pickle dressing ($8)…
…grilled okra…
…and last but not least, the Passmore Ranch caviar platter ($59) with steelhead roe, potato waffles, and “deli flavors.”
Moving on to the Texas toast portion of the menu, we shared the Sloppy Jeremy with beef-strawberry bolognese and “horsey goat” ($15)…
…as well as wood-grilled sweetbreads with jus roti, radish, and banyuls ($20).
The savory portion of our feast wrapped with a trio of hearty offerings including an awesomely tangy stuffed poblano pepper with Carolina gold rice, mushrooms, and tomatillos ($13)…
…the daily special Mongolian tri-tip with corned beef and Carolina gold rice ($30)…
…and finally, Jeremiah’s wood-grilled chicken with tropical sauce ($32).
The highlight of the evening were the unbeatable desserts that included a chilled chocolate cake with malted frosting ($12), sticky date bundt cake with whipped creme fraiche and salted caramel ($12), matzo bar with chocolate, toffee, and peanuts ($8), rose petal pie with pretzel crust ($14), and best of all…
…the creme brulee pie with a deeply browned and flaky crust, smooth and balanced custard, and a caramelized topping that expertly teetered between bitter and sweet.
With so much good company, food, and drink, dinner at Birdie G’s was a bit of blur in the very best way. I hope to return in 2020 for another taste of Chef Fox’s Midwestern love letter.
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Birdie G’s
2421 Michigan Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310-310-3616
One year ago: Rustic Canyon – Santa Monica
Two years ago: Afternoon Tea at The Huntington – Pasadena
Three years ago: Slacker.
Four years ago: Slacker.
Five years ago: Lu’s Garden – San Gabriel
Six years ago: Sushi Kanesaka – Tokyo
Seven years ago: {swoon} Pani Puri at Surati Farsan Mart
Eight years ago: White Truffle Dinner at Valentino Ristorante – Los Angeles (Santa Monica)
Nine years ago: Bouchon Bakery – Las Vegas (The Venetian)
Ten years ago: Good Girl Dinette – Los Angeles (Highland Park)
Eleven years ago: Vegetation Profile: Royal Riviera Pears
Twelve years ago: Bánh Mì Cá Sardine
Thirteen years ago: Brasserie Perrier – Philadelphia