By Mariella Rudi
Staff Reporter
With drink names like Mom Like Diane Keaton, Uncle’s Breath, and Taco Truck, the Corner Door Los Angeles has established itself as an unconventional watering hole in the thick of Culver City, playful at is it serious about mixology and comestibles.
As the go-to neighborhood bar and restaurant on the west side of Culver City, the sleek brick-and-morwood Gastropub has been serving foodies handcrafted cocktails and late-night cuisine since it opened back in 2012.
Just last year the restaurant and bar got a major boost in the kitchen by way of Brendan Collins of Birch in Hollywood. As executive chef, Collins revamped the menu to reflect the multi-cultural offerings.
Highlights on the dinner menu include the French fries carbonade, with beer braised beef, farm house cheese and a roasted garlic aioli; spicy fried chicken with cucumber and cilantro yogurt; chicken liver and foie gras mousse; lobster and shrimp Bolognese; salmon tartar with leche de tigre, avocado, tortilla strips; Malaysian cauliflower in coconut curry, and golden currants; and spicy pork belly sliders.
Top the meal off with sticky toffee pudding or a buttermilk strawberry panna cotta.
The menu also includes a handsome $13-$15 charcuterie section of cheese, salami, smoked salmon, and chicken liver and foie gras mousse.
Masterful cocktail crafter Beau du Bois is a near celebrity thanks to his unusual flavor pairing sand quixotic drink names — just check out his instagram if you don’t believe the hype surrounding this bar guy.
Though the bar features an impressive summation of domestic and imported wines and drought beers, the real treat is du Bois’ unique spirits. Whether you go for stirred or shaken, consider taking the Bartender’s Choice ($13) for an authentic Corner Door experimental experience.
The Happy Hour fare is generous and frisky, veering away from traditional bar food staples and presenting its dinner menu delights at almost half off. Available every day from 5 – 7 pm, try the Corner Door’s marked down menu.
“Featured Cocktails” are $8, serving up a traditional margarita and Moscow mule, as well as a Gold Rush (bourbon, lemon, honey) and the Anti-Mixology (High Life and a shot of whiskey). The wine assortment expressive but modest — it features a $6 Rioja Blanco from Solar de Estraunza (2014) and Malbec from Vinas de Cuyon (2013).
Lastly, stop on SUdnay for Burger R&D Night, a $17 dose of the weekly burger, fries, and beer — and add a $6 bourbon Old Fashioned to boot.
Located at 12477 W Washington Blvd., the Corner Door is open from 5 pm to midnight Sunday to Thursday and 5 pm to 2 am Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 310.313.5810 or visit thecornerdoorla.com.
