Have you ever had one of those meals that was so good that if you walked outside and got hit by a bus, you really wouldn't be that mad. That is the potential at The Hungry Cat. If this hasn't happened to you, then you need to stop what you are doing and take a trip to The Hungry Cat...and bring a friend.
The Hungry Cat is the brainchild of Chef David Lentz and a tribute to New England cuisine. Ironically, my least favorite item on the menu is the one that most go there for, the Lobster Roll. It is not bad, but isn't in the same league as NYC lobster palaces such as Pearl Oyster Bar, or Mary's Fish Camp. Not much in life is better then a Guinness and Lobster Roll at Pearl. Really remarkable. Anyway, back to our story.
OK, so from my perspective, a great meal is a result of a confluence of factors executed perfectly. Company you go with, service/server enthusiasm, pace, food, and choice of seat. First and foremost, pick the right person for the right dining experience. This is critical to having a great meal, so important, I treat is like casting a movie. The person you invite must be able to appreciate the cuisine, decor, price, sensibility etc. Going with the wrong person is a recipe for misery.
Let me cut to the chase and give you the winning combo for the ultimate Hungry Cat meal.
LUNCH is my ideal time
Order a draught beer and take a moment to soak up the atmosphere. Prepare for what is coming.
1. Sit at the bar. Greatest place to see take in all the action and get the inside scoop on all the hidden gems. It is social, and ensures fantastic service. Bartenders are much more interactive by nature and the ones at The Hungry Cat are proud of their job. (Except once when I had this girl who was uninformed and a total bitch. Ruined the whole meal).
2. Bring a friend who likes to share and can appreciate beer and wine pairings.
3. Start with a raw bar combo platter of your choice. Oysters, clams, lobster shrimp and either a nice Kronenbourg or Kuentz-Bas Pinot Riesling. Great way to acclimate to the environment and get started.
4. Next split the PUG burger medium rare sans Avocado. With all the talk of Father's Office and other places, this to me is by far the BEST BURGER in LA. The blue cheese is beautifully sharp and creamy and the bacon is thickly cut and both crispy and tender all stacked on a La Brea Bakery roll that has the integrity to hold its own. I feel the Avocado actually dilutes the combination and always subtract it. Also, ask them to split the burger in the kitchen to avoid destroying the integrity. With this I usually have a Craftsman Brewing Co. Ale.
5. Lastly, split the Fish Tacos with Jicama slaw. The tortillas are fragrant and with just the right char on them. They fish changes and is always nicely seasoned and wonderfully moist. The refreshing Jicama slaw is a great compliment. I usually stick to a beer on this too .
6. Consider a dessert, Beignets with the Blackberry Compote are my favorites.
Overall, The Hungry Cat is a sliver of paradise and one that I recommend as a regular stop.
