From the outside looking in, you could easily judge this restaurant before even stepping inside—but don’t. It’s not what you think. The interior and exterior are both comfortable, and yes, a strong logo and good marketing certainly help in today’s visually driven world. We all know the power of that. However, what matters is that what you serve matches the image you present to the public. The food and drink must deliver—and here, they absolutely do. There is even a dedicated pastry chef for dessert.
At first glance, you might assume it’s just a show-off place, or a trendy Instagram photo-op hangout. With The Oppenheim Group practically opposite, perhaps it’s somewhere to spot celebrities or Netflix stars. Well, it’s not, thankfully! We enjoyed a good, well-rounded lunch at Saltie Girl.
Over the past few years, I’ve developed an aversion to smoked salmon. I’m not sure whether it’s the smell or the texture, but it just hasn’t been doing it for me lately. However, when I spotted pastrami smoked salmon on Saltie Girl’s menu, it opened up a new opportunity to re-enter the game. I loved it. It arrived on a mini butcher’s block, accompanied by a warm bagel, cucumber, tomato, perfectly sliced red onion rings, capers, and a selection of cream cheeses to “build your own.” It may not sound like much, but the care and attention made all the difference. It was a great-tasting lunch option.
Don’t turn your nose up at tinned fish either. They have an extensive menu dedicated to it, highlighting preservation and minimal waste—a great and healthy idea, in my opinion. The service also deserves a mention: kind, considerate, and natural, making us feel that a good tip was well deserved. Our drinks were spot on and very enjoyable.
Dessert was, naturally, gluten-free: a pistachio tiramisu. Normally, sponge fingers contain wheat and would be out of bounds, but this thoughtful adaptation meant that everyone with an allergy could enjoy it. Good call guys. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I would come back for dinner—because it isn’t gimmicky. LA is full of surprises!
