Best Detour Ever
To one of the oldest streets in Culver City comes a new farm-to-table restaurant, The Detour Bistro Bar. Detour offers its guest original and traditional cuisine inspired by European trends and flavors as well as seasonal California inspired dishes in small “tapas” style plates as well as large entrees. They offer a wine program of more than 26 by the glass wines that are paired to the menu. Detour is a causal dining restaurant that is well suited for business lunches or dinners. In my past career, restaurants like Detour were exactly what we looked for to entertain clients. The open atmosphere and hip interior make for a pleasant dining experience.
During our media preview we were treated to the new spring menu of small or “tapas” style dishes. I typically eat a completely gluten free diet, but when I heard that they make almost everything served in house (including the pasta and bread) I just had to take a chance. I am so glad I did. Throughout the night our wonderful servers not only made sure we were able to taste the complete menu, they also made sure we were able to get photographs of the food. Below is your quick peek of the current spring menu options at The Detour Bistro Bar:
FOOD
1. Meatball Flatbread – seasoned meatballs, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese
2. Mini Cubano – pork, ham, pickles, pepper jack cheese, taller bread
3. Lamb & Goat Cheese Flatbread – lamb, goat cheese, apricot marmalade, mint
4. Mushroom Risotto – served on endive
5. Yam & Brie Flatbread – yam, brie, truffle oil
6. Shrimp Tacos – Seasoned Shrimp, Cabbage, Cilantro Sauce on Corn Tortillas.
COCKTAILS
Summer Splash – vodka, cranberry, pineapple, sweet & sour
Honey Old Fashion – bourbon, bitters, organic honey (left to right)
Diablo – tequila, fresh lime, crème de cassis
WINE
Prelius – Italian Cabernet Sauvignon
Turò Negre – Spanish Blend
Chilensis – Chardonnay
King Estate – Oregon Pinot Gris
SWEETS – House-made Cookies
Macadamia nut and white chocolate
Chocolate Chip
Current Dinner Menu – Current Brunch Menu –
It wouldn’t be a complete restaurant review if I didn’t tell you that my top three favorites in order were: the Shrimp Tacos, Mini Cubano and the Meatball Flatbread. The flavors in the shrimp taco were smooth, fresh and perfectly blended. It had a bit of spice from the cilantro sauce and crunchiness from the cabbage served in a fresh corn tortilla and perfectly cooked shrimp. The cubano made my mind wander back to Christmas past. Growing up in a half Cuban family, we always took the left overs and made Cuban sandwiches. Detour’s version is right on. It’s been years since I had one, but one bite and I was right back there. Absolutely delicious! Lastly, but not even that far behind was the meatball flatbread. You can taste the freshness in the tomato sauce and meatballs. The flatbread was amazing. It’s been awhile since I’ve had flatbread, but my date agreed with me that it had just the right amount of crispness. The combination of the fresh sauce, homemade meatballs (not confirmed but assumed), cheese and the crisp fresh flatbread make this a must try.
If you are looking for a causal dining environment for date night, entertaining clients or just happy hour, I recommend you give The Detour Bistro Bar a try. Stop in for the tasty food and wines from around the world without being too far from home. Come for it’s made from scratch, farm to table cooking. Or just head over for happy hour (Daily, 3pm – 7pm) and enjoy the beautiful indoor/outdoor patio and deck that are pet friendly. Enjoy a “Summer Splash” in the fresh air, natural light while gazing around the iconic Los Angles views.
Hours: (OPENING for lunch on April 6th)
Monday – Thursday 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Friday 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Owner/Chef: Ranni Kumgisky (trained at a culinary school in Israel) and Managing Owner: Dane Pearson met and played professional AVP Beach Volleyball together. Shortly thereafter, they started a catering company together, Great Dane Catering and events which is in its 5th year. Their catering office is based in Santa Monica and now they use the kitchen they built in The Detour Bistro Bar as their kitchen for Great Dane Catering and Events. Detour Bistro Bar Ownership Background:
