Stefan's at L.A. Farm Restaurant Review

3000 Olympic Blvd. (Centinela Ave.) Send to Phone

310-449-4000 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu

Price

Chef Stefan Richter offers inventive cuisine inspired by seasonal ingredients and his international background. • For more about the Stefan at L.A. Farm, read GAYOT.com's blog.

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly

Features

Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Outdoor dining
Open late
Valet parking
Casual

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Dining room at Stefan's at L.A. Farm, Santa Monica, CA

Stefan Richter won the bulk of the challenges on his season of Bravo's "Top Chef," and now with his first restaurant he's taking on an even more competitive playing field---the Los Angeles dining scene. The former L.A. Farm space has been transformed into a contemporary setting furnished with Italian-made furniture and white marble tables, with a patio featuring dramatic fire pits and leather banquettes. A native of Finland, chef Richter was raised in Germany and has honed his skills in kitchens around the world. His inventive cuisine draws upon this international background, but also incorporates fresh California ingredients into dishes such as his salad of red and gold beets from the farmers market with goat cheese mousse and mesclun. Diners can sample small plates like Thai lobster bisque with coconut milk and lemon grass before diving into main dishes that might range from mini mushroom ravioli with foie gras and black truffles to braised beef cheeks with farrotto and arugula to pan roasted whitefish with lentil parsnip ragoÃ»t, baby spinach and extra virgin olive oil. Desserts might include Buchteln (sweet dumplings) with pecan maple ice cream.

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User Ratings & Reviews for Stefan's at L.A. Farm

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Reviews 1 - 2 of 2 1

SEXY FOOD!!! by JC on 08/19/2009

This was a FABULOUS dining experience. Of course, I went because I was a HUGE fan of Stefan during Top Chef (and I still think he should have won). Anyway, my hopes were high for this place when I went on Saturday and the food did not disappoint! I tried the truffle arancini with lemon aioli and the Thai lobster bisque with coconut milk and lemon grass, and my friends tried the Kumamoto oyster with absinthe Jell-O and fennel vinaigrette. I was told that the oysters were superb (but since I don't eat oysters, my favorite small plate was the lobster bisque). For appetizers, we tried the farmers market red and golden beets with goat cheese mousse and mesclun and celery root ravioli with pancetta and sage. We all loved the celery root ravioli which was cooked perfectly al dente. For dinner, we all shared the mini mushroom ravioli with foie gras and black truffles, the lobster and scallop risotto with English peas, dill and Champagne, and the braised pork cheek and caraway sausage with sauerkraut pretzel dumplings and beer sauce. I had never had pork cheek before, but it was incredibly tender and delicious. None of us could stop eating the sauerkraut. My friends thought the risotto was just right. After we finished off every piece of food on all of the above plates, we were escorted back to the open kitchen area where we got to watch Stefan cook (I jumped up and down several times like a silly school girl when I realized I could very well have eaten something that Stefan cooked!!). He chatted with us and came out from behind the hot kitchen to pose for pictures. He was super nice and friendly. I loved his arrogance and cockiness on the show and I was happy to find that he has the chef skills to back that up. More than the "character" on the show, he's also a genuinely nice person. After all that, we ate some more. For dessert, we each had a red wine ice cream lollipop and split the mousse au chocolate with Baumkuchen, Nutella crème brulee, and lemon grass and ginger Pannacotta with pineapple coulis and grapefruit jelly. Everything except the crème brulee was exceptionally good. The crème brulee was just ok. The Pannacotta was a must have since he made something similar in episode 9. It was the best desert I've ever had. Each component was perfect. Next time, there's no way I'm sharing this desert with anyone. Get your own! The food was beyond my expectations. The service was a bit of a disappointment, but I think the staff is just getting used to things and settling in, so I'm willing to over look the confused look on their faces for now. Overall, I would highly recommend this place whether or not you watched Top Chef.

Very sexy place with great food by LAwriter on 08/12/2009

Stefan has completely overhauled the old LA Farm. The decor, service, food, and attitude have all been changed. It has turned into a spot that will surely become a late night favorite. I love the small plates (everything from the truffle arancini to the tater tots). My favorite appetizer was the celery root ravioli but I also loved the beet and goat cheese salad. As for entrees, I woke up thinking about the whitefish on lentils this morning. I am also already addicted to their burger with smoked gouda on a pretzel bun and the pork cheeks with pretzel crusted dumplings. Their desserts are fabulous! The firepits on the patio are perfect for big groups who want to order a few cocktails and lots of small plates. I've been there twice and I noticed Stefan in the kitchen and on the line both times (it's an open kitchen). I am very impressed and highly recommend this place.

Reviews 1 - 2 of 2 1

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