Sep 5

Sep 5 Foodgasam at The Church and Key

I can't remember having a meal recently that really wowed me. Let me just preface this post by saying that I was wowed by this meal! I was graciously invited to check out the late summer menu at The Church Key in Hollywood. I've had The Church and Key on my radar for quite some time now. Something about their American-style dim sum and cool atmosphere. I'll admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the whole American-style dim sum. In my head I was thinking wtf is American dim sum? Dim sum is dim sum. Right? Anyways, my view completely changed by the time my meal started. And before i knew it, these dim sum carts started rolling around. Everything looked delicious. More importantly, everything smelled delicious. So, I took a break from drooling over all the dim sum carts roaming around and ordered off the menu. Oh my gosh! How often do I actually say a salad is good? Heirloom Tomato, Melon, and Peach Salad. Topped with Milk Gouda and Pickled Peach Vinaigrette and Watercress. So incredibly fresh! The peaches were so ripe and so sweet. I was practically licking my plate. At this point, I saw something far off in the distance that made me stop everything I was doing and wave my dim sum sheet. What were these pecuilar orange things that looked a little stringy? I had to have it! Pig Ear Cheetos with avocado mousse... This was crack! This was seriously these most addicting and delicious things I have ever tasted. How are they not bagging this up and selling it by the pound? Why do I not have a stockpile of these in my kitchen? These were all the questions running through my thought process. In all seriousness though, these were delectable. I know some of you non-adventureous eaters are probably gagging in your mouths right now. You need to seriously try these. It tastes like a Cheetos on steroids. I would come back to The Church and Key just for this!Next dish out was the half dozen chilled Kushi Oysters with pickled Cherry Mignonette. So extremely fresh. The cherry flavor complemented the oysters perfectly. It also made for quite the palate cleanser. I know this dish may not looking appetizing, but this is another reason why I'm coming back to The Church and Key. I didn't think anything of it when the dish was brought out, but wow. Foodgasam! Rigatoni Pasta Fennel Sausage, "Red Sauce", Parmesan Espuma. Perfect mix of white and red sauce. I usually feel unwell when I have too much white sauce cause it's too rich. I could have slurped 3 bowls of this down. Absolutely hit the spot. As you can probably imagine, at this point I was beyond full. My server recommended trying the Chicken Liver Parfait-Blackberry Port "Jello" on toasted brioche with smoked sea salt and chive. Wow. It was to die for! If you love Pâté, then you will love this dish! The Blackerry tasted like a jam and it brought such a great contrast to the chicken liver. Can you believe I ate all of this? How can you deny hot, crispy toast?

And look what came to my table side? Pam Am beverage carts where they make cocktail popsicles! These are liquid nitrogen 'otter pops'. I got the Purple Rain flavor. Other options were the Cosmopolitan and the Sea on the Beach. Dinner and a show! How fun was that? Adult desserts for the win!Speaking of desserts... Brioche Donuts with brown butter glaze and cinnamon caramel. Wow. I don't understand why everyone is lining up for the new Dunkin' Donuts in town when there's something way more tasty like this!And then came even more dessert! Stonefruit Cobbler with Champagne Sabayon, poached nectarines, peachy plum sherbet, and brown butter streusel. Wow. You can really do no wrong at The Church and Key.

I'm literally drooling while recapping my pictures right now. The decor and attention to detail that The Church and Key had in everything was apparent. I mean who else has an old school rotary phone on display? And the witty 'Dim Dun' card for you to place on your table when you didn't want any more dim sum carts to come your way? Genius! I wish actual dim sum restaurants started doing that! The Kushi Oysters and the Heirloom Tomato, Melon and Peach Salad were part of the new additions to their Late Summer Menu. I'm so glad I got to try them, but I would go back just for the regular menu!

All in all, I cannot express what a fantastic time I had at The Church and Key. I hadn't had a meal like that in a very long time. I definitely plan on making this one of my must-go restaurants in town. Thanks so much for having me and giving me and my stomach a night to remember!Let's take a moment to once again gaze into the greatest that is The Church and Key's Pig Eat Cheetos.