Two Takes on Punch Grill

My faithful and ever-so-illustrious and extra-bright, especially with regards to food topics, H., joined me for a night at the Punch Grill. This is a newish restaurant on L.A.’s Westside, and it’s situated on a busy corner on Wilshire Boulevard. Get there early enough and there’s plenty of free parking in the garage right behind it, otherwise, you can find street parking or take advantage of valet service. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating, and the owner, Fred Bambadji, expertly suggested different dishes from the menu and absolutely embodied an understandable pride in his restaurant and its offerings.

So, we decided to really do it up, didn’t we?

We sure did! Great company, satisfying food. Some of the dishes are familiar, but have an intriguing twist.

There were lots of things to like about the menu even before we ordered, no?

I knew I was in good hands when I saw that they cook with Niman Ranch pork and Shelton Farm free-range chicken. The fish is sometimes wild caught, depending on the season. Right now the salmon on the menu is farm-raised, which is certainly good for the wild fish population.

What did you think of the braised short-rib ravioli in fumé horseradish sauce?

Delicious and unexpected! The meat inside the ravioli was spiced like a stew, which blended beautifully with the top notes of the delicate horseradish sauce.

I loved it. This appetizer was like an exquisitely rich comfort food. I’ve never had a short-rib ravioli, let alone with horseradish sauce! Decadent.

Yup. It’s available on the menu as a main dish, too.

Then we were on to salads…

Well, I thought the Punch Caprese salad with Buratta cheese is on the right track. It was prepared simply to allow the fresh flavors of burratta, basil and tomato to stand out. I do hope they’ll consider using tomatoes from the farmers’ markets, which generally have a richer flavor than the tomato used in my salad. That would really make it a treat.

I ordered the Punch Salad that featured tender baby greens, really tangy bleu cheese, tomatoes, dried cranberries and a house dressing that was simple and delicious.
You were almost lured into eating the skillet of roasted mussels and shrimp with garlic butter…but I ate most of it for you! I loved that you asked me if I could taste the ocean.

I wish I were a shellfish eater, because it was so tempting, especially the way it came sizzling to our table.

I did taste a hint of ocean, and the mussels were divinely salty and slippery and just right. The peel-and-eat shrimp was also good. The mussels, though, in their little blue-black shells, were my favorite.

So appropriate, with the waves lapping at the shore just a few miles away.

I think by the time our entrees were served, the place was getting crowded and we lost the ambient 80s music that we were serenaded by earlier on in the evening…

The bar music was a little intrusive initially, but we were there early. And, as you say, it disappeared into the background once the dining room was full.

Yes…and then the conversational din of the crowd carried us through the main course.
For the main, I had the pan roasted rack of lamb with wild mushroom medley, mashed potatoes, and grilled zucchini and carrots. The lamb was tender and delicious, but the BBQ baby back ribs…the taste factor went sky-high!...

Those ribs were outstanding. The meat fell off the bone, the barbecue sauce was grilled in but not goopy; it was just right-on. And I got a combination of their sweet potato fries and french fries, both of which were done to perfection. Lightly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. It came with a trio of dipping sauces, but the fries were stand-alone.

Lastly, we finished off with the chocolate soufflé that came with a chocolate sauce and whipping cream, a sprig of mint, and a garnish of strawberries. Wasn’t that gorgeous?

A true indulgence that needs to be ordered at the beginning of the meal, because it takes a little extra time.

It was highly recommended and we can see why.

Definitely. And I also ordered the dessert called lemon cello, because I enjoy the Italian liqueur known as limoncello. It was a lovely sorbet based on the liqueur. Not too sweet and a delightful finish for any meal.

We were delighted by the service and the meal—everything was done with so much friendliness, warmth, and desire to create a unique dining experience. Punch Grill delivered on everything, and more.

Punch Grill
3001 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.828.8812
www.punchgrill.com