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Secret Off-Menu Items at Manhattan Beach Restaurants

Nov 05, 2015 10:37AM ● By Jeanne Fratello

The off-menu porchetta di testa at Love & Salt

Shhh...Wanna know a secret? At many Manhattan Beach restaurants, the printed menu is only the beginning of the story. We've got the scoop on secret "off-menu" items that you will love...as long as you know to ask for them. Take a look:

Doma Kitchen: Eastern European cuisine is the star attraction at Doma Kitchen, but if you only look at the menu, you might not know what you're missing. Ask for the special off-menu Russian Spiced Double Chicken Burger - a towering sandwich made of two chicken patties flavored with fresh dill and other seasonings, and topped with provolone cheese, tomato, lettuce, and guacamole on a brioche bun. ($14).

The Kettle: At a restaurant that says, "Our menu is only a guide. Please feel free to be creative," you can pretty much ask for what you want. But if you're looking for a hearty breakfast and you're part of the "in" crowd, you can ask for the off-menu Mardi Gras Omelette, which has turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, and avocado ($12.95).

Little Sister: You know you can order Little Sister's famous Salt & Pepper Lobster ($38) anytime, but did you know it came with an off-menu bonus? After you've finished with your lobster, you send it back to the kitchen, and the cooks expertly clean off the remaining lobster and turn it into a custom (off-menu) Lobster Fried Rice (with lobster roe, Chinese chicken and pork sausage, sweet shrimp, and jasmine rice) for you to enjoy at the restaurant or at home.

Love & Salt: You probably know about the roasted glazed pig head or the crispy pig ears at Love & Salt, but do you know about the off-menu Porchetta di Testa? It's house-butchered and roasted pork, thinly sliced and served with toasted bread, mustard, and house-pickled vegetables - based on an old family recipe from owner Guy Gabriele. ($16)

Also at Love & Salt - If you're at the bar or chef's counter for the last hour of service (9 pm - 10 pm, Sunday - Thursday; and 10 pm - 11 pm, Friday and Saturday) you can select your choice of either Chef Michael Fiorelli's critically-acclaimed "Downlow" burger or any housemade pizza, plus a glass of red or white wine, or craft beer for $20. The Downlow" burger features two 4-ounce patties topped with aged promontory cheddar, caramelized onions, housemade pickles, and tomato aioli on a brioche bun.

Manhattan House: The house burger at Manhattan House (custom prime blend, topped with aged Vermont cheddar, caramelized onions, and house sauce for $16) is pretty darned special, but if you want to make it even more decadent, you can ask for the secret menu option of adding foie gras (for an additional $10).

The Strand House: You may associate The Strand House with fine dining, but on Thursday nights during football games you can get an off-menu burger in the bar area. The chef's special burger and a draft beer will run you $23.

Know of any other off-menu secrets you're willing to share? Let us know in the comments or by email to [email protected] and we'll add them to the collection!



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