There is something about going to hotel even if it’s just for a meal. For those few hours, you are on vacation and truly relaxed. This is how I felt when I stepped into Longitude Bar + Restaurant. It’s a small lobby restaurant serving up a contemporary, beachy vibe along with signature cocktails and sophisticated hotel fare. Located in the Le Méridien on Pico, they offer different atmospheres during the day defined by music, lighting and service.
We started off with a few glasses of wine and the Tuna Tartare and the Grilled Flatbread with Buffalo Mozzarella, Tomato, Truffled Arugula. What I loved about the tartare is it was topped with citrus cured olives, which you don’t normally see. It added a slight saltiness with the citrus that tied it all together. The flatbread did not disappoint either. Normally you can’t taste the truffle, but this had the perfect hint to it. It took the flatbread to the next level.
From there, I ordered the Wild Corvina Bass and vegetables (instead of risotto), and it had a perfect crust on the light fish. Tyler went heavier with the Seven Hour Braised Beef Short Rib Periguex with Truffled Bread Pudding, and Shallot Confit. The three items paired perfectly together. The saltiness of the meat was balance with the bread pudding. We finished off the meal with the Lemon and Blueberry Tart, that was topped with a sweet Meringue. It was the perfect escape from the world outside and the “mini vacation” we needed.
