Bar food? Yea, you usually won't expect to find good food at a bar, but Father's Office, in Santa Monica, California breaks that expectation. Known for their selection of beer and wine, FO's "focus is craft beer and its pairing with food," according to their website.There was a ten minute wait to get into the bar because it is fairly small. Since it is a bar, they check for IDs, so you must be 21 or older. Also, FO does not offer table service, so you must place your order at the bar.
It was pretty packed when we got inside. There are tables lining the wall, but they were all occupied, so we headed to the bar, but that was also full. Evelina ordered a Chardonnay and Wesley got some type of dark beer, and we waited for another fifteen minutes for two seats. Starving, we quickly ordered.
Fresh out of the fryer, the Sweet Potato Fries ($7) are constantly being churned out of the kitchen, so these came quick. Served in a mini fryer basket, these are some of the best sweet potato fries we have ever had. It's crispy on the outside and slightly soft on the inside. You can taste the sweet potato! And the fries are paired with a Cabrales Blue Cheese Aioli. A delicious combination.
FO is known for their "Office Burger." We ordered the meat medium, and it was served on a oval French roll with caramelized onion, bacon, Gruyere, Maytag Blue, and arugula for $12 (add $2.50 for fries). The burger is tender and juicy. At first glance you would think the onions and cheese would overpower the beef flavor but this was not the case. It was a perfect balance of sweet caramelized onions, beef, and cheeses to make a savory burger. The burger was great from the first bite till the last.
In addition to the menu, FO had three specials that night. Two were salads, and the other one was the Crispy Maryland Soft Shell Crab, which we ordered. This dish is delicious. The soft shell crab is perfectly fried; there is a nice coat of batter on the outside and juicy crab meat inside. All this is accented by a fresh corn salad with Thai basil, and a Vietnamese chili honey vinaigrette.
Father's Office is a little like an after-college frat house with better drinks, great food, and better dressed patrons. This location is small, so expect a small wait and like any good frat party, expect be it to be a little crammed, but you can expect good food.Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
View Larger Map
wow, that looks delicious. i have yet to go, i am afraid to take my husband anywhere there are rules to eat, maybe i will sneak away alone to try it sometime soon!
ReplyDeletei wanna go take meee
ReplyDelete