Design Dish: Love & Salt
Author:Candace AbbottAnyone who appreciates a good meal knows one thing is for sure; food needs love to taste its best. Manhattan Beach neighborhood spot, Love & Salt got that memo.
Under the culinary smarts of Chef Michael Fiorelli, Love & Salt delivers in both the “delish” and design departments. What’s worth noting about this local gem is the seasonal menu, which is a celebratory mix of Italian and Californian cuisine. If Chef has scored the best avocados in town, they’ll make their way onto the plate that night.
And along with of-the-moment eats, the menu boasts things like mouthwatering rustic bucatini, skirt steak cooked to perfection atop a bed of warm potatoes, pretty greens and tangy creme fraiche. But before diving into main dishes (everything served family style), you’ll want to sink your teeth into the Shaved Black Kale Salad which boasts quite a bite thanks to olive, soppressata, pickled peppers and breadcrumbs. Or give the much talked about house-made English Muffins a try.
Thankfully, while you wait for your bites and perhaps sip a cocktail from their impressive list your eyes will get a feast. Fill up on architectural wonderment overhead as exposed beams showcase an impressive structure and a skylight allows sunshine to flood in during the day. Love & Salt’s style is much like it’s food, approachable, thoughtful, inspirational and pleasing. Against a gray contemporary paneled wall are strategically placed textured linen booths line one side of the room and a contemporary wooden bar along the other.
Taking up the center are beautiful wooden table tops and industrial style stools. Modern white pendant lights drip from the ceiling casting a warm glow all around the space. The back of the house is literally where the magic happens and you can see it all for yourself. Love & Salt features an open kitchen with an adjacent marble bar for the real foodies to have an up close and personal experience with their fare. Feel free look on as the light shines from luxe copper pendants.
Simply put, you can feel the love from the moment you step into Love & Salt, partly due to signs that say “love,” luscious dahlia murals showing off against white walls and candle light and partly due to the love and passion that’s oozing out of the kitchen and onto your plate.
And because no love affair is complete without dessert, end with the Brown Sugar Pudding. It’s salty, but it’s sweet and it’s sure to seal your affection for this spot in no time.
