Understated Innovation: Allumette

My broken camera notwithstanding, it's been a good month.  After all, I did get a new point-and-shoot, and I do celebrate my birthday as long as I can.  We had a child-friendly dinner with my little niece and nephew on my actual birthday, but we headed to Allumette for a five-course tasting ($72) the day after with the Cruisers.  Thank you, Cruisers!

Allumette replaces Allston Yacht Club in Echo Park.  Same owners.  Different concept.  Better experience.

Housemade limeade and ginger beer ($4 each).

Both fresh and strong.

Complimentary grilled focaccia with potato-mascarpone butter.

This may be the tastiest bread course in Los Angeles at this moment.  Spread that creamy, buttery, cheesy potato goodness all over the focaccia and crunch and savor and sigh contentedly.

Kanpachi sashimi, spot prawn, oro blanco, pistachio oil.

A little tart.  A little nutty.  A lot of fresh.  A lot of yum.

Complimentary prawn head broth.

We wanted to pick this up and slurp it all and suck all the juice from that head.  Ok, we committed one of these acts.  I'll let you guess which one.

Poached octopus, beluga lentil, vadouvan butter, fried egg.

Tender and gently chewy, paired wonderfully with rich, runny yolk on top of mild, delicate legumes.

Complimentary fairy squid, cilantro flower, lime ponzu.

So tiny and pretty!  Tasted like it looked, if that makes any sense.

Alaskan halibut, king crab mezzaluna, Meyer lemon, whipped yogurt.

The best halibut I've had in quite awhile.  Halibut is often overcooked and dry.  Not here.  Not at all.  How was this simultaneously moist and flaky?  I don't know, but it was delectable with its cool and slightly sweet and sour accompaniments.

Squab breast, rillette fricassee, balsamic panade, blueberry.

You know I always love my tiny fowl.  Rejoice!  An itty-bitty bird in a happy garden!

Goat's milk flan, angel food cake, brown butter, tapioca.

Birthday candle fun!  I loved loved loved this dessert, and I'm not even a huge flan fan.  Delicate and not too sweet.  Fabulous way to end a nice dinner with good friends.  I dare say that Allumette is sort of like a chill, unflashy ink., Jr.  That's a compliment.

My point-and-shoot handled the low lighting like a champ.  Happy birthday indeed.