The Flats in Beverly Hills

Order Online
Spread the love

The FLATS has a new meaning in Beverly Hills:  Artisanal “Flats” or Flat Bread Pizzas prepared in a wood-burning oven star on the menu created by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker is the first.  The second meaning refers to the community south of Sunset – a crucial matter as observed in the film, “Clueless.”  The Flats is also east of La Cienega, once a bustling intersection where Nibbler’s reigned across the street for decades.  Not is sits on a block darkened by massive metro-line building. It is open until 2 am on the weekends – a place to go after hours now that Kate Mantalini is closed.

This plus the darkish lighting and clubbing decor makes The FLATS all the more intimate.  Head Barman Shaun Summers presides over the striking full bar which also cocktails.  The list is long and creative.

When I asked for grappa — the answer was “not a problem.”  This time it turned out to be a beautiful bottle of Grappa Candolini.  It turns out to have a very special meaning to me.   Traditionally produced in the northern Italian regions, Grappa is a crystal clear spirit made by distilling the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems (i.e., the pomace) left over from winemaking after pressing the grapes. It was originally made to prevent waste by using these leftovers.

Candolini is one of the oldest Distilleries founded in 1898 at Tarcento (Udine) by Giovanni Candolini.

Since 1987 it is the property of F.lli Branca Distillerie and Grappa Bianca is the largest Grappa brand in Italy today.   Originally drunk by the “Alpine”, the mountain troops, the product immediately became very successful thanks to its smooth and refined taste.  My dad fought in the U.S. Tenth Mountain Division alongside the Alpine!

Grappa Candolini

Originally drunk by the “Alpini” , the mountain troops, the product immediately became very successful thanks to its smooth and refined crystal clear taste with an original and fragrant bouquet.  The fruity, smooth and well-balanced flavors come from  Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Cabernet, Aglianico, Folaghina grapes.
In Italy, grappa is primarily served as a “digestivo” or after-dinner drink. Its main purpose was to aid in the digestion of heavy meals. Grappa may also be added to espresso coffee to create a “caffè  corretto” meaning corrected coffee. Another variation of this is the “ammazzacaffè” (literally, “coffee-killer”): the espresso is drunk first, followed by a few ounces of grappa served in its own glass.
In the Veneto region, they drink it as a resentin (literally: “little rinse”) after finishing a cup of espresso with sugar, a few drops of grappa are poured into the nearly empty cup, swirled and drunk down in one sip. It is also ideal to accompany dry sweet such as pies or chestnuts.

Shoemaker is known for using freshest local and sustainable ingredients, produce, meat and seafood.  Flatbreads include the Porcini Mushroom with white sauce, gruyere, mozzarella, rosemary and olive oil ($18) the right size for sharing.

Flatbreads

 

Chicken Meatballs ($14) with reggiano cheese and burrata in tomato sauce served in a small bowl with bread.  The meatballs fill the entire bowl.

Chicken Meatballs

The shortlist of House Pastas is varied and interesting.  Potato gnocci features whipped ricotta salt and basil, full of flavor and refined.  Also on the list are Main Lobster Mac & cheese, Rigatoni Pasta, Spaghetti & Meatball and Oxtail Ragu, hand-rolled cavatelli, tomato sauce and pecorino romano.  We were helpfully informed that the Oxtail is mixed into the Ragu rather than in chunks.

Rigatoni Pasta

 

Meats are cured in-house, including the Sriracha Spiced Ham Ricotta and Prosciutto-topped Fig Flatbread.

Other most popular Flatbread Artisan Pizzas including the Margarita with organic tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella, and the Pepperoni with organic tomato sauce, mozzarella, and smoked pepperoni. Sliders are a specialty.  Honey Boo Boo Sliders are sweetened with whipped honey butter, bacon, and gruyere cheese. The  Baby Calibamma’s kick comes Calibamma hot cabbage slaw, red jalapeños, and pickles.

Happy Hour cocktails created by Head Barman Shaun Summers including the Old-Fashioned prepared with whiskey, aromatic bitters, and Demerara sugars, the Margarita comprised of tequila blanco, house Curacao, and fresh lime juice, the Daiquiri prepared with white rum, sugar, and fresh lime, along with other popular classics


Spread the love

Cuisines

Authors