If the idea of finding a gourmet restaurant in a college apartment sounds hard to believe, think again.  A year and a half ago, Alex Chang and Bobby Kronfli were two college students attending USC.  Today, they are the beholders of one of L.A.’s best-kept secrets in the restaurant business.  This secret is called Paladar; an underground supper club that serves a delicious, gourmet three-course dinner every Thursday night for a modest $15.

Alex and Bobby combined their passion for fine dining and fair prices to create a special dining experience unlike any other, right inside their own apartment.  Together they collaborate to create their prix-fixe menu, featuring a new appetizer, entrée, and dessert every week.  Once the new menu is posted online, people can make reservations for that Thursday at one of two seatings; 7 or 9 p.m. 

Upon arrival, customers are seated at long dinner tables set up in the living room of Alex and Bobby’s apartment (which is cleared out every Thursday for Paladar). The dimmed lighting makes for a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, which makes the warm, fresh bread from L.A.’s own Bicycle Bread Company served with infused olive oil taste even better.  Paladar is a B.Y.O.B. supper club, but offers drink specials as well.  After settling in and enjoying the cozy ambience and warm bread, dinner is served.

Aside from how tasty the food is, the efficiency of Paladar is particularly remarkable. Serving over 60 people in one night (both college students and non-students alike), Chef Alex carefully prepares every appetizer, entrée, and dessert in a timely manner with a beautiful presentation.  To add to the excitement, many of the dishes served are Paladar firsts, meaning Alex has never made them before. Bobby and other servers then bring the appetizing food to customers at the table right on time, which is truly impressive for the amount of people they have to serve at one time.  

While the relaxing atmosphere and excellent service make dining at Paladar a pleasant one, the food definitely keeps people coming back every week.  Don’t expect to find average or skimpy dinner items either.  Paladar features a sophisticated menu of well-portioned items that are crafted with the same care as those found at expensive restaurants.  Intriguing and elegant appetizers and entrees like slow roasted pork shoulder with creamy mustard seed sauce, beet greens, herb spaetzle, and apples are flavorful and delicious.

Dessert isn’t any less tantalizing; two scoops of rich vchocolate fudge, and caramelized corn flakes, which is a satisfying, tasty gourmet dining experience for only $15.

Paladar is a one of a kind dining experience, combining all of the elements of a superb restaurant; great food made from quality ingredients at a reasonable price, enjoyable atmosphere, and friendly service.  Because of this, customers come back week after week to taste Paladar’s next creative menu items. This underground supper club is definitely worth dining at, and the next time someone says: “college students can’t cook,” you will have one word in return: Paladar.

 

 

Send your food questions/suggestions (recipe ideas, restaurant recommendations, food questions, cooking tips, anything food related) to Veronica.  Your questions and comments might be featured in next week’s column!