For almost three years now, chef Nadav Bashan and his wife, Romy Bashan, have run the kind of restaurant that motivates people to drive out of their way for food. There’s a reason for that. Nadav has worked in all the right kitchens, including Providence and Michael’s, and he took just the right notes to supplement his nascent talent. That means a mind-altering Niman Ranch pork chop with apple puree, crispy pig’s-ear salad and a seductive pork crépinette, with a few puddles of whole grain mustard sauce. The grilled shrimp, which he accents with watermelon, umeboshi, pickled cucumber and spring garlic and serves with crispy soba noodles, deserves some kind of shiny medal. Blue Bottle coffee from the Bay Area is paired with desserts like crème fraîche cheesecake with walnut–graham cracker streusel, dulce de leche, or mocha almond fudge ice cream. And everyone is happy they made the trip to the charming neighborhood of Sparr Heights, north of Glendale.

Asian-style braised pork belly
House-made ricotta and wild mushroom ravioli
Roasted wild Alaskan halibut
Seared barramundi
Niman Ranch pork chop view full menu here

The most sought-after tables are near the window. Some customers might prefer the two-top near the French doors. In warmer weather, sidewalk seats are popular.

Braised pork belly with two preparations of daikon, charred shishito peppers, pickled ginger and garlic is an Asian touch from Korean-American sous chef Jonathan Kim.

Tues.–Sat. 5:30 PM–10 PM; Sun. 5 PM–9 PM
closed Monday

$22 (Jidori chicken breast) to $29 (Hokkaido scallops)
$65 (five-course tasting menu; $90 with wine pairings); $85 (seven courses; $120 with pairings)