Umami Burger! It’s been too long!
I’m well-aware that my beloved burger chain is expanding nationally (with 25 new locations by 2013) but I had no idea that there was one in Santa Monica til we were making plans for the brunch on the Westside.
Very different-looking from the one in Hollywood that we frequent
Started off with some appetizers for four -
Pickled veggies – beets, cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and okra
(I tried a bite of the Jalapeño and spit it out)
Tempura Onion Rings
Sweet Potato Fries
Dipped in a lot of Umami Ketchup
Since this one is in shopping mecca Fred Segal, there are salads on the menu I’ve never seen elsewhere!
I got curious and ordered the North African Chicken
Came with some fried eggplant too, which Abe ate on its own and spit out…
…I guess I didn’t mind when it was buried with all the other flavors…
…but still, I wish I had gotten a burger. The veggies were fine, but nothing special.
A bite of the Earth burger – a mushroom/edamame patty with white soy aioli, truffle ricotta, cipollini onions, lettuce, and slow-roasted tomato
For dessert I sampled a piece of the Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Cakewich
Stick to that, the burgers and the fried stuff. Just like McDonald’s, you don’t come here for the veggies!
I wonder what the Studio City and Los Feliz locations are like?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I love Umami! The Los Feliz spot is great–it was there I first had their cheesy tater tots…heaven. Then one time at the H’wood location I didn’t see them on the menu…but they had ‘em!! Sneaky, sneaky….I’ll go to great lengths for a tater tot.
Yes – they said the tater tots were on the menu in SM too, but were a secret. Abe asked for pickles instead. MISTAKE.
The only good thing that ever came of FS for me was my old hairdresser – “Frank from Austrailia” – this man was freakin’ talented…he worked out of the SM location….I never ate there – but jezzus! the food looked like crap!
Anywho – thinking we should have pot stickers for dinner or ??? What say you?
- Natasha
yes, potstickers sound good!
I had no idea there was an Umami in Santa Monica @ Fred Segal! I’ve only been to the La Brea and Hollywood locations (both equally delicious). Will have to check out this location when I’m in the area next.
The Studio City location is pretty nice! Unfortunately it’s pretty small so it gets crowded reallllly quickly (there’s usually a line outside) but I still enjoy it. I love their Earth Burger and the sweet potato fries are addictive. (:
Ooh, the fried eggplant medallions were yucky?? So sad! I’d think they’d be delicious.
Esp for the price of a place like that!!
yes, it was surprising. how do you mess up fried eggplant?!?
you should try the truffle fries…those are really good too and i think off the menu
oooh i love secrets! thanks!