First Look, Strange Concept… When someone told me that Oliver’s Café in Redondo Beach was themed around the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, at first I didn’t believe him. Could there really be a restaurant in the South Bay where the staff dressed as English orphans and the manager was costumed as Fagin? Luckily, they didn’t go that far, but the restaurant is festooned with posters and memorabilia from the Broadway hit, the movie versions, and every other adaptation of the story. I have seen other dining establishments with a theatrical theme, but can’t remember one so completely devoted to all the permutations of a single work. The menu does not offer the workhouse gruel that features in a pivotal scene in the original, but then again, if Oliver the orphan was dining on Sonoma rack of lamb with feta stuffed tomato or pistachio-crusted sea bass, he wouldn’t have needed to run away to London and Dickens wouldn’t have had a story. Do the servers a favor and don’t ask for a coffee refill with the line, “Please sir, may I have some more;” they must have heard the joke plenty of times by now…
Oliver’s Cafe, 6300 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. Redondo Beach. 310-375-5481.
Appetizers
Mussels & Frites
Spanish chorizo, leeks, Fresno chilies, white wine
$12
Oysters on the Half-Shell
Champagne mignonette, spicy EVOO
Market Price
Shrimp Cocktail
Roasted tomato cocktail sauce, horseradish aioli
N/A
Calamari
Fried jalapenos, cilantro cream
$9
Filet Capriccio
Crispy potato bruniose, fried capers, arugula, aged balsamic, EVOO
$14
Fried Artichokes
Lemon mayo
$8
Stinky Fries
Handmade russet fries, blue cheese, truffle oil
$9
Fillet & Foie
Sweet veal reduction
$14
Scotch Egg
Soft-boiled egg wrapped in sausage breaded and fried over wilted spinach
$12
Soups
Rustic Tomato
Pistachio pesto, parmesan chip
$8
Celery Root & Garlic
Herb oil, garlic chips, baby celery leaves
$8
Londonderry Filet Beef Stew
Baby carrots, parsnips, pearl barley, baby red potatoes
$10
Salads
The Wedge
Pancetta, maytag bleu cheese, corn, teardrop tomatoes
$8
Arugula
Artichoke hearts, bamboo shoots, red onion, manchego, apple cider vinaigrette
$10
Table Tossed Caesar for Two
Romaine, parmesano reggiano, house dressing, garlic brioche croutons
$14
Roasted Vine-Ripened Tomato Salad
Burrata cheese, basil, aged balsamic, EVOO, sea salt
$12
Pastas
Linguini & Clams
Manila clams, cauliflower florets, saffron cream sauce
$15
Carbonara
Paperdelle, braised pork belly, poached egg, pecorino
$15
Farfalle con Zucca
Zucchini, roasted garlic, baby tomatoes, herb brown butter, parmesano reggiano
$14
Four Cheese Raviolis
Chicken jus, crispy leeks
$15
Sea
Fish & Chips
Boddingtons beer battered cod, handmade fries, tarragon malt vinegar, lemon-caper tartar sauce
$16
Loup de Mer
Forged mushrooms, celery root puree, meyer lemon
$26
Seared Diver Scallops
Asparagus risotto, charred tomatoes
$22
Scottish Salmon
Couscous lentil salad, tomato vinaigrette
$24
Steaks
Couladde 10oz
$16
Dry aged New York 12oz
$28
Petite Filet 5oz
$18
Filet 8oz
$23
Bone-in Rib-eye 16oz
$39
Porter House 22oz
$45
Sauces / Butters
Bordelaise
Green Peppercorn
Bearnaise
Chimicurri
Bleu Cheese Butter
Garlic & Herb Butter
Truffle Butter
Land
Angus Burger
Extra sharp Tillamook cheddar, caramelized onions, arugula, heirloom tomatoes, truffle aioli on brioche bun
$13
Roasted Chicken
Chive mashed potatoes, broccoli rabe, organic carrots, chicken jus
$18
Fried Chicken
Mashed potatoes, pork sausage country gravy
$19
Beef Ribs
Stout glazed, purple cabbage slaw
$22
Short Ribs
Braised, creamy herb & cheese polenta, grilled crimini mushrooms
$23
Pork Chop
Fennel crusted, bacon brussel sprouts, maple syrup gastrique, apple chutney
$24
Duo of Duck
Pan seared and confit with salsify, port wine poached pear, foie emulsion, pistachio frisee
$28
Sonoma Rack of Lamb
Feta stuffed tomato, red wine reduction
$28
Sides
Potato & Celery Root Gratin
$6
Mashed Potatoes
Loaded, truffle, traditional
$6
Hand-made Fries
$6
Mac & Cheese
$8
Grilled Mushrooms
$6
Sautéed Kale
$6
Sautéed Spinach
$6
Seasonal Veggies
$6
Desserts
Pear Bread Pudding
$8
Trio of Crème Brule
$8
Milk and Cookies
$8
Chocolate Layer Cake
$8
Sweet Corn Cake
$8
English Berry Trifle
$8
