Not everything goes according to plan, and when you go to restaurants “on your list” for dinner one night and lunch the next day, it can really throw you for a loop… and this did! I was planning on a romantic (and expensive) dinner at Gwen, but what we never expected was to discover that Gwen is one of LA’s hidden LUNCH gems! Some of the highest quality meats in the city at reasonable prices?! Yea, actually.
Even though the restaurant’s tall ceilings, accented by incredible design and elaborate chandeliers, are still present, this is actually a very casual lunch spot. You order at the counter, take a number (I’m not sure if we actually took one) and the wait staff brings your food to the table when it’s ready. It wasn’t immediate, since they clearly cook from scratch, but it was relatively empty in there and didn’t take long at all.
All four of us ordered different items, which nearly covered half the lunch menu. I’d say that we generally prefer smaller menus, since they focus more on what they do and the execution is better as a result. Also, it is so much easier to order! (WARNING: This spot is not very vegan or vegetarian friendly, but please don’t be surprised since it is half-butcher shop.)
The biggest surprise was the highlight of the meal. The meatball sandwich had the flavor profile of spicy Italian Sausage and peppers. It was a nice kick in the mouth and a very well-balanced bite. The portions were surprisingly generous for the price point and every sandwich came with a small salad, or side. The salads were fresh and well-dressed.
The tuna salad sandwich was bright and had plenty of textural contrast, while the grinder was loaded with salt and fat. One of our favorites was the simple yet elegant grilled cheese which was served with tomato soup. The soup is the real star, with its sweet notes and earthy tones from the cheese floating throughout it. It was an elevated way to enjoy a childhood favorite.
We went with two orders of the fries which were made with animal fat. They’re extremely well prepared, with a great crunch on the outside, and they’re served with some chili flakes sprinkled on top to break through all that richness. A few sauces are provided as well, although you don’t really need them due to the quality of the fries.
The service, which you aren’t really paying for, was good but not great. We bought various higher end sodas and soft drinks from the cooler, so we were never given water as a result. The “waiters” were moving around so quickly it was hard to flag one down and we sat extremely thirsty throughout the meal.
You end up spending $20 a person for the full experience of a soda, fries, side salad and sandwich, although you really don’t need that much. It is quite filling to just order a sandwich and grab a glass of water, which will cost you under $15. To think that you can enjoy sandwiches prepared with such high quality ingredients and powerful flavor profiles at such a price, in such an elegant eating space, makes Gwen the lunch spot you probably would’ve never found out about in LA.
I think we might just need to come back for dinner. Hopefully, after reading this, Chef Curtis Stone will invite us back for review part two. Cheers and remember to always stay hungry and fit!
