LAReview

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Kismet image
8.3

Kismet

MediterraneanMiddle Eastern

Los Feliz

$$$$Perfect For:Casual Weeknight DinnerKeeping It Kind Of Healthy
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Kismet opened in 2017, but it feels like it’s been around forever. Or maybe that’s because Kismet is more famous than ever before. This modern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant in Los Feliz has since published a cookbook and opened a growing fast-casual chain called Kismet Rotisserie, which is great for a weekday lunch or post-hike pita. And while it might be easier to snag a last-minute table at the original restaurant these days, this casual spot is as excellent as ever.

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Kismet Exterior

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Kismet image

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Kismet Hen of the Woods Mushrooms

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Kismet image

photo credit: Jakob Layman

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Kismet Exterior
Kismet image
Kismet Hen of the Woods Mushrooms
Kismet image

We’re not exaggerating when we say you could use Kismet for any dinner occasion, except maybe a funeral reception for your cat (the light and airy blonde wood space is probably not somber enough for that). Most tables are either casual dates or friends getting dinner to forget about work, even though they’re still talking about work. Kismet is one of those warm, comforting spaces where anyone can find something to like, which is similar to how we feel about the food. 

The menu has lots of vegetables and a general sense of health, and dishes change seasonally. That means the “snacky & salady” dishes might be different by the time you read this, but here’s a taste of the veggie-focused creativity to expect at Kismet: lightly fried cauliflower with a salty caper yogurt, a fresh chicory salad dressed in tangy-sweet guava vinaigrette, and a straightforward persimmon carpaccio that gets a kiss of olive oil and salt to finish. Kismet does meat and fish very well, too, but the one must-order dish (that’s always available) is the buttery Persian crispy rice. Crack open the tahdig like one of those plastic toy eggs to find hidden sweet currants and a golden egg yolk inside, which doubles as a sort of delicate sauce. Consider it a showstopper finale to a relatively simple but delicious meal.

Editors Note: Several dishes on Kismet's menu are seasonal, but here are examples of dishes we've enjoyed.

Food Rundown

Kismet image

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Flaky Bread

Kismet's malawach is, indeed, flaky, but there's more to it. It tastes like butter, tears easily, and is light enough to snack on, so it doesn't fill you up. Order it with a side of the housemade labneh.

Fried Cauliflower

These cauliflower get incinerated in a fryer until they're extra crispy and brown all over. But there's a cap on how interesting fried cauliflower can taste. (That's where the tangy, salty caper yogurt helps.)

Kismet image

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Persian Cucumbers

You should definitely start dinner with this cucumber and citrus salad. It tastes like a perfect 75º day—bright, fresh, and deeply satisfaction. The subtle smooch of rosewater in the labneh is a pleasant surprise, too.

Lamb Ribs

We'd take down a whole rack of these crispy lamb ribs. They're grilled until nicely charred on both sides, then slathered in a tart, smoky plum sauce that's more nuanced than your standard BBQ sauce.

Kismet image

photo credit: Jakob Layman

Persian Crispy Rice

One word: butter. It's the most noticeable flavor in this beautiful crispy rice, and we love it. Every spoonful is nutty, toasty, and a little salty, and there's sweet currents on top to balance it out. The hidden runny egg yolk buried in the center is the light sauce we didn't know this dish needed.

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FOOD RUNDOWN

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