What You Should Be Eating Right This Very Instant at The Church Key

This time of year can get really, really depressing. Everyone declares "summer is over," yet, it is not, in fact over for another two weeks. At the same time, you can't really declare it fall either. Sure, there are pumpkin lattes to be had, but they just don't feel right in 90 degree weather. Everything's wack.

Thankfully the kind folk at The Church Key, a restaurant late last year I declared as one of the most fun dining experiences in town, wants to hold onto summer for just a little bit longer. The Modern American/Dim Sum joint recently introduced a "Late Summer" menu full of seasonal ingredients, and like most of their menu, the offerings are pretty damn tasty. 

Are you too trying to shake off the not-end-of-summer-yet doldrums? Here's the three menu items you should absolutely unlock your tastebuds for (unlock-church key, see what I did there?)...

Harry's Berries Strawberry Salad - This is a strawberry salad for a man. And a woman, sure. This salad certainly isn't sexist, but rarely are salads, with strawberries, appeasing to the male appetite. Church Key does everything they can to erase that by throwing in heaps of Rogue blue cheese, pinenuts and fried onion strings to compliment the creamy vinaigrette-dressed spinach. The 'berries (strawberries) are also fresh to death, like all the products from Harry's just up the 1/101 in the 'Nard (Oxnard). 

Cranberry Bean Hummus - This dish expertly spins the classic Middle Eastern staple on its noggin. First, TCK uses cranberry bean instead of the ho-hum chickpea, which provides the hummus with a much nuttier taste than expected. The dish also has a very Indian feel with the addition of fresh, grilled paneer cheese, Indian spices and pillow soft Naan to scoop it into your mouthpiece. Some garlic chips and heirloom tomatoes further add dimension by providing a modern, Los Angeles feel to the appetizer. 

Brown Butter Glazed Brioche Donuts - Okay, you got me. These have been featured on the menu since Day 1. That said, you still need to go eat them right this very second. They are that good. Even when it's hot as heck, there's never a non-ideal time to consume The Church Key's signature dessert. They're hot, dense, heavily frosted, topped with a sweet cinnamon caramel AND THEY COME WITH A SIDE OF HOUSEMADE MOCHA ICE CREAM. It's almost unfair how effing good these are.

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The Church Key

8730 W. Sunset Blvd, Hollywood/LA

Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 2 am; Sat/Sun Brunch 10 am - 3 pm