R+D Kitchen - Review - Santa Monica - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"If your name isn’t on the list at R+D by 5:30pm, there’s a good chance you’re going to be waiting on Montana Avenue for a few hours. That’s how competitive things get at this walk-in spot in Santa Monica from the people behind Hillstone. Thanks to the dense residential neighborhoods that surround it, the dining room is packed with people who seemingly walked to R+D from their house, meaning crowds arrive early and stay late as they wrecked on martinis and pinot grigio. Unlike most Hillstone locations, there’s a true bar scene here with wealthy divorcées rubbing shoulders with Gen X crypto dads.  Dinner should be their location-specific dishes like decadent meatloaf, rotating sandwich specials like cubanos and carnitas, and the glorious Dip Duo with guacamole and jalapeño queso that’s really just cold pimento cheese (but still delicious). Food Rundown Dip Duo As the name suggests, this appetizer comes with two dips: guacamole and queso. The guacamole is solid, but the reason to order this dish is because of the queso. Is it actually just cold pimento cheese? Yes. Does that make it even better? Also yes. photo credit: Katie Clark Wild Mushroom Meatloaf Get this hearty entree not just because it's specific to R+D Kitchen (a rarity in the world of Hillstone restaurants), but because it's pure decadence. And also a nice way to soak up that Negroni you just ordered. PlayMute The Newporter R+D Kitchen has five salads on its menu, and this is the best. It comes with walnuts, bacon, chopped eggs, and tender shredded chicken. Sure, there might be some greens underneath, but this has the heft of a proper meal. photo credit: Katie Clark" - Brant Cox