Restaurant Spotting: Sauce on Hampton opens in Venice
About a month ago, Sauce on Hampton opened in the former Jimmy's on Hampton space, just off Rose Avenue in Venice. Unless you're a local or a regular at the Santa Monica Farmers Market, where 25-year-old chef-owner Sassan Rostamian (right) gets much of his produce -- or you spend a lot of time at Max Muscle, which is next door -- you might not have noticed. That's because Sauce doesn't have a sign or a website or even an awning yet.
The menu is simple, with no dish more than $11. For breakfast, there are frittatas and omelets made with organic eggs, and steel-cut oatmeal with flax meal and blueberries. The lunch and dinner menu features salads, tapas (caramelized mushrooms and shallots over polenta cakes), sandwiches (grilled cheese with applewood bacon, tomatoes, red onions and aioli) and burgers. Among the bigger plates: "Charleston char shiu" pulled pork. The sides are vegetable-oriented, such as sauteed shaved fennel, and quinoa with seasonal vegetables. And for dessert, there's baked quince with saffron-rosewater sauce and yogurt.
Rostamian, who is from Los Angeles and holds a degree in chemistry from UCLA, recently spent 10 months at Rustic Canyon, where he was the lunch chef. Before that, he cooked his way across Europe, doing stints in kitchens in Amsterdam, Rome and Florence. He just hung the pictures he took of Dutch tulips on Friday, in the tiny (15- by 12-foot) dining room. You can sit outside too, if you don't mind sharing the sidewalk with parked skateboards. The little restaurant does a lot of takeout business, and this is Venice, after all.
Sauce on Hampton, 259 Hampton Drive, Venice. (310) 399-5400. (Website under construction.) Open daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
-- Amy Scattergood
Photo of Sassan Rostamian in front of Sauce on Hampton, by Amy Scattergood.
Love the fresh ingredients and charm of Sauce. Sass has built a great little restaurant in Venice - the lunch can't be beat anywhere in Venice, particularly if you want a salad or sandwhich. The BLTAA is the best of the bunch and don't miss the spinach side with chili flakes. For a refreshing drink @ lunch, make sure to order the Lemonade with fresh pomegranate juice poured out at your table. After a few trips, I've now become a regular! We need more restaurants like this in Venice!
Posted by: James Citron | April 17, 2009 at 08:55 PM
This is exactly what Venice needs, a neighborhood restaurant that has a down-to-earth menu, with a cool, intimate vibe for a great price. I had a burger that was to die for. I really wanted the pulled pork, however, it was not available -- they sold out of it. The pulled pork is all the buzz with my friends and neighbors. The best part of Sauce -- the price. Meals for two cost us around $20. Now where in Venice can you find such value - great food, atmosphere, and price? Definitely not on Abbot Kinney. I wish Sauce the best of luck -- Venice needs Sauce!
Posted by: Brandon Blair | March 26, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Definitely recommended! I drive all the way from East LA just to have the food. I love how they give you treats while you wait for your food! Diverse menu and for sure try it out
Posted by: -- | February 13, 2009 at 08:57 AM
AMAZING PLACE! The food and service is great. You feel like a friend rather than a customer when you walk in and sit down. New York cuisine, watch out!
Posted by: Xavier Allen | February 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Writting about the food does not do it justice, you have to expierience it. I eat here for lunch or breakfast at least four times a week becuase the food (and smell) is amazing. Sauce has it's own flavor, great service and atmosphere.
Posted by: Robert Nio | February 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I must eat here at least 3X per week. Just had a wonderful cauliflower soup and a new sandwich called the Garden Crunch. Highly recommended!
Posted by: Rick Lee | February 09, 2009 at 01:32 PM
I have been at the Restaurant and the Foods has a amazing Fresh and Unique Teats that you can not Stop eating, and it is became one of my favorite Restaurants in LA.
Posted by: Payam Moallemi | February 04, 2009 at 04:51 PM
i go there every sunday morning and i always have the delicious breakfeast burrito. its heaven on earth. i love the service their, everyone is so polite and its not one of those dirty, Venice resturaunts, sauce on hampto is a clean professional place, well in my perspecctive. i recommend it to everyone who wants a delicious meal for a low price and good service.
Posted by: brontie khalili | February 04, 2009 at 04:43 PM