Little Fatty - Review - Mar Vista - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Just off Venice Blvd. in Mar Vista, Little Fatty is a casual Taiwanese spot that also doubles as a neighborhood hangout. Everything about the place is relaxed, especially during the week. The restaurant is attached to Accomplice, an excellent cocktail bar, so not only can you get Accomplice cocktails at Little Fatty (and vice versa). But the combination of the two places also means you can come here in sweatpants or bring someone for a casual date. Little Fatty’s menu is made up of modern takes on Taiwanese-American classics. Most of the dishes taste pretty much exactly as you’d hope, although they often involve an ingredient you wouldn’t expect. The kung pao chicken comes with squash, the xiao long bao are made with squid ink wrappers, and goji berries come on top of the long beans someone at the table will order because “we need a vegetable.” Nothing is going to win awards for innovation, but everything tastes good in a comforting sort of way. If you’re usually the kind of person who makes restaurant decisions using 20 open tabs and/or a spreadsheet with color-coded annotations like “good for when you’re probably going to cry in public,” we respect and support you. But you also need those back-pocket spots where you can eat dinner without having to think too hard about it. If you live in Mar Vista, Little Fatty is about to become your version of the black turtleneck. Steve would probably approve. Food Rundown Scallion Pancake Very fried, very oniony, very doughy, and something we’re always going to order. Squid Ink Xiao Long Bao The squid ink is really for show, but these pork-filled black soup dumplings are excellent anyway. photo credit: Jakob Layman Wontons Good dumplings, not out-of-this-world dumplings. The xiao long bao are better. Kung Pao Chicken This is like most other kung pao chicken dishes you’ve eaten in your life, but with the addition of squash. So yeah, it’s good. photo credit: Jakob Layman General Tso’s Cauliflower You probably thought you didn’t need more fried cauliflower in your life, but this sweet sauce-glazed one is better than most. Don’t skip it. photo credit: Jakob Layman Dan Dan Mian We do wish it was spicier, but this is still a very good bowl of dan dan noodles. The thick mafalde pasta slowly absorbs the chili oil as eat, making each bite better than the last." - Jess Basser Sanders