STEFAN'S AT THE FARM APPETIZER GRAZING

By Albert Hayashi

When I first saw the marquis address of the Stefan Richter’s new restaurant Stefan’s  @ LA Farm located at 3000 Olympic Blvd., the number “3000” and word “Olympic” made me think of the movie “300” where the Spartans and Greeks fought for their country.  On this night, the warriors would not be fighting for Sparta but for the cornucopia of Stephan’s new hors d’oeuvres in the newly renovated space. Stefans @ LA Farm has been a mainstay restaurant which is very popular with the business lunch crowd who walk from the many local film and entertainment businesses including Larry David’s backoffice production company.  The Saturday evening appetizers served by Chef Stephan “curbed our enthusiasm” from looking to going to another dining establishment on the Westside.  The red carpet affair brought together people with affection for a light quality faire without the hassle and crowds found in Hollywood and Beverly Hills .

About six weeks ago, my colleague Michael Hepworth went to LA Farm for a dinner review and was mildly disappointed.  Not only was the restaurant completely empty, but the food was little below par.  The Chef at the time was working long hours to salvage the evening trade. But despite his efforts, the owners realized they needed to change their strategy and do a makeover of the dining establishment including bringing in a new chef.  Enter Stefan Richter, a self professed workaholic who immediately removed the entire cooking staff and brought in new management for the evening.

LA Farm is divided into four spaces: a large indoor eating area, a covered patio room, a public elongated bar and private intimate dining room where one can imagine Larry David collaborating with Jerry Seinfeld storyboarding the episode where the Seinfeld cast appears on David’s “Curb Your Enthusiam”. The light appetizers designed by Stefan had a healthy LA feel with platters of oysters, hamburger sliders, anchovy w/crackers and a cream de asian soup and crème brulee.  With the restaurant community is anxiously waiting, Chef Stephan will be announcing shortly his dinner menu.  If the evening was any indication of the type of food the Chef will be preparing, I cannot wait to go back and try his other dinner entrees.

Fact Sheet

Address:           3000 W. Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica , CA 90404

Phone: (310) 449-4000

Hours: Lunch, 11:30 PM-2:30 PM (Mon-Fri)

            Dinner, 5:30 PM- 9:30 PM (Tue-Sat)

Parking: Valet and Self Parking available