There are some dinners you plan because you’re hungry, and then there some dinners you plan because someone matters. This one was the latter.
I met up with my friend David at Linden to celebrate his birthday. David is someone I’ve known since my early 20s. We worked together in different departments at Sears in Pasadena. I didn’t know it then, but his humor and kindness would be something I would be lucky to experience for years to come. Over that time, David has become the a steady friendship in my life and one that I value immensely. When people like David make it around the sun, you make a night out of it. And if there’s ever a reason to be intentional about where you go, it’s that.
As someone who previously dined at Linden, I knew it was delicious, but even on this night they felt like the right choice from the start. Linden is a restaurant that carries a little more weight than your average dinner spot: it’s elevated, but still warm turning it into the kind of place where you can settle in and let the night unfold as it should.
Menus in hand, we ordered with the intention of sharing.
As the plates came to the table we saw the little bit of everything we hoped for. We started with the Breaking Bread ($23). A collection of all the carbs you could desire from cornbread, herbed focaccia, an everything bagel paired with fried chicken butter, schmaltz cream cheese, and extra virgin seasoned olive oil. It was the kind of dish that feels playful but thoughtful, familiar but just a little fancy. Each bite slightly different, but they all worked together in a way that makes you slow down and actually enjoy it.
And it set the tone immediately.
From there, we moved into the entrees. The For Goodness Steak ($54) took a 8oz NY Strip served with pomme purée and wilted spinach. This was exactly what you want from a dish like that. The steak is savory, rich, and cooked in a way that doesn’t need explanation. It just delivers to the point that you want to leave nothing left on the plate. The purée adds to the flavor of the meat and the spinach, while simple, is welcome.
Alongside it, the Linden Burger ($34) took a completely different direction and was just as satisfying. Topped with scallion slaw, French onions, white cheddar, and lemon garlic aioli, it had that perfect mix of comfort and detail. It was juicy and all the ingredients came together to create such a memorable burger.
And then, there were the sides.
The Macaroni Pie ($12) and Fries ($9) were done so nicely. The macaroni pie was warm and indulgent, with a hint of sweetness to make it something I could not stop eating. Now, if you’re not a fan of a touch of sweetness in your mac and cheese, skip this one. But if you are a fan or if you’re somewhat interested, I highly suggest your give this a try because the creaminess from the cheese is a delight when it’s accented by the flavor. And then there were the fries? Six thick long sticks were crispy on the exterior but soft on the inside. They were a perfect compliment to the entrees.
As the food was delicious, the best part of it was the feeling that the restaurant brought. It was such a nice space to have great company in the presence of great food. Celebrating David at Linden was a great move. The conversation, the memories, the history of a friendship like this is one I’m immensely grateful to have. The ease of sitting across from someone who has been part of your life for so long and just getting it without needing to force anything is a wonderful feeling. Linden is a welcome space for that. And that’s what makes it a place worth coming back to. Not just because the food is good, though it is, but because it becomes part of the moments in your life. They’re the kind of place you choose when you want to celebrate someone properly and in a way they should be celebrated.
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Address: 5936 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: (323) 244-2700
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday – 5:00 pm to 12:00 am, and closed on Sunday and Monday.
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