Ever come across buzz on a restaurant, and then, from other sources, you hear about it again and again? When this happens to me, I take it as the universe telling me to stop, drop, and eat there immediately. I came across a little LA place called Alta Adams in a magazine, and a few weeks later on social media. It popped up as a suggestion on Open Table. When I first heard about it, I’d mentioned it to my husband. Several months later, he asked me about that soul food restaurant that we were supposed to go to for brunch, and this was just a day after I’d come across a show that featured Alta Adams’ chef. I took that as the cosmos begging me to make my way to Alta Adams in the West Adams neighborhood of L.A. So it was a date! – night, that is. The hubby and I getting out of the LBC for a little soul food and “we” time.
I’ll get the bad out of the way first. Parking sucked. We tried to play it cheap and find a spot in the neighborhood but after a 20-minute search, we pulled up to the valet – not a big deal, but as an LBC’er, I’m used to getting fairly lucky with parking, even in Long Beach’s more densely-packed areas. So the bad isn’t really so bad. It’s just LA.
And things got better quickly with our entrance into the space, smaller than it seems based on a first couple of steps into the lobby/bar area up front. But as we were taken to our seats (on the cute and cool back patio, reminiscent of something you might find downtown), I peaked into their larger dining space filled with happy eaters. All three areas I found to be chic and lively.
On to the good and the great. Well, there’s fried chicken, so that’s wonderful (so…, great). What made our order of great fried chicken even greater is that the kitchen made a mistake, sending out our chicken entrée just five minutes after placing our order, even before our drinks. Probably meant for another table, we later realized. Our waiter insisted on bringing us another order, appropriately timed, after our opening dishes, which was quite appreciated, as this particular fried chicken was hard to forget, an unflaky version that gets its sumptuousness all from the flavor of the skin, the delicate “fry” on it. How satisfying it was to pull off a steaming piece, dip it into the hot sauce served alongside, and just suck on it for a split second before biting down. I will surely return for my chicken dipping process alone.
Then there was macaroni. And cheese. And me, practically licking my plate to make sure I didn’t leave a single drop of it. It was a sharesie, but I admit to eating more than my proportion. Also great.
And not that the rest paled substantially because I’m putting in the “good” category. The generous loaf of cornbread, the beans and rice, dessert, my cocktail were certainly high-point runner ups (if this were truly a contest). It’s just that the chicken and the mac were spot on.
Oops. I forgot about the shrimp and grits. Well, I’ll just give that dish the “breakout” award – that recognition given to a standout without taking away from the superstars (in this made up competition I’ve somehow turned this experience into). Yep, that’s the shrimp and grits. The shrimp were perfectly seasoned, lending a firm, meaty contrast to the creamy, unctuous grits and tomato-based broth. Truly, a delightful plating of food. Glad my husband was open to sharing with me (because I’m not really keen on sharing my food when it’s delicious).
It’s a shame that my triumphant return to these fabulous dishes will be postponed. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and Safer at Home order issued Los Angeles County to save lives, Alta Adams is temporarily closed (although they are offering a limited rotating menu for carryout). Here’s hoping that they will be back to serving the community with great food and drinks very soon.
Alta Adams
5359 W. Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles