As a kid it was my favorite place on Main Street. There was sawdust on the floor, pizza by the slice, and a run-down patio to sit and enjoy a cheap lunch. That was Wildflower Pizza, and that was then. Today I can say, this is still my favorite place on Main Street, in part for the nostalgia of the location, but even more so because of Ashland Hill.
The environment is super casual, in that you order at the bar/counter inside. You take a seat on the patio strung with lights, sipping your wine or local craft beer, all while enjoying a perfect Santa Monica night. By sunset, the place is buzzing with locals and the patio is like a fun gathering at a friend's large backyard.
The food is so good. Chef Bradley Miller was very thoughtful in creating a menu that has delicious offerings that compliment the feel of the place. Everything has a unique taste and influence of flavor to it. It is different from your average gastropub fare.
The avocado toast is complex in flavor with the addition of roasted tomato, goat cheese and Thai chile. The crispy cauliflower is a game changer. I once called cauliflower the styrofoam of vegetables, I just never had it prepared with so much flavor like at Ashland Hill. The meatballs, made with a blend of lamb and pork and topped with a savory tomato sauce, are perfect.
The true standout for me, is the burger. The patty is ground a bit coarse, so it crumbles with every bite. And for the first time, in a long time, it was cooked to a perfect medium. I can't tell you how many times I get a burger cooked well-done when I request medium, even at the most burger-snobbish places, but I digress. This burger was amazing. The red onion bacon jam and the sharp white cheddar with the upgraded greens of watercress, made every bite taste so good.
The kid part of me will miss the memories of that old pizza joint on Main, but the current me loves what replaced it. Ashland Hill offers delicious food, and you can't beat that back patio.
The true standout for me, is the burger. The patty is ground a bit coarse, so it crumbles with every bite. And for the first time, in a long time, it was cooked to a perfect medium. I can't tell you how many times I get a burger cooked well-done when I request medium, even at the most burger-snobbish places, but I digress. This burger was amazing. The red onion bacon jam and the sharp white cheddar with the upgraded greens of watercress, made every bite taste so good.
The kid part of me will miss the memories of that old pizza joint on Main, but the current me loves what replaced it. Ashland Hill offers delicious food, and you can't beat that back patio.
Avocado and Roasted Tomato Toast - goat cheese, lime, Thai chile, pickled pearl onion, smoked salt. |
Ashland Hill Burger - red onion bacon jam, sharp white cheddar, paprika mayo, watercress. Served with herb parmesan fries. |
Crispy Cauliflower - salmoriglio, parmesan, saffron mayo, pickled vegetables, espelette. |
Charred Shishito Mac & Cheese - charred shishito peppers, pickled cherry peppers, white cheddar, herb crust. |
Meatballs - lamb and pork, 8 hour tomato sauce, confit lemon rind, whole grain mustard yogurt. |
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