Last Sunday my family rediscovered a beloved tradition- Sunday dinner.  We went to Dominick's Restaurant for their $15 Sunday Supper and created new memories. 

When my husband and I first met, we were both drowning in student loan debt, and our courtship was frugal.  We both loved food, but couldn't afford to go out much.  Early on, we established a Sunday Supper tradition that defined who we are as a couple.  We would wake up early and head out to the farmer's market and buy whatever looked good.  We'd come home and cook for hours.  Our friends would come over and we'd eat for hours.  We'd drink wine and talk for hours. 

Fast forward a decade and three children later and our Sunday Supper tradition is all but forgotten.  We still cook, but the languid atmosphere has come to a full boil as we scramble to get dinner on the table, finish homework, lay out school clothes and get into the bath.

Then we were invited to Dominick's in West Hollywood for their Sunday Supper.  My best friend from college, her 2 year old daughter and my family of five arrived at 6:00.  To our surprise the back patio was full of families with young children-- and it was absolutely tranquil.  The sounds of glasses clinking, lyrical laughter and bits of conversations floated from the tables, a fire roared in the fireplace.  It was relaxing.  Imagine that.

We looked at the wine menu first-- as do all parents hanging on to their last shreds of sanity.  The list is organized in the following categories:  Tried and True; New Best Friend; and Go Out on a Limb.  This became significant as the evening progressed.

My (Tried and True) husband decided on their Dago White, a whopping $10 per bottle.  (Part of the Sunday Supper special.)  Owners Warner Ebbink and Brandon Boudet blend their own wines with Palmina Winery and let me just say this is the deal of the century.  We were astounded by the quality.  It was a perfectly balanced white-- ripe pear and flowers, just enough acid, not sweet at all. 

For starters we ordered the ricotta stuffed squash blossoms which are heavenly-- light, crisp and flavorful.  We also ordered their grilled artichoke to share.  It is cooked over a wood fire and drizzled with lemon and olive oil-- out of this world.  One was not enough; next time we will order one each.

At the table next to us was a handsome couple, Johnny and Lea from Brooklyn (he looked like he could be Ray Liotta's dad.)  "Ya gotta try the red," he says, and pours us a glass from his bottle.  (Our New Best Friends.)  We ended up trying their dinners, too. 

Two of us ordered the Sunday Supper, a three course dinner for $15.  The first course was canelli bean crostini. This was so good I'd like to make it at home. The second course was spinach gnocchi with marinara, little green pillows of bright spinach flavor and a mellow sauce.  The third was strawberry shortcake.  I don't know another place in L.A. that serves this quality food for the price.  I ordered the spaghetti and meat balls, which was a tad spicy for the little ones, but the carbonara was a hit. 

My eight year old pointed to the label on the bottle of wine.  "Look mama, we know this artist; he's the guy who drew the Cranium games."  Yes, none other than Gary Baseman, a household favorite and revered L.A. artist adorned the bottle with a sketch of little Venison, one of his characters.  Then my son turns around and notices a man with a sketch book on his table, and who should it be?  Gary Baseman.  Not at all shy, my son decides to (Go Out on a Limb) and talk to him.  The two of them chit chatted about art and food and being a kid.  Oh, what a gracious and delightful person.  It turns out that Mr. Baseman knows a good deal when he sees one and frequents the Sunday Supper quite often-- smart man.

I will end by saying you have not lived until you've tried the chocolate panna cotta.  I have dreamed of that creamy decadence every night since I ate it, and I would probably make it a hundred times before it turned out right.  Or I could just order it next week when we head over for Dominick's Sunday Supper.  (The Sunday Supper menu changes weekly, btw.)

Reservations are definitely required and smoking is permitted out on the patio, and while there were a few smokers indulging, it didn't bother the kids in the least.  As a matter of fact, the ashtrays are purposely pocket sized, and nobody will mind if you nick one for home.  Brandon and Warner are opening Little Dom's in Los Feliz any day.  Maybe another family tradition is in the making.

Dominick's Restaurant

8715 Beverly Blvd.

West Hollywood, 90038

(310)652-2335

www.dominicksrestaurant.com

kat@la2day.com