The Doughroom, a Neighborhood-Friendly Place in Palms

Grid View

• Interior of the Doughroom
• Inside of the Doughroom
• Storefront
• Windows waiting to be installed
• Brick wall inside
• Wines on tap
• Bar at The Doughroom
• Bar seating at the Doughroom
• Rafters
• Custom wood tables

After a slow decline for local favorite Kristina's Italian Kitchen, Kaveh Karimi (Santa Monica Pizza Kitchen) is transforming the space into a new neighborhood restaurant called The Doughroom. The menu, executed by Eddie Hah (formerly 8 oz. Burger Bar's roving corporate chef), centers around New American cuisine with both Mediterranean and Italian influences.

Hah's dough-centric bill of fare will include house-baked breads, pastas pulled daily, deck-oven pizzas, small plates like meatballs and fresh salads, and finally some shareable larger plates. Think familiar comfort food that Palms desperately needs, especially with Chego's indefinite shutter just up the street.

The restaurant will seat 62 with room for an additional ten outside on the patio. There is seating for eight at the bar, which should be one of the best places on the block to have a drink. The multi-beverage tap system will feature 14 mostly sessionable beers, including some from Beechwood BBQ, as well as root beer on tap. Wine falls to the US and France, some of which will be biodynamic.

Karimi has been working with the space for over a year, hitting many unforeseen construction snags along the way. Remember, this is the same place that Ari Taymor almost signed on as chef, but that deal feel through before his Alma days.

The Doughroom's facade is just about finished, a weathered brick reminiscent of the East Coast. Inside is nearly complete, too, with custom wooden tables from District Millworks. Karimi and Hah plan to open in mid-to-late May though they still need to train staff and refine the menu. The Doughroom will serve dinner initially, then brunch and eventually lunch. [Eaterwire]