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Note: In 2023, Kismet Rotisserie opened in Studio City!
Kismet Rotisserie opened in January 2020 and quickly became a sensation in the Los Feliz neighborhood. This tiny walk-up restaurant is the creation of chefs Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer.
Kismet Rotisserie is the sister restaurant of Kismet, an award-winning Mediterranean restaurant that was recently included on the Los Angeles Times’ ‘101 Best Restaurants in LA’ list.
So, what’s the difference? Kismet Rotisserie is a fast-casual Mediterranean joint, open every day from 11AM to 9PM, whereas Kismet offers more elevated dishes, has more limited hours, and requires reservations.
Chefs Sarah and Sara, who also work at Kismet, wanted to open a place they could eat at every day, and they always came back to rotisserie chicken and veggies. Their menu offers single servings, as well as portions for large parties. It’s very easy to select the appropriate portion because they have so many sizes to choose from, even a kid’s menu!
If it’s your first time, I definitely suggest ordering the Chicken Plate because it includes different items from their extensive menu. Once I placed my order, the server gave me a number and I walked to one of the tables. I loved the pops of yellow, but most of all, the laid-back atmosphere.
This is what the plate looked like. The chicken was so juicy and tender, with perfectly roasted crispy skin!
I usually like to pair chicken with steamed rice. Since all the sides were veggies, I thought I was going to be hungry afterward, but that could not be further from the truth! Every vegetable and condiment was so fresh and balanced out the chicken in the best possible way. My favorite was the iceberg wedge salad with the miso poppyseed dressing. So simple, yet so flavorful!
The pita bread was so fluffy and the hummus had a pleasant nutty flavor. They even added a few whole garbanzo beans to elevate the flavor of the hummus. It was so good, especially when I paired it with the chicken. Overall, the whole plate was a smorgasbord of flavors and textures. The following is an excerpt from a 2020 review published in Bon Appétit.
“After testing 20 chicken breeds and 15 dry rubs, the chefs found their dream duo. They went with a small free-range bird, great for absorbing the secret spice mix (we hear there is turmeric and Aleppo-style pepper). After brining the chickens overnight, they slide them into a Dorégrill La Rotisserie, the French machine used at every poulet rôti joint in Paris. The end result: golden brown skin every time.”
It was a beautiful sunny day, and it felt so nice to enjoy my food while people-watching. Sarah and Sara really hit the nail on the head with the location.
Fast-forward to a few days later, I was in the mood for chicken soup. I’m a chicken soup fiend, but I never make it myself. I usually get it from grocery stores and eat it right after. Kismet’s chicken soup pictures looked too tempting and I couldn’t wait for the weekend to try it, so I went there straight after work. I called ahead to place an order for pickup. After almost an hour’s drive in rush-hour traffic, I got there and was given my order right away. I was thoroughly impressed by the number of people who, like me, were waiting. Even on weekdays, Kismet Rotisserie clearly has a loyal fan base.
Although the container was placed inside a plastic bag and then a stapled paper bag, I noticed that it was tilted rather than upright. Once I got home and opened the paper bag, imagine the disappointment on my face when I found that the plastic bag was filled halfway with broth. I had to cut the plastic bag and carefully pour the remaining broth into the container. I didn’t want to look like an irate customer, but I called to see if that’s how they served it. They profusely apologized and assured me that they thoroughly check the orders before wrapping them up. I let it go because the girl was really nice and their customer service, both times I had been there, was good and attentive.
My disappointment instantly dissipated once I had the first spoonful. I know this is a pretty bold statement, but that was probably the best chicken soup I’ve had in my life. The depth of the broth was out of this world.
It had a hint of lemon that completely kicked up the overall flavor. The celery, carrots and dill balanced everything out perfectly and enhanced the chicken flavor even more. It was life-changing. Make sure you order the largest quart, which is $15. Trust me, it’s so worth the price. And if you love adding rice to your meals as much as I do, heat some up on the stove!
The following weekend, I reordered the Chicken Plate through DoorDash. I wish they had included more pieces of chicken breast and fewer wings, but the rest of the ingredients were just as good as the first time. I dipped the pita bread in the garlic dip, something I didn’t do last time. The dip was so creamy and bursting with flavor. If you’re ordering takeout, make sure you heat up the pita bread for a few seconds in the microwave.
Overall, I loved the concept of Kismet Rotisserie and I can’t wait to go back to further explore their menu. Just like their sister restaurant Kismet, expect to find Mediterranean sides like their couscous, peanut muhammara and tahini. I really look forward to trying their veggie sandwich! If I lived closer, I would definitely stop by Kismet Rotisserie at least twice a week!
Have you been to Kismet Rotisserie?
Hours: 11AM-9PM everyday
The address is 4666 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Studio City address: 4220 Coldwater Canyon Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
