Ink.Sack
Friday, 08-12-2011, lunch
West Hollywood, CA
Ever since Top Chef Season 6 winner Michael Voltaggio left The Dining Room at the Langham last year, Los Angeles food lovers have been eagerly awaiting for his new restaurant ink. to debut. He has been keeping busy though, popping up at virtually every food festival / fair in town. Ink was planned for an opening in Feb 2011 but has been pushed back on multiple occasions due to a rumored neighbor complaint. Finally, offical word comes that ink. will make its much anticipated debut in September.
However, Voltaggio surprised us all when he also claimed a small space 3 doors from ink., and in a matter of only weeks, opened ink.sack. This small counter-only pick-up restaurant offers small gourmet sandwiches at an reasonable price. On opening day, the lines wrapped around the block and I didn't have enough time to wait it out. Thus I returned a little earlier the next day to sample all 7 sandwiches offered.
APPLE BEAR FROM UTAH [$3.00]
COLD FRIED CHICKEN [$4.00]
House-Made Ranch Cheese, Gindo's Spice of Life
SPICY TUNA [$6.00]
Miso-Cured Albacore, Sriracha Mayo
BAHN MI [$5.00]
Pork Cheek, Chicharrones, Picked Vegetables
THE JOSE ANDRES, AKA "THE SPANISH GODFATHER" [$6.00]
Serrano Ham, Chorizo, Lomo, Manchego
C.L.T. [$5.00]
Chicken Liver Mousse, Curried Chicken Skin, Lettuce, Tomato
MAPLE-PEPPER TURKEY MELT [$5.00]
Camembert, Mustards, Arugula
"REUBEN" [$5.00]
Corned Beef Tongue, Appenzeller Cheese, Kraut, Russian Dressing
POTATO CHIPS [$2.50]: Salt, Pepper, Vinegar
MEXICAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE [$2.00]
VERDICT:
The small sandwiches were unique, original, creative and delicious. The extremely reasonable prices of $4-6 each helped created and unbelievably satisfying meal of 7 sandwiches split amongst 3 people. My two friends, who are not regulars of top chef, were pleasantly surprised with the complex flavors. My personal favorite was the C.L.T., which included a creamy but light chicken liver mousse paired with a contrasting crispy curried skin. My 2nd favorite was the beef tongue reuben, which had thinly sliced, hearty braised beef tongue and deliciously nutty cheese. Lastly, the fried chicken was surprisingly tender even in a cold form. I would definitely recommend this casual lunch spot to anyone who is seeing a top quality sandwich from a top chef winner. Can't wait for ink.
You tried all 7 - nice! They all look awesome esp the spanish godfather. I like that you even caught a Voltaggio sighting in your last pic.
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