There are a number of Kismet Rotisserie locations around the area, as well as the sister eatery that is simply called Kismet. That makes sense, because these guys know how to cook rotisserie chicken. Their slogan appears to be “Good + good for you” based on the text flashing across their website, and their seasoned poultry truly did prove to be good for us.
The chicken is clearly Kismet Rotisserie’s specialty, though it can be purchased and consumed in a variety of ways through a variety of dishes. A salad, a pita, or in soup– all are delicious. But best of all are the plates, of which you can get a quarter, half or whole chicken.
“We make almost everything in house, from scratch, daily,” they say. “Our hummus, our dressings, you name it! Our chickens are free-range, non-GMO, antibiotic-free, air-chilled, and born and bred in California. Our vegetables, as much as seasonally possible, come from our favorite farmers at the Hollywood, Santa Monica and other local Farmers Markets. Our chickpeas (which are the basis of our hummus) are organically grown in the US. Our eggs are pasture-raised from Chino Valley Ranchers.”
We opted for the half chicken plate, which we shared between two of us. The plate comes with hummus, wedge salad, pickles, two pitas, chili oil, and garlic sauce. For the purposes of tension building, we can start with the sides and build up to the meaty star.
The wedge salad is way better than it has any real right to be. The wedge of lettuce that gifts the salad its name is crisp and fresh, and it comes with some delicious yellow pickled cabbage, as well as beets and radish slices.
The pita bread too is spectacular. Rather than the drab, flat slices that we often find, these are bouncy, warm and soft, like bread pillows. When rolled up with some chicken and pickles, speak with some hummus and the exquisite garlic sauce, every bite is a mouthful of heaven.
But the chicken, as we already suggested, is the shining beacon. The skin is crisp and beautifully seasoned, and those flavors carried through to the white and dark meat. Even the breast is juicy and tasty, while the leg and thigh melts in the mouth. This really is tremendous rotisserie bird.
The meal was wonderful. The chicken is indeed beautifully cooked, and the sides enhance the experience. It all adds up to a magical plate.
Kismet Rotisserie is located at 10000 Washington Blvd., Culver City 90232. Call 310-442-2727 or visit kismetrotisserie.com.