Less than two weeks after closing their Melrose Avenue fine-dining restaurant Hatfields, Karen and Quinn Hatfield are poised to open Odys + Penelope, a “contemporary, casual churrasco and grill” on La Brea Avenue. 

The restaurant will be centered around cooking over fire, with a Brazilian churrasco, a wood-fired smoker and an open grill. Located in an old printing press, the name is inspired by the building's history, paying tribute to the couple Odysseus and Penelope of Homer’s Greek epic The Odyssey. (As further homage, a live olive tree is enclosed at one end of the restaurant’s bar.)

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A sneak peek of the menu's savory offerings includes smoked lamb salad with pickled onions, Gem lettuce, mint and green hummus; hot skillet focaccia served with dandelion greens and Parmesan; grilled Snake River wagyu tri-tip with charred broccolini and béarnaise; and grilled tai snapper with shredded beets, brown butter sauce and fried kale. There will also be a  “Specials From the Brasero” section of the menu, offering simple preparations from the fire that are made for sharing. 

As would be expected, given that Karen Hatfield is known as one of the best pastry chefs in town, she will be taking on dessert duties, offering sweets such as goat-milk custard brulée with cajeta, chocolate pie with rye crust, and Spanish peanut crumble and vanilla-malted ice cream.

Beverage director Matthew Rogel is overseeing cocktail, beer and wine lists for the restaurant, which has a full liquor license.

Doors open for dinner on Monday, Jan. 12. There is already a live OpenTable page, though it isn't yet taking reservations. 

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