Lustig

Lustig in Culver City is a trendy, intimate spot known for its modern European-inspired menu and expertly crafted cocktails.

It’s always a lovely time I have the pleasure of seeing Ted. For this dining adventure for our table for two, we picked Lustig, a vibrant restaurant service German inspired cuisine in Culver City.

The first thing I noticed about Lustig is that it was beautifully designed. Settling into my seat after greeting Ted, I browsed the menu. I immediately felt reminiscence of my time in Germany and Switzerland.

In that light – and with the suggestion of our very friendly and knowledgeable server, I began the evening with a pint of Erdinger’s Oktoberfest Hefeweizen from Germany. This was light and refreshing on the tongue, with strong European characteristics.

We then shared the AUSTRIAN “THE ORIGINAL WIENER SCHNITZEL” (lingonberry-yuzu chutney, lemon) alongside the SAUSAGE SAMPLER (Swiss cheese-infused, spicy Hungarian, German bratwurst, pretzel). The lingonberry-yuzu chutney was the highlight of this course, adding a unique tart-sweet contrast to the savory schnitzel.

It reminded me of the schnitzels I’ve had at Restaurant Col du Pillon in Switzerland and Gustav Adolf in Sweden—there’s just something so comforting about the combination of lingonberries and breaded meat that never fails to make me happy.

After Ted shared some joy filled and incredible news, I ordered the BUY LOW, SELLERIE HIGH‬‭ (green chile vodka, celery,‬‭ pineapple, serrano, lime, celery salt) to celebrate. It was – shockingly – a rather well crafted cocktail. Frankly, I didn’t expect it to taste so balanced in flavor. But, I was impressed.

To end our meal, we shared the BLACK FOREST “MILLE FEUILLE”  (mascarpone ice cream, chocolate crisps, fabbri cherries). This, even though beautiful and rich in flavor on the tongue, wasn’t a “must order again”.

Overall, dinner at Lustig was filled with joy. But not just because of the food, which was undeniably good. What truly made the night unforgettable was the conversation with Ted and what he shared with me. Hearing about his tear inducing success brought me a deep sense of happiness, and it reminded me of how much I love celebrating the victories of the people I care about while eating good, quality meals.

There’s something incredibly special about being genuinely happy for your friends. When you combine that with delicious dishes and the warm, inviting vibe of Lustig in Culver City, it becomes more than just a meal—it’s a night that stays with you.

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