LA’s hottest new restaurant is hiding in the unlikeliest of places — and a humble fish dish is stealing the show

A nearly century-old church in Silver Lake has found new life as one of Los Angeles’ most unusual dining destinations, and a humble rainbow trout is quickly becoming the star of the menu.

Sous Sous, located inside the newly opened Hotel Lucile, serves up a marriage of French technique and Southern American flavors beneath the soaring ceilings and stained-glass windows of a restored 1931 church.

At the helm is Chef Patrick Costa, whose polenta-crusted rainbow trout has quickly become a signature dish, fitting for October, which is National Seafood Month.

Costa says the restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from two historic port cities: Marseille, France, and Charleston, South Carolina.

“The food here is a nice combination of two coastal port towns,” Costa told The California Post.

The trout brings those influences together, beginning with a blackening seasoning featuring garlic, paprika, cayenne, fennel seed, coriander and other spices.

Costa then adds toasted polenta grains, giving the fish a flavorful crust with a delicate crunch.

The trout is lightly brushed with mustard, pressed into the seasoning mixture and cooked until the exterior develops a golden crust while the fish remains tender.

“It’s really a nice way for some extra texture, some nuttiness and a little bit of sweetness,” Costa explained.

The finished fish is served with a rich French-style beurre blanc sauce, brightened with lemon and finished with herb oil and Cajun oil.

Costa believes the dish’s popularity comes from elevating an often-overlooked American staple.

“I think trout is relatively underused,” he said, noting that it lacks the same recognition as salmon, cod or halibut.

The restaurant occupies the former chapel of Hotel Lucile, a 25-room boutique hotel that opened in September following an extensive restoration.

For Costa, the setting adds another layer to the dining experience, transforming a historic neighborhood gathering place into a destination for food lovers.

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