Taste test: Meltdown's cheesy goodness

Meltdown's cozy patio -- kids' menu too, take your baby!

Even though we're basically a Hollywood-and-points east blog (god forbid we should invoke the dreaded Eastside label), we do like to mix it up now and then. Especially since every other Saturday I'm stuck near Culver City around lunchtime while my son tries to get beyond his green belt in karate. It's hard to tear yourself away from Surfas, but I still hadn't tried Meltdown, the charming little grilled cheese restaurant that's now open on Saturdays for lunch. I said it about The Point and I'll say it again: Those people in Culver City really know how to launch a concept. Simple idea: grilled cheese with numerous variations, soup, coleslaw, quirky sodas. That's it. Good quality ingredients. Nice outdoor patio with heaters. Super clean, efficient service. It doesn't seem that hard but I can't say there's one place over around Silver Lake that would fit that description. Of course, Culver City was lucky to have super-wide sidewalks and lots of underutilized spaces.
Anyway, I had a perfectly-executed classic tuna melt on marble rye bread -- I should have gone with the half sandwich and soup because it was easily enough for two meals. The tomato soup wasn't quite as creamy as I might have liked, but someone who actually likes tomatoes might enjoy it. The array of sweet melts like goat cheese, fig and honey or brie and apricot is intriguing, so I'll definitely be back to finish exploring the melts.
I also had time to walk around and check out all the new restaurants still under construction, like the styley Akasha, below, which is going to be groovy and organic and biodegradable and stuff. Further up the street, there's another M Cafe de Chaya and Father's Office II opening soon. Excellent, beer for Saturday lunch!