LA has become the hottest place to set up a kitchen, and many established chefs flock here. Examples of this include James Beard award winner Dave Beran who relocated from Chicago to open Pasjoi. Michelin starred chef Curtis Stone made a move from London and opened Maude. One of the more recent chefs is Enrique…
Wax Paper Honors NPR with Creative Sandwiches
Not long ago, I visited Katsu Sando, a Japanese restaurant located in Chinatown. While I waited for my order to be prepared, I noticed Wax Paper, a restaurant featuring eclectic sandwiches. I made a note of it and planned a return visit. Like my small startups, the husband and wife combo of Peter and Lauren…
Skinny Dave’s an Artisan Sandwich Shop in Westchester
Chef / Owner David Kuo doesn’t mind making fun of himself. His first restaurant was “Status Kuo.” For some reason, he quickly renamed the restaurant to “Little Fatty,” a name that his mom used to call him when he was a young boy. His latest endeavor is “Skinny Dave’s,” another self-effacing poke at himself. Skinny…
Bridgetown Roti Delivers Tasty Caribbean Street Food
Rashida Holmes is one of the most talked-about chefs in LA right now. She hails from Bridgetown, Barbados, and made her way to LA via Pittsburgh seven years ago. Holmes has spent time in notable kitchens such as Ray’s and Starks Bar, Terrine, Rustic Canyon, and Botanica. She recently went on her own and opened…
Mom’s Touch Delivers Quality Fried Chicken Experience
Mom’s Touch is Korea’s equivalent to Kentucky Fried Chicken, with a menu solely focused on fried chicken. They serve chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, and chicken tenders and it is named “Mom’s Touch” because their philosophy is that their food is made by the thoughtful hand of a mother. Mom’s Touch recently opened in Gardena. While…
Tigre’s Fuego Raises the Bar for Tacos in the South Bay
Brothers Jonathan and Jason Baran own the popular Baran’s 2239 restaurant. During the pandemic, they shifted their onsite experience to a 100% to-go experience. They made breakfast burritos made from ingredients like housemade chorizo, and it was a way for the brothers to keep their doors open. They recently opened a Tigre’s Fuego in Redondo…
El Granjero Corners the Original Farmers Market
Many chefs have an entrepreneurial spirit the which leads them to open a restaurant of their own. If the concept succeeds, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, and frequently, a chef will launch another restaurant. After all, if they have name recognition, they already have a built-in following. One such chef is Neal Fraser. He recently…
Celebrate National Tequila Day at Lanea in Santa Monica
This year National Tequila Day takes place on Saturday, July 24. Unfortunately, no one knows the history behind National Tequila Day and how it began. Perhaps the creators of this holiday just consumed too much of the drink they celebrated to remember they created it. Either way, the exact roots of this day are not…
Banh Mi My Tho for Amazing Vietnamese Sandwiches
Banh Mi is one of my favorite sandwiches. Done right, the French-influenced baguette shatters when you bite into it and explodes with sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. The protein could vary widely from beef to pate to sardine. It includes a mixture of pickled daikon, carrots, and cilantro. My last stop on my SGV…
Mandarin Noodle House – Tasty Chinese Food since 1978
According to an article published by CNBC, 60% of restaurants close in their first year, and nearly 80% shutter by their fifth anniversary. Knowing this, I’ve always been amazed to learn of restaurants that have been open for 30 years or more. One such restaurant is the Mandarin Noodle House. As part of my SGV…