After setting my post on Champion’s Curry, my foodie friend suggested that I try Curry Plus, a new Japanese restaurant in Torrance. I had seen some of their social media posts and it didn’t make an impression on me. Since I respect my friend’s opinion, I placed this on my bucket list and finally visited…
Quan Mii – Crispy Vietnamese Crepes Done Well
If you had the opportunity to delve into Vietnamese cuisine beyond pho and banh mi, you’ve certainly discovered bánh xèo, a Vietnamese savory crepe. Bánh xèo is a crispy, stuffed rice crepe popular in Vietnam. Bánh means cake while xèo means sizzle. The name refers to the loud sound the rice batter makes when it…
Bee Taqueria – Chef Alex Carrasco’s New Venture
Many Americans don’t associate Mexican cuisine as haute cuisine, but in fact, two restaurants in Mexico City were listed in “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” in 2018. One chef located in Mexico City, Alex Carrasco, relocated to Los Angeles to further his career. In August last year, Carrasco opened Bee Taqueria in LA’s West Adams…
Cafe Laurent – A Classic French Cafe
French food is among the top cuisines I favor. After visiting France and experiencing the freshness, quality and the execution of their dishes, I now seek opportunities to relive the experience. Cafe Laurent is a French cafe that I noticed many years ago; my wife and I finally visited them last weekend. You would expect…
Pickle Banh Mi, A Worthy OC Contender
Vietnamese banh mi is one of my favorite sandwiches. Prepared well, they are heavenly. The baguette has to be fresh, preferably baked in-house. Proteins can vary widely, but the constant is the pickled daikon and carrot mix. My favorite banh mi shop is Tan Hoang Huong and I’m curious if I’ll ever find one that…
Champion’s Curry Serves Rich Japanese Curry Offerings
Many are unaware that curry has a diverse international history with many permutations. In the 19th Century, the British developed their own roux-based curry. This style was well received in Japan and spawned off different varieties in the many prefectures of Japan. One such curry entrepreneur is Yoshikazu Tanaka, the founder of Champion’s Curry. With…
Gish Bac – Oaxacan Cuisine Done Well
Oaxacan cuisine is one of Mexico’s most varied cuisines. Well known features of the cuisine include ingredients such as chocolate, cheese, mole, and grasshoppers (chapulines). I was happy to see one such Oaxacan restaurant, Gish Bac, re-opened after being shut down due to the pandemic. Gish Bac is owned by David Padilla and Maria Ramos…
Thrive Kitchen LA – Quality Home Delivered Meals
The pandemic has turned the restaurant industry upside down. Some have converted their operations to abide by state and local regulations have experienced some success. Other restaurants that primarily focus on service and ambiance have remained closed or have curtailed their operations to exist solely to pay rent and insurance. Catering companies like Thrive Kitchen…
Mia’s Kitchen Features Homestyle Caribbean Cuisine
If you have ever cruised the Caribbean, you’ve probably experienced Caribbean cuisine. It’s a blend of African, Cajun, Chinese, Creole, European, Latin American, Indian, and Middle Eastern. Immigrants from these countries influenced this cuisine. One brand new restaurant, Mia’s Kitchen, features dishes from the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Mia’s Kitchen is located on…
Apollonia’s Pizzeria Delivers Premium Pizza Experience
Because my wife and daughter enjoy pizza so much, I decided to surprise them by trying a new place. I asked my wife to check out Eater LA’s top pizzerias in Los Angeles, and she narrowed it to about eight establishments. I selected Apollonia’s Pizzeria primarily because they offer Detroit-style pizza. Apollonia’s Pizzeria is located…