In Paris, chefs visit the daily markets, procure the best meat and vegetables and decide what they will prepare that evening. It is a ritual about finding the best food available and making the most out of it. Chef Robert Bell of Chez Melange has a similar philosophy as he is on the phone daily…
Quenching My Thirst at The Thirsty Merchant
As a former business owner, I really enjoy great names of businesses. The Thirsty Merchant is one such name because it invokes images of farmers, bakers, and fisherman assembling in public spaces bartering for luxury goods. After a hard day of negotiating, I’m sure they were ready for a tasty brown malt. The Thirsty Merchant…
HomeState Delivers True Tex-Mex Experience
While breakfast burritos are extremely popular in LA, it’s the breakfast taco that is pervasive across the state of Texas. There is a lively disagreement about whether they were first created in Austin or San Antonio. Texas expat, Briana Valdez, is the brainchild behind HomeState in Los Feliz. I paid them a visit last Saturday….
Celebrate National Doughnut Day
National Doughnut Day is celebrated annually in the U.S. on the first Friday in June, succeeding the doughnut event created by The Salvation Army in Chicago in 1938 to honor those of their members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. The holiday celebrates the doughnut. Some of the participating doughnut shops include:…
Ori Wins Another Gold with Bavel
Bavel is one of the hottest restaurants in LA and thanks to the fortitude of my cousin, she was able to secure dinner reservations. My wife and I were grateful to be included and we recently joined them for dinner. Located in the Arts District of LA, Bavel is owned by husband-and-wife team Ori Menashe…
Celebrate National Wine Day in the South Bay
Friday, May 25 is National Wine Day. Pop open that special bottle you have in your closet. Even better, why not visit a wine bar and try a vintage you’ve never experienced before. Consider trying the many foreign varietals like a French Bordeaux, an Italian Borolo or a Spanish Tempranillo. Here are some interesting South…
LA Times Food Bowl Night Market
The Los Angeles Times Night Market recently returned to Grand Park as part of the L.A. Times Food Bowl. The Night Market is a bustling outdoor street food market in Downtown LA featuring over 50 of LA’s favorite restaurants and food trucks, plus DJs, themed bars, and experiences. When I saw the ad for the…
Cal Mare Brings the Amalfi Coast to LA
The Beverly Center is currently undergoing a major renovation. As part of the makeover was the grand opening of Cal Mare, a flashy Italian restaurant. I recently learned that they have a happy hour and I invited a friend of mine to check it out. Cal Mare plays homage to the coasts of Italy and…
A Special Evening at Skirball: Taste of Israel
For one night only, the best of Israel’s culinary creators come together in Los Angeles for an incredible gourmet food and wine experience. The Taste of Israel is a one-time high-end event, black-tie optional evening that will take place at the Skirball Cultural Center on June 7th, 2018. Growing up on the Westside, I was…
Good Food and Friendly Service from Maderos
Cinco de Mayo has come and gone. That day my wife and I weren’t feeling like battling the crowds at a local cantina and we decided to try Maderos, a restaurant that just opened in Redondo Beach. Maderos took over the space where Hostaria Piave was originally located in Redondo Beach. Despite being two blocks away…