From Sat Aug, 12 through Sun Aug, 20, the Nisei Week Japanese Festival returns for its annual cultural celebration. In its 81st year, it is the oldest ethnic festival in the US; its purpose is to celebrate and share the Japanese and Japanese American culture. This year’s theme is Turning the Corner, a post-pandemic desire to…
Top Chef Jackson Kalb Opens Jemma di Mare in Brentwood
LA diners flock to restaurants that feature their favorite chefs. One such chef riding the wave is “Top Chef” Jackson Kalb. I first became aware of him at Factory Kitchen and later at Jame Enoteca and Ospi. He and his wife, Melissa, recently opened Jemma di Mare, a new Italian-American concept emphasizing seafood. If you’re unfamiliar with Brentwood, you…
Where To Find Hatch Chiles in LA
Once a year, Melissa’s Produce brings Hatch chiles to select Bristol Farms and Lazy Acres locations and roasts them as they do in supermarket parking lots in New Mexico. It is an annual tradition with New Mexicans because they buy the roasted chiles in bulk and use them in recipes throughout the year. For a…
Vicky’s All Day Delights With Epicurean Diner Cuisine
Many people flock to diners, and it’s easy to understand why. Delicious food, friendly service, but best of all, a consistent experience. It’s the perfect lift-me-up after a tough week. One such diner is Vicky’s All Day, located in the trendy West Adams district across from Alta Adams. More chefs operate restaurants within walking distance of…
Courage Bagels Delivers Montreal-Style Experience
I confess that I don’t enjoy New York bagels. While my coworkers appreciated it when I delivered Noah’s Bagels with shmear, the doughy consistency never appealed to me. I recently learned about Courage Bagels, an eatery that features Montreal-style bagels. Not knowing what Montreal bagels are about, I invited my friend Jeff and checked them…
Lunasia Dim Sum House Opens in Torrance
I am a big fan of dim sum, but I don’t enjoy it as often because I live in the South Bay, and the top dim sum places are in the San Gabriel Valley. Yes, Dim Sum 101 Express opened nearby, but I’ve longed for an experience with a vast menu. I was thrilled when…
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in Little Tokyo
May is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the US. This year the Little Tokyo Community Council sponsors family-friendly springtime happenings in Downtown Los Angeles’ iconic neighborhood to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Children’s Day festivities take place Sat. May 6 at Terasaki Budokan, a nonprofit multipurpose sports and activities center in Little Tokyo….
SOL Restaurant – A Beach Asian Fusion Delight
When you think of Redondo Beach, you probably envision the iconic pier, the beautiful sunsets, and, if you’re like me, the freshly caught seafood. One such place to experience all three sensations is the Sonesta Redondo Beach and Marina. Their flagship dining experience, SOL Restaurant, recently announced a new chef with an impressive Asian-fusion menu. …
Oui Melrose – A Handcrafted Sandwich Shop
My good friend, who enjoys food as much as my wife and I do, lives in mid-city LA and recently invited my wife and me to get together over lunch. He suggested Oui Melrose, a sandwich shop run by the folks that own Banh Oui in Hollywood. When cruising down Melrose, you may think Oui…
OC Nature Walk With Lunch at Fiesta Grill
I enjoy scenic walks and was delighted that my wife and daughter decided to join me in visiting OC’s Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Being first-time visitors, we were awed by the beauty of the wetlands and the numerous species of birds that frequent the area. After walking the trail, my daughter demonstrated her skill at finding…