In the late 1980s, Chinatown’s Empress Pavillion was a top LA restaurant for dim sum. Since then, the San Gabriel Valley has become the de facto standard for Chinese food, including LA’s best dim sum eateries. Empress Pavilion was known for its wide selection of dim sum served by Chinese women pushing carts throughout the…
Westside
Le Great Outdoor – Delicious Al Fresco Dining
According to a survey from Restaurant Owner, restaurant startup costs can range between $175,500 and a staggering amount of $750,500! If you are doing it for the first time, that’s an overwhelming obstacle. Despite this barrier, it is interesting that two young entrepreneurs managed to open Le Great Outdoor with almost no capital and no…
Fatty Mart, A Neighborhood Food Mart and Eatery
Chef / Owner David Kuo named his restaurant “Little Fatty” because that was what he called a little boy. His humor was evident from the beginning with his first restaurant, Status Kuo. He also opened Skinny Dave, a sandwich shop in Westchester. His latest project is Fatty Mart, part specialty food mart, restaurant, and community…
Humble Potato – American comfort with a Japanese Twist
While many restaurants feature American comfort food, I notice when someone decides to bend the rules. In 2012, Eric Ong opened Humble Potato on Lincoln Blvd in Westchester. I’ve dined at two restaurants, which followed Most Valuable Playa and Mee and Greet. Thanks to my friend’s suggestion, I finally visited Humble Potato in Culver City. …
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…
Ghisallo Dishes Out Exceptional Neapolitan Pies
If you enjoy excellent pizza, LA’s the place. Pizza restaurants have sprung up all over LA featuring NY-style, Neapolitan, and even Detroit-style pizza is making a splash. The best part of this revolution is that you don’t have to settle for pizza chain pizza. LA Times Food Critic Bill Addison recently published his top 10…
Tenkatori adds Best of Class Karaage Chicken to West LA
Fried chicken has been trending for quite some time in LA. One of the first to get recognition was Gus’ Fried Chicken. Soon after, we started seeing many variations such as hot fried chicken from Hotville Fried Chicken, Honey Dress (Korean), and Tokyo Fried Chicken. Tenkatori is an award-winning Japanese karaage restaurant open on Sawtelle Blvd in Japan Town. …
Where to Celebrate National Brisket Day in LA
Saturday, May 28, is National Brisket Day. If you’ve had corned beef or pastrami before, then you’ve had brisket. This large piece of flavor-packed beef is often cured or smoked, but it’s also one of the best cuts for braising and slow cooking. I hope you can plan ahead and celebrate National Brisket Day with…
Nostalgia Bar & Lounge, A Retro Bar with Quality Food
With COVID restrictions largely lifted, people seek ways to get out of the house and have fun. For me, it’s terrific to see restaurants and bars back open again. The Nostalgia Bar & Lounge is one of the most recent to open. I attended their grand opening ribbon-cutting event with the Santa Monica Chamber of…
Bicyclette, an Impressive Westside Parisian Bistro
Walter and Margarita Manzke opened République in 2013 and caught LA by storm. Since that time, they have opened other popular restaurants like Petty Cash Taqueria and Sari Sari. During the pandemic, they transformed the place where Sotto operated into a Paris bistro named Bicylette and an upstairs formal Parisian restaurant called Manzke. The interior look and…