Category Archives: Dining Out

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen (New Orleans, LA)

Posted on by July 8, 2015

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen
416 Chartres St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Dining date: 6/10/15

K-Paul'sK-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen opened in New Orleans’ French Quarter in 1979 and has been an institution ever since. Opened by chef Paul Prudhomme (and wife Kay) after helming the kitchen of Commander’s Palace, K-Paul’s has been serving creole/cajun favorites that haven’t changed in the last 35 years. Blackened fish was created here, a technique now duplicated all around the region. Jambalaya, etouffée, gumbo, turtle soup, fried oysters – it’s all here. A visit to K-Paul’s was high on my list of restaurants to try. Continue reading →

Chi Spacca (Los Angeles, CA) [3]

Posted on by July 5, 2015

Chi Spacca
6610 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Dining date: 6/6/15

exterior

I was at Chi Spacca just a couple of months prior but returned to introduce the restaurant to some others that had heard great things. It’s a perfect spot for a carnivorous group such as us. Given the format of the menu (primarily large portions of meat), big parties do best here. Luckily, we had a party of seven which allowed us a chance to try a bunch of items.

interior

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Lüke (New Orleans, LA)

Posted on by July 1, 2015

Lüke
333 St. Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70130
Dining date: 6/9/15

exterior

Luke was our first dinner in New Orleans. It’s a John Besh restaurant, one of the most notable chefs in the city with over half a dozen restaurants in town. We had a larger group this evening, so Luke’s proximity to the convention center, casual feel and Louisiana take on a French brasserie fit the bill.

kitchen view

seafood

The menu showcases a raw bar (lobster, oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, crab), charcuterie, and an assortment of southern and French favorites. We began with an order of local oysters.

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Cochon (New Orleans, LA)

Posted on by June 28, 2015

Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St
New Orleans, LA 70130
Dining date: 6/11/15

exterior

Cochon was one of the most oft-mentioned restaurants when I fielded New Orleans restaurant recommendations. Both locals and visitors alike have taken a liking to chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski’s ode to the pig. True to the restaurant’s name the menu is pork-heavy, but plenty of other proteins like the region’s local seafood make it on to the menu as well. Almost everything is crafted in-house here, particularly the cured pork products.

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Commander’s Palace (New Orleans, LA)

Posted on by June 24, 2015

Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave
New Orleans, LA 70130
Dining date: 6/11/15

exterior

Commander’s Palace might be the most famous restaurant in New Orleans. It’s been a fine dining staple in the the city’s Garden District since the late 1800’s. It’s helped launch the careers of some of the city’s most notable chefs including Paul Prudhomme (executive chef from 1975-82) and Emeril Lagasse (executive chef 1983-1990). It’s still very much current with chef Tory McPhail at the helm, who has continued to garner accolades including being awarded the James Beard Best Chef South in 2013.

interior1

interior2

While navigating a crowded dining itinerary, we chose Commander’s Palace for lunch. The restaurant offers some very approachable ways to lunch here including prix fixe menus of two-courses (up to $24) and three-courses (up to $35). A la carte is also available with main courses in the low-$20s. We ordered 1 three-course menu and 1 two-course.

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Redd Wood (Yountville, CA)

Posted on by June 17, 2015

Redd Wood
6755 Washington St
Yountville, CA 94599
Dining date: 5/24/15

redd wood

Yountville might as well be called Kellerville from a food perspective since Thomas Keller’s restaurants here clearly dominate the national headlines (and for good reason). However, Yountville is home to many other recognized chefs and restaurants including this one.

Redd Wood opened in 2012, the second restaurant by chef Richard Reddington. Reddington consistently garnered Michelin stars for upscale sister restaurant Redd down the street, but this more approachable Italian spot has been just as popular if not moreso.

Redd Wood was the choice for a lunch in between morning and afternoon wine tastings in Napa Valley. We ordered a few items across the menu for a sampling – some salumi, one appetizer, one pizza and one pasta.

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