Category Archives: Dining Out

Otium (Los Angeles, CA)

Posted on by December 20, 2015

Otium
222 S Hope St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dining date: 12/12/15

Otium

Otium is one of the most anticipated restaurants of the year. Part of the new Broad Museum development, the restaurant is a collaboration between Bill Chait’s Sprout Group and Tim Hollingsworth (ex-chef de cuisine of The French Laundry, Barrel & Ashes).

I’ve been following Hollingsworth since he departed TFL and came to LA. From his first dinner at The Strand House, to opening BBQ restaurant Barrel & Ashes, and to making tacos at the Petty Cash Taqueria soft opening, Hollingsworth has made a number of appearances around town. However, Otium promises to be his flagship restaurant. The restaurant has been open for about a month for lunch service, recently debuting brunch and then dinner service.

Bar

Kitchen

Continue reading →

Octavia (San Francisco, CA)

Posted on by December 17, 2015

Octavia
1701 Octavia St
San Francisco, CA 94109
Dining date: 11/28/15

Exterior

Octavia is Melissa Perello’s second restaurant following the success of Michelin-starred Frances. Frances has been consistently popular since opening in 2009, so it was no surprise to hear Perello would open this sequel six years later. Opened in April, Octavia’s garnered mostly positive reviews including its very own Michelin star this year.

I stopped in for a late, rather spontaneous dinner over the Thanksgiving holiday. Pictures were taken with my phone for this post.

Interior

Continue reading →

The Progress (San Francisco, CA)

Posted on by December 14, 2015

The Progress
1525 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115
Dining date: 11/29/15

Exterior

The Progress is Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski’s follow-up to uber popular State Bird Provisions. Opened for almost a year now, the restaurant is located just next door to State Bird and has also gained mostly positive reviews (though not quite to the same crazy hype as their first restaurant). I was able to dine in with the parents as the last meal in SF over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Interior

Continue reading →

The Slanted Door (San Francisco, CA)

Posted on by December 10, 2015

The Slanted Door
1 Ferry Bldg
San Francisco, CA 94111
Dining date: 11/28/15

exterior

It’s been five years since I’ve been to the Slanted Door, Charles Phan’s flagship Vietnamese restaurant in the Ferry Building. The restaurant is as popular as ever since opening eleven years ago, recently noted as the highest grossing independent restaurant in California last year. Given the announcement of the second Slanted Door location opening up in downtown Los Angeles, I thought it was a good time to revisit. I made a reservation pretty far in advance for a Saturday lunch while the Ferry Building farmers market would be open. Two birds, one stone.

interior

Continue reading →

Petit Crenn (San Francisco, CA)

Posted on by December 6, 2015

Petit Crenn
609 Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dining date: 11/27/15

Petit Crenn

Petit Crenn is Dominique Crenn’s follow-up to her two Michelin starred Atelier Crenn. This restaurant is very different from the Atelier’s haute multi-course tasting menus; Petite Crenn is a small neighborhood restaurant serving a daily family-style menu inspired by Crenn’s childhood in Brittany, France. The food is seafood and vegetable-focused and is priced at a relatively reasonable $79pp for five courses (inclusive of service).

We dined at the Chef’s Table on this evening, which contrary to my assumption, was neither in the kitchen nor had much of a view of the kitchen. It’s a six-top in a secluded corner of the main dining room serving an ‘enhanced’ version of that night’s menu (upgraded ingredients and extra courses). For the privilege, these seats were $120pp inclusive of service.

Kitchen

Continue reading →

Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles, CA) [2]

Posted on by November 22, 2015

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Dining date: 11/5/15

I’ve been to the Mozzaplex a bunch of times over the years, but this meal was a unique one. It was part of the Chase Private Dinner Series open to Chase Sapphire cardholders. A $175 ticket included everything from food, wine, tax, gratuity and valet, as well as some time with the chef (Nancy Silverton) and sommelier. It was my first time trying a dinner in this series and I wanted to see what it was all about.

Mozza

Dining Room

Continue reading →