UMAMIcatessen 846 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015 Dining date: 3/3/12 UMAMIcatessen is the latest concept from the ever-busy Adam Fleischman (Umami Burger, 800 Degrees Pizza), his interpretation of a deli featuring a number of mini restaurant concepts including Umami Burger. The setup kind of looks like a food court (although it’s currently all full…
Gold Standard 2012 Petersen Auto Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 Dining date: 3/4/12 This was the fourth Gold Standard event, Jonathan Gold and LA Weekly’s annual food festival. Given Gold’s impending move to the LA Times, this is presumably the last one. It’s a little sad since the Gold Standard has been…
Mezze 401 N La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 Dining date: 2/18/12 Mezze opened last March and was commonly featured on “Best New Restaurant” lists in LA. The food is something a little different than what I’m typically accustomed to, being focused on Mediterranean (particularly Eastern Mediterranean) flavors from the likes of Syria, Egypt…
Macarons are always some of the most attractive confections in the display case of a bakery or sweets shop. The brightly colored small cookie “sandwiches” are often some of the most expensive treats per bite too, often being at least a couple of bucks for something that’s just a couple of bites. Why are they…
Tar & Roses 602 Santa Monica Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401 Dining date: 2/16/12 Tar & Roses opened late last month, one of the bigger restaurant openings so far this year. Andrew Kirschner is the chef behind Tar & Roses, formerly the executive chef of nearby Wilshire Restaurant. He brings with him food that’s been…
LudoBites 8.0 Lemon Moon 12200 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 Dining date: 2/15/12 My first trip to LudoBites 8.0 was a pretty good meal, and a very promising start to this iteration. While much attention has been spent on the reservation system and the scarcity of a seat, I didn’t think it was…
Lamb Showdown: Manzke vs. Samson/Pollack Guelaguetza 3014 W. Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90006 Dining date: 2/20/12 I had no idea it was “Lamb Lovers Month,” but apparently February is. I suppose you can name a month for anything, especially if there’s money behind it. In celebration of the month, the American Lamb Board helped…
800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria 10889 Lindbrook Dr Los Angeles, CA 90024 Dining date: 2/15/12 800 Degrees opened early last month, a new concept via a partnership led by Umami Burger’s Adam Fleischman. After a dinner at LudoBites, somehow the topic of 800 Degrees came up. It was open late (until 2am everyday), was nearby, and…