Ibaraki, Japan Benefit Dinner Breadbar Century City 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90067 Dining date: 5/16/11 This was one of my most anticipated meals in recent memory. Urasawa. Cimarusti. Manzke. Three of my favorite chefs in one place?! No way! Breadbar and Comme Ça teamed up to feature two benefit dinners with 100%…
Pheast Underground Dining Various locations Dining date: 5/13/11 Pheast is one of the latest underground supper clubs to pop up in Los Angeles, a concept that seems to be on fire right now (the most notable example, of course, is wolvesmouth). Underground dining, at its essence, is where a small group of people meet up…
Kokekokko 203 S Central Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012 Dining date: 5/6/11 On my last visit to Kokekokko, a friend and I dropped in (both first-timers) for some yakitori (grilled meat, particularly chicken, on skewers), what this restaurant is known for. It turned out to be one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had…
The Restaurant at Rancho Valencia Rancho Valencia Resort 5921 Valencia Cir Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091 Dining date: 4/30/11 I don’t really come down to San Diego that often. The breweries are a big draw for me, but quite frankly, the food tends not to be. I’m not saying it’s bad, but there are so…
n/naka 3455 S. Overland Ave Los Angeles, CA 90034 Dining date: 4/6/11 Niki Nakayama is the chef behind n/naka, who previously was preparing omakase menus at Inaka in Arcadia. Unfortunately I never got a chance to make it out there, and Nakayama has since left Inaka to open her own place on the Westside. It’s…
Son of a Gun 8370 W 3rd St Los Angeles, CA 90048 Dining date: 4/18/11 I had wanted to try Son of a Gun for a while. Rave review after rave review, this restaurant is still one of the most popular in LA since it opened at the end of February. Finally, I had my…
Mo-Chica Mercado La Paloma 3655 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90007 Dining date: 4/23/11 Ricardo Zarate’s star has never been brighter than it is right now. Sure, he’s been a rising star chef in the Los Angeles scene for a couple of years now. However, national attention has come in the form of being…
Jean Philippe Patisserie Aria Resort and Casino 3730 Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89115 Dining date: 3/28/11 I first tried Jean Philippe many years ago when the Bellagio was brand new. I remembered the decadent chocolate desserts, made-to-order crepes and great gelato. Oh, and of course the chocolate fountain – the largest in the…