Bistronomics 2.0 Breadbar 8718 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048 Dining date: 4/17/11 This is the second iteration of the Bistronomics pop-up (the first occurred in March) featuring Jet Tila (Wazuzu) and Alex Ageneau (The Royce) preparing seasonal, modern bistro fare. For this meal, Ageneau was the main driver behind the food, while Tila…
Gavin Kaysen & Cafe Boulud Animal 435 N Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90048 Dining date: 4/18/11 I had dinner at Cafe Boulud the last time I was in New York. I found the food to be quite good; the core concept is traditional French technique, but with modern American touches. Don’t pay too much…
Dining date: 4/16/11 Scarpetta’s spaghetti is one of the best pastas I’ve ever had; for $24 per serving, it probably should be. I first got an in-depth look into how this pasta is made on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, where chef Scott Conant demonstrated how he prepares it. It’s quite simple really, only involving a…
Lotus of Siam 953 E Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89104 Dining date: 3/30/11 Lotus of Siam has probably become one of the most famous Thai restaurants in the country, if not the most. Not too long ago, it was one of those hidden finds off the touristy Las Vegas Strip. Thanks to rave reviews…
Raku 5030 Spring Mountain Rd Las Vegas, NV 89146 Dining date: 3/29/11 Raku is one of the off-Strip Las Vegas restaurants I hear most about. Forget off-strip, the rave reviews I’ve been hearing about this place eclipse most of the restaurants on the Strip. Raku’s charcoal-grilled robata is one of the restaurant’s specialties, but they…
Walter Manzke Biergarten LA 206 N Western Ave Los Angeles, CA 90004 Dining date: 4/10/11 The pop-up restaurant is becoming the biggest restaurant trend in LA since the food truck. While I’d like to say they’re starting to get annoying, they’re still capturing my interest like none other. There’s something about the temporary, almost urgent…
Noe Omni Hotel 251 S Olive St Los Angeles, CA 90012 Dining date: 4/5/11 Noe is a contemporary American (with distinct French and Japanese influences) restaurant located in the Omni Hotel downtown. I don’t think it’s really in the collective conscience when people think about downtown restaurants – as it’s located in a hotel, one…
China Poblano The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109 Dining date: 3/27/11 China Poblano is probably Jose Andres’ most unexpected concept. When I first heard about this place, I thought he was going to be creating Chinese-Mexican fusion. Dude. Weird. However, that’s not the case. The cuisines are kept…