Food

With all of the restaurants to chose from in Los Angeles, sometimes it is easy to forget about those that have been around for awhile. So, when I was invited to visit Killer Shrimp in Marina del Rey, I was looking forward to re-visiting it. Killer Shrimp is a big bowl of shrimp with a spicy broth. It is a recipe that was created by rock musician Lee Michaels more than 30 years ago. His son Kevin, who is the CEO of the company today, was a young surfer at the time and called his dad's special home recipe "killer" shrimp. After testing it around town, they started a pop-up in Venice and then opened up their first spot in Marina del Rey, following by Studio City and later other locations. Growing up in Studio City, I would drive by Killer Shrimp regularly but was afraid to try the spicy "killer shrimp" as I did not handle spicy food well. And, at that time, the menu only included Killer Shrimp, served in the spicy broth with bread or poured over angel hair pasta or steamed white rice. Here we are a couple decades later, the weather is cold and I have built up a tolerance for medium spice. I headed to the single Killer Shrimp location, looking forward to warming up. Killer Shrimp is located in Marina del Rey in a huge space with fabulous waterfront views. There is an outdoor patio, a full bar and private event space. And, the menu has grown beyond the Killer Shrimp. As per the name, and the location on the water, the menu is seafood and fish driven with appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees, as well as the original Killer Shrimp menu.
22 January, 2019
Almost a year ago, Jaffa LA opened its doors on West 3rd Street in West Hollywood. With a modern take on Israeli cuisine featuring fresh seasonal ingredients and sustainable meats and fish, Jaffa LA has been serving healthy, fresh and delicious flavors. I returned this week to try a few new dishes and revisit some others and loved every single bite and that is why Jaffa LA is the Please The Palate pick of the week. There was not a bite that I did not enjoy. And now there are more reasons to head to Jaffa LA. One of the reasons is that Jaffa LA just launched Social Hour Bites, available weekdays from 4:00pm-7:00pm. On the Social Hour menu are four plates for $7-$9. One of the most addictive items on the Social Hour list are the Eggplant Crisps with shakshuka dip. Crispy, warm, salted and gluten-free (for those who care), these can easily replace french fries.
19 January, 2019
I was first introduced to Vietnamese food when I lived in Washington DC. There is a large population of Vietnamese living in Northern Virginia and Vietnamese restaurants line the streets the way sushi restaurants do in Los Angeles. I have always been disappointed in not finding more Vietnamese restaurants here as I find Vietnamese food to be fresh, healthy and full of flavor. There is a large concentration of Vietnamese living in Southern California but most of the Vietnamese restaurants are located in Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley. Of course, in Los Angeles you can find a smattering of Pho shops but now you can also find a modern take on Vietnamese food at Khong Ten LA in West LA. Khong Ten translates to "no name" in Vietnamese. Co-Owner and Chef Kim Vu and her partner Don Andes called the restaurant "no name" as they were developing the concept. Don wanted the restaurant to have a Vietnamese name and ironically, on his travels to Vietnam, learned the meaning of Khong Ten. What started as an inside joke stuck and ultimately it is the perfect name for the restaurant. Khong Ten is not a traditional Vietnamese restaurant. "There is really no name to describe what we are doing here," explained Kim Vu. "We are not a Vietnamese restaurant. It is more an exploration of Vietnamese cuisine." Kim is a first-generation Vietnamese-American but considers herself part of what she describes as the "third wave." She identifies as 100% Vietnamese but is nothing like her parents. She explained that "the first generation cooks like they are back home and then the second generation, especially in California, starts to use local, fresh ingredients that are available. The third generation re-imagines the cuisine of their parents."
15 January, 2019
If you have been to Nashville, Tennessee, you might be familiar with Nashville hot chicken. But, if you haven't had it before, you now can find it in Los Angeles at The Red Chickz, a Nasvhille Hot Chicken Spot that opened this week in downtown LA and is the Please The Palate pick of the week. If you like fried chicken and you like spicy food, then this is the place for you. Nashville hot chicken is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville. The chicken is floured, fried and sauced using a paste that has been spiced with cayenne pepper. It is served atop slices of white bread with pickle chips. And that is what you will find at The Red Chickz. 
12 January, 2019
Each year as we look forward to the new year, something we aspire to is eating well. But eating healthily and eating clean is something we should do year round and now it is easy to do with Osso Good Bone Broths, the Please The Palate pick of the week. Bone Broth is a stock but so much more. Bone broth is made from animal bones and connective tissue that have been boiled into a broth and slowly simmered for 12 to 24 hours. Bone Broth is beneficial for a variety of health issues and is a source of protein, collagen and gelatin. The Osso Good Company was started by Meredith Cochran and two partners, Jazz Hilmer and Toran Hilmer. Originally from Wisconsin, Meredith was working in a hospital where the food was not fresh or organic when she realized that we should care about the food that we put into our bodies. After moving to San Francisco, she began studying Chinese medicine and that is when she was introduced to bone broth. In traditional Chinese medicine, bone broth is used as a digestive, as a blood builder and to strengthen the kidneys due to the high collagen content, anti-inflammatory amino acids, and healing compounds that can only be found in bones and connective tissue.
05 January, 2019
One thing that there is no shortage of in Los Angeles are sushi and ramen restaurants. While certain areas are more densely filled with sushi and ramen restaurants, they can be found in nearly every neighborhood. And on top of that, it is not a challenge to find good quality sushi and ramen. When I was invited to check out Totoyama Sushi & Ramen on Hollywood Blvd, I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, Hollywood Blvd is not typically a place to come to eat unless you are going to the Pantages or are looking for somewhere where the scene is more important than the food. But, I was in for a great surprise - Totoyama Sushi & Ramen is a gem in the center of Hollywood. This gem is a rather unassuming restaurant. It is tucked inside the complex that is home to Greenleaf Gourmet Shop, Pressed Juicery, Shake Shack, Dunkin Donuts and Soul Cycle. The space is simple and comfortable. There is a small dining area in the front, seating around the sushi bar which takes up the largest space in the restaurant, and a small dining area behind the sushi bar.
03 January, 2019
Another year, another Christmas tradition. For the past four years, I have been gathering with a group of my foodie friends on Christmas Day for our annual Jewmas Chinese food outing. "Jewmas" is a unique way to wish someone a happy holiday during the period of Christmas and Hanukkah without excluding a Christian or Jewish person. Our Jewmas Dim Sum lunch at China Red in Arcadia is the Please the Palate pick of the week. Eating at Chinese restaurants at Christmas has been a tradition for Jews for decades. But, now going out for Chinese food on Christmas has become an American tradition. The New York Times just wrote an opinion piece entitled "Nothing Is More American Than Chinese Food on Christmas" with the sub-heading, "Jewish families and others used to flock to Chinese restaurants because that was all that was open, but now it’s almost as traditional as milk and cookies for Santa." The Daily News wrote a piece about how it is the busiest day of the year for many Chinese restaurants who find it a challenge to staff for the day.
29 December, 2018
Heading to the opening of the new Kreation Kafe in Brentwood, I was anticipating a healthy meal. After all, Kreation Kafe is part of Kreation Organics, known for their cold-pressed organic juices and smoothies. While I enjoy a clean, healthy meal, I was expecting a selection of vegan or raw options. I enjoy this on occasion but is not something I anxiously look forward to. However, my meal at Kreation Kafe was healthy but also very flavorful and full of vegetables and meat. I enjoyed it so much that I cannot wait to go back! Located on San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood, in the former Gaucho Grill space, Kreation Kafe is a full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as its well-known juices, coffees and a grab & go section of healthy meals and snacks.
20 December, 2018
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