Food

When it comes to sushi, I am a purist. I was raised going to Nozawa, the "sushi nazi," where I was instructed when to use soy sauce and not offered "Americanized" rolls. It is always about the purity and freshness of the fish. That said, I am a fan of Asian fusion cuisine and I like other dishes beyond sushi. So, when I was invited to check out Slow Fish on Wilshire Blvd in the Miracle Mile, I went with an open mind. SlowFish SlowFish, with a second location in Huntington Beach, was founded by Korean entrepreneur John Lee and Executive Chef Sean An. Together, they focus on offering Asian fusion cuisine with a California twist. Chef Sean An The decor of SlowFish is not typical of an Asian restaurant. It has an art deco decor with high ceilings, dark red and black interior and chandeliers.
02 September, 2016

This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register. I am writing my column this week from Montepulciano, where I just finished being a judge at...

31 August, 2016
If you are heading to Napa, you might think of making Yountville or St. Helena your base. Not only are there wineries nearby but, at the end of the day, there are lots of restaurants to chose from that are an easy walk from a hotel. But, now you should consider making Downtown Napa you home base. What was once seen as a town to pass through, Downtown Napa has experienced a revival. There are blocks and blocks of restaurants, tasting rooms and shops, as well as a beautiful riverfront to stroll along. In Downtown Napa you can explore a world of cuisines. Here are five restaurants to eat at, and one place to drink. Miminashi 821 Coombs St Napa, CA 94559 An Izakaya serving authentic Japanese cuisine, Minimnashi is Napa's newest restaurant. From noodles to yakatori, there are a lot of small plates to share. In addition,there are vegetarian options for the non-meat eaters. For the more adventurous eater, there is heart, base of heart, base of beef tongue and tip of beef tongue yakitori. For dessert, enjoy the soft serve ice cream in Japanese flavors such as buckwheat, lemon verbena, milk and peach leaf with whiskey butterscotch or miso caramel on top.
29 August, 2016
Heading up to Sonoma to go wine tasting? Well, then you need some recommendations as to where to eat. The Sonoma Square, the largest plaza in California, is home to a number of winery tasting rooms but also restaurants. When you are finished tasting wine, check out these three restaurants. Not only are these restaurants showcasing the freshest local, seasonal produce but they each also offers charming outdoor patios where you can enjoy your meal. the girl and the fig 110 West Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 The girl and the fig is a quintessential wine country restaurant. This iconic restaurant, owned by Sondra Bernstein, recently celebrated its 19 year anniversary. This restaurant, with strong French influences, features creative and delicious dishes. If you are a fan of figs, try the Fig and Arugula Salad and for dessert the Chocolate Dipped Figs. And for the wine lovers, the list shows its love for Rhone wines with wines from both France and California. The Fig and Arugula Salad with toasted pecans, mano formate pancetta, laura chenel chevre, fig and port vinaigrette is a classic wine country salad and a good start to any meal. 
22 August, 2016
Youthful, passionate, energetic, driven, professional, tasty....these are just some of the descriptions that come to mind about Baldoria in Little Tokyo. Baldoria, which is Italian for a "revelry, merrymaking, a good time," is a restaurant that is celebrating the good things in life. It is about small plates and shared plates; it is about good food, good wine and good drink. Baldoria This little neighborhood gem is also about friendship and fun. It is owned and run by David King, Duke Gervais, Matt Bostick and Aaron Justice. Owner David King previously worked as a sommelier at Mozza and was the beverage director and partner at Cube. It was at Cube that he met chef Duke Gervais and Aaron Justice, who oversees the front of house at Baldoria. It was at Mozza where King met Matt Bostick who is the beverage director at Baldoria. David KingDuke Gervais Matt BostickAaron Justice and Andrea Mai-Tran Baldoria has only been open a few months but the level of professionalism makes it seem as if the restaurant has been open for years. It is because these four guys, who are all in their early 30s, have such great respect for each other, as well as respect and passion for what they are doing. They come from fine dining backgrounds which is reflected in the professionalism and seamless service.
12 August, 2016
Just as the summer started, Napa Valley Grille in Westwood Village reopened after a major renovation. And now that summer is underway, Napa Valley Grille is offering a special three course pre-fixe summer menu that will be available until the first of September. The theme of the summer menu is grilling. But the menu is not a bunch of grilled meats and vegetables. Various ingredients are grilled, resulting in charring which brings out different flavor profiles. For the first course, there is a choice between Summer Corn Soup and Grilled Octopus. The Summer Corn Soup with grilled baby corn, sesame crackers, blue croutons and micro cilantro tastes liked the corn is fresh off the grill. The char flavor of the corn is dominant and the soup is rather light but could have used a little more seasoning. Summer Corn Soup, grilled baby corn, sesame crackers, blue croutons, micro cilantro
08 August, 2016

El Segundo is the small beach community just south of LAX. I accidentally ended up there once when I missed a turn off of Sepulveda on the way to the airport. But recently I made a point of going there to check out Sausal, a restaurant featuring Nuevo Rancho cuisine. In fact, I hopped off a flight to LAX and was there in less than ten minutes.

Sausal

Sausal is named after Rancho Sausal Redondo, the vast farmstead that once encompassed El Segundo and most of the South Bay. It offers a modern take on rancho-inspired cuisine with an emphasis on wood-fired, slow-roasted cooking. This Nuevo Rancho cuisine melds the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the essential flavors of citrus, olives and figs that were brought by the Spanish missionaries and with the fresh California vegetables and produce.

At the head of the restaurant is Chef Anne Conness, who has worked for Michael Cimarusti at Water Grill, Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton at Campanile, Mako Tanaka at Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois on Main and Alex Scrimgeour at Saddlepeak Lodge and ALEX.

05 August, 2016
In the middle of the day, I sat in traffic to get across the city from the westside of Los Angeles to the downtown LA Arts District. It was a rather frustrating drive considering it was not during rush hour and I was stuck behind a lot of trucks. The Springs LA When I entered The Springs, a sense of serenity came over me. Perhaps it is because it is a yoga and wellness center that lends a calmness to the space. But, perhaps it is the massive open space with high ceilings and the bright color chairs and accents against the slate-gray, industrial base that has a calming effect. The Springs LA As you walk into the space, the restaurant is in the front. Yes, the menu is generally gluten-free, free of refined sugar and uses organic, local and sustainable produce. And it is vegan, except for the sustainable eggs that are responsibly sourced from Petaluma Farms. After all, remember that The Springs is a yoga and wellness center. 
01 August, 2016
Ramen? Poke? A Burger? Whichever you are craving, K Ramen has it. K Ramen K Ramen is one of SBE's newest ventures. Located on the second floor of Katsuya Glendale at the Americana at Brand Mall, K Ramen is a casual dining experience that can be enjoyed before or after a movie or during a day of shopping. Stairs to K Ramen As you wander up the winding stairs, you will enter a large open space with a bar off to the side and a large bar in the center of the room. This used to be a nightclub and still retains the dark, empty feel during the day. But head to the outdoor covered terrace and take a seat where you can watch people walk around Americana and view the dancing musical water fountain. 
25 July, 2016
There are more reasons to head to Hanjip Korean Barbecue, as if you needed an excuse. Open less than a year, the upscale Korean barbecue restaurant in Culver City has made a few changes and additions. New Hanjip Menu Since opening, the menu has become a bit more succinct. The new menu offers a "how to Korean barbecue" at the top of the page. There are two platters offered, either beef or pork and either large or small. The marinated short rib is the signature dish and this, as well as other meats (pork, beef, octopus) are available a la carte as well. The tomahawk steak for $150 is still available but the pricey Spanish prawns are gone.
22 July, 2016
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