Sunday, 06-12-2011
Culver City, Los Angeles, CA
Having had a great time at Taste of the Nation Boston earlier this year, I made sure to attend my hometown's version of this event. Again, Taste of the Nation is Share Our Strength's culinary benefit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America with multiple events throughout the United States. Thanks to a good friend who was willing to spend the money with me, I headed off to Media Park in Culver City to enjoy tastes from some of Los Angeles' most well-known kitchens.
SIMON LA
Pork Belly and Yellow Beets Napoleon, Green Garlic Goat Cheese
LA MARKET BY KERRY SIMON
Lamb Lollipops with a Hibiscus Glaze on Fava Bean Puree
CHURCH & STATE
Mushroom Duxelle with Goat Cheese
Roasted Red Peppers with Goat Cheese, Thinly Sliced Baby Heirloom Tomatoes with Basil Oil and Fleur de Sel
JOE'S RESTAURANT
Peruvian Lantern Scallops and Sweet Shrimp, White Corn Panna Cotta, Marcona Almonds, Smoked Strawberry Gastrique
BAR PINTXO
Paella with Chorizo, Mussels, Chicken
LUCQUES / AOC / TAVERN
Fattoush Salad
TRES by JOSE ANDRES
Grilled Octopus Salad
Olive Sphere
CAMPANILE
Olive Oil Fried Egg on a Grilled Bread with Black Olive Tapenade and Tomato Concasse
LE SAINT ARMOUR
Rabbit Rilette, Terrine
MICHAEL'S SANTA MONICA
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Tomato Confit and Burrata Cheese
M CAFE
Chickpea Salad, Apple & Carrot & Ginger Juice
Chickpea Salad, Apple & Carrot & Ginger Juice
A FRAME
Cracked Out Kettle Corn--Buttered Furkake Kettle Corn Crunked Up with Benton's Bacon, Dried Pineapple, and Fresh Shiso
PUBLIC KITCHEN & BAR
Creme Fraiche and Buttermilk Panna Cotta
Prochetta Sandwich, Arugula, Marinated Piquilo Peppers, Parmesan, Rustic Country Bread
GO BURGER
Spiced Lamb Burger with Minted Goat Cheese and Grilled Fava Relish
LOTERIA GRILL
Beef Tongue, Avocado, Onion and Parsley Taco
CITY TAVERN
Grilled Piimento Cheese, Sweet and Spicy Meatballs, Stonefruit and Burrata
Grilled Piimento Cheese, Sweet and Spicy Meatballs, Stonefruit and Burrata
LA SEINE
Coconut Jalapeno, Albacore, Salmon, Yellow, Aioli
Coconut Jalapeno, Albacore, Salmon, Yellow, Aioli
WHIST RESTAURANT
Octopus Salad: Grilled Octopus with Smoked Potatoes
Octopus Salad: Grilled Octopus with Smoked Potatoes
LQ @ SK
Boudin Noir + Mustard Tapioca Banh Mi Sandiwch
Boudin Noir + Mustard Tapioca Banh Mi Sandiwch
FARMSHOP
House-Made Pastrami with Green Tomato Ketchup, Pickled Spring Vegetables, Rye Brioche
Seasonal (Pistachio) Meringues
House-Made Pastrami with Green Tomato Ketchup, Pickled Spring Vegetables, Rye Brioche
Seasonal (Pistachio) Meringues
CRAFT
Carnaroli Rice Pudding, Apricots & Pistachios
Liberty Farm Duck Fritter & Cherry Mostards
LUKSHON
Chicken Pops
Chicken Pops
RED O BY RICK BAYLESS
Gleason Ranch Pork Belly Sopes, Grilled Blue Mazatlan Blue Shrimp with Fresh Jicama 'Chips'
Cucumber & Mint, Watermelon & Mint
Gleason Ranch Pork Belly Sopes, Grilled Blue Mazatlan Blue Shrimp with Fresh Jicama 'Chips'
Cucumber & Mint, Watermelon & Mint
FATHER'S OFFICE
Craftmen Biere de Blanco
Craftmen Biere de Blanco
BROWN-FORMAN
Paloma Cocktail: Herradura 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Squirt, Fresh Lime, Salt
Paloma Cocktail: Herradura 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Squirt, Fresh Lime, Salt
PAZZO GELATO
Sicillian Pistachio
Sicillian Pistachio
SPRINKLE'S
Cupcakes in Assorted Flavors
Cupcakes in Assorted Flavors
MADAME CHOCOLAT
Domaine Carneros Bubbly Truffles, S'mores, 43% Milk Chocolate Covered Cherrios
Domaine Carneros Bubbly Truffles, S'mores, 43% Milk Chocolate Covered Cherrios
FONUTS
Chocolate
Chocolate Banana
Chocolate
Chocolate Banana
VERDUGO BAR
Eagle Rock Brewery: Manifesto Wit Bier
Eagle Rock Brewery: Manifesto Wit Bier
WP24
Chow Fueng Roll with Braised Beef Short Rib
Chow Fueng Roll with Braised Beef Short Rib
MOZZA
Porcini Rubbed Barbecued Creekstone Farms Short Ribs with Salsa Verde
Porcini Rubbed Barbecued Creekstone Farms Short Ribs with Salsa Verde
THE GOLDEN STATE
Brewery Ommegang: Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale
Brewery Ommegang: Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale
STREET
Kaya Toast: Toasted Bread Spread Thick with Coconut Jam, Served with Dary Soy and White Pepper
BORDER GRILL
Cold Poached Alaska Salmon, Jicama Tamatillo Herb Salsa
Alaska Crab and Quinoa Fritters, Aji Amarillo Aioli, Piquillo Pepper Romesco
GRACE, BLD
Berkshire Pork Bahn Mi
PATINA
Lobster and Fresh Almond Gazpacho
THE FOUNDRY ON MELROSE
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
RAY'S & STARK BAR
Pork Belly Taco
Cocktail
Beef Tendon
'Oreo'
HATFIELD'S
Spanish Octopus Salad
Tropical Tres Leches Cake
CULINA MODERN ITALIAN
Lamp Chop
FIG RESTAURANT
Torta de Lengua with Breakfast Radish and Escabeche
PICCA, MO-CHICA
Chicken Anticucho
PLAYA, RIVERA
Tamale Chipotle
SHORT ORDER
Sloppy Bolognese Slider
LEXINGTON SOCIAL HOUSE
Fried Chicken, Cornbread & Braised Kale
Rubarb-Filled Donuts
STEINGARTEN LA
The Bruery: TradeWinds Tripel Belgian Style Ale
COMME CA
Beef, Arugula, Spicy Aioli
Blanc Manger
SCOOPS
Apricot Hefeweizen Beer
Miso Cheesecake
JITLADA
Coco Mango Salad, Crying Tiger Pork Belly, Green Beans
Singha Beer
LIBRARY ALE HOUSE
Firestone Walker: Firestone Double IPA
VERDICT: This was an unbelievable event features a wide variety of popular Los Angeles eateries. It gave me a chance to explore food from many places I probably wouldn't have a chance to try otherwise. Many restaurants debuted at this festival, including Picca, GO Burger, Fonuts, and of course, Ink. The only disappointment of the day came when Michael Voltaggio's tent was tucked into the VIP area, depriving general admission ticketholders like myself from sampling food from his highly anticipated restaurant. None the less, I thought this event was well worth its price and I will be sure to be back next year. Oh, and my favorite dishes? It's a close one between Bar Pintxo's paella and Hatfield's octopus.
Count me in for next year!
ReplyDeleteDude, let me know when the next one is.
ReplyDelete