WP24
Friday, 07-15-2011, Happy Hour
Downtown Los Angeles, CA
WP24 is another fine-dining establishment from LA-based celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. He, possibly like no other chef, has firmly made his mark on California cuisine with double Michelin-starred Spago, Asian-inspired Chinois on Main and top steakhouse CUT.
This recent addition to his culinary empire resides on the 24th floor of the new Ritz Carlton in Downtown / LA Live. I was always curious to give it a try for many reasons: 1) I lived one block away, 2) I was blown away by Spago, 3) I'm Chinese and always skeptical about Asian fusion, particularly when the mecca of authentic chinese food is 15 minutes away in the San Gabriel Valley (where I happened to grow up as well). However, the expensive price always kept me away. Luckily, WP24 recently introduced a happy hour tasting which consisted of 3 courses for a good deal of $24.
Hopf Spezial Weisse [$9.00]
Weissbierbrauerei Hopf, Germany
COURSE 1a: SZECHUAN CHICKEN DAN DAN DUMPLINGS
COURSE 1b: BBQ PORK BELLY BAO BUNS
COURSE 2a: FLAT IRON STIR-FRIED STEAK, SPINACH AND EGGPLANT
COURSE 2b: HONG KONG STYLE WHITE SALMON AND BABY BOK CHOY
COURSE 3: MARJOLASIAN
Layers of White Espresso Mousse and Dark Chocolate
VERDICT:
Was I blown away? Nah. Don't get me wrong, the food tasted good. The Chinese flavors were familiar though slightly oversalted with soy sauce. The pork buns were not as succulent as the ones I tasted at Momofuku Ssam Bar in NYC. Authentic dan-dan dumplings with similar tastes can be had in SGV for a quarter of the price. But the setting atop the Ritz Carlton was absolutely beautiful with panoramic views of the downtown skyline. With the happy hour pricing, the venue is worth a visit if not to just enjoy the view.
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