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Barbrix Wine Bar & Restaurant, Stolpman Wine Dinner 27 July 2010 – Los Angeles

Friday, July 30th, 2010

By Sandy Driscoll

****

Barbrix Wine Bar and Restaurant

2442 Hyperion Avenue @ Tracy

Los Angeles, CA 90027 (Silver Lake area)

Website: http://www.barbrix.com/Home.html

Phone: 323-662-2442

Open: Sunday – Thursday 6pm – 11pm

Friday – Saturday 6pm – 12am

Credit Cards: Yes

Valet Parking: Available

Prices: Reasonable

****

Opening in May 2009, Barbrix was an instant hit with the hip, trendy, bohemian Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Just a few months later, they were named one of LA’s Top 10 New Restaurants by Los Angeles magazine.

Located across from Baller Hardware in a tastefully renovated former 1940’s residence, there is an outdoor patio area, a 360 degree wine bar, and a 40 seat dining room with counter seats available (my personal favorite!) at the open kitchen. Chef Don Dickman has created a Mediterranean-influenced menu, studded with straightforward flavors that reflect the wide ranging bounty of fabulous fruits and vegetables always available from the many farmers markets in the area.

Most of the menu items (first courses, cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables & grains, fish & meat) are small plates, perfect for sharing. Prices are reasonable. Nothing is over $17 and most are $5-10.

Want a glass or two of interesting wine? Most are under $10.

I was very excited to attend their third Wine Dinner last evening, featuring the wines of Stolpman Vineyards. http://www.stolpmanvineyards.com/ Winemaker, informative and congenial Pete Stolpman, was on hand to introduce and chat about his wines, which were beautifully paired with each course. Appetizers, four generous courses and five wines were offered for a total of $70, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Each course utilized the freshest ingredients, all were delicious and beautifully plated and presented. Portions were very generous (some at my table took home leftovers) and the restaurant was full of very happy and convivial diners.

The evening epitomized fine and fun dining at its best. I sure hope they continue to make this a regular tradition! In a city full of fabulous restaurants, showcasing every imaginable cuisine, this has got to be one of LA’s best bargains!

Barbrix 1

Barbrix-3 Smoked Salmon Mascarpone Mousse Crostini & Porcini Mushroom Arancini Sauvignon Blanc “Estate” 2009

Polenta Biscuit with Maine Lobster & Brentwood Corn Gravy

L’Avion 2007 (Roussanne-Viognier)

Pappardelle with Spicy Tomato Sauce & Crispy Pork Belly

Sangiovese “Estate” 2006

Syrah Braised Lamb Shoulder with Black Mission Fig Compote & Pommes Sardelaise

Syrah Estate 2007

Service ready for the Cheese Course

Grilled bread

The Cheese finale – Toma Blue (Cow’s Milk, Italy) – Ticklemore (Goat’s Milk, England) –

Brie de Meaux (Cow’s Milk, France) with Quince, Figs & Almonds

Syrah Originals “Estate” 2008

Tags:Barbrix Wine Bar and Restaurant 2442 Hyperion Avenue @ Tracy Los Angeles, CA 90027 (Silver Lake area) Website: http://www.barbrix.com/Home.html Phone: 323-662-2442 Open: Sunday - Thursday 6pm - 11pm
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Ludo Bites, at Breadbar by Ludovic Lefebvre – Los Angeles

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Ludo Bites, Los Angeles Ludo Bites by Ludovic Lefebvre, a former chef at Bastide, is at a temporary location at a place called Breadbar. It is a new phenomenon dubbed pop-up restaurant, and as with others of its ilk, it really doesn’t exist; you can’t find it in directory assistance, it has no address, and it might be somewhere else tomorrow, so you can’t really make a reservation for the following night. This type of operation cuts down costs providing lower costs for all, although many chefs and customers cannot deal with such an impermanent situation but for those who can, it opens an underground selection a layer beneath the mainstream restaurants, usually featuring a talented chef that may provide an extraordinary experience, on both sides of the stove.

Ludo

Tags:Chef Ludovic Lefebvre, Here Today Gone Tomorrow, Ludo Bites Pop-Up Restaurant
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Owner of Chicken Restaurant Faces Charges for Cock-Fighting – Los Angeles

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

roosters fighting

The owner of El Pollo Fino, a chicken restaurant located in Anaheim, a suburb of Los Angeles, faces charges for owning 800 roosters bred for fighting, along with a few hundred fighting knives & spurs. Cock-fighting is illegal in the United States. The big question is: were the losers put on the menu?

Tags:Anheim, California, cock-fighting, El Pollo Fino busted for cock-fighting
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Barbrix Wine Bar and Restaurant, Silver Lake – Los Angeles

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

By Sandy Driscoll

Barbrix Wine Bar and Restaurant
2442 Hyperion Avenue @ Tracy
Los Angeles, CA 90027    (Silver Lake area)
Website: http://www.barbrix.com/Home.html
Phone: 323-662-2442
Open: Sunday – Thursday   6pm – 11pm
Friday – Saturday      6pm – 12am
Credit Cards: Yes
Valet Parking: Available
Prices: Reasonable

Opening in May 2009, Barbrix was an instant hit with the hip, trendy, bohemian Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Just a few months later, they were named one of LA’s Top 10 New Restaurants by Los Angeles Magazine.

Most of the menu items (first courses, cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables & grains, fish & meat) are small plates, perfect for sharing. Prices are reasonable. Nothing is over $17 and most are $5-10.
Want a glass or two of interesting wine? Most are under $10.

I was very excited to attend their first Wine Dinner, featuring the wines of Navarro Vineyards. http://www.navarrowine.com/main.php Winemaker, informative and congenial Jim Klein, was on hand to introduce and chat about his wines, which were beautifully paired with each course. Appetizers, four generous courses, dessert and six wines were offered for a total of $75, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Portions were very generous (some at my table took home leftovers) and the restaurant was full of very happy and convivial diners.

The evening epitomized fine and fun dining. I sure hope they make this a regular tradition!

rice cake 2 Rice Cakes with Spicy Hamachi Tartar – Crostini with Crescenza & Crispy Sweetbreads

’08 Estate Gewurztraminer – Mendocino

Pepper Piquillo Pepper Stuffed with Bacalao – Stinging Nettle Pesto

’07 Chardonnay – Mendocino

Risotto Duck Confit Risotto with Alba Mushrooms & Fig Vin Cotto

’06 Pinot Noir – “Methode L’Ancienne” – Anderson Valley
Moroccan lamb Moroccan Spiced Lamb ‘Osso Buco’, Beldi Olive BBQ Sauce & Minted Fava Beans

’07 Zinfandel – “Old Vine Cuvee” – Anderson Valley

Pot Roasted Prime Beef Short Ribs, Black Pepper Noodles & Horseradish Gremolata

’06 Syrah – Mendocino

Pear Tarte Tatin, Whipped Mascarpone & Pine Cone Essence

’06 Riesling Late-Harvest “Cluster Select”

Tags:Barbrix restaurant, LA Magazine's Top Ten 09, Silver Lake area
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Hatfield’s Restaurant in West Hollywood – Los Angeles

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

By Sandy Driscoll

6703 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, California 90038
Tel. (323) 935-2977
Opening Hours:
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:45-2:15
Dinner: Sun-Thurs 6pm-10pm; Friday & Sat 6pm-10:30pm

In food-laden Los Angeles, where the restaurant du jour is always changing, Hatfield’s is a current top contender. Just last week, both the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Magazine came out with exciting and very favorable reviews, three and four stars, respectively.

Quinn Hatfield (chef/owner) and his wife/partner Karen (pastry chef) have been in Los Angeles for several years. They have cooked at Spago and prior to that, at Jean-Georges and Gramercy Tavern, to name a few. This new and much larger location (formerly Citrus, then a succession of not-as-notable restaurants) has been open only three months. It seems perfect for them and particularly for those of us who love watching the action of an open kitchen while we eat.

When my friend Susan Beyrle was in town this weekend from NYC, we wanted an interesting place to dine and this seemed to be it. We were seated directly in front center, with a closeup full view of the open kitchen . . . action central!

The option of a prix fixe, four course menu (with several choices for each course) for $59 was the most intriguing, so we went for that. With a plethora of reviews, food websites, commentators, etc., detailed food descriptions are easily available elsewhere. Suffice it to say, we really enjoyed everything. The portions are small and flavors distinct and well managed. Between the main course and dessert, we were still hungry. However, we were quite comfortable after the generous and truly delicious desserts. Service was professional and well-timed. The excellent wine list provides some interesting wines by the glass. I particularly liked the 2003 Serie Magno, a Malbec/Tempranillo blend from Argentina’s Bodega Fantelli, paired with the beef.

Personally, I was struck by the unusual texture of the short ribs. I read somewhere that the cooking method was “sous vide”, so it was not the usual consistency one expects from short ribs however, the flavor was certainly there. Early on, I found myself taking mincing little bites of everything (particularly the Squid Salad) so as to prolong the flavor bursts in my mouth and to savor each taste and lengthen each delightful course.

At the end of the meal, the waitress invited us into the kitchen to meet the chef! Chalk it up to serendipitous luck! It was a fine and fun evening.

Hatfield2 Amuse Bouche . . .Tuna on Shaved Celery Root

Hatfield3 Roasted Sunchoke & Rocket Salad, French Feta ‘falafel’ crumble

Hatfield4 Monterey Bay Squid Salad … Sauteed Blue Lake & Yellow Wax Beans, Ginger Chermoula

Hatfields6 Sugar & Spice Beignets, Venezuelan Chocolate Fondue, Preserved Ginger Milkshake Shot

Hatfields7 Hot Chocolate Souffle Tartlet with Chicory Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Mocha Caffe

Hatfield8 Chef Hatfield (right) carefully inspects each plate and adds finishing touches

Tags:fine dining, formerly Citrus, Hatfield's Restaurant, West Hollywood
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Copa d’Oro Bar, Santa Monica – Los Angeles

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

copa d'oro Copa d’Oro
217 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel. 310-576-3030
email. info@copadoro.com
http://www.copadoro.com/

Opening Hours: Mon – Wed: 5:30pm to midnight; Thurs – Sat 5:30pm to 2am

Head barman Vincenzo Marianella and his team at Copa d’ Oro use, for the most part, fresh organic fruit and vegetables from local farmers to create their drinks and cocktails. A limited food menu is on offer to accompany the drinks. Happy Hour Drinks prices $5.

Food Menu

Appetizer
Lemon Artichoke Dip
Fresh Lemon Juice, Chopped Artichoke, Gorgonzola Served with Toasted Crustini
Salad
Insalata Rucola
Apple, Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberry, Pine nuts, Lightly Seasoned and Tossed with Italian Olive Oil. Served with Grilled Sourdough Batard
Copa Chop
Ham, Turkey, Diced Salami, Chopped Egg, Shaved Parmiggiano, Arugula, Tossed with Italian Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar
Nicoise
Italian Tuna, Chopped Egg, Kalamata Olives, Chopped Green Beans, Arugala Tossed with Italian Olive Oil and mounted on a thick rustic slice of Grilled Sourdough Batard
Panini
Copa Caprese Panini
Fresh Basil, Mozzarella, Roasted Bell Peppers, Toasted on Fresh Baguette
Smoked Salmon Panini
Smoked Salmon, Arugula, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Pressed Sourdough
Prosciutto Panini
Prosciutto, Shaved Parmesan, Arugula tossed with Italian Olive Oil, Toasted on Fresh Baguette
Share Plates
Cheese Board
Goat, Brie, Manchego, Apple Slices, Toasted Baguette
Charcuterie Board
Chorizo, Prosciutto, Salami, Toasted Baguette
Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Goat, Brie, Manchego, Chorizo, Prosciutto, Salami, Toasted Baguette

Tags:Copa d'Oro Bar Santa Monica organic fruit & vegetables used in drinks, Copa d'Oro Santa Monica $5 H.H. drinks
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Library Bar at the Roosevelt Hollywood – Los Angeles

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Library Bar, Roosevelt (image credit: Roosevelt)

Roosevelt Hotel
Library Bar
Tel. 323.466.7000
Res. 800.9507667
7000 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Off the lobby of the Roosevelt in Hollywood the Library Bar is a small space to enjoy hand-built cocktails with foams made on the spot and Névé ice is used exclusively. I am glad to see that America has finally caught up in the ice department, a bonus the Japanese have been offering for years, in intricate hand sculpted ice used in drinks and cocktails, taken from the glaciers of Mt. Fuji.

Matt Biancaniello, the resident bartender, makes a mean vanilla or fig Manhattan, Ham on Rye, 17-Step Bloody Mary and other odd concoctions. Drinks are $15.

Tags:Library Bar Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood foams and Névé ice
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Mo-Chica Revisited – Los Angeles

Monday, April 5th, 2010

By Sandy Driscoll

Last evening’s monthly Tasting Menu at Mo-Chica was even better than the one in February! See prior post on Mo-Chica This tiny unpretentious dining spot inside a mercado south of downtown Los Angeles continues to astound me with their splendid food, excellent and beautifully timed friendly service, and unique preparations which make me wonder where Peruvian food has been all my life?

Each course was bursting with sharp flavors, and had four to five major ingredients, each perfectly enhancing the others. The chef is careful to weave contrasting textures in each dish. Here are photos of last night’s offerings. Included was some live Peruvian music and dancers. All of this for a mere $35!

Lobster-Cerveche LOBSTER CEVICHE Seared Lobster, Wild Sea Bass, Cucumber, Mango Ceviche Sauce. Those lovely tiny purple flowers are “Bull’s Blood”, from an heirloom beet of the same name (image©2010 restaurantdiningcritiques.com & Sandy Driscoll). Link to Bull’s Blood below:

http://www.burpee.com/product/vegetables/greens/beet+bull’s+blood+(heirloom)+-+1+pkt+(300+seeds).do

TACU-TACU Grilled Flat Iron Steak, Chick Peas Tacu-Tacu, Yellow Pear Tomato Sauce. Served in what appears to be a wooden bowl, which is a perfect vessel for heat retention. (image©2010 restaurantdiningcritiques.com & Sandy Driscoll)

Dessert CRUMBLE PIE Rhubarb and Quinoa Crumble Cinnamon Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream
Notice the charming lip motif on the napkin . . . their signature using two chili peppers (image©2010 restaurantdiningcritiques.com & Sandy Driscoll)

Tags:Mo-Chica is a tiny dining spot inside a mercado south of downtown LA
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Tavern Tipples . . . Las Perlas Tequila & Mezcal Den and Caña Rum Bar Open Downtown – Los Angeles

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

Tavern Tipples . . . two new bars have very recently opened in the vicinity of downtown Los Angeles:
Las Perlas Tequila and Mezcal Den and . . .
Caña Rum Bar

Cedd Moses opened Las Perlas at 107 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, Tel. 213-988-8355, http://www.lasperlas.la, in downtown Los Angeles. It is a bar devoted to liquors distilled from the agave plant, Tequila and Mezcal. The main “mixologist” will be Rivera’s Julian Cox and he plans on maintaining the same format, using in-house concocted syrups, bitters, herbs, Mexican sugars, and special salts. Fruits and vegetables will be purchased from LA’s produce markets. Hard to find, “small batch” tequila and mezcal are available and can be ordered neat, and a large selection of Mexican beer is available on tap or in bottles.

Another Cedd Moses creation has literally “just opened”: Caña Rum Bar (At the Doheny) 714 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015, Tel. 213-745-7090, opening Hours: 6pm to 2am Monday through Friday, 7pm to 2am Saturdays. They feature live Caribbean & tropical latin music. To enter you will pay an annual membership fee of $20.

Tags:Cedd Moses opens Las Perlas a bar devoted to the liquors Tequila & Mezcal distilled from the agave plant
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Amaro Bar at Osteria Mozza Three Course Menu $35 Incl./ Glass of Wine – Los Angeles

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

By Sandy Driscoll

Amaro Bar at Osteria Mozza

6602 Melrose Avenue  Los Angeles, CA 90038

Tel. 323-297-0100

Website Amaro Menu: http://www.mozza-la.com/osteria/amaro_bar_menu.cfm

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 5:30pm – 11pm ; Saturday: 5:00pm – 11pm ; Sunday: 5:00pm – 10pm

Dress Code: Dressy
Credit Cards: Yes
Prices: Osteria Mozza: Expensive (Amaro Bar Special Menu: Inexpensive)

Pizzaria Mozza & Osteria Mozza are owned by Nancy Silverton, Mario Batalli and Joseph Bastianich & every Sunday through Thursday Osteria Mozza offers a special three-course menu and a glass of either Bastianich Friulano or La Mozza Morellino di Scansano, exclusively at the “Amaro Bar.”

I had dinner with a friend on Monday evening.   I think there is not a better food deal in all of LA than this . . .
On Sun-Thurs, Osteria Mozza offers a 3 course meal (choose one appetizer from their Mozzarella Bar, one Pasta and one dessert) plus a glass of very nice Italian (red or white) wine for only $35!!   You have to sit at their Amaro Bar, which is first come, first served.
We had no problem being seated at 6:30, and shared everything.   By 7, it was pretty full.

The food was superb . . . Pasta portions were relatively small, but believe me, we had plenty to eat, and were full when we left. It’s a super deal . . .

Follow the link above to look at the Amaro Bar Menu and click on ‘menu’ to see Nancy’s Mozzarella Bar & pasta selections. The desserts we had are not on
the online menu (I think they change them often) but were absolutely deliciously decadent and fabulous!
Complimentary Amuse . . . Crostini, Burrata, Basil & Currants