Treasure LA

“As far as loneliness, I feel Los Angeles and its layout, having to drive everywhere – it is a lonely place. It’s an isolated city in that respect because you’re driving to places alone listening to the radio.”
-Jason Schwartzman (Bored to Death, Rushmore, Phantom Planet)

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2004, I’ve been fascinated with the distinct culture of our fair city. It’s no secret that young people from all over the country flock to our corner of California, usually in hopes of “making it” in the entertainment industry. Living in Culver City, it feels like two out of every three young adults I meet are either trying to get a screenplay sold or get their acting reel in front of the right casting director.

And it’s not just the big studios that are attracting these hopeful and educated young minds. Our universities are among the best in the world, we’ve still managed to retain many innovative companies (despite Sacramento’s best efforts), we can still brag about our excellent weather, and the promise of a few celebrity sightings have also helped attract more than our share of 20- and 30-somethings.

This concentration of smart, young, professionals should make Los Angeles a friend-making paradise. Sadly, that has not been the experience of most people in my social circle. Many of my friends have either struggled to make new friends after college or can’t seem to find people with similar interests to do all of the fun things L.A. offers.

Common theories on the unique challenges to making new friends in Los Angeles include our car culture (there are more opportunities to meet people on public transit or while walking), people in LA are self-absorbed, rude and flaky (a theory I always refute), and the city’s sprawling geography.  I believe that the obstacles to meeting new people in LA is a large part of the reason that online dating is so prevalent among all of the young professionals I know.

A recent conversation really got me thinking about how Los Angeles culture differs when it comes to social interactions. I recently attended the OK! Magazine’s “Sexy Singles” party at the Lexington Social House a couple of weeks ago. The guest list was split between people in the advertising industry and reality “stars.” (For those of you who know me well enough to know that I generally avoid these sort of events, you can look at the recent issue of OK! Magazine for proof).

Proof: My OK! Magazine Debut with my Friend Vicki

At the party, my friend Vicki pointed out that no one mingles at these parties in Los Angeles. Sure enough, I noticed that everyone just talked to the people they came with. As an Angelino, this didn’t strike me as out of the ordinary. But then Vicki began telling me stories about people at her work that recently came from other cities. She told me about a friend in advertising who has had trouble adjusting to live in Los Angeles after relocating from San Francisco. In the Bay, he could just walk into any bar and start talking to people, and by last call, he’d have a couple of new friends. He can’t do that in L.A., since people are instantly suspicious of anyone approaching them they don’t know. This guy has been known to ask the tragically common question, “How do you meet people in LA?” I was told that at these industry parties in other cities, there is a completely different vibe. Everyone tries to engage in conversation with strangers, which leads to new friendships as well as an expanded network.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent considerable time trying to understand why this culture has developed in L.A. and ways we can meet this real need of increased social interaction. As it turns out, some smart and enterprising Angelinos have been doing more than just thinking about this problem.

Eight months ago, UC Berkeley graduates and Papa Beard franchisees Eddy Lu and Daishin Sugano launched GrubWithUs in Chicago. They recognized how tough it can be to meet new people, even (especially?) in a large city. More importantly, they understood the role food has always played in bringing people together. GrubWithUs is their attempt at making it a little easier to meet new people, over good food and even better conversation.

This is how it works: “Grubbers” browse the available dining events at GrubWithUs and once they find a restaurant and day that they like, purchase a seat at an 8-person table. The awkwardness of figuring out tax, tip, and then splitting the bill with a large group is eliminated. The price is all-inclusive, so all you have to worry about is showing up and making the most of your opportunity to meet new people. I love that the food is served family-style, with the forced physical interaction breaking down some natural barriers to getting a lively conversation started.

One Current GrubWithUs Option in LA

I’m excited that Eddy (29, Arcadia/Pasadena) and Daishin (30, Downey) are ready to launch GrubWithUs in their home turf of Los Angeles. Starting today, you can browse seven events at different restaurants across the city:

Shin, Hollywood (GrubWithUs Launch Meal)
Lala’s Argentine Grill, Mid-City West
Fritto Misto, Santa Monica
Geisha House, Hollywood
Toast, Santa Monica
Swill Automatic, Downtown
Bao Dim Sum House, Mid-City West
Haru Sushi in Mid-City West

I’ve also been told that they are going to announce Cayenne Cafe in Mid-City West and Musha in Santa Monica shortly. Cayenne Café doesn’t get enough love for how solid of a spot it is, and Musha has been on my to-try radar for awhile.

I’m more than a little intrigued by this concept. If executed well, I think this could make it that much easier to meet new people while trying a new restaurant. I’m looking forward to experiencing GrubWithUs first-hand, and will of course report back.

Is this the answer to how Angelinos who are craving new interactions can come together in a low-stress environment? I intend to find out.

Every weekend, I see people lingering on the sidewalks of Santa Monica, patiently waiting to snag a table at a mediocre brunch spot. People will wait an hour to munch on muffins and egg dishes that the average home cook could replicate with far better results. After finishing a lovely brunch recently at Vu Restaurant in Marina Del Rey, I vowed to never join the crowds at one of these middling Santa Monica brunch spots again. Why settle for just adequate when you can enjoy a meal from a chef-driven restaurant with wonderful views for about the same price?

Asparagus Eggs Benedict ($12). This is the vegetarian version of the Kona Benedict: hawaiian sweet rolls, spam, slow cooked eggs, hibiscus hollandaise, home fries

On the most beautiful Saturday in recent memory, I headed a few miles south to meet up with some fellow writers. The occasion was “National Eggs Benedict Day” and the mission was to try Executive Chef Kyle Schutte’s Kona Benedict, but that proved to be more of an excuse to enjoy a leisurely brunch, soak in the beautiful view, and savor the wonderful conversation.

Warm Apple Tart ($8). Cherry ice cream, powdered tarragon

Let me start by saying that the view did not disappoint. You won’t find an atmosphere like this at your go-to Santa Monica brunch spot. The indoor-outdoor restaurant is located right on the beach, the kind of place that encourages you to gaze off and lose yourself in thought. After ordering our first round of cocktails and snacking on some wonderful biscuits and assorted breads, I reflected on the previous week’s challenges. I let the sun rays evaporate the stress I had accumulated in the previous week (perhaps a bit too much, since I was sporting a mild sunburn by the end of the day. Note to self: get less pale before the summer comes full force).

La Bonita ($12). Cazadores, agave nectar, strawberries, lime

Normally if I plan on writing about a meal, you’ll see me scribbling away on my reporter’s notepad, documenting my thoughts on every aspect of each dish. But that just doesn’t feel right at brunch at Vu. Don’t get me wrong, the food is good; quite good in fact. But on a gorgeous day with a lovely group of people, the food is just one component of a successful outing. I decided to just soak in my surroundings, trade stories with my dining companions, and snap some pictures (please excuse the shadows) of the dishes and surprisingly well-executed cocktails. I’m looking forward to returning to Vu, either to check out the happy hour, the appetizing dinner menu, or another brunch on a stunning day. And if I was in town this weekend, my mother would be enjoying the Vu Easter Brunch with me.

Lobster Omelette ($14). Asparagus, shaved fennel, niman ranch pork belly, pommery hollandaise, home fries. Half of the table ordered this dish.

Ranch Eggs ($12. Slow cooked eggs, hominy, grilled tomato, caramelized red onion, corn nuts, black beans, chipotle aioli

D’Lux Sour ($12). Buffalo Trace, luxardo, agave, bitters. My favorite cocktail of the morning. It's surprisingly hard to find a great whiskey sour.

White Chocolate Polenta ($8). Frosted flakes, chambord-flambéed berries

Pineapple Carpaccio ($8). Caramelized brioche, mint pearls, coconut air

Buttermilk Panna Cotta ($8). Liquid nitrogen coke-a-cola, carbonated blackberries

French Toast ($8). Strawberry jam, maple syrup ice cream, strawberry & thyme relish

Lost track of which cocktail this was ($12)

I should have paid more attention to cocktail names ($12)

Spicy Hunter ($12). Cazadores, jalapeno, tapatio, agave, Luxardo Quattro. Spicy and delicious

House French Fries ($6). Very flavorful.

Belini ($12)

Fruit Plate

All dishes were comped.

Vu Restaurant

4175 Admiralty Way

Marina del Rey, CA 90292

One of many vendors at Artisanal LA's Spring Show

I encounter jaded Angelenos on a daily basis. As much as I love this city, it can be taxing at times. It’s no surprise that the American Psychological Association found us to be the most stressed city in the nation. Perhaps this is why I get so excited about meeting people that are passionate and hopeful about something. Anything. If you find me at a bar or a coffee shop, don’t start a conversation with where you work or where you grew up. Just tell me something that you are passionate about. Surprise me. Being in the presence of a passionate person makes me momentarily forget about all of the little things that cause me stress and allows me to remember why I’m so lucky to be part of such a vibrant community.

My desire to be around passionate individuals explains a lot of why I love the event Artisanal LA. The other reason I love it: it’s absolutely delicious. Four months after I first attended Artisanal LA, I still remember just about every type of food I tried. More importantly, I remember everyone I met. I remember their stories of why they decided to start selling that dessert their friends always complimented them on. I remember the stories of recipes passed down from generation to generation. It was about their passion as much as it was about the product they were selling.

Imagine my excitement when I heard their was going to be a spring Artisanal LA show and I was invited to the Friday preview night. The show moved from an awkward space downtown to an expansive home at the Santa Monica Place. The increased number of participating vendors meant there were more stories to hear, and the show certainly did not disappoint.

Sally Ann Field of Saucy Sacks

When you first enter, you’ll quickly meet Rondo Mieczkowski of Coldwater Canyon Provision. He makes hand crafted jams, pickles, and relishes using family and heirloom recipes. He’ll encourage you to trust your own taste buds, be honest with him, and let his wonderful product do all of the convincing.

Later you may meet the lovely Amber Trailer and Lisa McCulloch of The Good Cookies. They’ll offer you a bite of their delicious and gluten-free “Good Cookie,” made of chocolate chips, peanut butter, oatmeal. If you ask nicely, they may also let you try the “Goodie Goodie,” a Cranberry and White Chip Cookie. You’ll probably end up buying a bag and look for something a little salty to counter the dessert.

Hopefully you’ll stumble upon the guys at Sono Trading Company. I got pretty excited when I saw Zach and James because I was running dangerously low on my jar of whole grain mustard I bought from them at the winter show. They sadly had to inform me that they were not currently carrying the whole grain mustard, but my spirits were lifted when I saw they were still selling my other two favorites that I bought last show: “Hong Kong Habenero” and “Champagne Garlic.” I’ll have to remember to check to see how low those are getting in my fridge, in case I need to restock when I go back to the show on Sunday.

Seasoning Blends at Van Dorn Gourmet

Since man cannot survive on mustard alone, you’ll go seek Van Dorn Gourmets. There you can buy spice rubs, seasoning blends,  and more importantly, try samples of an onion or cajun dip, and instantly crave a salmon fillet when you try the dill dip.

When your taste buds are ready for something decadent, go find Kristine de la Cruz of Creme Caramel LA, a woman who never fails to put a smile on her customers faces. What’s not to love about bread pudding served with a smile?

Buttered Rum Cake from Immaculate Confections

You’d be remiss if you didn’t chat up Julie of Immaculate Confections. My first bite of her Bittersweet Chocolate Bourbon Cake was one of the best bites I’ve had all week and her passion is clearly on display.

Be sure to find The Olive Press and pick up a bottle of Ascolano olive oil. Its unique flavor will make any salad or piece of bread special. If you buy a bottle, you’ll be able to bring it back to them at a farmer’s market near you and get a huge discount on a refill. Give their black currant balsamic a taste as well.

Pair your new olive oil with some goat cheese from Julian and Carol Pearce of Soledad Goats. Ask the cute English couple dressed up as farmers about their goat cheeses that range from fresh and simple, to spicy, or even laced with lavender. You’ll be charmed and move-on with a grin.

Go say hi to the kind people at All Jarred Up and grab a taste of their beautiful pies that are baked fresh every morning. Chase the pie with coffee from LA’s best coffee roaster: Intelligentsia. Don’t be shy: ask all of your coffee-related questions. Whether it’s about  bean varieties, the harvesting and roasting process, or equipment, the gentlemen at Intelligentsia are happy to share their knowledge and passion with you.

Carving ham at Daily Dose

You’ll find excellent mole sauce from San Angel Mole, sandwiches on sale from Daily Dose, and you may even leave with a free seedling from Mud Baron. I can’t wait to go back this weekend and talk to many of the other vendors whose stories I have yet to hear. I’m excited to check out a few of the events as well, such as cooking demos, local craft beer panel, cocktail demo, and information about farmers markets and beekeeping.

Artisanal LA
April 16: 11 am – 8 pm
April 17: 11 am – 7 pm
Santa Monica Place

Not joining the mass exodus to Coachella this weekend? There is still plenty of fun things to do this weekend.

Artisanal LA: Saturday and Sunday

The event I am most excited about this weekend is Artisanal LA. I had a blast at the last show downtown, and I am even more excited that I can park at work and walk over to this event at the Santa Monica Place.  Browse and sample handmade tasty treats and wares and meet the passionate people who make them. The show also added demos, panels, and speakers this year, so check out the schedule.

Jonathan Waxman Hosts Italian Dinner at Animal on Sunday

This is where you’ll find me Sunday night. Jon and Vinny of Animal (one of my favorite LA restaurants) will be cooking out of a new cookbook by celebrated chef Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto in NYC, Top Chef Masters). For $90, you get multiple courses, wine, and a cookbook. Call Animal for reservations: (323) 782-9225

Sunday Supper at Sotto

5-course meal for $30? This is an excellent deal. To get an idea of Sotto’s cooking, check out KevinEats exhaustive review.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Head over to Monterey Park for a free cultural event. From their site: “So take the time to see, hear, and taste a bit of the Japanese and Japanese American culture through a first-hand experience of watching traditional Japanese dancing, hearing the resounding beats of the taiko drums, observing the mastery and various skills of martial arts, participating in the ancient art of the tea ceremony, or buying hand-made crafts or food with an Asian flair. Other highlights of the Festival include games & crafts for children, and numerous cultural displays.”

Saturday 11:00 am – 6:30 pm
Sunday  11:00 am -6:00 pm

Magnum Pop-Up at Royal/T
Sommelier David Haskell and chef Joseph Mahon are taking over the Culver City cafe Royal/T Sunday-Tuesday to raise funds for the devestated Japanese sake festival. You can do a full 10-course meal with wine and sake pairings, or hang out in the bar and order a la carte. Caroline on Crack has the details. Magnum is also currently hosting an online charity auction.

Zombie Walk in Santa Monica

If you want to walk off some of the sweets you had at Artisanal LA, head down to the Santa Monica promenade on Saturday at 5 pm  for a zombie walk. More info here.

Also, check out the Oregon State Legislature Rick Roll if you haven’t already

“Butterfish!!!” That’s what I hear every time I pass by a location of Roy’s with my girlfriend. She has fond memories of the Hawaiian take on charred Japanese misoyaki butterfish with sizzling soy vinaigrette. Perhaps as a result of my Orange County upbringing where I ate almost exclusive at chain restaurants, I avoided giving in to her cravings. I would deftly turn her suggestion of indulging in Roy’s butterfish as an opportunity to counter with grabbing excellent Asian-fusion at Beacon in Culver City.

With the recent shuttering of Beacon, my ploy would no longer work. I was curious to try this butterfish, trusting my girlfriend’s palette more than even my own, but couldn’t muster the necessary enthusiasm to go downtown and order a $30.95 piece of fish in an expansive chain restaurant. And then the good people at Finer Things LA came to my rescue. They posted about “Roy’s Monday Prix Fixe” special, where you can get (almost) ANY appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $35.95. It’s valid only on Monday’s, and while April 18 is advertised as the last day of the promotion, there is a good chance they are going to extend it. I hit up the downtown location, but the deal is also valid in Pasadena, Newport Beach, Woodland Hills, and a variety of other locations.

Here is what we ordered once I finally gave in to my girlfriends cravings:

Roy's Original Hawaiian Blackened Island Ahi Spicy Soy Mustard Butter Sauce

If you don’t like wasabi, you may want to stay clear of this dish. The yellow sauce was buttery, but the brown sauce tasted very strongly of wasabi. Fortunately, I really like wasabi so I was a fan of the dish.

Tazmanian Ocean Trout Tartar

This dish was a bit too creamy for me, but wasn’t a bad rendition of tartar. I spent some time thinking of ways to make it a bit more interesting, perhaps some pieces of ginger or full capers.

Roy's Famous Misoyaki Butterfish

And now the reason for the meal: butterfish. I was tempted to order a different entrée, but I quickly realized that there was no way my girlfriend was going to share even a bite of the butterfish with me. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this dish. It lived up to its reputation by melting in my mouth, and featured a lovely toasted soy vinaigrette on top of well-cooked rice. It was soft, tender, and the glaze worked well. It made me long for the days of Beacon, and I began to regret not taking advantage of it enough.

Chocolate Souffle with ice cream

The chocolate souffle was about what you expect with a chocolate souffle: rich and tasty.

Inside the Chocolate Souffle

Blueberry Tart and Buttermilk Ice Cream

The blueberry tart was designed to give the people what they want: extra crumble. The texture of the ice cream and crumble complimented each other nicely, with the sweetness of the tart working well with the sourness of the ice cream. If it wasn’t for the deal, I probably would have skipped dessert, but it’s not bad if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.

I didn’t have had highest expectations going into the night, but I left happy. For $35.95, I got $44.90 worth of food, plus dessert (not sure how much dessert costs there). Not a bad way to spend a Monday evening!

Roy’s Downtown
800 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles
213-488-4994

Bowl of corndogs with mustard

Stefan Richter of “Top Chef” fame (runner-up, Season 5) opened Stefan’s at LA Farm nearly two years ago, but it wasn’t until last night that I finally made the short drive from my office (well, actually the bikram yoga studio I’ve been trying) to the quiet stretch of Olympic that houses his well-designed restaurant. My motivation for finally visiting Stefan’s was the promise of an extraordinary deal: a 3-course meal for only $13. The main courses at Stefan’s average around $25, so why was he offering such a steal? He was celebrating the 13-year anniversary of living in the US.

Spicy tuna tartar with micro cilantro

The kitchen was able to handle the completely booked house by serving diners the same three dishes, but there was an option of adding some small plates from the regular menu. To go with my large Schneider Weisse beer, I added the bowl of mini corndogs with mustard ($5). It was a straight forward dish (I was expecting Stefan to do something interesting in the mustard, but alas, it was plain mustard) but it did remind me of my childhood, as promised by my server. The first dish off the preset menu was a spicy tuna tartar with micro cilantro.

German sausage, sauerkraut, mash & beer sauce

Also included on the anniversary menu was a german sausage with sauerkraut, mash, and beer sauce. This was a fitting dish to include since Stefan spent much of his childhood in Germany, after being born in Tampere, Finland. The dish was hearty, creamy, sweet, and smoky. What’s not to love? I was surprised that the sausage was not made in-house, but it was a flavorful piece of meat and the beer sauce was excellent.

Chilled cucumber soup with smoked salmon

After roasting for 90 minutes in a yoga studio, the chilled cucumber soup with smoked salmon was exactly what the doctor ordered. Served in a tall shot glass, this thick soup was quite refreshing.

Truffled white asparagus soup

Speaking of soup, the truffled white asparagus soup included on the pre-fixe menu was the highlight of my night. It’s sad that soups aren’t catching on with most young people, because it’s hard to be unhappy when you’ve got a good soup lining your stomach. I was expecting more asparagus flavor, but there was enough. How can you go wrong with cream and truffle in a soup?

View inside the kitchen

If this recent article in the Santa Monica Daily Press is any indication, Stefan isn’t straining himself to push any culinary boundaries. Instead, he is trying to put out solid crowd-pleasing food in a successful restaurant. Everyone seemed to be really enjoying themselves last night at the two-day celebration, especially Stefan. He was making the rounds, chatting up guests, and sipping from his bottomless white wine glass. I hope to make it back to LA Farm before his 14-year anniversary in the US comes around.