BREADBAR’s Hatchi Series: 8 for $8

What is Hatchi?

A little background (by LA Weekly):
“The Hatchi series, a collaboration between Breadbar and chef Noriyuki Sugie, began this past June and showcases a guest chef the last Thursday of each month. The series menu features 8 small plate courses at $8 a dish–”hatchi” means 8 in Japanese–and guests order a minimum of three dishes. The chefs, who are picked for their rising-star talent, are given a budget and must stick within it; Sugie is on hand to mentor, watch, and (one hopes) taste a few dishes. The previous chefs to run the floor were Debbie Lee (The Next Food Network Star, now at Gyenari), Michael Voltaggio (now chef de cuisine at The Langham) and Santa Barbara-based private chef Roberto Cortez.”

I love these “guest chef” dinners, and do my best to attend each one. So far I’ve been to three (links below), and highly recommend it! It’s just a really comfortable and inexpensive way to try out a chef’s new menu.

Michael Voltaggio at Hatchi

Robert Cortez at Hatchi

Remi Lauvand at Hatchi

Upcoming Hatchi Dinners:

11/19/09 Waylynn Lucas
Executive Pastry Chef at the Penthouse

Hatchi Theme: Favorite Childhood Flavors in a Sophisticated New Way

 12/17/09 Marcel Vigneron >SOLD OUT!
Top Chef &
The Bazaar

Hatchi Theme: Modern Global Tastings

12/28/10 Ricardo Zarate
Chef at Mo Chica
Hatchi Theme: Peru Much Gusto

voltaggio top chef

BreadBar Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 277 3770
WebSite (check for upcoming Hatchi dinners)

Follow BreadBar on Twitter @BreadBar_LA

Mentioned above:

LA Weekly

Chef Noriyuki Sugie

BreadBar

Chef Voltaggio – Dining Room at the Langham

Chef Lauvand – Cafe Pierre

Chef Roberto Cortez

Chef Debbie Lee - Gyenari

voltaggio married wife girlfriend michael voltaggio’s top chef

Remi Lauvand – Hatchi Dinner

My first taste of chef Remi Lauvand’s food was back in February of 2008, when he was chef de cuisine at Michel Richard’s Citrus at Social in Hollywood. Peter and I ate there several times before chef Lauvand left in August of the same year.

The very first dish I ordered at Citrus was the Mosaic, a “Carpaccio of Surf, Turf and Earth”. It was so beautiful (and of course delicious) that I didn’t want to touch the plate at first. I also remember seriously annoying the diners next to me with my continuous photo-taking (I’m better at it now).

Peter’s favorite dish at Citrus was actually dessert. A chocolate (and if I remember correctly, hazelnut) layered cake with a crunchy layer called, the Kit Kat Bar.

On September 24th, chef Lauvand was the guest chef for “Hatchi at BreadBar” in Century City (see below for more info). Peter and I met up with a few friends and slid into a semi-private booth inside the restaurant. We loved the coziness of our table, but unfortunately many of my photos were awful because it became too dark (even with the help of iPhone lights)! My apologies to chef Lauvand, and also my thanks for a truly wonderful dinner.

Chef Remi Lauvand’s Hatchi Dinner
Endless Summer

House Cured Tasmanian Trout: Charentais Melon, Tarragon & Lemon Hatch Pepper Relish

Crisp Pork Belly Salad: Parsnips, Jalapeno Sauce

Foie “Parfait” Pain D’epices, Black Mission Figs

Top: Barramundi, Lady Peas, Watercress, Prosciutto, Basil Jus. Bottom: Handmade Farfalle, Octopus, Chicken Oysters, Tomatoes

Top: Mini Tropezienne, Santa Barbara Pistachios, Chocolate Cracker. Bottom: Penryn Orchard Pear, Crepe Sofia Goat Cheese, Young Walnuts

No photo of Slow Cooked Veal Breast, Carrottes Rissolees, Arugula (too out of focus)

Hatchi at BreadBar is a “unique venture featuring a different guest chef every month preparing an original, one-night-only suite of eight plates, including six ’savory’ dishes and two ’sweet’ creations”. Hatchi means number eight in Japanese: 8 Plates offered at $8 each.

BreadBar Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310 277 3770
WebSite (check for upcoming Hatchi dinners)

Dining Date: 9/24/09
With Krissy, Charles & Robert 

Chef Lauvand on Twitter @Reminou

Where is chef Lauvand now? At Cafe Pierre in Manhattan Beach!

L.A. Times writes about Remi Lauvand’s new menu

More about Chef Lauvand

Citrus at Social Website

Roberto Cortez, Hatchi dinner

Michael Voltaggio, Hatchi dinner

Roberto Cortez – Hatchi Dinner

Back in July, I received an email from chef Roberto Cortez, asking if I would be attending his “one night only” Hatchi dinner at BreadBar. He wrote: “I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and always enjoy your writing and your palate appreciation”. Which made me laugh because I took it as, “you really like to EAT” (and of course it’s true)!

I hadn’t yet been to one of BreadBar’s special dinner events, but planned to attend as many as I possibly could.

Since then, I’ve been to three (Voltaggio being the first), and it’s just a really comfortable and inexpensive way to try out a chef’s new menu.

If you’re unfamiliar with Hatchi, BreadBar describes it as a “unique venture featuring a different guest chef every month preparing an original, one-night-only suite of eight plates, including six ’savory’ dishes and two ’sweet’ creations”. Hatchi means number eight in Japanese: 8 Plates offered at $8 each.

Chef Roberto Cortez is known as the “Boutique Private Chef”, and on his blog he writes, “I have been a Private Chef for 14 years and currently reside in Santa Barbara, California. I have had the honor of being the Personal Chef to Microsoft’s Paul Allen, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith and Eddie Murphy, just to name a few.”

Chef Cortez trained at Ecole Lenotre and Ecole de Escoffier (both in France) and also studied in Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Poland. His twitter bio reads “Private Chef seeking uncommon relationships between food, design and sensory emotions”, and that pretty much sums up the delicious evening we had at BreadBar.

Chef Roberto Cortez, Hatchi Dinner
Unfamilar Conflict

White Asparagus Cappucino: grapefruit, mint, ginger ravioli

Liquid Onion Ring: rye crips, sesame gribiche

Herb Stained Salmon: whipped jasmie rice, pickled cucumber paste

Smoked Shitake Terrine: white corn velouté, Indonesian cinnamon butter, arugula

Lemon Lacquered Chicken: hot aerated potato, soy gelée, almond corianders oatmeal

Veal Short Ribs: cauliflower cocoa butter, vadouvan, grape edamame shallot confiture

8C Manjari Chocolate Cream: thai spice cherries, frozen malt, guinness pearls

Sparkling Lemoncurd Mousse: strawberry water caramel, mint oil, crêpe crunch

BreadBar Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310 277 3770
WebSite (check for upcoming Hatchi dinners)

Dining Date: 8/6/09 with Charles & Robert

Chef Robert Cortez – Website

His Blog

Follow him on Twitter @FoodSamurai

Ecole Lenotre

Ecole de Escoffier

Michael Voltaggio, Hatchi dinner

Remi Lauvand, Hatchi dinner

Michael Voltaggio – Hatchi Dinner

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Chef Michael Voltaggio. Luckily for me, I also get to call him a friend.

Ever since I first tasted Michael’s food at the Bazaar by José Andrés last year, I made sure to keep an eye on the man that chef Andrés selected to open (as Esquire Magazine recently coined), the “Restaurant of the Year”.

The L.A. Times even gave the Bazaar a rare FOUR STAR review, and yes… I understand that the restaurant, menu and concept belong to the great José Andrés (I adore him too). But it was primarily Michael Voltaggio I saw in the kitchen each time I sat down for dinner in the Bazaar’s Roja room.

Michael now runs the kitchen at the Dining Room in Pasadena, which is located in the Langham Hotel. Before starting this most recent gig, he took some “time off” to compete in Bravo’s Top Chef – Season 6 (which is currently airing). He even squeezed in time to helm a one-night-only Hatchi guest chef event at BreadBar Restaurant in Century City, and it was there that I got to taste creations that were finally, truly his own.

BreadBar describes the Hatchi Series as a “unique venture featuring a different guest chef every month preparing an original, one-night-only suite of eight plates, including six ’savory’ dishes and two ’sweet’ creations”. Hatchi means number eight in Japanese: 8 Plates offered at $8 each. I love the Hatchi dinners, and do my best to attend each one!

The best part about Michael Voltaggio’s Hatchi dinner, surprisingly, wasn’t about the food. OF COURSE the food was STELLAR, it’s Michael Voltaggio for goodness sakes, but my favorite part was meeting and getting to know Michael’s mother, Sharon and his stepdad, Bob.

Top Chef 6 hadn’t started airing yet, and there was a lot excitement and anticipation at the restaurant that night. Sharon and I now email each other every Wednesday night after the show has aired, so we can dish about how her TWO sons are doing on the show. In case you don’t watch Top Chef, Bryan Voltaggio (Michael’s equally talented big brother) is also competing for the title this year. Sharon is certainly one proud mom, that’s for sure!

Michael Voltaggio’s incredible Hatchi menu:
An Experience of Texture and Flavor

Artichokes “Barigoule” Salmon Belly, Philadelphia Cheese, Smoked Salmon Roe

Japanese Tomato Tartare: Green Almonds, Parmesan “Overeasy”, Tapenade

Hamachi Crudo: Smoked Egg Yolk, Sea Sponge, Watermelon and Wild Rice

Veal Sweetbread, Poached Egg, Coffee Cardamom Soil (before adding Pea Consomme)

Veal Sweetbread, Poached Egg, Pea Consomme, Coffee Cardamom Soil

Crispy Chicken Thigh: Cuttlefish, Green Garlic, Sweet and Sour Mushrooms

Wagyu Beef: Short Rib, Saul’s Pastrami, Tamarind, Broccoli Textures, Horseradish “Styrofoam”

Miso Cake: Jasmine “Rice Cream”, Strawberry, Yuzu

Fool’s Gold: Hazelnut Praline, Salty Caramel, Nitro Coffee Mousse.
Sommelier Matthew Lathan paired each dish beautifully with wines, sherry and beer!

Chefs Michael Voltaggio and Marcel Vigneron (Top Chef Season 2)

BreadBar Century City
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310 277 3770
WebSite 

Dining Date: 7/30/09
With friends Afaf & Ray.

Hatchi Dinner: 8 Plates for $8
See website (link above) for upcoming Hatchi dinners!

The Dining Room at the Langham

Michael Voltaggio’s Top Chef Bio

Bryan Voltaggio’s Top Chef Bio

Esquire Magazine (Bazaar)

L.A. Times (Bazaar)

All my Michael Voltaggio photos on Flickr

More awesome Voltaggio tattoos (posted with permission)!

on his hand

on his arm

for his mother

More about Hatchi

More about Michael Voltaggio

Voltaggio, Voltaggio, Michael Volaggio, Bryan, Top Chef Las Vegas, Voltaggio Brothers Voltaggio, Voltaggio, Michael Volaggio, Bryan, Top Chef Las Vegas, Voltaggio Brothers

Drago Centro

My husband Peter and I finally made it downtown for dinner last Thursday. We keep meaning to spend more time in DTLA (DownTown LA), but it took “DineLA Restaurant Week” to get us to check out the sleek and sexy Drago Centro.

The special DineLA menu at the Italian hotspot offers three courses for $44, which is a great bargain (and very filling), but as usual we ordered some extras from the regular menu as well. The three of us (including our friend Laurieann) shared every dish, and now I can’t wait to go back and try the things I missed!

If you’re not familiar with Drago Centro, here’s what Jonathan Gold wrote about the restaurant in LA Weekly:
“Planted at the base of a formerly sterile office plaza, Centro may be the grandest new restaurant in this neighborhood since the early 1980s, a sprawling former bank space blown out into a double-height modernist dining room, punctuated in the middle by a glassed-in wine vault…”

I have to admit, sitting in the main dining room, near the enormous glass wine room was sort of powerfully intoxicating… but then again, it could have been the red wine and grappa!

All around it was a fun evening, especially spending time with sommelier Michael Shearin and our terrific server, Stefano. Make sure you ask for them if you plan on eating there soon (which you should)!

What we ate:

Amuse Bouche: Bocconcini with Pesto Mousse (compliments of the chef)

La Pancetta Brasata: Pork Belly, Farro, Spinach, Blueberries (Regular Menu $14)

La Burrata, Tomatoes, Olive Oil, Crostino (Regular Menu $13)

Top: Antipasto Plate: Roasted peppers, Radicchio, Speck, Eggplant Puree, Burrata and Gnocco Fritto
Bottom: Garganelli, Veal Bolognese. (Both on DineLA Menu)

Smoked Salmon, Cauliflower Panna Cotta, Fennel (on DineLA Menu)

Braised Veal Cheeks, Endive, Parsnips, Almonds (on DineLA Menu)

Pork Belly Risotto, Rapini, Radicchio (on DineLA Menu) and yes it’s true… we ordered TWO pork belly dishes (so GOOD!)

Crispy Chicken, Assorted Beans & Veg (on DineLA Menu)

Desserts: Top Left: Mascarpone Semifreddo with Strawberries and Basil.
Bottom Left: Chocolate Coffee Cake, Vanilla Cream.
Right: Prosecco Mousse, Fennel Crumble, Citrus (All on DineLA Menu)

The custom-built glass wine vault.

Drago Centro’s private dining room with exhibition kitchen (in the former bank vault).

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St #120
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 228-8998
Website

Dining Date: 10/08/09

Jonathan Gold, LA Weekly

Follow Drago Centro on Twitter

Follow Michael Shearin, Sommelier on Twitter

Drago Central, Private Dining

DineLA Restaurant Week

Photo above right: Grappa flavored with Chamomile made by Marolo

Petrossian [1 & 2]

Petrossian Restaurant has been on my “to do” list for quite a while, and thanks to the money-saving motivation of “Dine LA Restaurant Week”, I finally got my first taste a few days ago.

Dinner was just $44 for three courses (each), but Peter and I ended up trying a few more dishes (compliments of manager Christopher Klapp and chef Benjamin Bailly). In the end we shared NINE courses (dessert included) and a lovely bottle of Malbec that our server recommended.

When chef Bailly first came to our table, I mistakenly thought he was another young server. At just 27 years old, he’s been running Petrossian’s kitchen for the past six months.

His previous jobs included: Sous Chef at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, Chef de Partie at Robuchon Paris, and Commis de Cuisine in the Monaco Robuchon outpost. Now I have to say, that is some serious kitchen experience supporting this French chef’s sculpted and gorgeous face!

After our fantastic meal, Chef Bailly took us on a tour of the kitchen, then a quick browse through the gourmet boutique where we met his equally gorgeous girlfriend, Anna. It turns out it was the chef’s night off, and he came in specifically to say hello.

Did I mention that he’s not only talented and handsome, but generous and sweet too?

What we ate:

Foie Gras Salad - Haricots verts, toasted walnut, truffle vinaigrette
(On Dine LA Menu: Appetizer)

Black Truffle Mac & Cheese - Orrechiette, bacon, parmesan
(On Dine LA Menu: Appetizer)

Braised Short Ribs – Yukon gold mashed potato, burgundy sauce
(On Dine LA Menu: Entree)

Napoleon Tartare – Hand sliced steak tartare with layer of caviar
(On Dine LA Menu: Entree)

Foie Gras Creme Brulée (so good we scraped the bowl)

Sautéed Calamari: Spanish chorizo, artichokes, preserved lemon $14 
Blinis & Caviar, Transmontanus caviar, Salmon roe $18

Vanilla Panna Cotta, White Peach Espuma
Sicilian Pistachio Creme Brulée
(Both on Dine LA Menu: Dessert)

Boutique: They not only sell the world’s best caviar but also smoked fish, foie gras, truffles, chocolates, candies and much more. We went home with a box of sweets and a hankering to return to Petrossian very soon!

Update: Visit #2 to Petrossian on 10/12/09 I loved it so much I gathered a group to eat there a few days later!

Truffle Butter (I had to eat some with a spoon!) Visit #2

Chilled Soups: Cantaloupe and Borsht. Visit #2 

Seared Scallops, Butternut squash, Bacon Emulsion. Visit #2

Our table’s order of Napoléon Tartare (hand sliced steak tartare with layer of caviar). Visit #2

Crispy Shrimp “papillotte” with Passion fruit, sweet chilli ginger sauce. Visit #2 (I could have eaten TEN of these!)

Petrossian Roe Sampler: Caviar, trout, salmon roe served with blinis and crème fraiche (and yes, we were all photographing the food!) Visit #2

NOTE: Dine LA Restaurant Week is supposed to end 10/16/09, but some restaurants are extending deals! (click for details)

Petrossian
321 North Robertson Boulevard
(one block north of Beverly Boulevard)
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 271-0576

Website

Dining Date: 10/6/09

Follow Petrossian on Twitter

Petrossian on FaceBook

Los Angeles Magazine Review

Petrossian LA Magazine Video

Benjamin Bailly on Chef Database

Joël Robuchon (official site)

All my Petrossian photos on Flickr

El Cafe Colombia

A few weeks ago, after my Colombian friend Robert told me about his mother’s delicious home cooking, I embarrassingly admitted that my only experience with Colombian food, was from watching Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”.

If you’re a regular MyLastBite reader, you know how much I love Bourdain. He’s sort of like a “Fantasy Foodie Godfather” to me, and in my eyes he can do no wrong. Well, except for that one time when he ate warthog rectum in Namibia. I get queasy just thinking about that scene. Usually, whatever Bourdain eats, I want to eat it too.

The Colombia ”No Reservations” episode was especially intriguing because I personally thought the country was “off limits” for travel. It seemed dangerous and definitely wasn’t on my “global wish list” of places to visit. I had no desire to voluntarily enter a country filled with battling drug cartels and a corrupt government.

Thankfully, Anthony Bourdain (and the Travel Channel) opened my eyes to the real Colombia.

Bourdain wrote:
“What you might not know about Colombia is that it’s beautiful. That the food is really good–with the same kind of fantastic mix of African, European and indigenous influences that makes Brazilian cuisine so interesting and vibrant. That they actually like Americans down there.”

Like so many of his episodes, I watch them over and over, hoping (mostly fantasizing) to someday eat in the exact same restaurants that Tony visits. Colombia is certainly on my travel wish list now!

Luckily for me, since I live in Los Angeles, I don’t need to travel far to experience authentic Colombian eats. Last week I met Robert for lunch at El Cafe Colombia, which is less than fifteen minutes away in nearby Burbank.

I rarely eat lunch (late breakfast, late dinner) so this was a real afternoon treat. Since both of Robert’s parents hail from Colombia (he also went to school there as a child), he knew exactly what dishes (and drinks!) I should try on this first visit.

Owners Reinaldo and Gabriela Alvarez were both charming and very patient with me (and my camera)! Not only did I love the food, but also the imported Colombian treats for sale as well. After a couple glasses of Refajo (soda mixed with beer) and finishing off a hearty lunch, I honestly felt like I had spent the afternoon in South America. Now I can’t wait to take my husband Peter… maybe a breakfast “trip to Colombia” next time!

What we ate:

Empanadas $1.50 each

Bandeja Paisa: Carne Asada , Chicharrón (Pork Belly marinated in garlic, then deep-fried), Patacón, Maduro Frito, Pinto beans and rice topped with a fried egg. Also includes a side of salad and Arepa. $12.95 (I did Bourdain proud, that chicharrón went FIRST!)

Refajo Colombian Soda mixed with Beer

Pandebono Colombian Cheese Bread. Looks simple right? Far from it! The texture was amazing… a little sweet, crispy and cheesy on top… light and fluffy inside.

Arequipe Dulce de Leche from Colombia. I don’t love sweets but I LOVE THIS.

Imported Colombian goodies! Of course I took home some treats.

El Cafe Colombia
222 So. Glenoaks Blvd. 
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 558-3985

Website

Dining Date: 9/29/09

All El Cafe Colombia photos on Flickr

About Colombia

Cuisine of Colombia

Anthony Bourdain’s Colombia Photo Journal

Anthony Bourdain’s Colombia Travel Guide

Robert’s mother is from Cali, Colombia

Robert’s father is from Boyaca, Columbia 

Eva – Sunday Family Dinner

Last weekend, Peter and I spent another lovely evening at Mark Gold’s Eva Restaurant. The “Sunday Family Dinner” menu was sort of the opposite of the regular menu. Instead of the individual modern dishes (and beautiful, precise plating), the Sunday meal was delivered on shared plates and platters, also known as “family style”.

After settling in our table and ordering cocktails, our server set down a crispy pile of mouth-watering fried chicken, heirloom tomatoes, cream corn (so amazing that I had another bowl for dessert), and lots of other tasty surprises too! Including the fact that the $35 per person cost included wine.

If you haven’t been to Eva yet, I recommend you try both the regular menu and the “Sunday Family Dinner”. Both meals were set in a casual and fun atmosphere, but were just completely different (and delicious) dining experiences. 

Joining us for dinner were fellow food blogger/twitter pals, @SamKimSamkim and @Burumun, and just like my first visit to Eva, Chef Gold was greeting guests on the front porch when we arrived. The only difference was that this time he had his adorable daughter Eva (the restaurant’s namesake) in his arms. Also, sitting on the porch was Mark’s wonderful mom, who was as warm and inviting as her son (she raised him right!). And just inside the door his wife and family were seated around a table, laughing, eating and enjoying the evening together.

It really was a “Sunday Family Dinner” at Eva! 

Salad: Heirloom Tomato, Crushed Basil

CRISPY, Succulent Fried Chicken

Creamed Corn

Risotto Shrimp Scampi

Cuttlefish with Matsutake Mushrooms & Kyoho Grapes

Cupcakes

Chef Mark Gold holding an almost 20 pound Moroccan Squash

“Sunday Family Dinner” $35 per person (includes wine & dessert!). $20 for kids.
Note: Menu Changes Weekly 

EVA
7458 Beverly Blvd
L.A. California 90036
(323) 634-0700

Dining Date: 9/27/09

Our first dinner at Eva

All About Eva by Jonathan Gold, LA Weekly

Follow Eva Restaurant on Twitter

Website (under construction)

@SamKimSamkim

@Burumun

All my Eva photos on Flickr

Rivera

Peter and I need to spend more time in downtown L.A. I can only think of a few eateries that we’ve been to lately: Church & State, Wurstküche and Rivera (which was way back in May), and I just realized that I hadn’t yet posted photos from our wonderful Rivera dinner!

We were joined by Andrew Camp, who was then the fromaggier at Palate Food & Wine. Andrew and I began exchanging emails, after he requested to use some photos I took of him at Palate for his website. Soon after, we were FaceBook pals and happily, pals in real life too.

Our evening at Rivera was excellent, and I personally felt Chef John Sedlar’s sense of joy and fun on each delicious plate. If, like me, you like an adventurous cocktail every once in a while, then you’ll love hanging out in the gorgeous bar as well. Ever had a drink garnished with finely ground crickets?

The Donaji, made with Mezcal, Citrus, Pomegranate, Agave Nectar and Chapulin Salt (finely ground crickets!!)

Progression of Stuffed Olives (Such a clever idea! Don’t they look happy?): Orange, Black Bean, Anchovy, Ham, Cheese $12

Tortillas Florales (best I’ve ever tasted) with “Indian Butter” aka Guacamole $7

Chile Pasilla Relleno  (so GOOD but I didn’t want to mess up the plate!) $10

(of course I messed up the plate!)

Banana Leaf Braised Pork Shoulder $24 (Loved the crispy potatoes) and Carne Churrasco with Cabrales on top $29 (I would order BOTH again).

No photograph of dessert: Studio en flan (three differently flavored flans) $8

Dining Date: 5/23/09

If you haven’t been to Rivera yet, you’re in luck! Rivera is participating in DineLA’s Restaurant Week, which begins on October 4th. Special three-course meals at Rivera are $22 for lunch and $34 dinner.

Rivera’s Restaurant Week Menu

DineLA Week is Oct 4-9 and 11-16 2009

L.A. Times Review of Rivera

For more Rivera details including STUNNING food photos, check out KevinEats

Andrew as Fromaggier at Palate

Andrew’s Blog

Church and State

Wurstküche

Palate Food & Wine

More Rivera photos on Flickr “Chefs & Restaurants”

Eva Restaurant [1]

Peter and I had an early dinner reservation at Mark Gold’s new Eva restaurant last week. We try to eat early on the weekends, just so I can photograph the food using natural light. There’s no way we can do this during the week, as my sweet (workaholic) hubby never even leaves the office until dark.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I noticed Owner/Chef Mark Gold standing on the inviting porch out front. He was wearing a casual t-shirt, slacks, a warm smile and graciously welcomed us as though we were coming for dinner at his own house.

There are so many times where I’ve read or heard a chef say, “I want the restaurant to feel like you’re in my home”, but this was the first time I actually felt it.

Chef Gold sat us at a cozy table in the back room (which we’re calling the “speakeasy” room), and throughout the meal, he stopped by our table to chat. He noted that the restaurant was “still getting going” (having so recently opened) and apologized if the service was a bit slow. Far from it, we were ordering and happily stuffing our faces in good time.

How was the food? We loved every bite. As you know if you’re a regular MyLastBite reader, if I don’t like it… I simply don’t share it.

What we ate:

Foie Gras, Salted Melon and Maple $13

Burrata Ravioli, Butter Glaze, Summer Truffle, Corn $14

Linguini and Clams: Udon Noodle, Garlic, Bacon, Littleneck Clams $15

Poached Beef, Cauliflower, Chanterelles, Salsa Verde $18

Brown Butter Vanilla Cake $4, Cheese Selection $13

Menu. Note: Nothing over $20

EVA
7458 Beverly Blvd
L.A. California 90036
(323) 634-0700

All About Eva by Jonathan Gold, LA Weekly

Follow Eva Restaurant on Twitter

Website (under construction)

Dining Date: 9/19/09

Eva visit #2