Did you hear? Lien Ta and Chef Jonathan Whitener, the former Animal chef de cuisine, are opening a restaurant. Woo! Here’s Looking at You is slated to debut later this spring in the former Whiz space in Koreatown. Los Angeles is in for a real treat.

In anticipation of their grand opening, Lien and Jonathan popped up at Chinatown’s Unit 120 back in January to give a sneak peek of their Japanese-Mexi-Cali concept. Priced at $75 per person, the family-style supper included three starters, two mains, and two desserts.

Dinner started with a cocktail—a cupful of the chef’s signature Mai Tai from the community punch bowl.

The trio of starters was quick to arrive. Pristine cuts of hamachi were given the Vietnamese treatment with tamarind, rau ram (Vietnamese coriander), palm sugar, and hibiscus onion.

Also excellent was the coarsely ground beef tartare with red chili, egg yolk, turnips, “bunching shallot,” cress, and aioli. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients together, we slathered the meat on top of the grilled bread and went to town. 

The final starter featured delicate cuts of unagi (eel) served atop mole negro and polenta with a hazelnut dukkah. The combination of flavors and ingredients was awesomely unexpected and totally delicious. 

Moving on to mains, we were treated to whole blue prawns, fried crispy and served with avocado, puffed rice, sawtooth herb, and a spicy little somethin’ somethin’ called “Sauce Diabla.” This dish was as delightful to eat as it was to behold.

The final main course was the smoked pork rack with Nameko mushrooms, beans, brown butter, and Meyer lemon. This dish had unbeatable flavor and texture all tied up in a beautiful porky package.

To finish, a tender slice of almond-coconut cake topped with blood oranges, whipped creme fraiche, and olive oil.

And lemongrass pot de creme with passion fruit, mango, and basil. The Astronomer loved how the essence of lemongrass thoroughly permeated the pudding.

To say that I’m excited about the opening of Here’s Looking at You would be an understatement. This place is going to rule.

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Here’s Looking at You at Unit 120
727 North Broadway #120
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-537-0053

One year ago: {swoon} Blueberry Doughnut at M&M Donuts
Two year ago: Glazed and Infused Doughnuts – Chicago
Three years ago: Saw’s Soul Kitchen – Birmingham
Four years ago: Braised Rabbit with Pappardelle
Five years ago: Le Bon Garçon Gourmet Caramels
Six years ago: Just Married!
Seven years ago: The French Laundry Garden & Young Inglewood Wineries
Eight years ago: Bánh Hỏi Thịt Nướng
Nine years ago: Ajia Japanese Fusion – Philadelphia