Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Now Closed

14 Mar 2013

The Residency at UMAMIcatessen: Chef Micah Wexler’s “To Live and Dine in L.A.”

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Meet: The Residency.

Housed in Downtown’s UMAMIcatessen, this culinary series features a changing roster of chefs from around the country every Thursday night, with each stint lasting 10 weeks. Think of The Residency as Grant Achatz’s Next with a dash of Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner and a pinch of LudoBites’ showmanship. Does that make any sense? You’ll see…

Kicking off the series is Chef Micah Wexler (left), formerly of Mezze. Joining him behind the 12-seat counter is Mezze’s former pastry chef Morgan Bordenave (center) and general manager Mike Kassar (right).

One of the coolest aspects of this experience is the intimacy of the space. With diners seated around a small U-shaped counter and chefs preparing and plating each course just a few feet away, interaction and conversation is encouraged like at no other venue in town.

Chef Wexler is as personable as they come, so it was a real treat bantering back and forth with him throughout dinner and probing him about important matters like how to best prepare the flageolet beans I received in my Christmas stocking last year.

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Restaurant Review

12 Mar 2013

Bestia – Los Angeles (Downtown)

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I had the best time at Bestia a few weeks back. Everything about the place—the food, the energy, the room, the service—rubbed me in all sorts of right ways. Dining here was definitely an event and easily one of the most memorable meals of the year thus far. Joining me at this downtown hot spot was The Astronomer, my mom, and my friend Diep. We made sure to arrive hungry.

Prior to joining forces with his wife, Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis, and Restaurateur Bill Chait to open Bestia last fall in the Arts District, Chef Ori Menashe spent the past three and a half years as executive chef at Angelini Osteria.

The dining room and bar were positively humming when our party of four arrived on the scene; the mood just couldn’t be beat. We were seated immediately.

Practically every seat in the house offers a view into the restaurant’s expansive open kitchen. We had a ball watching the cooks prepare, plate, and expedite each dish in between courses. The intensity with which the kitchen staff hustled added to the palpable energy in the room.

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Now Closed

08 Mar 2013

Shufeng Garden – Rowland Heights

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While most everyone I know was watching the Oscars several Sundays ago, The Astronomer and I tucked into Shufeng Garden in Monterey Park to numb our tongues and burn our throats. Who cares what frock whatsername is wearing when there are Sichuan delights to be had. Hashtag truth.

My lovely friend Pam, the blogger formerly known as Daily Gluttony, pointed me to the original Shufeng Garden in Rowland Heights this past summer while I was researching the Food Lovers’ Guide to Los Angeles.

Even though Shufeng Garden’s cooking was on par with my favorite Sichuan spots in town, namely Lucky Noodle King and Yun Chuan Garden, sheer distance kept The Astronomer and me from returning for more. Fortunately for us, the restaurant opened a Monterey Park branch a few months back, adding another solid tongue-numbing option to our rotation.

For me, a Sichuan meal isn’t complete without a bowl of dan dan mian. An expertly made version never fails to leave my tongue tingling and my heart singing; the noodles here came through on both fronts.

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