Apr 2011

Night + Market – Los Angeles (West Hollywood)

Night + Market - West Hollywood

Chef Kris Yenbamroong opened Night + Market after spending years behind the stove at his parents’ decade-old Thai restaurant Talésai. Serving the same menu day in and day out, he grew a little antsy and desired an outlet to showcase a different side of Thai cuisine. When the space next door to Talésai became vacant, Chef Yenbamroong quickly snatched it up and transformed it into a dining room where the gritty street foods of Thailand’s night markets reigned supreme.

Night + Market - West Hollywood

Now that he doesn’t have to worry about alienating Talésai’s longtime patrons, Chef Yenbamroong is finally able to serve food that personally inspires him in a space fitting of his style. Although, being the good son that he is, he still runs the kitchen at Talésai as well.

Night + Market - West Hollywood

My friends Will and Brian, who have been dining here since it opened last November, recently coordinated a small dinner to introduce a couple of newbies to Chef Yenbamroong’s exciting concept. In order for us to fully experience Night + Market, the chef curated a tasting of his favorite dishes for us this evening. Everything was served family style, which properly captured the communal spirit of the place.

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Apr 2011

Bonnie Jean’s Soul Food Cafe – San Diego

Bonnie Jean's Soul Food Cafe - San Diego

I had a serious craving for fried chicken while visiting my family in San Diego last month. Following back-to-back weeks of eating deep-fried poultry on the regular [See: Ad Hoc, The Fremont Diner, and the Ludo Truck], my stomach was going through withdrawals and jonesing for another hit. A quick Internet search for “San Diego’s best fried chicken” pointed me to Bonnie Jean’s Soul Food Cafe, a no-frills establishment specializing in homey Southern fare.

The Astronomer and I paid Bonnie Jean a visit on a gray Sunday afternoon. We were joined by fellow fried chicken lovers, Cousins Jimmy, Tannia, and Phil, as well as my mama.

Bonnie Jean's Soul Food Cafe - San Diego

In addition to barbecued ribs and fried chicken, Bonnie Jean’s also served a couple of soul food dishes that I’d never before encountered at a restaurant, namely chitterlings and slow-cooked oxtails. Since my mind had long ago settled on fried chicken, a return visit to sample more of the diverse menu is definitely in order.

Bonnie Jean's Soul Food Cafe - San Diego

Cousin Jimmy sipped on several glasses of tooth-achingly sweet grape Kool Aid ($2.25) throughout the meal. The rest of us happily drank water.

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Apr 2011

Rustic Canyon – Los Angeles (Santa Monica)

Rustic Canyon - Santa Monica

When The Astronomer’s family came to town last month for a short vacation, we made sure to fill their days with amazing local food and quintessentially L.A. activities. In addition to showing them the La Brea Tar Pits, the Santa Anita Racetrack, the Santa Monica Pier, and the San Gabriel Mountains, we also introduced them to half a dozen of our favorite eateries.

We dined at Mama’s Lu, Golden Deli, and Daikouya, brunched at Canele, and ice creamed at Carmela. For our designated “fancy” dinner out on the town, The Astronomer and I reserved a table for five at Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen.

Rustic Canyon - Santa Monica

Opened by restaurateur Josh Loeb, Rustic Canyon serves a seasonally driven menu that changes regularly depending on what is produced by local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. The kitchen is headed by Chef Evan Funke, while desserts are expertly handled by Pastry Chef Zoe Nathan.

Rustic Canyon - Santa Monica

We happened to dine on “Burger and Beer Mondays,” a weekly tradition where Chef Funke adds two innovative burgers to the menu. While perusing the evening’s selections, we nibbled on green olives perfumed with thyme and lemon zest.

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