Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Now Closed

01 Jun 2016

Las Molenderas Restaurant – Los Angeles (Boyle Heights)

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I’ve been desiring a meal at Las Molenderas ever since my friend Bill wrote about it on Los Angeles Magazine‘s food blog.

I’ve got a thing for mole. I love how no two moles are the same. I love how every mole is incredibly complex, challenging even the most well-trained palates to identify its components. Most of all, I love the comfort and satisfaction of a beautifully made mole. It’s really something special.

I finally made my way to Las Molenderas a few weeks back along with some mole-appreciating colleagues. We started with house-made agua frescas—horchata and cucumber. Both were too sweet for our tastes, unfortunately.

The guacamole, on the other hand, was totally up our alley. It was spicy with an exclamation point and served with hot-from-the-fryer tortilla chips—a killer combination. (more…)

Restaurant Review

24 May 2016

Brunch at Winsome – Los Angeles (Echo Park)

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Not last Sunday but the one before that, a most lovely brunch was enjoyed at Echo Park’s Winsome. With spring weather in full effect and the jacarandas in bloom, the setting could not have been any more perfect. Dining al fresco was a must.

Opened in February of this year, Winsome serves a new American menu by former Rustin Canyon chef Jeremy Strubel, and pastries and desserts from former Republique chef Leslie Mialma. This team is stacked.

The interior, which made me swoon with its swivel stools, open kitchen, and idyllic patio, comes from Wendy Haworth Design. Whether you’re dining inside or out, Winsome’s space feels great to be in.

The Astronomer and I sipped on house-made agua frescas ($5 each) while we perused the menu. I selected the horchata made from quinoa, wild rice, and toasted almonds, while he went for the cucumber and kaffir lime.

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Restaurant Review

19 May 2016

Ramen Tatsunoya – Pasadena

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There’s been a line snaking down Fair Oaks Avenue ever since Ramen Tatsunoya opened late last year in Old Pasadena. Good ramen, the stuff that warms bellies and soothes souls, has been largely absent in the neighborhood, and everyone is clearly glad that this is no longer the case.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “Ramen Tatsunoya is the first American restaurant from a well-established Japanese chain of ramen shops, which founder Ryuta Kajiwara opened in his hometown of Kurume, in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture, in 1999.”

The Astronomer and I tucked in for dinner on a recent #datenight. Even on a Thursday evening on the early side of dinnertime, a line was winding out the door. Without too long a wait, we snagged two seats at the bar overlooking the open kitchen.

To start, an order of the Crispy Spicy Chashu Wrap ($4.10). This oddly interesting appetizer consisted of iceberg lettuce, pulled pork, crisped rice cereal, and shredded cheese layered atop a sheet of seaweed. The combination left something to be desired for me, but The Astronomer was game to eat all three.

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