Restaurant Review
12 Jun 2022

Here’s Looking At You – Los Angeles (Koreatown)

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Here's Looking At You - January 2022

Sidling up to the bar at Here’s Looking At You in late January night felt like something out of a pre-pandemic dream. Chefs Jonathan Whitener and Thessa Diadem were cranking in the kitchen, while owner-slash-hostess Lien Ta was charming diners in the front of house; the dining room was packed with revelers and bursting with energy.

Here’s Looking At You was finally back after an unplanned slumber, and it didn’t miss a single beat. My girlfriend Thien and I practically ordered the entire menu, and each dish was as creative and delightful as ever.

Here's Looking At You - January 2022

Kumamoto oysters, hibiscus, ginger, cassava, wasabi ($18).

Here's Looking At You - January 2022

Especially memorable was the uni panna cotta ($17) — a cool, savory, and oceanic pudding prettied with ikura, dill, and wild rice. It was so good that we honestly should have ordered two. Next time… 

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Restaurant Review
26 May 2022

Santa Monica Doubleheader: Crudo e Nudo & Cobi’s

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Crudo e Nudo - Santa Monica

I couldn’t say no when my friend Nicole suggested a two-stop Santa Monica dinner crawl back in February. First up was Crudo e Nudo (which recently opened a second location in New York City) where we snagged a table for two on the sidewalk parklet and nibbled on sustainable seafood while sipping biodynamic wine.

Crudo e Nudo - Santa Monica

We fully leaned into the restaurant’s chill vibes and ordered the “crudo trio” ($60), which let chef Brian Bornemann choose what’s served. All we had to do was sit back, relax, and eat what landed on the table. 

Crudo e Nudo - Santa Monica

First up was some halibut served super simply and delicately with white sesame, green onion, and shiro shoyu ($24).

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Restaurant Review
15 May 2022

Mother Wolf – Hollywood

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Mother Wolf - Hollywood

I had one of the best nights out back in February dining at chef Evan Funke’s newest Roman spot Mother Wolf in Hollywood with the Eater LA team. The energy in the palatial dining room was palpable this evening, with groups all dressed up, crammed into booths, and eating and drinking the night away. Even Jay and Bey showed up. It was grand.

Mother Wolf - Hollywood

It’s been such a treat to dine inside restaurants and to point my camera at thoughtfully plated food after two years of photographing sweaty takeout meals. I’ll let the pictures do the talking from here on out.

Mother Wolf - Hollywood

Pizza rossa ($12) with salsa di pomodoro, sea salt, and olive oil.

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