Downtown LA: Church & State Bistro

Even without the presence of the award winning chef Walter Manzke, it's likely you will still find a full house at Church and State. A full house of lively vibrant people that sitting intimately close to each other. It's a good sign that tells a lot about the restaurant.




If you know your wine is better than theirs, expect the corkage fee of $20. Don’t be shy to ask the waiter to pour it for you. They are super friendly.



Oysters were superbly fresh and creamy. A dozen (36) seemed enough for four though it may never feel so.



CS's pig ears (10) were crunchy, fried on the outside, and melt in the mouth on the inside. The béarnaise sauce added a good touch as a whole.



Planchette de Charcuterie is a collection of meats made mostly on premises. The samples of wild boar salami, pates, pickles and terrines (21) tasted delicate and made the perfect spread for the bread. This would be a good time to ask for an extra baguette.



One thing that sets CS apart is their attention to every little thing, like their gourmet mustard and French butter condiments.





The NY loin steak and roasted pork chop, priced at 28 each, is a premium cut that can be ordered medium rare . Surely the tenderly cooked proteins are worth the indulgence. Also order an extra side of the fries to share because these can get a little out of control.



Possibly benefitting from being close to the downtown fish market, the baked striped bass (23) tasted like it was alive and seasoned with restraint. It comes with complimenting side vegetables.




For desserts we ordered salted caramel chocolate (9) and creme brûlée (9). Both were rich and well crafted, marking a satisfying sweet end to the meal.



Church and State may seem pretentious at first glance yet it's ironic that this highly French accepted bistro is served and cooked by Americans and not the French. All it matters is that it is a good place that serves good food. You can count on it for that special occasion.



Church & State Bistro
churchandstatebistro.com | 1850 Industrial Street Los Angeles, CA 90021 - map | menu | (213) 405-1434

West Los Angeles: Lunch at Torafuku Restaurant

At Torafuku, Kamado rice is the star — there is something about the traditional Japanese wood/charcoal fired earthen vessel that makes the grains taste better. During lunch, you pick an entree then you get house salad, small appetizer, miso soup and all you can eat Kamado rice (choice of White, Brown & Multi-grains).





For those on a rice buffet mission, Torafuku’s housemade Furikake (a dry Japanese condiment meant to be sprinkled on top of rice) is provided on each table to help you get to the finishing line.



Charcoal Grilled Free-Range Chicken (10)
The chicken was very juicy without the excessive fattiness and came with a daikon radish ponzu that is both umami and refreshing.



Today's Charcoal Grilled Fish (12)
Salmon and cod were served in easy bite sizes that tasted fresh with solid charred smoky flavors. Seasonings were spot on.




Kurobuta Pork Cutlet (12)
Katsu katsu. Katsu katsu. The sound of chewing the Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) makes me think how they were naming the dish. As if the breadcrumbs batter is deep-fried with firecrackers, the super crunchiness is a good match with the juicy thick cuts of black boar and the dipping Japanese Worcestershire sauce.



Ginger Pork (10)
Unlike how it's typically prepared - panfried - Torafuku's Ginger Pork is char-grilled and like all the charred goodies here, the pork thin slices yield excellent mouth watering BBQ flavor. The non-existent ginger scent isn't really missed.




LUNCH SPECIAL: Kobe Beef Bowl (10)
Imagine cutting through a perfectly poached soft-centered egg then combine the gui dark yolk with the super tender Kobe style beef, onion slices, and rice in a big bite. It's worth skipping breakfast.



LUNCH SPECIAL: Chicken Nanban (12)
Delicious fried chicken breast marinated in sweet vinegar served with tartar sauce that brought the protein to the next level. Another complementing dish to Kamado rice.



Whether you want to stuff yourself with a mountain of rice or simply enjoy a healthy tasty meal, Torafuku’s got the right combination. It’s good Japanese food like something you will find in a good restaurant in Japan. And don't be surprised to find yourself back the next day.



Torafuku
torafuku-usa.com | 10914 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 - map | menu | (310) 470-0014

nanoBites - Inglewood: Randy's Donuts

Why it will catch your eye: The giant donut that will hunt you down in your dreams.
Why it belongs in your mouth: All the goodness from a perfectly fried dough without the bad greasy aftertaste.
Why it may blow your mind: Devilicious donuts that taste heavenly 24/7.





Randy's Donuts
randys-donuts.com | 805 West Manchester Avenue Inglewood CA 90301 - map | (310) 645-4707

Foraging for Dinner with Dudamel and Lang Lang

Going to the Hollywood Bowl for a show is a good time, but for some, setting up a table and enjoying the meal prior to the show are just as fun and important. Asking Google where to get a Hollywood Bowl Picnic Basket might not land you to Forage, yet knowing who cooks your food and from what farmers they get the ingredients might just win your heart.





Ordered over the phone at 5 and picked up the boxes around 5:30 as Forage just opened for dinner, we had plenty of time to get to the Bowl since it’s not too far away.



For the starter, Forage's large side order (24oz, $12) of Arugula and Kale Salad with Feta and Breadcrumbs, a crowd pleaser, dressed in garlic lemon vinaigrette, was light and tasty. Shareable for four.



The special of the day, Grilled Yellowtail with Shoyu Glaze and Spring Onions With Two Sides ($15), was grilled and seasoned well. It tasted good even on a cold plate given the Los Angeles commute. 





For the protein, Soy and Coca-Cola Marinated Flank Steak (Lg, $20), had a good texture and flavors. The surf and turf with the two small sides of Lime Creamed Corn and Gloria's Broccoli turned out to be a good combination.



Desserts (caramel raisin cookie, chocolate financier & chiffon cake cup) were from Little Tokyo's Frances Bakery, because we knew they were good.  Forage does offer a decent variety of pastries and desserts that looked promising for a re-visit.



At the end of the night, Forage offered a nice meal that touched parts of our hearts, very much like the symphony did.




Forage
foragela.com | 3823 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026-1529 | map | menu | 323.663.6885

Chinatown: Via Cafe

Located conveniently in the festive Chinatown Central Plaza, Via Cafe has recently been expanded and renovated while retaining good selections of Vietnamese staples and International drinks in the menu.




Like Good Girl Dinette in Highland Park, Via stepped out of the hole-in-wall mindset and offers a finer Vietnamese dining experience in a casual urban setting that is both pleasing and comforting.



Shrimp & Pork Spring Rolls (4.25) are a bite of the protein, vermicelli, lettuce and mint, dipped in the light peanut sauce. The rolls look appetizing and taste good and fresh.



Bun Rieu, the crab meat rice noodle soup (8), with real crab meat in a tomato based soup stock tastes healthy, filling, and flavorful.



Via's rare beef & brisket Pho (7.5) is MSG-free, yet nothing shy of umami. The protein tastes fresh and tender. Portions are generous. Don’t be surprised to see some emptying the soup before touching the noodles.



As the table’s favorite, House Special Chow Fun (8.5), the wide rice noodles with chicken, shrimp, & filet mignon is stir fried and seasoned skillfully. We often ask it to be cooked with less grease and it tastes healthy and better than most other SGV counterparts that offer the same dish.




Hainan Chicken (7.5), easily one of the best versions in town, is served with boneless breast cuts. The soy and ginger condiments add good aromatic flavors. The pickled carrot and radish slices wake your palate with light acidity.



At Via Cafe, the food proves to be consistently fresh and reasonably priced. The place is casual, clean and hip. For those in the neighborhood, Via might just be the place to go whenever (they open everyday!) you don’t feel like cooking.


Via Cafe
viacafechinatown.com | 451 Gin Lin Way Los Angeles, CA 90012 | map | menu | (213) 617-1481

nanoBites - DTLA: Nickel Diner (The Donut Day)

Why it will catch your eye: Non-traditional donuts flavors like Maple Glazed Bacon, Red Velvet & Nutella.
Why it belongs in your mouth: Satisfying and clever combination of icing, texture & flavor for your taste bud.
Why it may blow your mind: Bacon goes with everything; especially with sweet fried dough.




Nickel Diner
nickeldiner.com | 524 S. Main St.,Los Angeles, CA 90012 - map | menu | (213) 623-8301

Little Tokyo: The Spice Table

Call it Little Tokyo then, call it Little Tapas-land now. Japanese Izayoi, Korean fusion Raku, and New American Lazy Ox Canteen, among these top players, The Spice Table is the new kid in town. Chef/owner Bryant Ng sure knows how to bring the right Singaporean and Vietnamese spices to the table. Walk in and expect anything but subtle flavors.



Service was timely and friendly. It was also a plus with the waiter being so passionate with the dishes when he explained the daily special for a good five minutes.





Was it a snack or was it lava paste? Spicy Chicken livers & toast (8), above, was sweet, salty and spicy. Topping it with the toast did calm the heat a little though it was said to be the spiciest livers at The Spice Table. Grilled eggplant, chile sauce (8) tasted even sweeter on a heated pallet while the eggplant was grilled to perfection.



Satay lamb belly (10) were grilled nicely tender and juicy with good amount of smoky herby goodness. The peanuts condiment added a mild kick.



Otah (spicy mackerel & coconut grilled in banana leaf) (14)



Fried cauliflower (7) was a sweet combination of tender cauliflower and airy crispy batter with fresh chopped herbs dipped in the special fish sauce. You order this here like you would order fries in a burger joint.



Sadly, the dish we had high expectation was the Laksa (14). Though it was creamy and tasty, the thick rubbish noodles tasted like fish cake strips. Perhaps udon noodles would have worked better.



While The Spice Table may sound ambitious for the little Japan town, its strong versatile south east Asian flavors should satisfy both the spice sensitive or addicted crowds just fine.


The Spice Table
thespicetable.com | 114 Central, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - map | menu (dinner) | (213) 620-1840