Eats.Meets.Wes

[eatsmeetswes]

Brunch @ Cliff's Edge

Cliffs for Cliff's Edge:

Chef Ben Bailly at the helm.  I've enjoyed Ben's food since his days at Petrossian and Fraiche.  He's cooked some of my most memorable meals and I am looking forward to many more at Cliff's Edge.

Awesome tropical / Bohemian atmosphere.  There is a also a ginormous tree in the outdoor dining area.

Good range of brunch options at very reasonable prices (mostly $12-$14).

All photos on my Flickr.

Now, the part that really matters... food.

Patatas Bravas $8 - Crispy Fingerling, Lemon Aioli, Romesco

Smoked Trout Toast $14 - Quail Egg, Lemon, Crème Fraîche, Scallion, Pickled Red Onion 

Creamy Grits $14 - Baked Egg, Chorizo Bolognese, Piquillo, Cotija, Cilantro

Mushroom Toast $13 - Fried Egg, Creme Fraiche, Pecorino Romano

Baked Eggs $12 - Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, Olive, Goat Cheese 

Pork Belly Hash $14 - Bacon, Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Cilantro, Feta, Fried Egg

Potato Pancake $15 - Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Swiss Chard, Sour Cream

Eggs Benedict $15 - Poached Eggs, Bacon, Spinach, Roasted Tomato Hollandaise

Fried Chicken $16 - Rosemary, Waffle, Whipped Maple Butter, Bourbon Syrup

Coconut Panna Cotta $10

Caramel Parfait $10

[eatsmeetswes]

Playa - Brunch

Cliffs:

One of the best brunch spots in Los Angeles

Unique dishes that cannot be found elsewhere

Kickass bar program

Save yourself $10 and pass on the croque senor

poblano escobar - $12

jane's addiction - $10

anson farms organic blue corn muffins, almond butter - $6

huevos polenta, lardons, rajas, calabacitas, queso cotija, 63° egg - $11

flan de elote, quinoa, queso cotija - $7

duck hash, weiser farm fingerlings, peppers, onions 63° egg - $14

waffle de jalapenos confitados, piloncillo-pepita syrup - $13

tamal, cracked-corn masa, pulled pork, sunnyside-up egg - $12

piquillos rellenos, gruyere, spanish chorizo, golden raisins - $6

croque senor, chorizo, epazote, quesos, chipotles en adobo - $10

maize cake salsa semilla, burrata, arugula salad, salsa verde - $9

tortillas florales con marmeladas y conservas - $6

[eatsmeetswes]

Dan Moody & Adam Horton @ Raphael

Cliffs:

One day collaboration dinner between Dan Moody & Adam Horton @ Raphael on April 17, 2012

6 courses for $65 

Chef Adam Horton

Chef Dan Moody

Palm Sugar Cured Hawaiian Amberjack and Albacore (Horton) - crispy taro, mint, cilantro, pickled daikon and lime cavia

Uni & Scallops (Moody) - scallop crudo, uni ice cream, spicy tomato dressing, miso-sesame crumble

Quail (Horton) - carrots, kaffir lime, coconut and flavors of green curry

Beef Tartare (Moody) - beef heart, boudin noir, roti paratha and yellow curry

Braised Veal Cheeks (Horton) - asparagus, creamed morels, sauce périgueux

Chocolate Decadence (Moody) - flourless chocolate cake, grand marnier custard, vanilla cognac whipped cream, white, milk, & dark chocolate mousses, orange & port sauce

[eatsmeetswes]

Le Comptoir @ Tiara Cafe

Cliffs:

Le Comptoir @ Tiara Cafe with Chef Gary Menes

Pop-up that was supposed to end last November

$52 5-course menu (supplements avail) and $24 for the wine pairing

I might eat less meat if all vegetables were this delicious

Complete set of this dinner on my Flickr

amuse - mushroom croquette

bread. awesome bread. addictive bread.

first course -  hudson valley foie gras terrine, dried cherry compote, saba ($18 suppl)

first course - okinawan sweet potato velouté, yogurt, green garlic, farinette, herbs

second course - sunny side-up egg, young lettuce, herbs, jus vert

second course - asperge vert et eouf sur la plat, reggiano, beurrre noissette, citron ($8 suppl)

third course - tagliolini with black spring truffles ($20 suppl)

third course - "veggie plate", squash, carrots, pickled onion petals, turnips, kohlrabi, pears, tangerine, fava beans, ramps, celery, fiddlehead fern, grapes, tomato, potato, cauliflower

fourth course - "poitrine de porc", slow braised heritage pork belly, wheat berries, apples, white wine braised leeks, chicory blueberry relish ($8 suppl)

fourth course - english peas, sugar snaps, hearts of romaine, pea tendrils, stone ground grits, spring onions, jus, truffle froth

fifth course - pound cake, orange, chocolate, sour cream, almonds, graham cracker

fifth course - cheese plate: cheddar, blue, nuvola di pecora ($12 suppl)

[eatsmeetswes]

Chef Dan Moody Pop Up @ Batch 8631

Cliffs:

Chef Dan Moody aka The Relation Chef (chefdrm.tumblr.com + www.therelationchef.com)

Pop up at Batch 8631 runs until March 3rd (Reserve Here)

ROASTED BABY BEET SALAD - $9 – Baby Beets, Citrus, Cinnamon, Golden Beet Vinaigrette

FOIE AND EGGS - $12 – 63°C Egg, ‘Foiellandaise’, Sauteed Mushrooms, Foie Powdered Donut, Coffee, Mushroom Ash  

SEARED ALBACORE - $15 - Sushi Rice Creme Anglaise, Nori & Shiso Leaf Pesto, Wasabi, Pickled Ginger

CEVICHE AND A COLD BEER - $13 - Spicy Ceviche, Cilantro, Jalapeno, Beer Carbonated Grapes, Citrus.

COLLARD GREEN VEGAN TACOS - $11 - Spicy Vegan Tacos, Collard Green “Tortilla”

SAUTEED LOCAL BASS - $16 - Vadouvan Beets, Coconut Curry Hollandaise, Fried Spinach Salad                                                                  

BEEF TARTARE W/ MUSTARD ICE CREAM - $13 - NY Strip, Pickled Red Onion, Chopped Parsley, Mustard Ice Cream, Guinness Gastrique

SAUTEED CHICKEN W/ SPINACH GREMOLATA - $12 - Sous Vide Pasteurized Chicken Breast, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Spinach Gremolata

SLOW-ROASTED PORK - $11 - Pork Jus, Potato Gnocchi

SWEETBREADS VOL AU VENT - $13 - Sweetbreads, Boudin Noir, Root Vegetables, Jus

BANANA BREAD PUDDING A LA BOURBON PECAN PIE - $8 - Caramelized Pecans, Bourbon Custard, Vanilla Cognac Crème Chantilly

“RED VELVET” – $8 - Chocolate Cake, Beet Ice Cream, Cream Cheese Mousse

[eatsmeetswes]

In the Kitchen: LudoBites 8.0

Cliffs:

A behind the scenes look at LudoBites 8.0 @ Lemon Moon

Photos taken February 2, 2012

View the 300+ photo set on My Flickr

  I.  Transformation:  Lemon Moon to LudoBites

  II.  Food Prep

  III.  Staff Meeting & Meal

  IV.  Opening the Doors

  V.  Service

Brioche Seaweed Yuzu Butter - $5

Chicken Tandoori Crackling - $5

Sweet Shrimp, Miso Cream, Beans, Smoked Salmon - $16

Escabéche Mackerel, Buttermilk, Buckwheat, Apple - $15

Black Truffle (French) Scrambled Eggs - $35

Day Boat Scallop, Leek, Potato, Black Truffles - $29

Monterey Squid, Burned Squid Dashi, Potato, Squid Ink, Ash - $16

Uni Créme Brûlée, Coffee - $24

Razor Clam "Meuniere", Yuzu Cream, Grilled Onions - $19

Foie Gras, Tamarin, Turnips, Daikon - $22

Big Eye Tuna, Tahitian Vanilla, Somen, 7 Flavor Vinaigrette - $25

Monkfish Liver, Cucumber, Cornichons, Mustard Seeds - $20

John Dory, Squash, Spelt, Fennel, Tonka Beans $22

Veal, Black Olive Tapenade Crust, Orange Caramelized Endive, Clementine Beurre Blanc - $28

Jidori Half Chicken, Parmesan, Celery Root Soubise, Walnuts - $26

"Newport Pride Natural" Hanger Steak, Red Beets, Shallots - $25

Goat Cheese Profiterole, Pistachio, Crispy Kale - $15

Brown Butter Almond Cake, Apples, Salted Caramel, Orange Creamsicle - $13

Lemon Meringue, Poppy Seed Crumble, Extra Virgin Olive Oil - $13

  VI.  Consumption, Celeb Life, and End of Service

[eatsmeetswes]

2012 Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade

Cliffs:

2012 Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade (Chinatown)

Click here for the complete FLICKR set

Yea yea yea... I normally take photos of food but once in a blue moon I go photo crazy.

The parade is great but the real action is in the crowd and side events.

I followed a group of lion dancers while they visited various businesses for "cai ching."

During the Chinese New Year, lion dancer troupes from the Chinese martial art schools or Chinese guild and associations will visit the houses and shops of the Chinese community to perform the traditional custom of "cai ching" (採青), literally means "plucking the greens", a quest by the 'lion' to pluck the auspicious green normally 'vegetables' like lettuce which in Chinese called 'cái'(菜)that sound like 'cái'(财)(fortune) and auspicious fruit like oranges tied to a "Red Envelope" containing money; either hang highly or just put on a table in front of the premises. The "lion" will dance and approach the "green" and "red evelope" like a curious cat, to "eat the green" and "spit" it out leave it in a nice arrangement, like an auspicious character but keep the "red envelope". The lion dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the business and the troupe is rewarded with the "red envelope".

-Wikipedia

Castelar Elementary... I "graduated" from 5th grade here in '95.

"hello humanoid."

Mulan waved at me and I almost fainted.  Jealous of Mushu.

I told this booger to let it rip and he showed me no mercy.

A diverse crowd to say the least.

Hey look! Food!!!

[eatsmeetswes]

Short Order - 2012 dineLA

Cliffs:

2012 dineLA lunch at $16 per person (includes a $5 Short Cake credit for dessert)

Short Order fell short of my expectations

The burgers are "good" but they are something I would go out of my way for. The spuds are delicious though.

What's up with the meat/bun ratio on Nancy's Backyard burger?

Perhaps I should have ordered one of Julian Cox's cocktails because you can never go wrong there.

Nancy's Backyard Burger - dry-aged beef blend, North Country Smokehouse applewood bacon, comte, avocado, heirloom tomato, onion, iceberg lettuce, spicy mayo

Amy's Turkey Burger - Mary's free-range turkey, sage derby cheddar, melted celery, leeks, mustardy mayo

Spuds - Russet baked potatoes torn into irregular chunks and fried in canola oil

Bean Salad - Mixture of green and yellow wax beans, gigante beans, garbanzo beans, red onion, oregano, parsley, and lemon vinaigrette

Rustic Apple Pie

Curry Raisin Scone

[eatsmeetswes]

Playa - 2012 dineLA

Cliffs:

Playa describes itself as "contemporary Urban Latin" and lives up it by offering dishes that are truly unique

Awesome cocktails by Julian Cox and Jeremy Lake

2012 Winter dineLA @ $34 per person

Fresh corn tortillas being pressed with flower petals

A Oaxacan the Clouds - $12

Ponche en Nogada - $12

Ensalada Flan de Elote (supplement)

  Beijing Duck Arepas

Thai Tamalli (supplement)

Corn Borscht w/ Proletarian Caviar

Roast Breast of Chicken with Cilantro Pesto

Maize Cake Salsa Semilla (supplement)

Salmon Stroganoff Romanoff

Chocolate-Chile Ice Cream with Mezcal Crema

Chocolate Eggs Faabergé (Post-Revolution)

[eatsmeetswes]

M.B. Post - Bangin' (Inaugural) Brunch

Cliffs:

If I had one [stolen/borrowed] word to sum up this meal it would be "brunchgasm"

M.B. Post is short for Manhattan Beach Post

January 7, 2012 was M.B. Post's first day of brunch service

The sticky bun absolutely delicious.  The bun came out piping hot in a cast iron pan and it was soft, moist, and not overly sweet.

Click here for the full Flickr set

Manhattan Beach Post

1142 Manhattan Ave

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[phone]

www.eatMBPost.com

Mo-Pho-Jito - mojito w/ starr, kaffir lime, mint, ginger, coriander honey - $12

STICKY BUNS - pecan and brown sugar - $6

BENEDICT - bacon cheddar biscuit, arugula, la quercia procuitto, hollandaise - $13

WEISER FARM FINGERLING POTATOES - lemon buttermilk ranch - $7

NUESKE'S BACON - rosemary, brown sugar and chili - $8

FRITTATA - weiser farm potato, sprouting broccoli, white cheddar, piperade - $14

TRUFFLE HONEY LACED FRIED CHICKEN - kholrabi slaw - $15

Had a little chit chat time with Chef David LeFevre after our meal

[eatsmeetswes]

Mozza's Whole Hog Dinner

Yes, my mother taught me to never play with my food but I was am a rebellious child.

Cliffs:

Held at Mozza's Scuola di Pizza on most Saturdays

Chef Chad Colby won the 2011 Los Angeles Cochon 555

Served family style so get cozy

Six courses. Pork, pork, and pork. The whole thing!

If you continue to scroll down your will get high cholesterol

Watching chefs cook is a spectator sport

One of the best meals of my life and  Mr. Bourdain needs to try this place ASAP

See the complete album on my Flickr

The entryway via Mozza2Go

Barely a foot in the door and I'm getting poured booze.

Open kitchen right next to the dining table

Chef Chad Colby describes each course before serving.

1)  Salumi & Paté - pickles & spicy mustard

2) Pork Belly Sausage & Rib Confit - trotter-stewed butter beans

3)  Soufflé of Parmigiano-Reggiano - pork leg ragu

Starring the devil in the eye.

4)  Roasted Pork Shoulder - chicory salad & salsa verde

5)  Milk Roasted Pork Loin - caramelized ricotta & sage

6)  Graham Cracker Pigs - gelato & sorbetti

[eatsmeetswes]

Wolvesmouth: Epic 40 Course Meal

Cliffs:  

Pinoy Panda turns 40 and we embark on a 40 course meal @ Wolvesmouth

Hundreds of Tweets during the meal with the hash tag #Epic40at40

5+ hour meal

Epic food

Lots of booze (Photo tip:  Alcohol impairs your ability to focus but enhances creativity)

You can view the complete album of my Flickr and has higher-res photos

If you didn't know:

"it’s not a restaurant. it's a dinner party. it’s the intersection between food, music and art. it’s an exploration in social dynamics. it’s friends, old and new. it’s fleeting and always changing. no menus. no dress code. no pretense.

it’s dining in its most raw form: people food and open minds..."

- Wolvesmouth.com

Q:  Did you know that Friday is casual sexy day?

A:  I do now.

1) caesar. brioche purée. braised baby gem lettuce. brioche.

2) 85-day strip loin. shallot jam. pink lady apples. horseradish.

3) scallop. vinegar. mango. purple cauliflower.

4) slow cooked carrot. lime, sheep's milk cheese. chicory-malt. carrot top.

5) uni tart. ginger. lime. uni sauce.

6) mandarin concentrate. mandarin gelée.

7) cornbread soup. kale. honey. lime, bacon.

8) fried green tomato. tabasco aioli.

9) pork belly. balsamic boston baked black-eyed peas. smoked tomato.

10) pimento cheese. corn fritter.

11) banana pudding. fruit salad. poprocks.

12) date. marcona. serrano. cheese. piquillo. sherry vinegar.

13) kohlrabi. caramelized onion. thyme. mascarpone.

14) duck breast. brussels sprouts. duck skin. duck sauce.

15) candy cap consommé.

16) sweetbreads. lingonberry. potato purée. dill.

17) pine soda. chanterelle.

18) squab. maple jus. jerusalem artichoke. chestnut.

19) fresh fig. poached fig. hazelnut. roaring forties blue.

20) toasted marshmallow. panna cotta. brown butter. rice krispie.

21) butternut squash. goat cheese. cookies. reduced apple cider.

22) seared roman gnocchi. pesto.

23) beet. morbier. green apple.

24) chicken liver mousse. pickled pear. watermelon radish, brioche. fleur de sel.

25) cashew cheese. broccoli.

26) manila clam chowder. potato. crème fraîche. chive. bacon.

27) dungeness crabs salad. toast. pickled cherry bomb chile. sour cream. lime juice.

28) rabbit. grape. hibiscus. red onion. cotija. jalapeño. cilantro.

29) pork belly part 2. filipino garlic nuts. two-month pickled papaya. pickling liquid.

30) duck leg. green apple. orange. black vinegar.

31) lobster. celery root remoulade. black sesame. cherry-white soy vinaigrette.

32) persimmon. wasabi peas.

33) yuzu curd. green tea. japanese black sugar. shortbread.

34) delicata squash. orange blossom. mint. yogurt.

35) yellow fin tuna. haricot vert. lorenzo #5 olive oil. 12-year balsamic.

36) fluke. spinach. vinaigrette. shallot. chive.

37) fried hobo fish. bacon. tartar sauce. tomato.

38) rabbit. mustard.

39) lime pudding. coconut sugar. pound cake. coconut-finger lime frosting.

40) tofu-doughnut mousse. roasted soy bean coffee.

Pinoy Panda - the birthday boy man chugging a 40 oz Olde English 800 courtesy of KevinEats.

[eatsmeetswes]

Beer Belly - Lucky Pancakes on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Lucky charms Pancakes, Fruity Pebbles Whipped Cream Beer Belly 532 S. Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020 [phone] www.beerbellyla.com

[eatsmeetswes]

Special lamb meatball hero on white bread with pesto and mozzarella on Flickr.

Via Flickr: The Meatball Shop 84 Stanton St New York, NY 10002 Special Meatball: Greek lamb with mint, feta, lemon oregano and kalamata olives

[eatsmeetswes]

Corn Three Ways on Flickr.

Corn Three Ways with Foie Gras LudoBites 007 @ Gram & Papas Photos by Wesley Wong

[eatsmeetswes]

Asian caprese salad on Flickr.

tomatoes with tofu, shiso, vinaigrette

[eatsmeetswes]

Egg + Caviar Sex on Flickr.

Hen egg with paddlefish caviar, homemade potato chips, onion sousbise, herb salad