What is better then a night of great film? Having it include food by Michael Voltaggio!
This year MV will serve as one of the “Artist in Residence” along side Danny Elfman and Raphael Saadiq AND host a screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Need more info? You know you do!
While I never made it over to the Mark Peel’s Tar Pit I wish I had.
Can’t wait to see what he does next!
Well kids I finally made it to Ink.
Let me just say that while MV is known for his savory talents that man knows his way around sweet
Want a party in your mouth you say? Just try Ink’s Carmel apple desert (see below). I am not a desert person. In fact I can’t remember the last time I ordered desert BUT I am so glad I did. We’re talking texture, flavor, spicy, sweet, basically AMAZING. Perhaps it is my lack of experience with sweets that made this one so unbelievable but should you find yourself at Ink do try a desert you won’t regret it.
Now onto the savory - I actually have mixed reviews when it comes to the dinner. Again this may be a case of too high of expectations but you can always visit Ink and judge for yourself
We started with the oysters which were perfect. Absolutely perfect: tangy, salty, with a ton of flavor. Next cam the Hamachi. While the presentation was beautiful it was difficult to eat. To get the perfect bite/right layering of flavors you needed to have all the components, which were awkwardly layered, unevenly dispersed and thus difficult to get. Next came the beef tartar – WOW. It looked like an elegant taco and was power packed with flavor. The frozen horseradish really completed the dish with the help of the raspberry dollops dripped around the plate. If this dish could dance it would have tangoed across my tongue - constantly changing and growing.
Now the scallops with egg yolk gnocchi. The coconut tomato sauce was quiet bitter until you cracked open the gnocchi to find raw yolk ooze out morphing this sauce into a velvety cream sauce. Couple that with the mini scallops and light and crisp peas and it was a quiet a nice dish.
Second was the lamb quarters and tongue with a yogurt sauce. This dish fell a little flat for me. I wanted another component – spice, tang, zip – something more then just creamy yogurt and moist lamb.
All in all I say go. MV clearly knows his way around food and throws in some molecular gastronomy for fun and excitement
Since the menu changes every few months you can keep going back to try the new creations
In a hurry? Stop by next door at MV’s quick bite sandwich shop Ink Sacked. I have not had the pleasure of going as of yet but I hope to change this VERY VERY soon.
Not doing so well with the Lotto but still feeling lucky? Try your hand that the LudoBites lottery.
Coming back to Gram and Papa for his famous Foie Gras night Urban spoon will hold the lottery which goes live tomorrow at 10am and will remain open for 24 hours!
You may be one of the lucky few to drop $105 on 5 courses but don’t worry part of the proceeds go to Chefs Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming Standards - which i guess makes force feeding a duck A-OK!
So was it my skepticism of Nacy for opening a burger restaurant in the heart of burger town what made the meal so disappointing? Were my expectations of Short Order too high? I say NAY!
If you’re going to compete with the likes of Umami, the Bowery (winner of best burger), and the less exciting Stout you best bring your A-Game. If to you that means medium to well done burgers and smoky hot dogs then I say FAIL - okay maybe more like a C+.
I appreciate the point of view that Amy and Nancy took with Short Order menu/look and feel - fresh, organic, seasonal ingredients that “speak for themselves”. But even the best LBD needs some exciting accessories.
I tried the Turkey Burger. It was decent but then again you can’t really mess up turkey - and the sage cheddar was that highlight of the burger. I also tried the lamb burger which was over done and underwhelming.
The Pretzel Pups were middle of road as well. Too much pretzel for the cut of the dog.
Nancy is known for her cookies so perhaps next time I’m at the Grove I’ll stop by for a sweeter treat.
Hey Gang
If you ever find yourself in Oakland California and are hungry for American fare with a new spin do yourself a favor and go to Plum.
This tiny 45 seat restaurant has some amazing stuff coming out of the kitchen. I was lucky enough to dine with one of my friends who was stajing (sp?) there - which meant a seven course tasting menu of the best of Plum.
My favorite? While two of my companions (the chef and his chef girlfriend) enjoyed the Abalone with black trumpets and citrus course best, I find myself torn between the Bloody Mary oyster and Herb Cavatelli with egg and bottarga - but then again I’m a sucker for a runny egg!
New American not your thing? Not to worry next door is the Plum bar serving up delicious bar food and cutting edge cocktails - fernet and absinthe anyone?
With nothing on the menu over $22 you can walk away full, happy, and not anxious that your rent check will bounce.
I also highly recommend that if you’re dinning alone or with a friend sit at the sushi style bar that wraps around the completely open kitchen
Have I made myself clear? Let me try again - Go to Plum!
Following in the new Pop-up trend Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods fame will pop-up at Royal T in Culver City on January 13.
While I am not a huge fan of Bizarre Foods or of Mr. Zimmern his $150 5-course dinner will benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank which I am a fan of.
Why am I not a fan? I find him somewhat annoying and his sobriety makes his world traveling less interesting. Yes I know his show revolves around food but food and alcohol are so closely tied to peoples culture that refusing to try it all seems insulting.
But that is what Bordain’s No Reservations is for - and I do LOVE Tony and his show but again to travel all over the world and not be able to try all that is offered is a misstep for me and Bizarre Foods, plus Mr. Zimmern seems like kind of tool.
Reservations for this pop-up open on December 19 and run ever half hour from 6pm to 9:30pm.
Let me know your thoughts if you go!
