The Divine Dish

Dinner at Eat Drink Americano

Posted on Jun 03, 2012 under Archives | No Comment

Eat Drink Americano is the newest addition to Downtown’s Art District.   The restaurant features modern American pub fare in an industrial setting.   Housed in the previous Cafe Metropol space, EDA has high ceilings surrounded by brick and wood walls and both communal and individual seating.   Diners can admire the huge Peter Greco hand sketched 16-foot mural and unique wine bottle chandelier.  Consulting Chef Juan Pablo Torre planned the seasonal eclectic menu with African, Asian, European and Peruvian influences.  Nick and I visited for a tasting last week, here is what we sampled:

We started with a sensational charcuterie plate, including prosciutto rossa, pastrami, gentile salame, burrata alla panna, and burrata alla panna, blue moody smoked, and toma point reyes cheeses.  Also on the board were some delicious pickled olives.  We loved this combination.

We started with a nice combination of duck and pickled vegetables served on toasty bread.

Next came a duo of braised Angus ox tail burgers which reminded us of a pulled pork sandwich.  This was Nick’s fave of the night.

Next came a nice Niman Pork Cheeck with mushrooms and polenta.

Next time you are Downtown, check out the modern Eat Drink Americano for a taste of their huge selection of wine and beer and unique plates.  Located at 923 East 3rd Street, reservations at 213/620-0781.

The Weekly Dish – May 28, 2012

Posted on May 28, 2012 under Archives, The Weekly Dish | No Comment

Here is the dish on what’s happening in LA and Sin City this week –

Los Angeles

Eat Drink Americano is officially open this week in downtown’s arts district.   Modern American pub fare in an industrial environment.  Consulting chef is Juan Pablo Torre.  Visit at 923 East 3rd Street…

Sprinkles Ice Cream Shop – First came the ATM cupcake, now Sprinkles has opened an ice cream shop next to their Beverly Hills cupcake store.  Classic sundaes, cones and floats are available as well as an ice cream sandwich – pick out your fave frozen flavor and they will house it between cupcake tops.  Try them at 9631 South Santa Monica Boulevard.

Faux Pas launches its brunch menu and mimosa bar this week, served daily from 11:30 am to 5 pm.  Try out mid morning menu items at 7910 West 3rd Street.

Eleven launches its  new $5 happy hour this week from 5 – 8 pm.  The WeHo nightclub is offering $5 well cocktails and $7 premium liquor cocktails.  Select items from their menu will also be available for only $5, located at 8811 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Las Vegas

Caesars, Rio, and Flamingo are offering new summer spa menus and poolside treatments.   Caesars is offering 20% off specials on select treatments Monday through Thursday.  Poolside cabana treatments and special summer facials, massages and wraps are being offered at all three resorts.

Rao’s – It’s easy to get out of the kitchen and onto the patio for summer grilling with Frank Pellegrino Jr’s new Rao’s On the Grill cookbook.  On sale this week via Amazon and in bookstores, the book highlights grilling recipes from the famous Italian eatery, $35.

Tropicana – Ohh la la, the French inspired Bagatelle Beach & Nightclub opens this week.  The European style dayclub at the Tropicana offers brunch, champagne, volleyball courts and poolside card dealers, jump in at 3801 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

MGM – Get 2 complimentary buffets now through December 20 when you book a 2 night stay at ARIA, Vdara, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York New York, Luxor or MGM Grand.  Make your reservation at 702/801-7777.

Dinner at Ammo Restaurant

Posted on May 27, 2012 under Archives | No Comment

Although chefs Daniel Mattern and Roxana Jullapat  left to open their own joint a few months ago (Cooks County, a few miles from Ammo), the California farm to table menu  at this 16 year old LA restaurant remains basically the same.  Named after owner Amy Sweeney, Ammo is calming with just a hint of Hollywood vibe.  The concrete floor. leather chairs, eclectic music  and blond wood tables provide an industrial design, while the seasonal fresh ingredients and inventive cocktail menu keep industry and local foodies filling both the inside and sidewalk patio seating.   I visited last week with my friend Monica to sample some dishes and here is what we tried:

I started off with the very refreshing Blood Orange Crush (so good I actually had two) with prosecco, aperol, blood orange juice and thyme.  Monica had an Iced Tea.

Spring brings with it jumbo asparagus and I couldn’t resist the asparagus appetizer, topped with fresh burrata, basil and tarragon.  A tasty combo with the crunch from perfectly oven roasted green stalks and mozzarella and cream.  Monica had the traditional Caesar salad with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

Fresh seasonal ingredients are the star at Ammo, and all our dishes reflected the restaurant’s farm to table philosophy.  I had the barramundi braised with baby artichokes, cherry tomatoes, cannellini beans, Castelvetrano olives in a delicious broth of white wine and fresh herbs and Monica had a half roasted chicken on mustard greens with pine nuts, currants and shallots.  Both were delicious.

We ended the meal splitting a nice flourless chocolate cake topped with whipped creme fraiche.

Ammo continues to flourish in the turbulent LA restaurant scene and still delivers seasonal tasty fare and some killer cocktails.  Reservations recommended, located at 1155 North Highland Avenue, 323/871-2666

Dinner at Faux Pas Restaurant

Posted on May 17, 2012 under Archives | No Comment

Diagonally across from the Farmer’s Market sits Faux Pas, the newest Spacecraft designed restaurant.   The huge bar centers the space and divides the bistro into two sections.

To the right of the entrance is a romantic dimly lit lounge area with big red leather booths, dark wood and antique mirrors and cabinets.

To the left of the entrance is a lighter and brighter airy open space overlooking the bustle of 3rd Street with a big rustic fireplace and a French bistro vibe.   At the helm of the French-American menu is Chef Oz Ramuco.  I took my friend Dalbert to Faux Pas last night for a tasting dinner.  Here is what we sampled:

Faux Pas has a very extensive list of specialty cocktails and the ones we tasted were the bomb.  We started with the Faux Pas cocktail, with vodka, plum puree, citrus juices and apple cider (right in the pic above) and the Redhead in Bed, with Absolut Citron, strawberry puree, Moscato and citrus juices.  Both were refreshing and tangy.

Chef Ramuco sent us a special tuna and cucumber stacked appetizer with a nice red pepper aioli.

We both liked that the bread came out French style, in a big brown bag.

Next came a delicious pizza bianca with brussel sprouts.

The light crispy dough was topped with a white creamy bechamel sauce, roasted brussel sprouts, fresh parsley and a white truffle oil.  Not too heavy and very tasty.

Our next cocktails were a refreshing white wine sangria with Patron Citronage, white wine, brandy and lemon juice.  Lovely.  Dalbert received the Blackberry Fix, a fruity blend of scotch, blackberries, mint and citrus juices.  If you don’t come for the food definitely come for these outstanding cocktails.

Our fave of the night was the beautifully plated Scottish Salmon, featuring oven roasted salmon (perfectly cooked) with a port reduction sauce, sauteed haricort verts and a delicious portion of spinach fettuccine.

We both loved this dish and will definitely return to taste it again.

Dessert was a wonderful comforting butter cake with caramelized pineapples and a tasty vanilla cream side.  Very filling and a great way to end the meal.

Faux Pas is a perfect spot for a drink with a date in the romantic lounge area or a French bistro dinner overlooking 3rd Street in the airy dining room.  Located at 7910 West Third Street, reservations at 323/424-4767.