The LA Food Podcast

Today on The LA Food Podcast, Dave Beran—the award-winning chef behind Santa Monica’s Pasjoli and the tasting-menu temple Seline—sits down for his most candid interview yet. We talk about stepping into roles before you feel ready, the line between an intense kitchen and a toxic one, fundraising and vision, and how he truly feels about Seline not earning a Michelin star in year one. We also rewind to his Chicago years with Grant Achatz at Alinea and Next, and dig into how those experiences shaped his approach to leadership, hospitality, and creativity in Los Angeles.Before that, part-time co-host Karen Palmer joins for recent eats in Ojai, what she’s working on next (including a shockingly great pizzeria in a surprising location), and Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss:Food & Wine’s LA snub on its latest Best New Chefs listWhich LA spots made The New York Times 50 Best Restaurants in America (2025)The latest trend sweeping LA restaurants and how we actually feel about itIf you care about fine dining, honest kitchen culture, and where Los Angeles food is headed next, this one is for you.Powered by Acquired Taste Media.–Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠–Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

It’s been five years since the pandemic forced us to wipe down our groceries, binge Tiger King, and pick up hobbies like basket weaving or, in my case, eating 100 pizzas in 365 days. Of course, COVID also notably sent shockwaves through the restaurant industry, and to this day, the labor market still hasn’t recovered. What’s behind the lag and what are industry pros doing about it? Father Sal is with us to discuss two excellent articles by Adam Reiner on this exact topic. Also on the episode today, seven LA restaurants were added to the California Michelin Guide, which ones are we most excited to try? Listen to find out. Plus, a meal at the number 17 restaurant in the world, an LA food romantic drama unfolds on Instagram, a celebrity chef (Joshua Weissman) deems LA the best street food city in the world, and a couple of Chinese teenagers get a little frisky with a steaming bowl of hot pot. Helpful links:Join me at Family Meal on Monday March 24th! Use code “LACOUNTDOWN20” for a 20% discount on the $20 tickets https://www.tixtree.com/e/family-meal-how-to-make-help-helpful-9e559f3f393fAdam Reiner on labor shortage for Eater https://www.eater.com/24385730/restaurant-job-market-covid-pandemic-effectsAnd Adam again for The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/13/covid-pandemic-jobs-changeLA restaurants added to the Michelin Guide https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-03-12/michelin-adds-15-restaurants-california-guide-los-angelesSupport Bistro Blue https://www.instagram.com/share/_iQyQWS1rJoshua Weissman and Memo Torres try street food https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1S05ZClQj4Doggy bags on the way out https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/dining/restaurant-leftovers.htmlChinese hot pot-gate https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/03/13/travel/haidilao-china-urine-hotpot-broth-intl-hnk–Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

It’s time for the 2025 Top Chef Fantasy Draft!Season 22 of Top Chef kicked off this week in Canada. As we do every year, Father Sal and I hosted a draft of the 15 competitors vying for the title of Top Chef. We’re joined by 2024 champion Jessie Evans (alias @Jessie_Eats on Instagram), and Nancy DaSilva and Bits Nicholas of the Compliments to the Chef podcast. Plus, an LA Times article on a one-man tasting menu in Downtown LA, and a New York Times feature on a, erm, controversial restaurant in London town…Helpful links:Bravo Top Chef https://www.bravotv.com/top-chefCompliments to the Chef podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/5ySvTZh0inCpq1SJP9baq6Jessie Eats on IG https://www.instagram.com/jessie_eats/?hl=enHeather Platt on Sora Craft Kitchen https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-03-11/restaurants-los-angeles-one-employee-sora-craft-kitchenAmelia Nierenberg on The Yellow Bittern https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/dining/yellow-bittern-london-restaurant.html–Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠–Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

We’re joined today by Chef Johnny Lee, the mastermind behind Rasarumah, one of LA’s hottest new restaurants serving inventive Southeast Asian food with a heavy Malaysian bent. Chef Johnny joins us to talk about the new concept, but also about what it was like to say goodbye to his deeply personal project Pearl River Deli. We talk about Hainan chicken, the struggles of learning to be a business operator when you’ve mostly worked the line your entire career, and what it’s been like to partner with Last Word Hospitality on his new exciting venture.But first, I had the distinct pleasure of attending Taco Bell’s Live Mas Live event in Brooklyn earlier this week. This is their event in the mold of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in which they offer sneak peeks from their test kitchen and roll out the new menu items for the year ahead. I met up with Daniel Wargo AKA Forking Around in the lobby of our hotel the morning after the event to debrief. Yes, we talk about which drops we’re most excited about, but we also ask ourselves what LA restaurants can learn from the Live Mas lifestyle. I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this event - not just the food, but really the ethos behind what Taco Bell does to innovate and to build a relationship with its fans. I think there’s tons that even the most mom and pop of establishments can learn by taking a page out of the chalupa handbook, so to speak. Helpful links:Rasarumah https://rasarumah.com/Taco Bell Live Mas LIVE recap https://www.chowhound.com/1804512/taco-bell-new-menu-items-2025/Daniel Wargo https://www.instagram.com/forkingaround.tv/?hl=en–Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠–Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

What is going on at The Original Pantry Cafe in downtown LA? Reports of a labor dispute threatening to close down the storied institution have been swirling all week. We try to make sense of the noise, and ask ourselves is there any hope for the house that Richard Riordan built? Secondly, Silver Lake lesbian bar The Ruby Fruit just added controversy to its menu. The bar has been fighting for survival since the wildfires took a massive hit to their bottom line. And while they’ve generally received an outpouring of support, an investigative piece from Eater suggests that not everybody is so enthused with how the bar has handled its business. Finally, what do raw milk, women's history month and Gordon Ramsey all have in common? Well, they all make an appearance in this week’s epic round of Chef’s Kiss, Big Miss. Helpful Links:The LA Times’ Cindy Carcamo on the Original Pantry Cafe situationhttps://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-02-21/the-original-pantry-cafe-owner-threatens-to-close-historic-diner-over-union-contract-disputeJake Hook (@dinertheory) on Original Pantry https://lataco.com/original-patry-closing-downtown-laMona Holmes and Rebecca Roland on The Ruby Fruit https://la.eater.com/2025/2/21/24370002/the-ruby-fruit-silver-lake-lesbian-sapphically-inclined-wine-bar-employees-inclusionRe:HER Women’s History Month https://www.regardingherfood.org/whmfLA Times’ Daniel Hernandez on pajarete https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-02-25/raw-milk-pajarete-mexican-culture-muscoy-compton–Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

We finally made it to Jordan Kahn’s Vespertine in Culver City, which reopened after a hiatus in the Spring of 2024, and earned not one but two Michelin Stars just a few months later. If you’ve heard people talk about VesperVespertineine, then you know that it elicits strong reactions. Some people can’t get enough of Chef Kahn’s otherworldly creations, with Michelin describing his food as “visually stunning” and “daringly inventive.” Others, however, walk away deeply confounded, scratching their heads like entire world in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade. I believe the Infatuation called it “unpleasant to consume.” But what did Father Sal and I think of the experience? Listen to find out as we walk you through our entire journey in our trademark, frankly psychotic fashion.  Helpful Links: Vespertine https://vespertine.la/ T-shirts for restaurant wildfire relief https://thelocalsupermarket.com/ Daniel Hernandez on guac https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-02-05/mexico-city-style-modern-mexican-spicy-guacamole Top Chef Season 22 trailer https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/top-chef-season-22-trailer-cast-location-premiere-date Eater pans Chicken Guy! R.I.P. Guy Fieri, again https://ny.eater.com/2025/2/4/24358401/guy-fieri-chicken-guy-times-square-review – Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

After a dark start to the New Year, a little light at the end of the tunnel this week as 18 Los Angeles chefs, bars and restaurants were named James Beard semifinalists. With Angelenos earning spots in the categories of Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Restaurant and Best Chef: California, Father Sal is with us today for one of our trademark, frankly psychotic dissections of what it all means. We attempt to answer questions like, is this a downward or upward trending year for LA? What are Angelenos’ chances of turning their semifinalist nods into actual victories? Which restaurants most surprised us by earning a spot, and which snubs left us scratching our head? We also discuss a great article by the LA Times’ Jenn Harris on LA chefs’ wishlist for 2025, and after the break we’re joined by friends of the pod Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox for Part 3 of our Opening Cafe Esca series. As a reminder, this is our series in which we’re accompanying Luke and Reilly in their journey to open up an ambitious new coastal Italian restaurant in the Arts District this Spring. In this conversation, Luke and Reilly talk to us about bringing their ambitious design concept to life.  Feat. discussion of restaurants and chefs including Etra, Amiga Amore, Heritage BBQ, Evil Cooks, Barra Santos, Camelia, Baroo, Kato, Holbox, Gilberto Cetina, Chuy Cervantes, Damian, Bridgetown Roti, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Kuya Lord, Suzanne Goin, Capri Club, Franceco Allegro, The Arroyo Club, La Morra Pizzeria, Marino, and more.  Helpful Links The 2025 James Beard Semifinalists https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2025-james-beard-award-semifinalists Jenn Harris’ piece on LA chefs’ wishlist https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-01-21/restaurant-2025-wish-list-los-angeles-chef-restaurateurs Opening Cafe Esca Part 1 https://open.spotify.com/episode/19HDiV4o0i2dP9ZZ7B7E9B Opening Cafe Esca Part 2 https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DoKDMtS74ngrVzjBBkzXI – Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

What does the year of our Lord 2025 have in store for LA restaurants? According to The LA Times, a whole lot more struggle.  Father Sal is with us to break down a couple of fascinating pieces by Stephanie Breijo and Cindy Carcamo on the restaurants we lost in 2024, and what the landscape of challenges looks like for the year ahead. On a lighter note, we recap our holidays, including Father Sal’s first American Christmas and my continuing plight to force-feed my family the Feast of the Seven Fishes. And Sal also gives us a run-down of the must-visit spots from his most recent escapade to Mexico City.  In Part 2, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for - the 2025 Countdown reveal. In case you’re unfamiliar, every year I set out to eat 100 variations of a certain type of LA cuisine. In 2021 I ate 100 pizzas, in 2022 I visited 100 taquerias, 2023 brought me sandwiches and I just finished scouring the city for 100 epic noodle dishes. What will 2025 hold for yours truly and yours truly’s rapidly deteriorating gastrointestinal system? Stick around to find out.  Helpful Links: Stephanie Breijo on closures https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-12-31/how-many-la-restaurants-closed-in-2024 Cindy Carcamo on the 7 struggles ahead for LA restaurants https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-12-31/top-7-challenges-issues-facing-restaurants-in-2025 Father Sal’s top rec for Mexico City https://auna.com.mx/ -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Joining us on the podcast are  The Infatuation’s Brant Cox and Sylvio Martins. They’re going to walk us through their list of the Best New Restaurants of 2024, as well as the good and not-so-good trends that defined this year of dining in LA. We finish off with some predictions for what dining in 2025 will look like, and chat a little bit about our respective restaurant-related New Year’s Resolutions.  Helpful Links: Infatuation LA Best New Restaurants 2024 https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-new-restaurants-los-angeles-2024 Brant on IG https://www.instagram.com/brantcox/ Sylvio on IG https://www.instagram.com/sylvmartins/ – Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

I’d like to cordially welcome you to the second annual LA Food Pod Holiday Party!  Father Sal and I are joined by our favorite New York-based podcast ho ho hosts, Nancy DaSilva and Bits Nicholas of Compliments to the Chef, for a jolly ole time discussing what’s hot in the Big Apple, what we make of the premature closure of Frog Club, the quixotic restaurant helmed by Liz Johnson of Horses on Sunset fame, and we each bring a holiday cocktail to the table to hopefully inspire you to do some festive drinking of your own, dear listener. We close things off with an historic LA Food Pod Holiday Quiz - will Father Sal be able to secure the crown for Los Angeles, or will the interlopers from New York escape with the dub? Stay tuned to find out.  In Part 2, we’re joined by Marc Rose and Med Abrous, the co-owners of Call Mom Hosptialtiy Group. Their restaurant Genghis Cohen is one of the hottest tickets in town on any given Christmas, so much so, that they refer to it as their Super Bowl. Marc and Med join us to talk about how their restaurant handles the holiday, and, as the owners of La Dolce Vita in Beverly Hills, we also discuss how they approach taking over legacy spaces in a way that both honors their history, while ushering them into a new era.  Helpful Links: Compliments to the Chef Pod https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compliments-to-the-chef/id1727777167 Compliments to the Chef on IG https://www.instagram.com/complimentstothechef_pod/ Pete Wells on Frog Club https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/10/dining/frog-club-nyc-closes.html Vox on Crumbl https://www.vox.com/money/389782/crumbl-cookies-tiktok-viral-consumption Genghis Cohen https://www.genghiscohen.com/ La Dolce Vita https://www.ladolcevitabeverlyhills.com/ Call Mom Hospitality Group https://www.didyoucallmom.com/ McConnell’s / Genghis Cohen collab https://www.instagram.com/p/DDupoqDyCd_/?img_index=1 -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

What do the Eater layoffs mean for food media in Los Angeles? Did Bill Addison’s review of Vespertine get us more or less excited to visit the two Michelin-star juggernaut? And what to make of Melissa Clark’s underwhelming experiences at Thomas Keller’s Per Se and The French Laundry? Father Sal’s with us today to discuss all of the above, plus a controversy at Long Beach’s Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, a bold proclamation of the best fast food item in America, and quote-unquote intrepid food influencer whose rating every steakhouse chain from the comfort of his own Tesla.  In Part 2, we’re joined by Reilly Cox and Luke Reyes for the second installment of our Opening Cafe Esca series. If you missed Part 1, this is our series where Luke and Reilly are bringing us along in their journey of opening an ambitious new Italian restaurant in a stunning Arts District development come March of 2025. For today’s conversation, I met up with Reilly and Luke at their very much under-construction restaurant space, to hear about how they’ve been working with their designer on a design concept that presents a modern Italian dining experience able to convey warmth while also standing out amidst the sea of Italian restaurants in Los Angeles. Today’s convo will focus on the concept of the design, and our next installment coming up in a few weeks will center around the nitty gritty of bringing that vision to life by way of materials, permitting, budget constraints, and more. Helpful Links: News about the Eater layoffs https://www.businessinsider.com/vox-media-lays-off-staff-at-lifestyle-brands-thrillist-eater-2024-12 Vox Media Union statement https://www.wgaeast.org/wgae-vox-media-union-statement-on-layoffs-at-thrillist-and-east/ Voc Media Union relief fund https://x.com/vox_union/status/1866132381758886148 Bill Addison reviews Vespertine https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-12-05/vespertine-culver-city-2024-review-jordan-kahn-bill-addison Melissa Clarke on Per Se and The French Laundry https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/26/dining/french-laundry-per-se.html Controversy at Roscoe’s https://la.eater.com/2024/12/4/24313359/roscoes-house-of-chicken-n-waffles-trump-doll-maga-los-angeles-southern-california The Ringer oral history on best fast food https://www.theringer.com/2024/12/03/food/chick-fil-a-waffle-fries-fast-food-rankings -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, dear listener, and I’m talking of course about the advent of The LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list.  Bill Addison and Jenn Harris dropped their picks at a highfalutin soiree earlier this week, and the reaction, as always, consists of everything from love to loathing. But what does it actually mean for Kato to earn the number 1 spot two years in a row, for restaurants like Bestia and Pijja Palace to fall off the list, and for new hot spots like Stella and Budonoki to be snubbed entirely? As you know, these kinds of questions eat Father Sal and I alive - so we decided to approach this year’s list with a frankly deranged level of in-depth analysis. So buckle up, dear listener, because we’ve combed through every 101 list since 2013 to determine what exactly this year’s list says about our city, its restaurants, and the people who write about them.  Helpful links: The LA Times 101 https://www.latimes.com/food/list/101-best-restaurants-los-angeles -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Black Friday. Father Sal and I are coming through with a very LA Food Pod Gift Guide. But first, there’s a piece in Taste making the case in favor of gatekeeping your favorite restaurants, a podcast with the brand new editor of The Best American Food & Travel Writing that elicited some red hot takes on the future of food media, and a snarky Substack article on whether 2024 was a year of lows for LA restaurants.  Helpful links: Shaan Merchant for Taste on gatekeeping ⁠https://tastecooking.com/is-there-a-case-for-gatekeeping/⁠ This is Taste interview with Jaya Saxena ⁠https://tastecooking.com/this-is-taste-499-best-american-food-writing-with-jaya-saxena/⁠ Bangers and Jams article on LA’s highs and lows ⁠https://www.bangersandjams.com/p/the-highs-and-lows-of-las-quiet-restaurant⁠ Eater’s Mona Holmes on Somerville and Long Beach’s new jazz lounge ⁠https://la.eater.com/2024/11/25/24305531/breakers-long-beach-hotel-sky-room-restaurant-opening-jazz-lounge-long-beach-southern-california⁠ GIFT GUIDE Gift for the accomplished home cook  Sal’s pick: Vitamix 5200 Blender ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H4SLV6?tag=seriouseats-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=8648475%7Cnfb598f95b40b4663a3a1de10248b91ba01%7CB008H4SLV6%7C1732671051584%7C%7C&th=1⁠ Luca’s pick: Corto olive oil ⁠https://www.amazon.com/TRULY%C2%AE-Extracted-Straight-Official-Producer/dp/B00YG1DWP4/ref=asc_df_B00YG1DWP4?mcid=664965199a223a9aa11521ed5c649c18&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693129827186&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2661308734640888339&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030967&hvtargid=pla-762159356592&psc=1⁠ Gift for the beginner home cook Sal’s pick: Foodist Kitchen.    ⁠https://foodistkitchen.com/⁠ Luca’s pick: Botanica Magic Spice ⁠https://www.botanicarestaurant.com/products/magic-spice⁠Gift for the friend who only eats out: Sal’s pick: Gym membership Luca’s pick: Red Dining Book ⁠https://www.reddiningbook.com/products/los-angeles-2025⁠ Gift for the insufferable LA foodie  Sal’s pick: How to Stop Being Toxic Luca’s pick: Subscription to LA Taco Gift for the insufferable fan of The Bear Sal’s pick: Gift card to Ever ⁠https://www.toasttab.com/ever-restaurant-1340-w-fulton-st/giftcards⁠ Luca’s pick: Carmy’s white shirt ⁠https://merzbschwanen.com/blog/press-8/the-viral-95-t-shirt-in-the-bear-came-from-a-san-francisco-store-125⁠ Gift for the cookbook collector Sal’s pick: Random Seattle bookshop ⁠https://booklarder.com/products/gift-card⁠ Luca’s pick: Way more relevant Long Beach bookshop ⁠https://squareup.com/gift/MLR9NPYWBWS6J/order⁠ Gift that says more about you than about the recipient (the virtue-signaling gift)  Sal’s pick: Anonymous gift to PETA Luca’s pick: VISIONS wine clup at Psychic Wines ⁠https://www.psychicwinesla.com/wine-club⁠ Food gift for your S/O For Emily: Dining in the Dark ⁠https://dininginthedarkexperience.com/los-angeles/⁠ For my wife: Mercado Famous meats ⁠https://mercadofamous.com/products/papa-noe⁠l Gift we’d get each other  Sal to Luca: Ooni he already has Luca to Sal: Masienda tortilla kit ⁠https://masienda.com/products/tortilla-starter-kit?variant=42499201597589&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=21317473580&utm_content=_m_&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgJa6BhCOARIsAMiL7V-PRF7prmdx2jB-JKO3G4yXJLsrtgLVU118bVONv3ba71lum7BYJeEaAg8mEALw_wcB⁠ Gift I wish people would get me Sal needs nothing Luca wants Cangshan Maya knives ⁠https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cangshan-maya-block-set-12-piece-set/?clickid=wGBUu4Rh7xyKWHp1PfwtbQybUkCQcbzXI1PZQ40&irgwc=1&cm_cat=249354&cm_ven=afshoppromo&cm_ite=&cm_pla=ir&irpid=24935⁠ -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Welcome to episode 100. We hosted a live show to celebrate at Little Joy Cocktails in Echo Park, and what you’re about to hear is the recording of said live show. Father Sal and I were joined by Eater’s Mona Holmes to run through the headlines of the day and to play a round of Chef’s Kiss Big Miss. We debuted the first-ever LA Food Pod quiz - big thanks and sincere apologies to David Turkell of Turk’s Pizza Party for participating. And, finally, we had a conversation with Jackson Kalb of Ospi, Jemma, and Top Chef fame, on running a restaurant in today’s tricky economic environment, among other things.  But first, Father Sal joins me for some slightly indulgent navel-gazing on what this podcast means to us, and we also quickly touch on some exciting events we attended this week, including a very insightful panel discussion on restaurant PR and marketing hosted by New School, and a comedy show presented by none other than former Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi.  Helpful links: Mona Holmes https://www.instagram.com/monaeats/?hl=en Jackson Kalb https://www.instagram.com/jacksonkalb/?hl=en Ospi https://ospi.com/venice Jemma https://jemmarestaurants.com/ Little Joy https://littlejoy.la/ The LA Food Pod Live Show was produced by: Robert Haleblian https://www.instagram.com/robert_haleblian/?hl=en -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! https://thelonelyoyster.com/ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

What do the best competition cook of all time, an uber-accomplished LA restaurateur and the author of one of the year’s best cookbooks have in common? Well, they’re all the same person and her name is Brooke Williamson. Brooke just released her first-ever cookbook, dear listener. It’s called SUN-KISSED COOKING, and it’s available now in stores. Brooke’s with us today to tell us what inspired the new book, why now felt like the right time in her storied career to release her first book, and what she liked and didn’t like about the arduous process of writing a cookbook.  Of course, I wouldn’t be doing my job if we didn’t also talk about her career as a prodigy on the Los Angeles restaurant scene, the secrets to her extraterrestrial ability as a competition cook, and how she’s seen the role of a restaurant operator evolve since opening her first restaurant back in the early aughts.  Helpful links: Sun-Kissed Cooking https://www.harpercollins.com/products/sun-kissed-cooking-brooke-williamson?variant=41531003830306 Brooke on IG https://www.instagram.com/chefbrookew/?hl=en The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Abdo Hajj -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! https://thelonelyoyster.com/ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Today on The LA Food Podcast… What game is Norm Langer playing by reposting Rick Caruso’s scathing video of Mayor Karen Bass’ efforts (or lacktherof) to clean up MacArthur Park? Why is Martha Stewart irate over the way she’s being portrayed in her brand new Netflix documentary “Martha?” And why is a trip Dan Tana’s pretty much obligatory in your near future, dear listener? We’re joined today by SF Gate’s Karen Palmer to discuss all of the above. She’s filling in for Father Sal and, dare I say, Father Sal watch out. If he keeps abusing his PTO days, Karen just made a case for why there might need to be a change in administration. Too soon? In Part 2 we’re joined by Richard Pink of Pink’s Hot Dogs. The Hollywood icon that is Pink’s is celebrating its 85th birthday and is giving out 85 cent hot dogs to celebrate. I caught up with Richard at Pink’s to hear about the promotion, but more importantly, to hear his reflections on the little hot dog stand that could.  As always please consider leaving us a rating or a review wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m your host Luca Servodio and without further ado, let’s chow down.  Helpful links: Karen Palmer https://www.sfgate.com/author/karen-palmer/ Karen on IG https://www.instagram.com/karenlpalmer/?hl=en Karen’s piece on Dan Tana’s https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/california-italian-restaurant-dan-tanas-19880183.php Pink’s https://www.pinkshollywood.com/ Langer’s re-post of Rick Caruso https://www.instagram.com/p/DB7CglYvmzQ/?hl=en New York Times interview with Martha Stewart https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/30/movies/martha-stewart-netflix-documentary.html Eater’s stories on Martha https://www.eater.com/search?q=martha+stewart Taste on nonalcoholic martinis https://tastecooking.com/a-good-na-martini-is-possible/ The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Abdo Hajj -- Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! https://thelonelyoyster.com/ – Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Part 1 of our brand new series, Opening Cafe Esca. We’re joined by accomplished hospitality pros Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox, the dream team behind the upcoming Coastal Italian gem slated to open in the Arts District in March of 2025.  Luke and Reilly have agreed to visit us on the pod once a month to take us behind the scenes of all that’s gonna go into opening their ambitious LA restaurant. Why are they doing this? Well, typically when restaurants open you just see a blurb in Eater or stroll by it on your morning walk, but there’s tons of work that goes into opening a restaurant that often goes untold. Reilly and Luke are going to take us under the hood, sharing the good, the bad, the ugly, and of course the delicious. Think of this like a podcast version of The Bear Season 2, but with more City of Angels and far less family trauma.  But first, Father Sal is with us to talk New York versus LA food, whether Kamala Harris’ status as a foodie can actually help her win the election, and of course, to play a round of Chef’s Kiss Big MIss with us. He also makes a BIG, MASSIVE announcement that you’re not gonna wanna miss. All I’ve gotta say is, look out LA, there’s a new daddy in town.  Helpful links: Luke Reyes https://www.instagram.com/_luke_reyes/?hl=en Reilly Cox https://www.linkedin.com/in/reillyscox/ Rita’s Deluxe https://www.ritasdeluxe.com/ Psychic Wines https://www.psychicwinesla.com/ Jenn Harris on NY vs LA food https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-10-25/los-angeles-better-food-city-new-york-city-dodgers-yankees Meghan McCarron on Kamala’s foodie-ness https://www.bonappetit.com/story/kamala-harris-food-politics?srsltid=AfmBOoqPiaZxqUNliiwHMvaogf_kYPjpWZ3TBRbczCazjhHB7AjQUouM LAist Halloween foods https://laist.com/brief/news/food/seven-local-spots-serving-grim-goodies-this-halloween-season Mona Holmes on Homemade LA https://la.eater.com/2024/10/28/24275082/homemade-la-home-restaurants-mehko-food-service-vendors-los-angeles-county Cheese store robbed https://www.nbc.com/today/video/400000-worth-of-award-winning-cheese-stolen-in-london/NBCN854213543#:~:text=A%20con%20artist%20who%20posed,Neal's%20Yard%20Diary%20in%20London. The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Abdo Hajj -- Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Today on The LA Food Podcast presented by Rusty’s Chips… how are influencers transforming LA’s restaurant scene? What does a legendary San Bernardino restaurant have to do with political polarization? And why did one Little Tokyo mochi manufacturer inspire a long-form feature in the New York Times? Father Sal is with us to discuss all of the above, beginning with a deep dive into Eater LA’s four-story package on the dreaded “i” word - influencers. Are they adding something valuable to the overall conversation? Or are they scammers that everybody from restaurants to consumers should be wary of? As always, we have the definitive, unquestionable, and unchallengeable answers, for you dear listener, so get excited, cuz this conversation is Lox Level 9.9. In Part 2, I caught up with the iconic Dominick DiBartolomeo at The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills. While The Cheese Store has been in business since the 60s, the latest iteration on Santa Monica Blvd is making waves that have the LA’s culinary nerds abuzz with excitement. Dom and I talk about all things cheese and sandwiches, we learn what his favorite cheeses are right now, and which cheese he would eat if he could only pick one to consume for the rest of his life. He tells us the crazy lengths he goes to to source his incredible product, and how he goes about forging relationships with LA’s best chefs. Talking to Dominick felt like talking to a long-lost relative, and that’s not just cuz we’re both Italian. He’s a true gem of a human being, and I can’t wait for you to brie this conversation. I mean, hear this conversation.  As always please consider leaving us a rating or a review wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m your host Luca Servodio and without further ado, let’s go Dodgers and let’s chow down.  Helpful links: Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/ The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills https://www.cheesestorebh.com/ The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Adam Skaggs Tiffany Perez Tim Bertolini Abdo Hajj – Get 10% off at Rusty’s Chips using code “LACOUNTDOWN” ⁠https://rustyschips.com/discount/LACOUNTDOWN⁠ -- Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods cc: Gustavo Arellano, Bill Esparza, Meghan McCarron, Pete Wells, Steve Martin, Mona Holmes, Cathy Chaplin, Rebecca Roland, Matthew Kang, Gab Chabran

Today on The LA Food Podcast presented by Rusty’s Chips… Evan Funke’s episode of Chef’s Table is out on Netflix, Father Sal and I watched it so you don’t have to. How did we feel about it? Well, let’s just say the episode gave one us an acute case of the ick that no amount of cacio e pepe can reverse. Listen to find out why.  But first, former Eater New York critic Ryan Sutton has some interesting thoughts on the future of restaurant criticism, the LA County government actually did something positive for aspiring restaurateurs, and there’s a tension rising between the need for restaurants to become increasingly sustainable while navigating the tough economic conditions. As always there’s a lighting round of Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, and Father Sal brought a Let Me Cook to the table that you’re not gonna wanna miss. One word for you - ARFID.  As always please consider leaving us a rating or a review wherever you listen to podcasts. I’m your host Luca Servodio and without further ado, let’s chow down.  Helpful links: Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/ The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Adam Skaggs Tiffany Perez Tim Bertolini Abdo Hajj – Get 10% off at Rusty’s Chips using code “LACOUNTDOWN” ⁠https://rustyschips.com/discount/LACOUNTDOWN⁠ -- Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Is Eater’s new list of the Essential 38 Restaurants perfect, or is it the most chaotic list of all time? What do we find groundbreaking about Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson’s upcoming fine dining concept? And where would we eat if we could only eat at 3 restaurants for the rest of our lives?  Father Sal is with us to discuss all of the above, why you should check out a newly released Great British Baking Show companion pod, why you can maybe skip Tom Colicchio’s new memoir/cookbook, and why your next tasting menu experience might be a couple courses shorter. Our interview today is with Chef Dominique Crisp, Culinary Director of The Lonely Oyster. Dom’s got a fascinating story and he also happens to be part of the Oyster Master Guild. That means Dom is to oysters what sommeliers are to wine. He teaches us to appreciate the wonderful world of merroir, and what distinguishes good oysters from oysters that are, to paraphrase Dom, better than s*x. Dom also tells us how the late, iconic Naomi Pomeroy played a pivotal role in his career, and what he learned from his previous venture Saso, which he opened in Pasadena smack dab in the middle of the pandemic and ultimately decided to walk away from despite its rip-roaring success.  Helpful links: Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/ The Lonely Oyster https://thelonelyoyster.com/ Chef Dom Crisp https://www.instagram.com/domcrisp/ Keith Corbin's memoir https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/677186/california-soul-by-keith-corbin/ The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of: Adam Skaggs Tiffany Perez Tim Bertolini Abdo Hajj – Get 10% off at Rusty’s Chips using code “LACOUNTDOWN” https://rustyschips.com/discount/LACOUNTDOWN -- Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods