For my birthday I don’t like going for the tried and true. Instead, I like trying new places. A Thai restaurant named Subhannahong Royal Thai Cuisine caught my attention and I asked my wife if we could celebrate there. Subhannahong resides on Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach. Most establishments with a PCH address are…
Gindaco Takoyaki Lands in Tokyo Central in Gardena
Gindaco Takoyaki, the number one takoyaki chain in Japan, recently opened its first American site in the food court inside Tokyo Central in Gardena. The chain, extremely popular in Japan, specializes in this golf ball-sized street food made with a wheat flour mixture with fresh octopus. Takoyaki originated and became popular in Osaka and then…
The Taste OC Debuts in Costa Mesa on Oct 19
The Taste recently took place over Labor Day weekend and was another huge success. This year, the Times is adding The Taste OC in Costa Mesa to focus on the thriving dining scene and award-winning restaurants in the heart of Southern California. The Taste’s debut in Costa Mesa will take place at The MET over…
John O’Groats Still Delivers Great Home-style Breakfasts
West LA’s John O’Groats has been serving solid American comfort food for 36 years. They are open for breakfast and lunch and are best known for their signature items like corned beef hash, fried chicken, omelets and freshly baked buttermilk biscuits. John O’Groats lunch menu includes sandwiches, burgers and freshly made salads. Owner Paul…
The Dudes’ Brewing Opens Tasting Room in Santa Monica
Santa Monica Place underwent a massive, three-year renovation process and re-opened as a modern open air mall. This Thursday, September 13 from 6 – 9 p.m., the Dudes’ Brewing Company hosts a grand opening event with live music on the top deck of Santa Monica Place. The Dudes’ Brewing Company’s latest tasting room features 27…
Fishing with Dynamite – 5 Years Later
I first ate at Fishing with Dynamite 5 years ago, just after they opened. While I’ve been there for a lunch on an occasional basis, I hadn’t returned for dinner. I had a gift card for Fishing with Dynamite and my wife and I got together with my cousin and her husband for dinner. Their…
The Taste LA – Recapping Opening Night
THE TASTE LA, the Los Angeles Times’ annual celebration of the Southern California culinary scene, is back at Paramount Pictures Studios lot this Labor Day weekend. THE TASTE LA is again cooking up a locally-focused, internationally-flavored menu of offerings with featured chefs and special guests. This is one of my favorite events to attend because…
Okiboru Prepares Heavenly Tsukemen Noodles
Ramen is Japanese comfort food and has taken LA by storm. While I enjoy ramen, I don’t care for consuming hot broth when the temperatures soar into the 90’s. The answer for ramen lovers in hot weather? Tsukemen. A restaurant named Okiboru recently opened and specializes in this version of Japanese ramen. LA’s Chinatown is…
Tolosa for Modern Mexican Tapas
The entrepreneurial spirit I once had is ignited when I see an experienced chef starting out on his or her own venture. While it is a status symbol to own a restaurant, there are plenty of owners that have gone down that road unsuccessfully. A restaurant named Tolosa recently opened in Boyle Heights and caught…
Celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday Aug 7
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. This year, local law enforcement is celebrating their 35th anniversary. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Further,…