Saturday, September 30, 2023

Joseon@Silver Lake ★★★

Best Korean Food w/ Modern Twist. Friends & Family pre-opening by TV personality Debbie Lee (Morimoto's Sushi Master). Beautiful presentation w/ personal touch with tribute to her Northern Korean roots. Fine ingredients. Amazing taste with a pop of crispy accent texture in some dishes. Love Debbie's rendition of Korean seafood. A night full of culinary surprise for the taste buds. Debbie keeps striving for perfection in her culinary creativity. My new Korean comfort food. 5-course menu $79. 7-course menu $99. Good deal. Add-ons were delicious. Highly recommended. Opening to public 10/6. Reservations via Resy. Valet $12 or very limited street parking (read signs).

Crispy Kakiage Vegetable Tempura (compliments of the chef)

죽 Juk | Porridge
Kabocha Squash Porridge, Jujubee Romesco, Crispy Korean Leek, Garlic Chive Oil

회 Hoe/Hwe | Tartare (option 1)
Hall Farmstead Wagyu Beef Tartare, Asian Pear, Salted Egg Yolk, Perilla, Seaweed Cracker

회 Hoe/Hwe | Tartare (option 2)
Rose Crudo of the day, Pluot, Gochugaru Buttermilk, Onion Sprout

전 Jeon | Egg Battered
Egg White Battered Squash Blossom, Vegetable Tofu Ricotta, Soy Eggplant Tahini

만두 Wang Mandu | Royal Dumplings
Ginger Pork Rillette, King Oyster Mushroom Fume, Shitake Chicharrones

구이 Gui | BBQ (option 2)
Grilled Blue Prawns, Seoul Style Leche de Tigre, Ssam Style

구이 Gui | BBQ (option 1)
Hall Farmstead Wagyu Beef Tongue, Asparagus, Shimeji, Classic Bulgogi Sauce

찜 Jjim | Braised Stew (option 1)
Eundaegu Jjorim, Deconstructed Pimento Black Cod, Daikon Puree, Korean Leek

찜 Jjim | Braised Stew (option 2)
Gori Jjim, aka Wagyu Oxtail, Purple Rice Cake, Weiser Farms Sunchoke Puree, Fall Braised Vegetables

떡/국수 Tteok | Rice (option 2)
Tteok Guk, Celebratory Rice Cake Soup, Halmuni Bone Broth, Wagyu Brisket, Crispy Tteok, Tamagoyaki Style Omelet

떡/국수 Guksu | Noodles (option 1)
Kongguksu, Chilled Soybean Milk Noodles, Tomato Muchim, Pickled Fresno, Bottarga

Marinated Melon

Dessert

Platters to share: Abalone Two Ways: (add-on)
Abalone Sashimi, Kimchee Mignonette
Abalone Juk (Porridge), Crispy Shallots, Gochu Oil

Bone Marrow (add-on)
Shila Inspired Wagyu Roasted Bone Marrow, Oxtail, Seoul Style Chimichurri, Salt Cured Egg, Sesame Flatbread

Platters to share: Bossam (add-on)
Berkshire Pork Belly, Plum Glaze, Pluot Ssamjang, Soy Caramelized Roasted Kabocha, Weiser Farms Melon Minari Salad, Coleman Farms Little Gem, House Kimchee

"500 Years" Jinmaek Soju Oak (Reserve)

"500 Years" Jinmaek Soju Oak (Reserve)

Picture w/ Debbie Lee at her last pop-up

Joseon
3707 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 258-4650
www.joseonla.com

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Oste@West Hollywood ★★★

Amazing Italian Food. Features Roman recipe Pinsa. Everything tasted good. Good service. Valet for $12 or metered street parking.

Santa Barbara Scallop Crudo $22
grapefruit, orange, fresno chili avocado, radish, basil oil

Carciofi alla Giudia $22
fried baby artichokes, parsley, lemon, bagna cauda

Greco Bianco $48

Scottadito $38
grilled New Zealand lamp chops, lemon, mustard frills, bagnetto verde

Roasted Bone Marrow $25
garlic confit, arugula, garlic bread, sea salt

Funghi Pinsa $26
scamorza cheese, wild mushrooms, parsley, garlic, parmigiano, truffle oil

Pappardelle alla Vaccinara $26
braised oxtail ragu, parmigiano, rosemary oil

Frutti di Mare $35
homemade squid ink tagliatelle, tiger prawns, calamari, mussels, marinara

Truffle Fries w/ Truffle Aioli $11

Lemon Sorbet $6, Chocolate Gelato $6

Oste
8142 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 413-2372
ostelosangeles.com

Monday, September 25, 2023

Blasteran@Beverly Hills ★★★

Asian Fusion. Nice use of spices and flavors. Love the spices in the Cauliflower appetizer. Garlic Noodles was garlicky and buttery. Sangria was nice. Overall menu on the pricey side, but that's Beverly Hills. They do consider a table of 4 as large party and has a mandatory service charge of 20%. Parking in rear lot or metered street parking. Reservations via Yelp.

Garlic Noodles $18 (add mushroom medley +$10)
yakisoba, oyster sauce, parmigiano reggiano

Cauliflower $12
Oyster sauce, housemaid hummus, baby arugula, parmigiano reggiano, paprika

Brussels Caesars $18
artisan lettuce, shaved brussels sprouts, parsley, radicchio, pine nuts, parmigiano reggiano, croutons, house made caesar dressing

Ahi Tuna Tartare $25
Hawaiian yellow fin tuna, avocado, ginger, house made potato chips

Kalbi Tacos (2 pcs) $20
Korean style BBQ short ribs, cilantro, scallion, kimchi, chipotle crema, yellow corn tortilla

NY Steak $55
USA prime steak (13 oz), chimichurri, potato purée, sautéed vegetables

Fish Plate $33
Fish of the day (8 oz), curried risotto, chardonnay, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, parmesan

Bread Pudding Fresh Toast a la Mode $20

Churros $10

Blasteran
272 South La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(424) 274-3611
blasteranbh.com

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Fukuno@Gardena ★★★

Traditional Japanese Restaurant Ran by Old Japanese Couple. Decent food with reasonable price. Marinate for Ankimo Umani was amazing. Great kappo dishes to pair with beer. Japanese-speaking preferred. Iced Oolong Tea $6. Large Asahi Beer $8. 720mL bottle corkage fee $20. Free parking in lot. Serves limited customers per night. Make reservation in advance. Max party of 2 people at chef’s counter (6 seats).

Ankimo Umani
simmered monk fish liver Fukuno special

Kiriboshi Daikon (Dried Shredded Daikon) $9.95

Sashimi Moriawase $16.50

Renkon Kinpira $5
cooked lotus root

Maguro Yamakake $8.50
fresh tuna & grated Japanese mountain yam

Tori Kushiyaki Yuzukosho $7
grilled skewered chicken w/ yuzu pepper

Yaki Kaki (2 pcs) $9
grilled oysters

Hamachi Kama Shioyaki $9.95
grilled yellow tail collar w/ salt

Hakosushi $16.50
pressed sushi rice & broiled sea eel w/ sweet sauce on top
Negitoro Maki $13
chopped fatty tuna roll w/ green onion

Tako Yawarakani $12.50
simmered tender octopus

Iri Ginnan $7
roasted ginko nut

Restaurant Exterior

Fukuno
15915 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 719-1640
https://kappo-fukuno.wixsite.com/torrance