Yama Sake Event@West LA ★★★

Yama Seafood National Sake Day VIP Event. By invitation only. Thank you Yama Seafood for such a fun-filled customer appreciation event. Such a treat with great sake & food pairing. We were divided into smaller groups and rotated around to try the different pairing. It was fun. Sushi Chef Ko-chan is amazing. I always wanted to try his Master Sushi Class, but it's always sold out in seconds. Got to try their new exclusive sake from Hawaii.

Generous Gift Bag Full of Yummy Snacks

Generous Gift Bag

Welcome Lychee Cocktail Drink

Scott

Sushi Chef Ko-chan

Opening the Special Sake Barrel

Opening the Special Sake Barrel

Dassai 23

Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo paired with Hamachi (Yellowtail) Sashimi & Nigiri Sushi

Amazing Ko-chan!

So thrilled to finally get to meet Ko-chan!

Tokyo Kurabito Kimoto Junmai Ginjo paired with Ko-chan's Special Lemon Roll & Salmon Sashimi

Ko-chan's Special Lemon Roll & Salmon Sashimi

Hakksaisan Yukimuro paired with Maguro (Blue Fin Tuna) Sashimi & Nigiri Sushi

Kikusui Funaguchi Nama Genshu paired with Amazing Chicken Katsu with their secret SWA sauce

Exclusive Lilikoi Junmai Daiginko Nama Sake from Hawaii paired with Mochidoki Mochi Ice Cream

Mochidoki Mochi Ice Cream (Carrot)

Mochidoki Mochi Ice Cream

Yama Sushi Sake Attitude
11709 National Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 903-6218
www.yamaseafoodla.com

OTOTO World Sake Day Tasting@Echo Park ★★★

Amazing Sake Tasting Event for World Sake Day. Thrilled to meet 山本典正 Norimasa Yamamoto (President of Heiwa Shuzou) and 古舘龍之介 Ryunosuke Furudate, 杜氏 Chief Brewer of Akabu Shuzo from Japan. Got autographed bottles. Light bites included such as Katsu Sandwich from Katsu Sando. $65 per person plus 9.5% tax via Tock.

山本典正 Norimasa Yamamoto, President of Heiwa Shuzou

My personal inventory of Heiwa Muryozan (currently sold out)

古舘龍之介 Ryunosuke Furudate, 杜氏 Chief Brewer of Akabu Shuzo
and his sister 古舘岬 Misaki-san

Autograph from Ryunosuke-san on the box and bottle

Ryunosuke-san's Autographed Bottles added to my personal inventory

Closeup of Ryunosuke-san's Autograph

Namazake Paul

Devin, our favorite Sake Sommelier from n/naka!

OTOTO
1360 Allison Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 784-7930
www.ototo.la

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

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

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