Time for some reflection ... Top 5 things you ate in 2018 (in SoCal)

If you ask for them–yes.

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Do you ever get the carne de res at Los 5? I’ve always found that to be better than the carnitas even though the carnitas get all the love

I got a cookie and a biscuit from them. The biscuit was ok. The cookie was actively bad.
The baguette though. It’s magic. I have to start buying two because I eat a good chunk of it on the walk home

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No particular order.

Triniti: Persimmon and pear salad with creme fraiche

Bestia: Bone Marrow gnochetti (ok, I’ve had this in previous years, but it will usually always be on the list)

Majordomo: most anything with butter and bing, including honey, caviar, foie gras

Happy Harbor: roast suckling pig (the whole pig is $250 and about 8 lbs)

Bistro LQ: uni chawanmushi

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Cosa Buona: Mozzarella sticks
Playground 2.0: A5 Wagyu over bincho
Majordomo: Bing with honey butter
A Cut Above: Cubano
n/naka: Uni and crab spaghetti

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Totally agree. Better than Republique and Clark Street, which had been my favorites.

I’m unclear. What’s the name of this place for a great baguette?

That’s been a thing for years. You just gotta ask.

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I haven’t been to new port probably in 2 years but good to know for next time

Fiona

The tendon in chile at Fey Restaurant in Menlo park.

The chicken cooked in a bladder at Paul Bocuse in Lyon. It is served with morel sauce. Heaven.

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Well January 2019 is almost over, and I’ve finally had time to reflect on the 5 Best Things I Ate in Los Angeles for 2018. Here they are (in no particular order):

Santa Barbara spot prawn, prawn roe, uni and truffle spaghettini, from n/naka

Santa%20Barbara%20spot%20prawn%2C%20prawn%20roe%2C%20uni%20and%20truffle%20spaghettin

Kohlrabi Puree, snap Peas, truffle jelly and mint, from Somni

Roasted Heritage Gallus Bone-In Whole Chicken (smashed fingerling potatoes, broccolini, sliced truffle, albufera sauce, poulet au jus), from Wally’s Wine & Spirits

Cappellini with 36-hour San Marzano tomato sauce, from Jame Enoteca

Steamed Central Coast abalone with awabi kimo (abalone liver), from Hayato

and a BONUS mention:

Layered omelette sandwich, with dashi, mayo & dijon, from Konbi

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What did you drink with that fucking chicken you lucky bastard?

Would you like some truffles with your order(s), sir?

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I occasionally do enjoy some food to go along with my truffles lol…

In reverse taxonomical order:

Majordomo
whole plate short rib, smoked bone-in apl-style ribs, beef fat rice, shiso, rice paper, ssamjang, kimchi, pickled daikon

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66cde58c63a00ad90e30e562969c595debe76259_2_689x388

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Hayato
wild aji bo-zushi
https://www.foodtalkcentral.com/uploads/short-url/tkfuENYlI2hiTBSsq0nG4nEYO7k.jpg

Orsa & winston
satsuki rice porridge - lobster, abalone, scallop, smoked fish, geoduck, shiitake, chowder, pecorino
https://www.foodtalkcentral.com/uploads/short-url/jbNqHVkUCXiLKIE1wSdwrBpv018.jpeg

Holbox
sopa de mariscos con erizo - uni seafood stew with crab, yellowtail, clam, shrimp, potato and grilled bread
https://www.foodtalkcentral.com/uploads/short-url/5qHpBF9nEUSsP5Ax23eLo6SlMWm.jpeg

Republique
mafaldine, maine lobster
https://www.foodtalkcentral.com/uploads/short-url/qg6bvQT4aMPZGilmtZkTeO1a7Ol.jpeg

first runner-up
Pizzeria mozza
roasted tomato, mozzarella di bufala, spicy anchovy, agrumato lemon
https://foodtalkcentral.b-cdn.net//uploads/default/optimized/3X/f/4/f4d1d8855a011eb1cb3174c36ceb335a6136d608_2_689x388.jpeg

Top toto
singlethread
upstairs neorest® 750h toto
https://www.foodtalkcentral.com/uploads/short-url/wk5s3gVSuvLfBxhr1ZmjiK5s9AF.jpg

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That Toto sports a faster profile than some racing motorcycles. #numbertwofasttwofurious

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Nice list

In alpha order and ended up with 6.

  1. Hayato’s kaiseki, especially the Yellowtail rice course
  2. LQ’s Cassoulet
  3. Lukshon’s Summer ’18 tasting menu dessert — pineapple sticky rice with compressed pineapple and Thai green curry sorbet.
  4. Majordomo - APL style beef rib and rice
  5. Pearl River Delta popup (by J. Lee) - Salted duck egg yolk fried shrimp
  6. Petit Trois Lobster Thermidor

Main criteria: Would go back in a heartbeat to have the dish(es) again.

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