-
I thought it was a great event this year. This year, VIP admission seemed even more worth it than last, because 1) there was better stuff in the gift bags, and 2) it seemed more crowded post-VIP than last year. Even when the crowds came, lines generally weren't long, it was just a bit claustraphobic for me.
For me, some of the highlights were:
Maison Giraud-vanilla and almond custard with blood orange gelee (custard was sooo creamy...almond actually helped bring out the vanilla...imagine your favorite creme brulee, then imagine it even better!)
Palate - Pig ears/pork belly sandwich (I wish Glendale were closer to where I live! They are geniuses at pork and sandwiches. At the L.A. times event, they had a sardine sandwich that may have been the best sandwich I've ever had.)
Mozza - Burrata with pesto and roasted cherry tomato (they served something extremely similar at the 1st gold standard 2 years ago, and it was simple yet great then too)
Foundry-grilled cheese sandwich
Chichen Itza -cochinita pibil (husband says that the ceviche was also excellent, but I didn't try it). We are such fans of Mo Chica in the same food court that we never go to Chicken Itza. Their food was good enough to cure us of this inclination.
Bludso's-pulled pork-glad I finally got the chance to try it. It was very good, but I prefer Big Mista's (can't really say one is better than the other, there are stylistic differences and I prefer the style of Big Mista's)
Jar-pork buns
Cut-short ribs (not innovative, but very tender and tasty)
AOC-pork rillete (pork itself was really good, everything else on the plate was meh)Lowlights included:
Street-Vietnamese crepes (just didn't like the flavors--took one bite then threw it away)
Gorbals-their ad in the program was all about how great they are with pork...and then they served chicken gizzards...and didn't manage to get them out until maybe 2 hours late?...husband took a bite and said they weren't great-I didn't even bother to taste because by that time I was so full and didn't want to waste precious stomach space on mediocre food.›5 Replies-
re: Nicole
hppzz
Mar 8, 2011 06:08 AM
had to chuckle seeing Susan Feninger use the iron to heat up the banh xeo, will have to give her creativity points for sure. Agree with many that Bistro LQ's hare and duck neck terrine and Providence's scallop tartar on nastertium leaf were two of the best.
More photos after the jump http://ravenouscouple.blogspot.com/20...
Here's a photo of said iron
-----
Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
-
puppychao
Mar 7, 2011 09:12 AM
This was my first time attending the event and VIP was definitely worth it. Highlights for me, were:
Little Dom - Grilled Oyster
Waterloo and City - Chicken Liver and Foie Mousse
Chichen Itza - Tripe soup
Mozza - Burrata pesto and roasted cherry tomato
Palate - Pig ears, lardon and kumquat banh mi
Providence - raw scallop with rice cracker wrapped is some type of leaf (best single bite)
Gorbals - Chicken gizzards with romesco sauce (biggest surprise)The absolute worst dish of the day was Slaw Dogs, not sure what they were trying to do.
Looking forward to next year.
-----
Chichen Itza
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104Waterloo and City
12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90066The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013›10 Replies-
re: puppychao
"Providence - raw scallop with rice cracker wrapped is some type of leaf (best single bite)
Gorbals - Chicken gizzards with romesco sauce (biggest surprise)"providence didn't work for me and I love cirimusti(sp?). friends loved the dish though. it was interesting but I wouldn't pay money for it.
gorbals was very good. too bad so many people passed it up.
I bet slaw dogs messed up by leaving their dogs in that rack/warmer thing too long.
-
re: ns1
puppychao
Mar 7, 2011 09:26 AM
I think what impressed me with Providence, was the creativity and the ability and confidence to serve something so clean tasting.
I agree the Slaw dogs concept must be served immediately after it's prepared, otherwise the "wrapper" around the hot dog becomes leather. Not to mention it was impossible to get one bite of everything.
-
re: ns1
terramassu
Mar 7, 2011 09:29 AM
I missed Gorbals too.. but not on purpose. I just don't remember their booth at all.
I liked Loteria Grill's Prickly Pear Juice, and appreciated that there was Ethiopian and Indian food as well as many variations of foie gras and cheese.
-----
Loteria Grill
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013-
re: terramassu
Gorbals was at the far end of the outside line of booths right up against the wall. They were also late setting up. They weren't fully set up until after general admission had streamed in already. I hovered around their booth a little before 2 when they finally hit full production mode.
-----
The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013-
re: Jase
terramassu
Mar 7, 2011 01:43 PM
Ohh... I missed out. By 2 I was already stuffed. Bummer. But I'm glad I missed Slaw Dogs.
-----
The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
-
-
-
-
re: puppychao
DarinDines
Mar 7, 2011 09:34 AM
I did GA and thought it was a really good deal for the price - looks like the VIP was also worth it - that extra hour looked crucial for some of those busy tables (Mozza).
I'm glad I passed on slaw dogs too, as it looks like that was a disapointing one.
Write-up with pictures: http://darindines.com/2011/03/06/gold...
-
-
i thought little dom's did the best overall. great barbeque oysters and spicy caramel sundaes. the short ribs from cut were great as were the lengua tacos from loteria. the pigs ear bahn mi were good as well from palate. forgot about the scallop tartar from providence.
slaw dogs was terrible. i thought that whipped brie from ludo bites was terrible too.
the cocktails from coles was a nice touch.
-
Had a great time and to try everything I wanted to except Mozza. My favorite items were Little Dom's grilled oysters, Bistro LQ's hare terrine with pickled huckleberrys, Cut's short ribs, The Gorbal's chicken gizards and Chichen Itza's ceviche.
10 minutes in I managed to drip bahn mi juice all over my shirt.
I personally thought there were a few too many places doing pork.
Had a few too many wines, and most of them are kind of blurred to me at this point, but I did find a copy of wineries I will have to look more into (Verdad and Cline). I also really enjoyed the cocktails from A Frame (first one with rum, falernum and hibiscus, second one with cloves).
I agree that Slaw Dogs served the worst thing I tried. Expected there would be a few places serving dessert items. I was also disapointed with the grilled cheese from The Foundry, but others seemed to like it well enough.
I don't think most people realized they had tables/benches set up to the left of the entrance, behind the tarp. Would have been nice if they had advertised a bit more that there was a seating area. Though, the numbers of seats would have been insufficient had more people been aware of them.
Overall, well worth the price of admission.
-----
Chichen Itza
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013›5 Replies-
re: jsandler
Couldn't find the Grilled Cheese. doh!
Didnt' see the tables at all!
Little Dom's line was too long, didn't try that either.that terrine + huckleberry was awesome though!
the line for the old fashioned was SO FREAKING LONG omg. the A-Frame drink got too sweet after a while. BUT that a-frame popcorn was the surprise of the day for me. When I saw it on the A-Frame menu I was like WTF are you serious? But actually eating it made me a believer.
-----
A-Frame
12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA
-
-
random thoughts:
slaw dogs had the single worst bite of the event. Error in execution or concept I don't know but that dog was disgusting.
loiteria grill was a big surprise. Loved their crab tostada.
lots of mexican all around this year. Best tacos were the fish taco made to order and the braised pork @ babita
parks = why bother?
street serving up vietnamese crepes doing a disservice to banh xeo everywhere
will probably spring for VIP next year, more than a few booths that we wanted to visit ran out or were too busy - CUT, Mozza, JAR, LudoBites
›4 Replies-
-
re: Ciao Bob
What time did you get your portion? I got mine relatively early on and didn't find the noodles gummy. They had a good bite and chew, al dente-ish. Agreed on the broth. I thought their set up was pretty good for quick dispensing while keeping ingredients fresh. But apparently not as good as I thought if you got a gummy portion of noodles.
-
-
-
-
-
re: ns1
terramassu
Mar 7, 2011 06:30 AM
VIP Goodie Bag:
- Pom Concentrate for Making Cocktails
- XL Shirt of Beulliet Bourbon Whiskey
- Knork- Fork that can be used as a knife
- Deck of Playing Cards
- 2 tickets for Geffen Playhouse show to be redeemed at the box office
- i tunes giftcard
- Hotter than MoFo Hot Sauce
- Expandable Bag For Keeping things in your car? ( I think?)
- Coupon for Gelsons
-Coupon for Hammer Museum
- Also had wine glasses with the LA Weekly logo-
-
-
re: Ciao Bob
terramassu
Mar 7, 2011 01:49 PM
Hmm... it said it was for Broadway music, I'll double check it, maybe I misread it, or maybe I'm just special, but then again I was there extremely early.
-
-
re: Jase
terramassu
Mar 7, 2011 01:49 PM
They had some more of those cards at the LA Weekly table from what I remember.
-
-
re: terramassu
Ciao Bob
Mar 7, 2011 08:44 AM
Slaw Dogs was vile indeed.
Cut's short ribs and Vicente's porchetta sandwich were divine as was almost all the Mexican I had. So many good tacos and rellenos and tamales and ceviches. I think Chichen Itza's ceviche with conch was incredible. Jar did a Char Shu Pastry canape that was delish. I didn't care for Eva's chili-pasta.
It gets very crowded after VIP time and many places closed up shop at 3, for an event that was going to 5. How's that happen?
Cole's did a very great job with old fashioned but the line was hard on the liver.I didn't see any iTunes gift x card in MY bag.
-----
Chichen Itza
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104-
-
re: Ciao Bob
Dommy
Mar 7, 2011 03:23 PM
I understand your post completely... Although due to some unforseen circumstances we arrived at ~3p. Although we missed out on several items... we still had a BLAST. Talking to chefs, catching up with friends & the unlimited bubbly. Compared to other events, I like the vibe of this... chili dogs next to the stand with fresh oysters and getting excited about BOTH... awesome. I thanked Mr. Gold after the event and told him it was worth it alone to have as many hot out of the fryer Tacos Baja Tacos as I wanted... I haven't had one that hot in fresh at the restaurant location in EONS... LOL!!
--Dommy!
-
-
re: Dommy
streetgourmetla
Mar 9, 2011 08:17 AM
It was so great to see you Dommy and Jase, what a party it was? I also got to catch up with Ciao Bob. Plenty to eat, what a fantastic way to lunch on a Sunday afternoon, the wine was flowing, couldn't keep it in my glass though. Let's do it again next year!!
-
-
-
-
-
hyacinthgirl
Feb 4, 2011 12:17 PM
I wasn't able to understand the procedure from the website. For the entry price, do you get free items at each vendor, or do the vendors charge additional amounts once you're in the door? Thanks!
›2 Replies -
i wasn't sure if anyone had seen this yet but they have announced the final list of restaurants this year:
A-Frame
Akasha
AOC
Babita
Bistro LQ
Bludso's BBQ
Chichen Itza
Cole's
CUT
Drago Centro
Earlez Grille
El Huarache Azteca #1
Eva Restaurant
Father's Office
The Foundry on Melrose
Good Girl Dinette
Guelaguetza
Jar
Jinya
Jitlada
La Casita
Little Dom's
Loteria Grill
Ludo Bites
Maison Giraud
Manilla Machine
Mayura Amrit
Meals By Genet
Mo-Chica
Mozza
Nickel Diner
Palate Food & Wine
Park's BBQ
Providence
Slaw Dogs
Starry Kitchen
STREET
Tacos Baja Ensenada
The Gorbals
Upstairs 2
Vincenti
Waterloo and Citysounds excellent to me.
-----
AOC
8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Ave, Suite G, Los Angeles, CA 90006Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027Meals By Genet
1053 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019Chichen Itza
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007Loteria Grill
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036El Huarache Azteca
1378 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026Mayura
10406 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232Vincenti Restaurant
11930 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049Akasha
9543 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232Upstairs 2
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064Palate Food & Wine
933 South Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204Tacos Baja Ensenada
385 W Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027Nickel Diner
524 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CAGood Girl Dinette
110 North Avenue 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048Earlez Grille
3630 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104Waterloo and City
12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90066Starry Kitchen
350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071The Gorbals
501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013A-Frame
12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, USABludso's BBQ
811 S Long Beach Blvd, Compton, CA 90221›2 Replies -
-
-
re: ns1
Alcohol is included. I think you are given one glass that you keep on refilling? There were a lot of different wines to try, and a couple of beers (including Stella, with free glasses to take home). I don't recall if there was hard alcohol, maybe there were a couple of choices. I'm more into the food than drinking, so it's hard to remember. I can't recall what was in the VIP gift bag, but it definitely wasn't anything special. If you do the VIP tix, it's for early entrance, not the bags.
-
-
-
I found the thread on last year's event:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/691331We went last year and really enjoyed it. Definitely worked better in the new venue, and this year's venue is the same as the last's.
›2 Replies -
orythedog
Jan 12, 2011 11:39 AM
While a few of the participants spark my interest, I have to wonder if $80. for a VIP ticket is a good value considering some of the exhibitors are IMHO...sub par...like Slaw Dogs for example.
-----
The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104›5 Replies-
re: orythedog
"As of now, the confirmed restaurants include: A-Frame, Bistro LQ, Chichen Itza, Earlez Grille, Jitlada, La Casita Mexicana, Manila Machine, Mayura Amrit, Meals By Genet, Mozza, Park's BBQ, Slaw Dogs, Street, The Gorbals, Mo-Chica and Upstairs 2. There will be 40 restaurants and/or food trucks at the event, and 30 wineries represented (The Wine House is the presenting sponsor)."
If I can get $2 worth of food per vendor I'll be happy =D
Many of those I haven't tried yet, slaw dogs included
-
-
re: ns1
i went last year and thought it was great. good food by many places. some places do run out so best advised to get there early. in comparison to other events that are similar, it is well run and the food is good. you'll definitely get more than $2 per vendor. hell, the cheese plate from bistro lq last year was probably worth $20 alone.
-
re: ns1
Dommy
Jan 19, 2011 12:28 PM
We can not wait!! Old Favorites like Jitlada & Mo-Chica and then the new kids! Can't wait to see what Manila Machine has cooked up and how Parks BBQ is going to pull it off! We already got out tickets and unlike other food festivals, this SELLS OUT. So getem early kids...
--Dommy!
-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027Mo-Chica
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
-
-
