Pork Chop - LA Dish of the Month (Jan 2013)

[Dave MP]

The dish of the month for Los Angeles for Jan 2013 is pork chops. Here's a link to the vote: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/884031

The goal is to collectively try as many versions of pork chops as possible during the month of January! So let's start exploring and eating—report back with reviews and photos.

All types of pork chop preparations are fair game! Looking forward to seeing what people find.

Dave MP

[andrew_eats]

The pork chop at Salt's Cure, by a landslide, in my opinion.

It's huge, impressive, you get to watch it cook in front of you. It comes with this refreshing apple sauce.

https://twitter.com//andrew_lum

[Dommy]

We are always on the look out at how to do the Dish of the Month with a twist... This month, while visiting the SGV fulfilling a Dan Dan Noodle craving, we came across Green Zone, an Organic Chinese Restaurant.

We grabbed a menu and saw they had a version of Chinese Chicken Salad (which we love) with the option of a Pork Chop... a week later, we returned...

Green Zone is one of those places you see trying to be 'slick' but this one actually is. The Clientele was quite diverse. Artsy downtown types. A Chinese grandmother outfited in Europe's finest, picking over the best clams to give her grandson. And us. Ordering the Asian Express Salad with the Pork Chop...

Honestly, we were not expecting much. It's hard to screw up up a Chinese Chicken Salad. We've had this type of pork chop in countless Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants. Still, Green Zone's was top notch. The salad was fresh, crisp and not over dressed. But the star was the pork chop. Quite flavorful, but nothing that would overpower the dressing and salad. And it was SO tender... much better than others, even at the fanciest Vietnamese place...

All in all, we were glad to get our pork jones quenched in a somewhat healthy way at least until February...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dommichu...

--Dommy!

[bulavinaka]

I had Green Zone's pork chop rice as well, but back in December (along w/ the pork chop at Waterloo & City and at Second City Bistro). So although these don't technically count, boy - they were all great. Tje folks at Green Zone are really nice folks.

[Thor123]

Tried the double cut pork chop at Mastros. Very good. Nice piece of thick meat serve very hot and well seasoned. That said, not on the same level as Sotto. Also, called ahead and had pork chop prepared by Hardy's best BBBQ, It was pretty thin and just ok. I have found their other items, chicken, ribs, tri-tip and brisket all much better. Interesting, the old operator behind M&M Market is the new guy's uncle. They cook the same recipes. The uncle re-located to Laurel Canyon and has since apparently sold out and moved to Texas. I digress. Sotto, fennel crusted pork chop is still the best!

[Porthos]

Strong work!

Looks like that makes you dish of the month winner for pork chop! :)

[lastofthepirates]

Don't dig the pig personally, but my compadres seem to like the pork chop at Sabina's on Vine in Hollyweird. It's in a strip mall on the corner of Fountain, next to Doomie's Home Cookin'.

[Tom P]

Musso & Frank's has one of the best pork chops in town. In the 'old days' it was 2 thick chops. Now it is 1 chop, even thicker, massive, cooked perfectly with wonderful au jus on the plate. Can't be beat.

[ZoeZara]

A delicious 3/4 lb center cut pork chop is on the daily menu at Norms on Pico - served with choice of salad, real mashed potatoes and vegetables. Price in the $10-$12 range. Really juicy and porky. Just love it.

[Thor123]

whoda thunk it?

[Scotty]

The Norms on Pico is a great place to eat. Can't speak about anyother Norms, but this one is good.

[Thor123]

Went to Sotto last night for the fennel crusted pork chop porterhouse. Of course they were out! Had the brick chicken, mackerel, octopus and pork cheek pizza, all great (as was the service). I will make one more effort to have the pork chop at Sotto this month, but based upon my experience at Sotto on at least 15 occasions, it is the BEST in town,

[Porthos]

Strong work. Counts in my book! :)

[Thor123]

Thanks. I am such a fan of this dish that they usually call me if they are out to see if I still want to come. I will say that other than pasta choices, the larger plate items are quite limited. Its pork chop, brick chicken or a grilled fish, so if their is no pork chop (which happens because they purchase the entire pig and only serve what is butchered off the purchase), you are down to chicken or fish. Fortunately, the chicken is very good and my wife loves their fish.

[Porthos]

I am unable to resist their pastas and pizza, and as much as I would love a chance to try the calzone that ipse talks about so much, I keep getting sidetracked by the pastas and pizza. So I'm actually fine without a block of protein/another distraction (as good as that pork chop is).

[taiwanesesmalleats]

I tried their calzone when Sotto had a Blackboard eats code. I can see why it gets positive reviews. The greens are wonderfully bitter sweet and meld well with the cheese. I prefer the pizzas but the calzone is quite good.

[ipsedixit]

For me it's that damn crust, from the crusty outer layer to chewy center to the inner edges that almost become one with the cheese (and I'm not even a cheese fan).

[orythedog]

I had a dream last night that Feb was biscuits and gravy month. Hmmm...imagine that.

[Dave MP]

Two comments:

1) Make sure to nominate that in a few weeks when we talk about LA Dish of the Month for Feb!

2) It's awesome that people are having dreams about Dish of the Month :)

[Burger Boy]

26 Beach has a great chile marinated pork chop!

[carter]

Pork Chop at Maximiliano in Highland Park - oh so good!

[Dirtywextraolives]

Can we get some details, please?

[carter]

Pan Roasted Pork Chop: sweet potato puree, sautéed kale, caramelized apple, fig jam, red wine jus. $18

That is the menu description.
It is a very thick pork chop, more than enough for the average eater, but, regardless, I always finish the entire portion! May be the most popular item on the menu, but at least getting there early will assure you of one. Late arrivals may not be so fortunate, but don't worry, the chicken marsala is also terrific.

[Dirtywextraolives]

Sounds great, thank you! Is it on the bone or boneless?

[carter]

boneless

[orythedog]

I enthusiastically reccomend the pork chop at both Salt's Cure and Trattoria Neapolis.

[Thor123]

No doubt, the fennel crusted pork chop at Sotto is the BEST!

[Porthos]

Sorry Thor, you gotta try it this month!

Please go and post a photo (if possible) with your January 2013 update ;)

[ipsedixit]

We're 1 for 2.

Still awesome ... if you're a baseball player.

[Thor123]

I will be there for sure this month. That said, I have had it so many times, I can say for sure its great!

[Thor123]

Ok. Went back last night and they had the pork chop. As indicated before, its fantastic. The fennel crust really gives it a unique taste and texture that sets Sotto apart. Also had the pork cheek pizza which as always was great as was a special octopus and cuttle fish salad. Service as always was fantastic. All the servers at Sotto have been outstanding, but Rachel is the very best.

[Porthos]

Excellent!

Had the fried pork chop at DTF yesterday. Instead of ordering pork chop fried rice I get the fried pork chop under appetizer and the shrimp fried rice which I prefer. The pork chop as always was delicious, tender, flavorful, and without much fat at all. Probably the "healthiest" and leanest fried pork chop version out there.

[Dirtywextraolives]

What and where is DTF?

[Porthos]

THE Din Tai Fung in Arcadia. Known for their XLB (xiao long bao), steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, chicken soup, fried pork chop, fried rice, and stir fried rice cakes.

[Ernie]

Huge fan of DTF's pork chop and fried rice too. I think both are better than their dumplings.