The next Koreatown
Don’t let Orange County’s big parking lots and endless malls fool you: there’s a lot of great stuff bubbling just under the surface. Among the most well-represented cuisines in the county is Korean, with some 100,000 Koreans living across the northern stretches of the O.C. in places like Buena Park.
As the LA Times notes, that has led to an exploding scene of great food down that way, thanks in no small part to a few savvy developers. It’s also thanks to a ton of historical factors like the Los Angeles riots that led families to relocate to cities like Fullerton, bringing their own businesses, restaurants, and flavors with them. The entire Times read is fascinating, following not only the past and present but the very bright future that could, one day, challenge Koreatown proper in its depth of culinary prowess.
Bruni approved
Frank Bruni, the longtime restaurant critic for the NY Times, has been hopping around Los Angeles lately. Among his dining ‘finds’ is Baran’s 2239 in Hermosa Beach, which has long been a quiet kind of South Bay darling. Turns out he really loves it, and recommends the chicken.
Yowza! Just stumbled across @Barans2239 in Hermosa Beach and its grilled spigarello. This place rocks. One of LA area's best.
— Frank Bruni (@FrankBruni) March 23, 2017
More Ria Dolly Barbosa love
Everyone is in love with Ria Dolly Barbosa’s cooking these days, as evidenced by this new This is Ground profile on the G&B/Go Get Em Tiger chef’s daily toolkit. It’s a fun, animated look at one of the city’s most promising young culinary stars.
El Arco’s last call
It’s closing time for El Arco Iris, the Highland Park Mexican food mainstay that’s in the process of being sold off. KCET offers some nice insight on the place’s final days, along with the history and family that made it so famous in the first place.
Noodle perfect
If there’s one thing Evan Funke knows, it’s noodles. The longtime pastamaker is a bit of an Italian savant (as his upcoming restaurant Felix will further show), and he talked to Clean Eating Magazine about the “perfect” bowl of pasta, and what to know when making your own from home.
Redbird and olive oil
There’s an olive oil collaboration dinner happening at Redbird on April 6, with tickets retailing for $100 flat. That gets guests some passed apps, beef tartare with caviar, and a procession of entrees including scallops, lamb belly, and a Colorado ribeye. Tickets are up now.
Cook with a legend
Is there anyone cooler than Chris S. Chris, the mustachio’d man behind the enduringly popular Papa Cristo’s? He’s as affable as he is talented, and now customers can sign up to cook with him and learn a few of the old man’s tricks for themselves.