A Koreatown Cookbook Party, Rick Bayless Is a 'Thin-Skinned Diva,' More A.M. Intel

Koreatown cookbook party at Seoul Sausage

Writers Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard have released their Koreatown cookbook, and to celebrate they are throwing a party at Seoul Sausage on April 12. Tickets cost $50 but come with food from Chris Oh and Hong, cocktails, and a signed copy of the book. Seoul Sausage Little Tokyo, party starts at 7 p.m.

OC Weekly brings the hammer down on Rick Bayless

There’s been even more talk lately about who among us has earned the right to cook the cuisine of someone else’s culture. Evan Kleiman weighed in over at the Times, while down in Orange County editor Gustavo Arellano takes noted Chicago celebrity chef Rick Bayless to task — not for cooking Mexican food, but more for his personality while doing it. More pointedly, he calls Bayless a "thin-skinned diva," and that’s literally just the start of it.

Here comes BrunchCon

Have we reached peak brunch? Seems like it, at least as whispered by the arrival of BrunchCon on August 14. The all-day option retails for $29 for general admission, which includes some food and drink tickets, plus games and other wacky stuff to keep you busy. The Con folks promise LA restaurants that are worth the price of admission, though their vendor list hasn't been posted yet.

Pancheros expands to LA in a big way

East Coast / Midwest burrito chain Pancheros is coming to Los Angeles with a fever, expanding across the Southland over the next few years. Their closest location right now is City of Industry, though a second just opened in Fontana, and more are to come in the city of L.A. proper. The casual option is known for its Chipotle-like modifications, plus sides like queso.

Public Steak lands in Santa Ana tomorrow

Orange County has a new steak spot to check out, as Public Steak debuts tomorrow night. The restaurant is the work of Matthew Briggs, who used to at Ocean Prime before acting as sous at the Loft inside the Montage in Laguna Beach; GM Amari Smith comes from the Mastro’s world. Dinner only, 3751 S. Harbor Boulevard, Santa Ana.

More Mediterranean fast casual is coming

There’s another way to get your daily intake of fast casual Mediterranean food, and it’s called Couscous A GoGo. The recent Beverly Hills addition first popped up on Toddrickallen’s radar, taking over the former Frankie & Johnnie’s Pizza at 9533 S. Santa Monica Blvd. No opening date officially as of yet.