La Brea Dinner Destination Commerson Nabs a Former Bouchon Vet

New faces in the kitchen

La Brea restaurant Commerson has officially announced its new chef, after well-traveled Sascha Lyon departed for a new gig Downtown earlier this year. Next up is Winston Wingfield, and he’s bringing a new, meatier menu to the fore.

Wingfield is a longtime veteran of Bouchon in Beverly Hills, having worked up to the position of sous chef during his seven-year stint. Wingfield also helped out at places like Red Medicine and Animal, and is now bringing some of that meat focus to Commerson with a menu that includes everything from suckling pig porchetta to Creekstone Farms short rib to a Niman Ranch burger.

El Torito’s past

There’s a fascinating history to Southern California chain El Torito, and OC Weekly has the story. Recently-departed writer Gustavo Arellano lays out the history from founder Larry J. Cano himself, and all the twists and turns along the way.

One big dinner

Some of LA’s biggest Filipino-American names are getting together for a feast on October 22. The Handaan dinner will feature folks from Irenia, LASA, Forage, Sari Sari Store, and many more.

Paella pre-orders

A Basq Kitchen in Redondo Beach is a Spanish enclave right by the ocean. They do a ton of Basque favorites including paella, but also recognize how time-consuming the dish can be for customers who have to wait for it all to be finished. Enter the pre-order: Customers can actually call ahead to have their paella prepped and ready to go when they get to the table for their reservation.

The Bazaar newness

The Bazaar debuts a new monthly wine dinner series tonight, with plans to host a rotating cavalcade of wineries, vintners, and special guests every few weeks. First up is Artadi Wine from Spain, to be served alongside a tasting menu from chef Holly Jivin. Tickets costs $150.

The new model

Food & Wine discusses Journeymen in Atwater Village, and the new restaurant business model they’re trying to promote. Though the place has yet to fully implement its tapas-counter service style it’s already working a tip and tax-included menu, and offers a back-of-house opportunity for staff to learn every station (and maybe even pick up a piece of the business itself along the way).

Plant-based prowess

Chef Jasmine Shimoda (The Springs, Degustation NYC) is working up an all-vegetarian kaiseki pop-up in Silver Lake tonight. The five-course event runs $45, and it’s going down at Hot Hot Food.