New Age Diner In The Beverly Center: Easy’s.

Pork Belly Benedict

Self-described as “the twisted lovechild of Tupac and The Fonz,” the J. Fall Group’s newest concept, Easy’s, is a mix of contemporary Americana cuisine and iconic west coast swag – a millennial dream. 

Located at the sixth-floor entrance of the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, California, this fresh, fast-casual restaurant features a playful twist on traditional diner fare and classic cocktails. The walls are painted with graffiti-inspired art, and each table is equipped with a vintage View-Master® loaded with enticing images of menu items for your viewing pleasure. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a friendly, energetic staff, stylishly dressed in leather moto jackets and all black ensembles.

Author’s child entertained by ‘View Master.’

The diverse menu offers something for everyone, including kids. Easy’s signature burger is made with a grass-fed ground beef patty, red onion, Easy’s secret sauce and American cheese on a brioche bun. The English Reuben melt is made with tender corned beef, large slices of dill pickles, black garlic, thousand island dressing and Swiss cheese on an English muffin. 

One of the most popular dishes on the menu – and understandably so, is the pork belly benedict (pictured above.) This dish re-interprets the classic eggs Benedict with an explosion of flavors, which includes mouthwatering maple braised pork belly perched on top of a soft English muffin topped with a perfectly poached egg and enhanced with pesto and BBQ hollandaise sauce. This dish is brimming with decadence.

Other menu items include elevated versions of salads, sandwiches and all-day breakfast dishes. They also have vegetarian options and marquee menu items which include Duck Parmesan and Fried Chicken N’ Funnel Cake.

Easy’s Doodle Wall

And being that this is Los Angeles, Easy’s features a fully stocked bar and creative cocktail menu. Drinks include boozy spiked milkshakes, and a Kimchi Bloody Mary made with Easy’s house-made bloody Mary mix, Chinese five-spice, kimchi and shiso leaves – it’s almost too pretty to drink.

Easy’s is family friendly and located on the sixth floor of the Beverly Center at 8500 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Article originally posted HERE

The ‘Julia Child of Mexico’ Holds Court at LA Times Foodbowl Event

Chef and author, Diana Kennedy, is one of the leading authorities on Mexican cuisine, and she won’t let you forget it.

She has been described as the “Julia Child of Mexico” and an “ethno-gastronomer”, and at 95 years young, Kennedy is still as fervent and sentimental as ever when discussing her love of Mexico and its native fare. 

On Saturday, May 5, at the historic Million Dollar Theatre in Los Angeles, Kennedy took the stage to reflect on her life and path to becoming a renowned expert on the history and art of Mexican cooking, authoring nine cookbooks on the subject and being honored with an Order of the Aztec Eagle by the Mexican government for advocating on behalf of the cuisine and tourism of Mexico. 

Passion ran high among panel participants which included, Latin chefs and restaurateurs Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza; Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria and Gabriela Càmara of Contramar and Cala, when the discussion turned to sustainability, economics and food politics. Kennedy stressed the importance of honoring Mexico’s traditional cuisine and preserving its abundance of natural resources for future generations.

As of 2010, Los Angeles is home to over 2.5 million residents of Mexican heritage. However, Mexican culture and cuisine has been woven into the fabric of Los Angeles since its founding over two centuries ago and now second and third generation Mexican American chefs are continuing to honor the cuisine and traditions of their lineage.

The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl pays tribute to the diversity that the city has to offer by hosting a month-long series of events throughout the month of May.

To check out the schedule of Los Angeles Times Food Bowl events visit www.lafoodbowl.com/.

Article originally posted HERE

Chef Jose Andres Kicks Off LA Foodbowl

Waste is Wrong: that was Chef Jose Andres main message at the iconic Wiltern Theatre Monday night, in a spectacular event which kicked off the LA Times  Food Bowl, 31 days of great food, fascinating chef dialogues and more events than we can count.  

In the United States, it is estimated that between 30-40% of the food supply ends up in landfills instead of on dinner tables. In Los Angeles alone, more than half a million households live 300 percent below poverty level and often have to choose between putting food on their table or paying the rent. And according to renowned chef and philanthropist Chef Jose Andres, that is absolutely unacceptable.

Chef Andres along with L.A. Kitchen founder Robert Egger, Los Angeles restaurant critic Jonathan Gold and other prominent names in the Los Angeles food scene, took to the stage to raise awareness about the importance of food security and the Power of Food. Other guests included New Girl actress and The Farm Project co-founder Zooey Deschanel and Border Grill co-founder Susan Feniger.

The event featured a panel discussion on the topics of food sustainability and accessibility and a sous chef cook-off, where the challenge was to create a dish of limited ingredients that can be distributed to thousands of people during a post-disaster relief effort.

This event launched the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, a month-long food extravaganza, in partnerships with LA’s best bars, cafes, hotels, markets, restaurants and top chefs, to raise awareness and funds to combat food waste, hunger, food insecurity and promote sustainability.

Food at the event was prepared and served by L.A. Food Kitchen students and Los Angeles restaurant Todo Verde and Everytable.

The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl runs the entire month of May at various locations around Los Angeles. To check out the schedule of events visit www.lafoodbowl.com/.

Article originally posted HERE

Mangia Mangia! April 6 is Carbonara Day and Casa Barilla Restaurants are Where You Want to Celebrate

Did you know April 6 is Carbonara Day? Now that you know, we have the perfect place for you to indulge in this Italian favorite —  Casa Barilla Restaurants (located in South Coast Plaza and USC Village.)

Carbonara Day was established in 2017 by the International Pasta Organization (think of it as the UN of pasta) as a means of honoring the iconic dish and garnered a robust online response from pasta lovers around the world. This year, Casa Barilla expects #CarbonaraDay to exceed last year’s enthusiastic response.

Historically referred to as “coal miner’s spaghetti”, Pasta Alla Carbonara transcends this moniker as one of Italy’s most iconic dishes. Originating in Rome during the mid-20th century as a dish for Italian charcoal workers, the recipe has not been fixed and varies from chef to chef. However, Italian traditionalists consider true carbonara to consist of only five ingredients: bacon, Parmigiano and/or Pecorino Cheese, cream, egg yolk and black pepper. Regardless of your position, whether you are an innovator or a traditionalist at heart, it cannot be denied that the essence of Italian cuisine is to unify and satisfy – and this dish does just that.

In celebration of the second annual virtual Carbonara Day event on April 6, 2018, Casa Barilla Restaurants will feature Italian Chef Alfonso Sanna’s mouthwatering twist of the dish for an entire month starting April 6 through May 6. 

Born and raised in Sardegna, Italy, Chef Alfonso’s interpretation of the classic dish is tough to compete with. Made with perfectly prepared al dente Barilla thick spaghetti; crispy smoky pancetta; pasteurized egg yolk; freshly grated Parmigiano and Pecorino Cheese; a touch of cream; and finished off with freshly crushed black pepper, this dish is an impeccable balance of rich and piquant flavors. 

Buon appetito!

Casa Barilla restaurants are located in the South Coast Plaza and USC Village and offer wholesome Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Chef Alfonso’s pasta alla carbonara will be available April 6 through May 6. Visit www.barillarestaurants.com for more information.

Article originally posted HERE