jonathan gold

The Secret is Out at Maccheroni Republic

November 24, 2014November 24, 2014Leave a comment

I should’ve written about the greatness that is Maccheroni Republic years ago. Why? Not only did Jonathan Gold review it last year, he just added it to his list of Great Italian Restaurants in Los Angeles. The secret is out! The hidden Italian gem across from Grand Central Market has now become the hottest ticket in town, and for good reason! The dishes are superb, the service is pleasant, the patio is beautiful, and they don’t charge a corkage fee. They keep things simple here with their humble decor, and small dining room, but they truly let the food speak for itself. You taste the difference in their handmade pasta, authentic nduja, and decadent desserts. Check out some of my favorites:

The Linguine Al Frutti De Mare is a bowl of clams, bay scallops, and shrimp in a light tomato sauce. It is my mom’s absolute favorite pasta dish!

The Maccheroni Stellari is a meaty star shaped pasta served in a spicy garlic and herb tomato sauce. It is just the right amount of spicy and the star shaped pasta is the perfect thickness to balance out the strong flavors.

This gnocchi is the best gnocchi I have ever had! It is melt in your mouth amazing! It filled with meat ragout and forest mushrooms and it just the right ratio or potato pasta to meat.

The Ravioli Di Zucca and Bianchi and Neri are next on my list to try! If you’re looking for a place to take the parents, a girls wine night out, or a casual date night downtown, Maccheroni Republic is perfect for every occasion.

The Decadence of MB Post

October 31, 2014October 31, 2014Leave a comment

When I think of MB Post, I immediately think of their Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits. As soon as you sit down, do yourself a favor, and place an order for those biscuits. They are a great starter to any meal, and the bacon will help clear your head enough to navigate through their menu. Everything sounds and tastes delicious, which makes choosing one main dish so difficult. If you don’t mind sharing, I recommend ordering family style and sharing, so you can try more of Chef David LeFevre’s dishes.

On my last trip, my best friend and I ate on the lighter side. First, we shared the biscuits, then the Brussels Sprouts, and lastly, the Orcchiette with Pork Sausage. Back to the biscuits: They are perfectly flaky and served with the most decadent maple butter that begs to be spread on each and every bite. The Brussels Sprouts drip of butter, hazelnut, and sage. I love Brussels Sprouts, but I LOVE MB Post’s Brussels Sprouts. They are so rich and packed with flavor; I could easily eat 3 orders to myself. This was my first time trying the Orcchiette, and I hope it is on the menu when I return. It was served with Pork Sausage, Rapini, Parmesan Shavings, and a Soft Egg. We broke the yolk and used it as a sauce to coat the pasta with before we attacked it. The yolk made the already rich pasta, even richer, but still palatable. I was expecting the Pork Sausage to be too heavy for the seemingly light pasta, but it fit very well. The ratio of meat to house-made Orcchiette was excellent.

MB Post was one of the first dining establishments that put Manhattan Beach, and the South Bay for that matter, on the map. Many have continued to follow in its footsteps and hold their own. I have heard numerous recommendations to try their brunch, so that is on my to-do list for my next visit to the South Bay!
For more information, visit http://eatmbpost.com/.

Fish are Food, not Friends, at Fishing With Dynamite

May 27, 2014May 27, 2014Leave a comment

The South Bay is attempting, successfully I might add, to make a name for itself in the Los Angeles food scene. With restaurants like Little Sister and MB Post, both on this year’s 101 Best Restaurants List by Jonathan Gold, they are doing a good job of that. While this evolution is exciting, it’s a little weird to think about foodies traveling from Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles to come to the South Bay, my old stomping grounds, for dinner.

Making waves in this culinary movement is Fishing With Dynamite. Chef David LeFevre made his mark in Manhattan Beach with the popular as ever MB Post, which opened in 2011. Next came Fishing With Dynamite, a true reflection of Chef LeFevre’s travels and love of seafood. Upon entering, I was surprised at how small and dressy casual the space was. It had the perfect vibe and decor for the beach cities crowd. I came here after I read Jonathan Gold’s review highlighting the New Zealand snapper. Gold is always spot on with his selections and he did not lead me astray this time. Along with the delectable Hamachi and Crab claws, the Whole Fried New Zealand Thai Snapper was perfection. The combination of garlic, bok choy, ginger, and lime was heavenly and addicting. We ate and ate and ate until there was no longer a beautiful fried fish, but merely an empty plate of bones. Since we didn’t really indulge in the Raw Bar section of the menu, it was a treat to have the table next to ours order about 5-6 Raw Towers. It was a sight to see and something to look forward to for next time if the snapper isn’t a special for the evening. If it is, I guarantee you I will order nothing else.

Run, don’t walk, to Fishing With Dynamite if seafood is your game because New Zealand Snapper is the name.