Deep red excellence from Boa Steakhouse, a highlight of The Taste’s Sunday night Dinner And Drinks event. All photos by Bob Lee for the Los Angeles Beat.
On Sunday night, as the punishing afternoon temperatures receded to a gentle breeze, The Taste continued its weekend-long parade of LA’s finest chefs. This event, hosted by the Times’ Betty Hallock, along with Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune (hosts of the webseries Summer Beer Cocktails), focused on evening fare. Crowded and lively, it turned out to be a real gut-buster, big on microbrews, red wine and rib meat with rich sauces, with some truly sublime contributions from faces both new and familiar.
Here are a few of the finest things I had the chance to sample. Favorite beverage of the night might have to go to Haven Gastropub’s rye ale, though I also especially enjoyed the Cabernet from longtime personal fave Rodney Strong out of Sonoma, with Josh coming in right behind it. And while I didn’t get one usable photo, Guelaguetza’s chicken black mole tamales were outstanding, as was their cocktail of horchata with cantaloupe chunks and chopped almonds. And the long line for Fat Dog was worth braving – a short rib french dip powerful enough to knock a man to his knees.
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- Fried chicken wing with corn puree from Lexington Social House, something I will crave by the basket any time I feel like watching football, or more often.
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- One of the most unique offerings of the night, home-cured salmon from Public School 612.
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- Rustic Canyon is a regular favorite at these events, and their grilled loin back rib with salsa verde and cannellini beans did not disappoint.
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- Terranea did a really smart thing, setting up their booth like a little resort, with shade, couches and a view of the Ocean off of Palos Verdes- a home away from home inside the event. These pizzas from Chef Michael Fiorelli were outstanding, beautifully crunchy at the edges, the bitterness of the fresh greens perfectly cutting the richness of the prosciutto underneath.
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- Deep red fabulousness from Boa Steakhouse was a highlight of The Taste’s Dinner And Drinks. All photos by Bob Lee for the Los Angeles Beat.
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- Tasty and hitting about the perfect balance of richness and cake-ness, these little morsels are serious contenders in LA’s cupcake wars.
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- From La Casita Mexicana, a rich chicken mole poblano paired with a light, delicious coconut water.
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- This short rib from Il Covo was probably the evening’s most smack-you-in-the-face offering. The entire rib had the density of bone marrow, a masterpiece of extreme meatiness.
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- Old Town Pasadena’s Haven Gastropub served up succulent short rib meat over creamed corn, a brilliant combination with their rye ale, my favorite drink of the night.
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- Oliverio’s serving of braised veal cheeks topped with a gorgonzola fondue was a sea of richness, heavy like Sabbath is heavy. But like Sabbath, there’s a lightness of touch, a delicacy that lies behind the massiveness.
