Preview: Sunset & Dine in Hollywood - 2014
I grew up not too far from Hollywood, we'd go to the Chinese Theater for movies, Tower Records for music, and various venues to see bands. I guess in those days, I never really thought of Hollywood as a place for food. Over the years, I've noticed that new places were opening up, but they weren't just 'new' places, they were creative concepts.
See What Jay Eats...
at Sunset and Vine
Our first stop was at "Field Trip at the Farmer's Kitchen"
I've been wanting to come to Field Trip,
but they're only open until 3 pm.
Being invited to a special evening tasting
is a special treat!
From the cold brew bar,
the 10oz Mint Honey Cream.
Something refreshing on a warm summer evening...
I really enjoyed this!
The restaurant is very casual atmosphere
and it's contemporary feel made
me feel like something good is about to happen.
Chef Betty Fraser
gave us an insight to the food happenings
in Hollywood and intro into Sunset & Dine.
Chef Betty Fraser
was kind enough to share some Grub's
"Fosse Cookies"
Chef Betty shared the cookie story with me,
"our GM Libby is the niece of Bob Fosse
and the recipe has been in their artistic family
for decades! We are so happy she shared it with us
and we serve dozens fresh daily."
It was a very good cookie and
I'll have to go to Grub for more Fosse cookies.
Chef Minh Phan
(Gaji and Beachwood Cafe)
explains tonight's dishes
and shares how this casual, farm to table
restaurant works.
I was surprised to find out that
Chef Minh follows me on Instagram.
Crispy Rice + Egg Meurette
Kendor Farms eggs soft poached in red wine with mushrooms,
Chinese sausage, with crispy heirloom Kohuko rice, served
with pickles and veg.
This makes a great brunch menu item.
Short Rib Sandwich
A short rib with good flavor, sauce, and house made pickles.
Chef Minh Phan
announces they will be open for dinner in October
and offers us a flourless double-chocolate and
peanut butter cookie.
I'm a fan of Field Trip at the Farmers Kitchen!
I'll be back to Field Trip
for dinner, beginning in October.
1555 Vine Street #119
(corner of Selma and Morningside)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 467-7600
This is only a sample of what to look forward to
at Sunset & Dine!
Get your tickets HERE
Our next stop is a place I've been before,
Shophouse Kitchen
is a Southeast Asian concept
The operation looks the same,
but the pans in the steam table
are filled with different ingredients.
Shophouse is strictly bowls,
with choice of white or brown rice,
rice noodles or salad.
Add a meat or tofu,
a vegetable, a sauce,
and a garnish.
Time to Eat!
If you like ginger ale,
you must try the Bruce Cost Ginger Ale.
I've tried the original on my first visit
and the Pomegranate with Hibiscus tonight.
Both were very good!
I started with salad as the base,
the Pork & Chicken Meatballs (with 1/2 steak),
1/2 charred corn and 1/2 green beans,
with a Tamarind Vinaigrette,
herb salad, and topped with crushed peanuts.
The menu has changed a bit since I first visited,
just after opening last summer.
Everyone raved about the Pork & Chicken meatballs,
I was fortunate to have had a chance to get
half meatballs and half steak.
The meatballs were light and flavorful,
not solid like most meatballs.
I'm glad I listened to the 'regulars'
Coconut Rice & Mango Parfait
Sweet coconut rice topped with mango.
A nice dessert to cool down
some of the spices from the
flavors of Southeast Asia.
If you've never been, I do suggest checking out
the menu first and looking for the heat index on the menu.
Some of the items are spicy.
Thanks to Claire,
we got a behind-the-scenes look
into the kitchen and some of the ingredients
used at Shophouse Kitchen.
It was good to hear that they
use seasonal vegetables,
so the menu will have a variety.
like sibling Chipotle Mexican Grill,
sources organically grown produce whenever practical.
Their food offerings are entirely gluten-free, wheat-, and dairy-free,
and a selection of Responsibly Raised® meats.
Besides, it was a good Asian inspired bowl.
Look for more Shophouse Kitchens opening.
6333 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 462-28856
Open daily 11 am-10pm
Don't forget, Sunset & Dine is October 2nd
and tickets are available HERE
Our 3rd stop of the evening was Fabiolus Cucina,
on the SE corner of Sunset & Vine.
Fabiolus Cucina owner, Fabio Conti,
invited us to enjoy the evening and
introduced his dishes from Verona.
As we were seated,
a caprese salad was on the table.
My favorite!
Piatto Agricolo
How can you not like grilled seasonal vegetables?
Bruschetta di Pomodoro
with fresh mozzarella, tomato, oregano, on a toasted ciabatta bread.
Everything was so good,
it was like Fabio knew what I like...
Do other people like these dishes too???
A pizza is not a pizza
at Fabiolus Cucina.
They use an organic Kamut flour, very low in yeast and
needs 3 days to slowly rise. It's a crispy and light
crust that doesn't ferment inside of your stomach.
I was satisfied with the dishes on the table, but Fabio was finished...
Gnocchi Radicchio e Salsiccia
Potato gnocchi, radicchio, Italian sausage, and sliced garlic.
Yum!
Polenta e Spezzatino
Slow braised beef stewed with red wine,
onion, celery, and carrot over soft polenta.
As much as I love gnocchi,
I think I'll have to order this dish in the future.
One more thing...
OK, 3 more things,
remember Fabio is bringing out dishes.
Blueberry Cheesecake
Apple Pie
Chocolate Cake
All of the desserts were delicious
and a nice ending to an incredible food evening.
6270 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 467-2882
www.fabiolus.com
If Sunset & Dine is any indication
from the food tonight,
you must get your tickets NOW for this food event!
The restaurants and exhibitors at Sunset & Dine:
Amoeba Music
Beso
Broadway LA / Pantages Theatre
Cleo
Doomie's Home Cookin'
Fabiolus Cucina
Field Trip / Hollywood Farmer's market
The Los Angeles Film School
Los Balcones
McDonald's on Vine
Shophouse Southeast Asian Kitchen
Village Pizzeria
I attend many food events a year,
most are in the $50 - $200 range.
Sunset & Dine is a chance to sample
food from the area, with beer and wine,
AND a live concert,
ALL for $25!
Get your Sunset & Dine tickets HERE
For more information on Sunset & Dine,
visit sunsetanddine.org
October 2, 2014
Taglyan Complex
Proceeds benefit The Center at Blessed Sacrament
Thank You!
Central Hollywood Coalition
Fabio Conti
Claire Curtis
Genevieve Haines
The Los Angeles Film School
Chef Minh Phan
Nerissa Silao
Devin Strecker
Follow #SunsetandDine
NOTE: I was a guest of Sunset & Dine, Field Trip, Shophouse Kitchen,
and Fabiolus Cucina. I thank them for the invitation and hospitality.
All opinions and comments are strictly my own.
Photos by Jay Terauchi
Jay Eats Worldwide
©Jay Terauchi
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