In today's culinary era where white tablecloth fine dining feels like a thing of the past, there is something truly special about sitting down to a multi-course, expertly prepared meal on the 24th-floor of a hotel in a thriving metropolis. Such is the experience at WP24, the modern...

Since summer is the season of the road trip, Chef Speak is going on the road. The first stop on this culinary journey is San Francisco, a mere hop, skip and a jump from our native LA. It is widely accepted that the Bay Area is home to incredible restaurants...

As guests walk through the stained glass door of Mezze, a newly opened restaurant in West Hollywood, they are greeted with a wall of aromatics. Literally, guests can walk up and stick their noses inside canisters of herbs and spices -- everything from star anise to cinnamon sticks...

With the launch of summer (read: bikini season), it seems like the perfect moment to slowly step away from the ground beef and pickle tacos and embrace something a bit lighter. Or in the case of the juices at West Los Angeles's pocket-sized stand, Pressed Juicery,...

In this culinary era of wasabi foams and mozzarella spheres, there's something comforting about straight up, non-fussy fare. Suddenly, we've reached a point where a pork chop can be a thrilling item to see on a menu. Especially if that menu is written on a chalkboard at West Hollywood's cozy...

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with The Granola Project, LA-based Lauren Soloff is out to prove just that. Although, why relegate her salty and sweet blends of rolled oats, nuts and dried fruit to the morning? As good with ice cream...

Ground Beef and Pickle Taco. When I first read the seemingly mismatched words on the menu at the restaurant Malo in Los Angelesʼ hip Silver Lake neighborhood, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by intrigue. I knew I had to order it, that was a given. But once I tasted...

With Thanksgiving just days away, we thought it appropriate to offer up a seasonal fall dessert with a twist. And who better to speak with than Bobbie Lloyd, President and Chief Baking Officer of Magnolia Bakery, the iconic culinary establishment famous for perfect pastel frosting-topped cupcakes and nilla...

There is an undeniable zeitgeist surrounding a return to artisanal living. From flower arranging to jam making, many technology saturated people are excited to break from the incessant tweeting, facebooking and texting to slow down, take a breath and make something tangible. Which is why it...

When I asked Rick Bayless to describe his initial attraction to Mexico and its cuisine he cited the country's vibrant culture. "I was attracted to the passion of the street vendors, the market vendors and the cooks there," mused the chef. "I loved the spirit of the Mexican...

Angeleno foodies flocked to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this past Saturday for the return of the LA Street Food Fest. Around 5,000 guests braved the heat and crowds to sample some of the best street food Los Angeles has to offer. After tasting more tacos, cupcakes, hot...

With summer in full swing, now seems like the perfect time to discuss ice cream. Not unlike the way Angeleno chefs have riffed on the traditional hamburger in recent years, a multitude of local culinary innovators and artisans have taken this simple dessert in new directions. Tai Kim of

I like an Apple Pan hickory burger as much as next guy, but when I've reached my grease quota and start craving clean, delicious food, I call upon Jenny and Heather Goldberg of Spork Foods to bring me back to reality. Along with running a successful catering business,...

After years working in Los Angeles kitchens (including Trumps, Grill on the Alley and his own Rocca Restaurant), New York-bred chef Don Dickman has truly hit his stride with the cozy Silver Lake eatery, Barbrix Restaurant and Wine Bar. Recently lauded by Los Angeles Magazine as one of...

It wasn't until traveling to the Mexican state of Guerrero that I became interested in tequila, perhaps the most misunderstood spirit around. More than just a quick and not particularly tasty means to drunkenness, a 100% agave reposado or a three year aged anejo can actually be...delicious. So when I...

Every neighborhood needs that go-to spot where patrons can count on a delicious sandwich, fresh salads, homey baked goods and other comfort food staples. Enter Sara Mann and Alex Eusebio, co-owners of the newly opened Sweetsalt Food Shop in Toluca Lake. A modern day mom and pop shop,...

In this era of the seemingly unstoppable cupcake craze, it is nothing if not refreshing to see another player emerge in the landscape of baked goods. Enter southern-bred transplant Chrysta Wilson who opened the cheekily named Kiss My Bundt Bakery (told you) in LA's West Third Street neighborhood....

For this edition of Chef Speak we head northwest of Los Angeles to the beautiful Ojai Valley. Approximately eighty miles from downtown LA, Ojai has long been a mecca for nature lovers, spa enthusiasts and foodies alike. One of the area's most interesting restaurants is The Farmer and...

A roasted beet, braised fennel and wild rice - sounds like a fairly benign plate of healthy fare. In the hands of Scott Zwiezen, head chef of Echo Park's cozy and low-lit Elf Cafe, these humble ingredients are transformed into something rich, surprising and completely delicious. It is...

After years of running the kitchens at classic LA restaurants (Saddle Peak Lodge and Remi, most notably) Josie Le Balch opened her eponymous restaurant in 2001. The resulting Josie Restaurant in Santa Monica is consistently named one of the city's best places to eat dinner, and it's easy...