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Chefs & Restaurants
Restaurant Chef
BEACON an Asian Café twitter icon facebook icon Kazuto Matsusaka
Beacon, an asian café is going on its 5th year annivesary with proud owners Kazuto Matsusaka and Vicki Fan. This fine restaurant doesn't scream out to you on the streets, or in the newspapers, but if you get a chance to dine in, and experience the food and atmosphere Beacon has to offer, you are one lucky guest. Executive Chef Kazuto Matsusaka wows you with his combinations, flavors, and colors that puts on the plate infront of you. And if you've left room for desert from pastry chefs Rochelle Huppin and Lorraine Tajiri, you're in for a sweet treat! for the quailty of food that Beacon is serving, the prices are very nice as well as the atmosphere you have while getting to enjoy the food! Kazuto Matsusaka was born in Kumamoto, Japan and at the early age of 22 left to live his life in America. He began working as a teppan chef in Los Angeles, which inspired him to broaden his skills and eager to learn more. He then took a position at Ma Maison, a well known French restaurant under Wolfgang Puck. the next stepping stone in Matsusaka's career was leaving Puck and working alongside chef Michel Blanchet at L'Ermitage. It wasn't long that he was back working with chef Puck again at Chinois on Main. His next restaurant was Zenzero, which he opened when he "left the nest" and he met his wife Vicki Fan. He's currently Executive chef at their restaurant, and proudest acheievement Beacon, an asian cafe.
Border Grill Truck twitter icon facebook icon Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger
Gourmet Mexican food on the go? Yes please! Border Grill Truck supplies many people with a fabulous, quick lunch that has the quality of a sit down restaurant! You can order tacos, quesadillas, ceviches and much more from Border Grill, and it being open day AND night is a big bonus. The truck is a precedeor of the Border Grill Restaurant that opeend originally on Melrose Ave, but has since moved to 4th street in Santa Monica in 1990. The Border Truck serves only organic long-grain rice and beans, as well as working with Oceana, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, and are trying to open peoples eyes to different, but just as tasty seafood! Susan and Mary Sue, the owners, have turned a plain old truck into a delecious, out-of-the-ordinary lunch/dinner option! Feniger and business partner Mary Sue Milliken opened CITY almost 30 years ago, which was an instant success. After that came Border Grille in Santa Monica, California and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The two also operate the Border Grill Truck. Feniger ventured solo and opened STREET in 2009 in Hollywood which was equally as successful!
Campanile twitter icon facebook icon Mark Peel
The building Campanile is housed in was built in 1929, and was let to be come run down due to a divorce settle. In the 1980's Executive Chef Mark Peel, Nancy Silverton and Manfred Krankle bought the property and did a completely remodel! Soon after La Brea Bakery opened in Janurary of 1989, and six short months later came Campanile. Their menu changes weekly, and is determined by what Peel finds at his local farmers market. however, there are "Friday Night Flights" which are different from his "Family Dinner" 's during the week.Campanile won James Beard Foundation's "Outstanding Restaurant Award in 2001" as well as Peel himself wining Los Angeles culinary Master of the Year. Campanile was again nominated in 2008 for the "Outstanding Restaurant Award". Mark started off with a job in college peeling vegetables for Wolfgang Puck at Ma Maison. After moving up to poissonier, he moved to France for stints at La Tour d’Argente an dLe Moulin de Mougins. Then in 1979 he returned to Los Angeles and began working at Michael’s Restaurant. He later helped open Spago as Wolfgang Puck’s chef de cuisine. In 1989 Nancy Silverton, Manfred Krankl and Peel opened La Brea Bakery and Campanile. Peel’s co-authored several books as well as working on a project, TarPit, which was scheduled to open in Hollywood in late 2009. He’s also married to Daphne Brogdon and has five children.
Chaya twitter icon facebook icon Shigefumi Tachibe
Chaya Downtown LA is the newest addition to the CHAYA Family Restaurants. Known throughout California for its French Japanese culinary traditions, its been quite successful. CHAYA has been around for over 390 years and family owned and operated since then by the Tsunoda family and originated in Hayama, Japan. The interior is paited with large pictures and decorated in a mondern Japanese way and leads out to a patio surrounded by lush landscaping. CHAYA offeres catering for parties, office meetings, and much more as well as offering lunch to business men and women who would like a nice sit down meal at a reasonable cost! Also, on Monday nights from 5 pm to close, CHAYA offers a "Japanese Beer Garden" on their back patio with an authentic Yakitori Menu and Kirin Beer. This upscale, captivative restaurant is perfect for any occasion! Tachibe started his career at 15 in Japan at Hotel Banshoro in Nagasaki and in six short years the intreague of italian cusine pusehd him to move to Italy at 21. Once back in Japan, Tachibe obtained the role of Executive Chef of La Maree de Chaya in Hayama, owned by the legendary Tsunoda family for the past 390 yeras. he incorporated what he'd learned in Italy and enhanced their japanese cusine. He later brought the Chaya brand to the US and after the first restaurant's success four more were opened in California
Frysmith Truck twitter icon facebook icon  
Gourmet fries on the move: The Frysmith truck that we first covered back in July officially launches today, bringing its rajas fries (roasted poblano chiles, caramelized onions and shawarma-marinated steak with Jack cheese); kimchi fries (kimchi with Kurobuta pork belly, onions and cheddar cheese); vegan chili fries and chicken sweet potato fries to the hungry masses. Follow them on Twitter @frysmith, or keep up with all of L.A.'s food trucks.  
Fuego Jesse T. Perez
Live music? Dancing? GREAT Food? Fuego at the Maya encorporates all three of these aspects into its restaurant. Located in Long beach,CA, this restaurant features Mexican and Latin American cusine in a fun, sophisticated and modern way by Executive chef Jesse Perez. Being that Long Beach has mild weather all year long, the outside patios and breezeways are utalized throughout the year. Fuego wants you to come out and enjoy the ammenities that it has to offer including on Sundays where they host Fiesta Domingo. They have live music, dancing under outdoor esplanade and amazing food including spit roasted barbacoe and grilled baja lobster. Jesse Perez love of food and technique is a definite advantage for anyone who gets a taste of his Latin cuisine. This certified sommelier has an extensive background, working in restaurants such as Francesca’s at Sunset and being asked to join the Buckehead Life Restaurant Group as executive chef! Perez is not afraid to venture outside of the box with his spices and food parings, which aw audiences more often than not!
Grilled Cheese Truck twitter icon Dave Danhi
There are many delecious things about an original grilled cheese, but the Grilled Cheese Truck has put a new twist on this classic which has people really buzzing. This truck came about when ______ entered their Cheesy Mac & Rib Melt into Los Angeles's 7th annual Grilled Cheese Invitational. The Grilled Cheese Truck was listed on Eat LA's 10 great LA Food Trucks! Not only can you walk up to this truck and order your lunch, or dinner or desert for that matter, they can also come and cater a party, office picnic, or birthday. From the usual grilled cheese to their desert melt wich includes roasted banana puree, Nutella and marshemellows once you've had a grilled cheese from The Grilled Cheese Truck, you're hooked!  
Grub & As You Like It Catering twitter icon Betty Fraser
Grub and As You Like It Catering, are run beautifully and effeciently by Betty Fraser and Denise DeCarlo. Grubs menu features a wide varity of American food, with their own twists on each dish. Craving a crisp, refreshing homemade drink? Gingerale and blueberry lemonade is made in house, and can me said to be some of the best drinks around. This restaurant offers a delightful and cozy atmosphere that revolves around good food, friends and family. Off of their menue, you can chose to order indivudually, or they give you the choice of platters for sharing, or big pans and 1/2 pans to bring home for the family, or to a party! As you like it Catering has been around for 12 years serving bridal showers, coporate events, weddings and much more! Grub and As You Like it Catering is owned and operated by Betty Fraser and Denise DeCarlo. These two women are known for the California comefort food and beautifully presented dishes. They decided when the opened Grub that they were goin to make it as homey as possible, and they sure have succeeded with their hardwood floors and local artwork decorating the walls and outside patio. These two women have been on five episodes of NBC's "Recipe TV, The World's Greatest Chefs" and the Celebrity Chef's on the WE Network show "Holiday Home Invasion". Betty was on Top Chef, where her "Ba-Da-Bing Betty's Grilled Cheese Sandwich" was chosen as a winner and is now served in TGI Friday's. When not working, both of these women also teach cooking classes at William-Sonoma stores throughout Las Angeles!
India Jones Food Truck twitter icon Sumant Pardal
This is not your average truck meal, but if you like Indian food, it's the place to go. India Jones Chow Truck was opened by Chef Sumant Pardal, whose opened 12 restaurants in Los Angeles, California including Tiger Lily and Tuffan. He comes from Jaipur, India from a family full of restaurateurs and considers butter chicken and lamb biriyani his specialities. India Jones Chow Truck features frankies, which are skinny Indian burritos, parathas (indian flat bread) a varity of curries as well as daily specials.  
Ivan Kane’s Café Was twitter icon twitter icon Alex Reznik
Cafe Was strikes a balance between whimsy and logic, theatrical in spirit, at once chic and yet bohemian, located in the heart of Hollywood. Cafe Was achieves a collaboration of time in both style and design, boasting a mezzanine, a grand staircase leading nowhere serving as a seating area, a communal room and a balcony turned into a mysterious, lavish candle display. Unique materials, salvaged bars, balusters and doors along with distressed plaster walls, antique mirrors and velvet curtains make up the mystical space. The revolving 1924 Mason and Hamlin grand piano offers optimal views and can be removed for other performances. Ivan Kane and Executive Chef Alex Reznik, from Lutece and Paris Casino in Las Vegas, created a classic French Bistro, where traditionally neighborhoods congregate to relax. Cafe Was offers the best gourmet menu to make your Hollywood dining experience perfect and unique in every way. Alex was introduced to a wide variety of food at a very early age in New York. His mother showed him a “Brooklyn medley” of all cultures, teaching him to appreciate a variety of tastes and styles. As Alex started to grow up and become a young adult he started to travel the world to places including Europe and Central America. Coming back into the US he found himself in Las Vegas at the world-renound, legendary, five-star Lutece, a fine-dining French restaurant located in The Venetian. Next, Reznik moved onto the Bally’s Steak house and Les Artistes Restaurant at the Bally’s/Paris Resort. He then met Ivan Kane, and was named the Executive Chef of Ivan Kane’s Café Was, and is enjoying bringing great food to great people.
Katsuya facebook icon Katsuya Uechi
Opening in June 2006, Katsuya has been a terrific success ever since. Master chef Katsuya Vechi has three other Katsyua restaurants other than Downtown LA including Brentwood, Hollywood and Glendale. This restaurant features traditional Japanese dishes with an American twist. He serves sushi, sashimi, soups, steafood, steaks and much more each with his own touch making each and every dish utterly delectable! Food and Wine Magazine described Katsuya as "one of the most exciting restaurants to opne in Los Angeles in years"! Daniel’s nonstop career started at culinary Institute of American Hyde Park in New York. Shortly after he moved trans-Atlantic and worked in Japan and Italy before moving back to the states to work in Los Angeles at Josiah Citrin’s Melisse and sister restaurant Lemon Moon. Elmalen was named “rising star chef in 2007” and soon after acquired the Opening chef position at Katsuya Hollywood under chef Katsuya. He’s now the Corporate Katsuya Chef, overseeing all four restaurants kitchens.
Patina Restaurant Group TBD
Patina Restaurant Group was founded on the belief that culinary excellence is an art form, per se. And museums, cultural centers and art-filled landmark locations provide the ideal environments for experiencing this level of quality and service. With Patina Restaurant Group, famed restaurateur Nick Valenti and master Chef Joachim Splichal realized their shared vision for a truly bicoastal boutique restaurant and food service company. Boasting approximately 60 restaurants and food service operations in performing arts centers, Patina Restaurant Group also offers world-class dining and service for weddings, elegant catered affairs and corporate events. The union of these two legendary culinary innovators has introduced the world to a whole new echelon of personalized service and unrivaled culinary artistry.  
Susan Feniger's STREET twitter icon facebook icon Susan Feniger
STREET is one of Susan Feniger's many success stories on her resume. She opened STREET as a restaurant where she could bring all of her travles and different types of cooking rand recipes together under one roof. Feniger also wanted to bring to the table something more, making sure the food she served and the products she used were sustainable. For instance, she only serves sustainable seafood, and is trying to get her customers to try different, less popular fish such as Artic Char, Black Cod, and Barramundi as well as not serving Tuna or Swordfish due to the high mercury content. She works with organic and farmers to make sure shes serving natural, healthy products at STREET. Feniger also serves Marly coffee, and interestingly enough all ofher bar tops, countertops, outdoor tables, and bathroom sinks are made from Richlite (approved by FSC) made by recycled paper! Feniger and business partner Mary Sue Milliken opened CITY almost 30 years ago, which was an instant success. After that came Border Grille in Santa Monica, California and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The two also operate the Border Grill Truck. Feniger ventured solo and opened STREET in 2009 in Hollywood which was equally as successful!
Tanzore Restaurant and Ultra Lounge Jayant Paul 
Tanzore, located in the heart of Bevery Hills, is more than just a restaurant, it’s an experience. From the Indian inspired decore, to the lavish food that’s put infront of you.It was recently named one of the Best 50 Los Angeles Restaurants by Angeleno Magazine as well as winning the 2007 Restaurant Design award from AIA. Tanzore provides Indian food with a California twist offering a variety of foods including a Tuna Lollipop, Tandoori Chickin, and for dessert an Indian Spiced Apple Gallette. This father-daughter own restaurant's includes a lounge with wall sized videos of fashion and "bollywood", the Lotus room wich holds a dance floor, and the Haveli Room which is an elegant, private dining room. From the decore, to the food, to the ambiance, Tanzore is a restaurant MUST! This master chef didn’t always want to cook- he actually wanted to be a CPA. But on a whim he enrolled at the Institue of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition Bangalore. He then joined La Meridien Hotel in New Delhi, and from the opened Le Pierre, one of the finest French restaurants in Asia. Paul is the Executive chef at Sun-N-Sand, Juhu, Mumbai, making this his 5th five start hotel in his career.
The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills José Andrés; onsite chef: Jorge Chica
SBE’s The Bazaar by José Andrés is a vibrant mix of sophisticated cuisine and playful lounge spaces where dining transcends into fete extraordinaire. Experience a collection of magical dining experiences moving though each room with names like Rojo at the Bazaar and Blanco at the Bazaar, entwined in a modern-day, European-inspired “indoor piazza”- savor pioneering culinary creations, delicacies from roving carts and delicious libations by chef José Andrés. Enjoy delightful visual suprises at every turn, courtesy of world- renowned designer Philippe Stark. You can also shop the inspired retail selections curated by design vanguard Moss. On top of being more of an experience than just a place to eat, Esquire magazine named The Bazaar the Best New Restaurant of 2009 and GQ magazine chose it as a top ten for 2009! José Andrés was born in Spain and began cooking at the early age of 15. He went to the School of Restaurants and Hotels of Barcelona where he trained in restaurants including El Bulli. Making his way to the US, he worked with Rob Wilder and Roberto Alvarez’s Proximo restaurants. He created one of the first successful tapas restaurants at Jaleo. Next he moved onto Café Atlantico in DC. In 2006 Andres and Wilder transformed Proximo to ThinkFoodGroup and Jose was named “Chef of the Year” by The Washington DC Restaurant Association (RAMW). He then moved out to Los Angeles opening a luxury hotel experience at the SLS at Beverly Hills, where his team and him over saw the food and beverage as well as the restaurant The Bazaar by Jose Andres. Jose also is referred as Spain’s unofficial ambassador to the US, and is the host of the PBS television series Made in Spain.
The Foundry on Melrose twitter icon facebook icon Eric Greenspan
The Foundry on Melrose is headed up in the kitchen by Eric Greenspan, and are we sure glad he's there! LA Times Says "California-French cooking- the contrast is delecious" of Greenspans cusine. This restaurant seats up to 90 people and has a very contemporary interior with wood and steel accents. The Foundry's inner dining room is ins pired by the Machine Age and Streamline Modernism. The entrees range from $12-31, which is a steal for the refined meals Greenspan sends out of his kitchen. From appatizers, to a main dish such as his Poached Hailbut with beans, shellfish, octopus and tomato broth to his one of a kind deserts featuring peanutbutter bread pudding (peant butter ice cream with a grape sauce) this menue will suffice any and every guest! Greenspan started out as a dish washer at Café Med, a Berkeley breakfast establishment. Two weeks into his job he found himself as the head chef position, and served as head chef and general manager for the next three years. After graduating from University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business he attended acclaimed Le Cordon bleu culinary school in Paris, France. Back in the states he worked with chefs such as Alain Ducasse, David Bouley and Rocco DeSpiriato. Next he was named one of Angelo Magazine’s “Eight hot Chefs” in 2003 after being executive chef for almost two years at Los Angeles’ Patina Restaurant. In the spring of 2007 Eric opened the foundry on Melrose, which was runner up for Los Angeles Magazines “Best New restaurant”. Greenspan was on The Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef” in 2009 and was 994 Magazine’s “ Most Buzzworthy Chef in America”. Greenspan is also opening up Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese, which is already chose by ZagatBuz as one of Los Angeles’ most anticipated openings of 2010.
The Yard twitter icon facebook icon "CJ" Jacobson
Opened in 2008, The Yard gastropub features a relaxed “Cheers” style atmosphere, excellent and friendly service, and a convenient Downtown Santa Monica location – all with some of the best food and drinks on the Westside. The Yard offers American-style tapas cuisine with seasonal, Farmers Market fresh specials created by renown chef Chris “CJ” Jacobson from Bravo’s “Top Chef.” The Yard also offers an extensive drink menu featuring 8 craft beers on tap, 30 bottled beers, boutique wines by the glass, and a market-fresh seasonal cocktail list by mixologist Blake Landis. They have regular tasting nights, which feature new and unique beers, wines and cocktails, often paired with new menu creations by CJ. True to their roots, the Yard also features local live music, DJs, film screenings and art exhibitions. Their home-grown film festival, YardFest, has regular screening events on our 8’x10’ screen. There is always something going on at The Yard! Chris Jacobson, better known as “CJ” of Bravo’s hit show Top Chef was a private chef who has worked for the likes of author and columnist Arianna Huffington and the Marciano Family of the Guess Corporation before his success on Bravo’s Top Chef. His earlier culinary career includes cooking at Axe, Wolfgang Puck Catering, and Campanile. A former professional volleyball player standing at 6' 8", CJ approaches the culinary world with the utmost of confidence, having developed a love and appreciation for food during his time competing in Europe. CJ currently resides in Venice, California and is keeping very busy. He has been a spokesman for the California Strawberry Commission, designed a special breakfast menu for Hilton Garden Inns, and has spoken for the American Cancer Society. CJ has cooked at the James Beard house and also participated in the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour three times. He is now the executive chef at the The Yard, a gastro-pub in Santa Monica. CJ graduated from the California School of Culinary Arts – Le Cordon Bleu and holds a degree from Pepperdine University in Southern California.
Whist at Viceroy Santa Monica Tony DiSalvo
If you're looking for an up town sophisticated, yet romantic private dinner, Whist is the restaurant for you! This restaurant features a contemporary atmopshere, and is very posh. Decorated eloquently, the design of Whist is continuous from the inside out. You can choose to experience the Mediterranean cusine of Executive Chef Tony Disalvo indoors, or outside in a private cabanna. Whist was also named one of America's 50 best hotel restaurants by Food and Wine magazine! Dining at this restaurant is more than just a meal at lunch or on the weeknd, is an experience and thats exactly what you'll get! This young pup knows the trick of the trade is known for is monder twist to traditional dishes. Tony, who originally enrolled at the culinary Institute of America in 1993, is a bi-costal chef from working his way up in New York at Jean Georges to opening Jack's La Jolla in Souther California. He's now warmly welcomed at Whist at Viceroy as the Executive Chef!
XIV by Michael Mina twitter icon facebook icon Michael Mina; onsite chef: Steven Fretz
Michael Mina's up to his 14th Restaurant, hence the name of his latest one, XIV. The restaurant represents a 17th century chateau,and feels that way with its fire places, larger artwork's and bookshelvs,but the remodel of the kitchen, which is exposed, left a beautiful stainless steel finished look.Michael Mina was named Bon Appetit chef of the Year as well as the James Beard Foundations' Best California Chef award. The patio is also a relaxing place to sit and eat your meal, or even at the bar if you're on the go! Mina's alluring plates and aromas really do come at a steal. Fretz graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco in 1999 and started his career at George Morrone’s Fifth floor. He went from garde manger to sous chef in just 6 months! Fretz’s career has taken him to Australia, as well as to the east coast for David Burke and Donatella. He eventually came back to California as Executive chef of XIV and was awarded Angelo Magazine’s “Best New Chef of 2009”.