Foodie Fridays: KTCHN 105

Given KTCHN 105’s obscure location behind a nondescript, gated parking lot in downtown LA’s produce district, it should come as no surprise that the unique eatery is completely off the radar. Visiting the reservations-only spot does take a bit of planning, as it operates on very limited hours, only being open for weekend brunch, and dinner on Thursday and Friday nights. But don't let that discourage you from trying it out...

Make your way down the landscaped walkway and pass the tranquil outdoor patio, and you’ll enter the main dining room, a large, airy loft. According to KTCHN 105’s website, the space “was designed for learning, entertaining, and coming together for the appreciation of food.” As such, the open studio kitchen also plays host to private events and various specialty cooking classes throughout each month.

Love it or hate it, you’ll be taking part in communal style dining, using large banquet tables and benches. Abundant natural light illuminates the restaurant and puts a spotlight on the mouthwatering dishes and refreshing cocktails served.

If the bathroom—complete with bathtub—and open kitchen make you feel as though you’re in someone’s home, it’s because you are— you can even find a bed hidden in one corner! At KTCHN 105, you truly are being served a comforting home-cooked meal.

My brother Viranda (aka the Don Corleone of the FoundTrack empire) and I visited upon the wise suggestion of our friends and downtown dwellers Mike Cruz and Kara Marks, who you might recognize as the savvy team behind the delightful Savor Los Angeles series.

I went for the light, yet delectable house citrus cured salmon lox, which elevated the standard brunch offering to a whole new level. Served atop toasted, yet still chewy baguette slices, the thin slivers of fish were sprinkled with chopped egg and chives. The dish was really brought alive with two robust spreads, red onion-honey mustard and pesto remoulade.

V ordered the cornmeal waffle pear BLT. This was one hell of a sandwich. In addition to the standard BLT ingredients, this indulgent monster was housed in a corn waffle and contained smoked gouda, roasted corn mayo, caramelized onions, and pear maple syrup. In short, it was a sweet and well-crafted take on a typically generic sandwich.

Mike opted for the “Best Part About a Fried Egg,” which was served with home fries, while Kara went for a classic sun-dried tomato scramble. Everyone seemed pleased with their selections.

The gratis chocolate chip cookies which came with the check were a nice touch. Nothing like freshly baked cookies to ease the pain of paying your bill!

Despite serving fantastic innovative cuisine, KTCHN 105 hasn’t received tons of press like other hot brunch spots around town, and remains a hidden gem. So venture downtown and discover one of the city’s best kept secrets—you’re in for a treat!

KTCHN 105, 1250 Long Beach Ave., Los Angeles 90021; 714.720.2260; theivgroup.com/ktchn105, MAP.

NEXT TIME on Foodie Fridays: Our last post together from LA! We'll be revisiting the iconic Pacific Dining Car.

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Foodie Fridays: Upper West

Attention, Westside! We finally returned to your stomping grounds. Where exactly were we headed this time? A hosted dinner at Upper West in Santa Monica, by Pico and the 10. The large, open venue draws its name as it's reminiscent of lofts in Manhattan, and because it is literally the last option on Pico before crossing Centinela, what some consider to be the border of the Westside.


One of the restaurant's co-owners, Elad Benisti, ran nightclubs and lounges in Miami before moving to LA and opening Upper West last spring. His sociable nature is easily apparent, as on any given night, he can be seen running about welcoming new patrons, catching up with regulars, and interacting with his staff.


The modern aesthetic—and even the food to a degree—reminded me of one of my old favorites, 3rd Street's now-defunct Food Court LA. The main dining room and bar are separated from a beautiful patio area by floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Although the projected classic film concept is nothing new in LA, this is the icing on Upper West's already well-crafted cake.


This chic space plays host to monthly pairing events. In the past, special tastings have been created around wines, tequila, and even Jameson. Upper West also keeps things interesting by changing its eye-catching art displays every three months.


George Bernard Shaw's famous quote "there is no sincerer love than the love of food" is painted across the patio's lintel, and serves as a reminder that although the restaurant's interior is gorgeous, the focus here is on the grub. The idea is modern American comfort food, and with options like corn on the cob, burgers, and ribs on the menu, the owners want you to make yourself at home and just dive in using your hands.


Upper West has concocted a fantastic list of unique cocktails. We went for a watermelon mojito, which turned out super sweet, and a calm, cool, and collected cucumber martini made with mint leaves, gin, and sweet and sour, which was more up my alley.


We hold high standards for burrata salad, having enjoyed Cube's virtually unbeatable offering. Upper West's take is praiseworthy as well, and quite robust with its use of apple-blackberry panzanella, tomatoes, chamomile salt, and dill-mustard vinaigrette. Finishing off every last bite of a cheesy cloud of burrata is always such an indulgent, yet delicious, challenge.


The standout dish of the evening came early and unexpectedly. The whole roasted sweet corn brushed with avocado butter and cotija cheese was hands-down the best corn on the cob I've eaten in my life. This flavorful summery treat makes it fully worth having chunks of corn wedged in between your teeth afterward—just remember to bring floss.


Upper West's veggie burger has received a great deal of praise, having recently been described as possessing the power to "make a convert out of the most ardent meat lover" by the LA Times. In all honesty, I haven't sampled enough veggie burgers to be a qualified judge, but my vegetarian dining companion Aurora did greatly enjoy it, noting the burger's subtle Asian hints, particularly with its use of pineapple relish.


I've never seen meat from char-grilled baby back ribs fall so easily off the bone. Served atop a bed of Asian slaw and crowned with radish peach salsa, this dish proved to be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.


Although I rarely indulge in bread pudding, it is in fact one of my favorite desserts. Sweet, soft, and rich, Upper West's brioche offering swam in a whiskey caramel and creme Anglaise sauce, and was topped with strawberries. This decadent treat was most definitely a comforting end to our very satisfying meal.


We visited on a Monday evening and were surprised by how bustling the restaurant was for a weeknight. But with its impressive menu and lively atmosphere, it's no surprise that Upper West has certainly been a welcome addition to Santa Monica's sometimes lackluster dining scene.


3121 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90045; 310.586.1111; www.theupperwest.com; MAP.

Photos by Aurora Tang.

COMING SOON on Foodie Fridays: We'll be checking out the recently-opened Black Cat Bakery on Fairfax and revisiting a classic, Pacific Dining Car.

Foodie Fridays: The Kitchen at The Dime

I’m not going to lie, I thought I misheard when I was first told that The Dime had begun serving food. While one can’t take away its ability to draw in thirsty crowds, the divey Fairfax bar is perhaps best known as the infamous site of Spencer “Crystals” Pratt’s bar brawl on MTV’s trashy hit, The Hills. Heck, we even spotted Andy Dick here with our own eyes, being—well—a dick. So it seems the tiny watering hole has a knack for attracting some of the less-desirable celebrity types.


Regardless, The Dime is indeed serving grub now (it has been since September), and some pretty finger-lickin’ good stuff we must say. The Kitchen is helmed by Kevin Luzande, Brandon Alegria, and Shanna-Lynn Milazzo, who met while working at John Sedlar’s Rivera in downtown, and are now all at the recently-opened Playa Rivera (Kevin is the chef de cuisine, Brandon on the line, and Shana a server).

Shanna and Kevin.

When they’re not working at the new restaurant on Beverly, the group of friends is just a few blocks away, busy putting their creative juices to use coming up with inventive bites in the tight quarters Kitchen at The Dime.


Don’t come here expecting foie gras or filet mignon. The menu—which changes weekly and is only available Sunday and Monday evenings—offers basic bar bites, often with unique and mouthwatering spins. Take for example the grilled cheese mac and cheese sandwich, a creation of Shanna’s which consisted of creamy elbow macaroni smothered between two slices of cheese and bread, then grilled to perfection.


On another visit, we got to try the zucchini sticks, a greasy spoon staple, which was taken up a notch with Kevin’s tartar sauce made of homemade mayo, capers, garlic, scallions, green olives, red pepper flakes, and cornichons.


The batter on these deep-friend wands of goodness was delightfully crunchy and paired nicely with the cool and freshly prepared sauce. Below, Abby graces us with a smile and dons her signature pose. Has zucchini ever looked so good?


Also on the menu that week was the chicken parmesan sub, which was hearty and had a great consistency. Oozing out of the sandwich, the mozzarella cheese was quite indulgent.


Once again, the Kitchen at The Dime went the extra mile, this time adding basil to the classic bar snack. Here I am, biting in... CHOMP!


The final option for this particular week was the buffalo chicken wrap, stuffed with Caesar salad, housemade dressing, and white meat coated with sauce so tangy and spicy you’d think you were diving into a basket of hot wings. To order any selection, simply mark off the quantity you want on the concise menu and take it up to the bar.


Since the fare changes weekly, it might be a while before The Kitchen serves the same offerings we got to sample. But check their Facebook page for other past dishes and a mouthwatering preview of what’s to come. Take our advice, skip the packed-house Friday and Saturday boozefests at The Dime and mosey on in on a Sunday or Monday evening to take a bite out of the talented trio’s delectable creations.

The Kitchen at the Dime, 442 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323.651.4421, MAP.

Photos by Aurora Tang.

NEXT TIME on Foodie Fridays: We're heading downtown to give you the scoop on Aburiya Toranoko, the new restaurant from Lazy Ox mastermind Michael Cardenas.

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Foodie Fridays: Shaky Alibi

Surrounded by dining powerhouses like Eva, Angelini and BLD, casual Shaky Alibi is a welcome addition to the Beverly Boulevard culinary landscape. The wafflerie and coffee shop is a true local gem, as the owner, R.J. Milano, and his family live close by in the neighborhood.


Shaky Alibi was a nice place to take refuge on a rainy day, as we visited during the torrential downpour of one of the early days of 2011. Here I sit, deep in thought, contemplating “when will this rain end?”


The eatery—which opened last summer—features a chic modern interior with orange accents, Milano’s favorite color. Apart from the coffee bar, a few small tables are the only seating option, so we recommend visiting during off-hours. If you get bored, or decide you need some post-meal physical activity to burn off the calories, there’s a ping pong table in the back!


We warmed up with a café au lait and a hot chocolate. Both were carefully crafted and got our stamp of approval. A large selection of teas is available as well.


The waffles served here are not the ginormous monsters found at places like Griddle Café, but they are authentic, real-deal Belgian-style treats, which reminded me of the common street food snack I enjoyed while in Brussels a few years back. Made from a family recipe, they’re crisp on the outside, and warm and fluffy on the inside.


We started with a traditional sweet Leige style waffle, topped with sprinkled powdered sugar and a traditional Belgian spread called Speculoos. Our photographer, Jen, and I both agreed that it reminded us of childhood for some reason, which we soon realized was because the spread tastes pretty similar to Golden Grahams cereal. Other spreads and fruit and nut toppings are also available.


Next we moved onto a savory waffle. Shaky Alibi allows you to customize your waffle with a meat and cheese of your liking. We opted for black forest ham with gruyere, and were quite content with our selections. It’s best to visit with a friend, so you can try both the sweet and savory varieties; both were delectable and it would be hard to pick a favorite.


While the establishment’s name continues to confuse us—apparently it has something to do with an experience Milano once had while serving on jury duty—we hope to return to this cozy neighborhood gathering spot often.

Shaky Alibi, 7401 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323.938.5282, www.shakyalibi.com, MAP.

Photos by Jennifer Saracino.

NEXT TIME on Foodie Fridays: Who knew The Dime served food? We'll be sampling the creative bar bites at the popular Fairfax watering hole.

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Foodie Fridays: A-Frame

The Kogi King has done it again. First he kicked off the now-infamous Korean taco truck trend. Then he took that crazy addictive grub and paired it with a fantastic selection of beers at the always-packed Alibi Room. Next he opened Chego, where his pork belly rice bowl rose to instant fame. Somewhere along the way, the truck reproduced, allowing for multiple Kogi-bots to roam around town. And now? Roy Choi’s biggest, baddest, and most delightfully greasy creation yet: A-Frame.

Abby, our friend Serena, and the Kogi King himself, Roy Choi.

Like its sister restaurants, A-Frame (which opened less than a month ago) calls the Culver City/Mar Vista area home. Believe it or not, the building—whose high, A-shaped roof was the inspiration for the eatery’s name—used to house an IHOP. Whodathunkit, given the new venue's dim lighting, well-stocked bar, hopping musical selection, and in-the-know clientele.


Choosing a drink off the extensive list of draft beers, wines and cocktails was challenging, but I ultimately went with the St. Bernardus Tripel, a light Belgian beer which I correctly predicted would pair well with all the meat which was coming our way. While A-Frame is more of a sit-down establishment than Choi’s other eateries, the food is equally—if not moreso—mouthwatering. Once again, we have unique contemporary global fare, and as always, Choi means business when it comes to grub. We started with the Furikake kettle corn. It’s the same sweet and buttery stuff you remember from childhood carnivals, just with a unique Hawaiian—and apparently addictive—twist.


"A-Frame is a place that came from the feeling I used to get when cracking crabs on Redondo Beach Pier as a youth," Choi states on the restaurant's website. Perhaps the most obvious menu item recreating this childhood memory are the blue crab cakes. Served with a ginger lemongrass creme fraiche and greens, they become a hybrid reinterpretation of both lettuce wraps and the popular beachside snack.


Next we moved onto some tempura-coated veggies, but not the usual carrots and peas you find at your everyday sushi shack. The interesting choices of kabocha squash and broccoli rabe were all perfectly crisp, and paired well with a bold shoyu dipping sauce.

And now for the meat. The glorious, glorious meat. First up was the Peruvian beer can chicken, one of A-Frame's signature dishes. The selection of vibrant salsas provided (roja and verde) really brought the bird alive.

The Korean lamb chop is a menu-must. Charred to perfection on the outside, the meat is mouthwateringly succulent when you bite in. The salsa verde made a reappearance, once again serving as the perfect partner-in-crime.

Rounding out the "meat show" were the baby back ribs. Coated in a hoisin-chili glaze and sprinkled with sesame seeds, the ribs were tender, well flavored, and finger-lickingly-good. Wings, carne asada, and fries are all on the menu as well, so A-Frame would certainly be the perfect place to hit for a guys night out.

As if we hadn't stuffed ourselves enough already, we decided we wouldn't be able to call ourselves true Foodies without ordering dessert. So naturally, we went for the "Chu-Don't-Know-Mang." You're probably now asking "what the hell is that?" Well, it's churros made out of pound cake and served with a malted chocolate and vanilla ice cream dip. Needless to say, it was a decadent end to an equally indulgent meal.

The space is meant to encourage sharing and getting to know fellow diners. There is a huge communal table in the center of the restaurant, but even at smaller ones, your party will be seated next to complete strangers. While this might cause social anxiety attacks for some, the idea is actually a novel one. The dishes served are meant to be shared, so this approach allows diners to sample more items off the hard-to-choose-from menu. Who knows, you might even meet your new BFF.

So Roy Choi wanted us to make new friends, and new friends we made! Meet our giggly new pals Shawn and Michelle. After our bellies were stuffed, our entire table mosied on over—literally next door—to another recent addition to the Culver City dining scene, Waterloo & City, where we sipped on refreshing ginger beer cocktails. A pretty successful night on the Westside if I do say so myself.

And with that, I leave you with the words of wisdom found at the bottom of A-Frame's menu: "Eat. Drink. Share. Get Messy. Enjoy." Cheers!

A-Frame, 12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, 310.398.7700, www.aframela.com, MAP.

COMING SOON on Foodie Fridays: We'll be getting a taste of Belgium at Shaky Alibi, a coffee shop and wafflerie on Beverly.

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