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When you live and dine in L.A., knowing who ranks as among the brightest of the newcomers on the scene can help you eating and drinking well all over town. To celebrate the naming of their best of the best in food and drink in L.A. for their 9th annual restaurant issue, Angeleno Magazine held their annual event last night, now called "Live & Dine L.A." at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica.
Following a brief ceremony to award top restaurant key players like Best New Chef Jordan Kahn of Red Medicine, Best New Restaurant A-Frame's Roy Choi, Best Mixologist Julian Cox of Playa, and more, as well as a special "Pioneer" honor for the philanthropic and culinary work of Akasha's Akasha Richmond, the event was an opportunity for these talented folks to show their stuff with a grand tasting event. Joined by other celebrated and noteworthy establishments around town, the tasting was a truly exemplary sampling of the city's best bites and sips.
Awardees Kahn and Choi, along with Sang Yoon of Best Restaurant Design winner Lukshon, and Kris Morningstar and Best Pastry Chef winner Joshua Graves of Ray's & Stark Bar, has some of the best bites of the evening. Kahn brought guests in small groups into a closed tent amid the fragrance of fennel flowers to "pick" a trout-wrapped radish from "dirt" and a bed of nasturtium. Choi served up a crab "wrap" using lettuce, Yoon Hawaiian Ralu and a Short Rib Rendang. Morningstar and Graves were having a good time engaging with the crowd, all while serving up two amazing seasonal tastes--a sweet corn filled pasta and a berry and yogurt panna cotta.
From the other participant restaurants, memorable eats included the juicy burger served on toast from The Misfit, who also brought a kick ass brussel sprout salad and their to-die-for salty chocolate cookies. Carlsbad Aqua Farm was on hand shucking fresh, succulent oysters, and down the way Suzanne Goin's Tavern had a picnic-perfect nicoise sandwich. Fiery heat was on the plate thanks to the Beef Rendang of The Spice Table and the Grilled Isan Sour Sausage from Night + Market.
Hands down, the best cocktails were those that used St. Germain, like The Spyder (St. Germain, Bourbon, Aperol and grapefruit) and the watermelon and strawberry drinks from Ice Ice Shavie (spotted last weekend at the L.A. Street Food Fest, too).
With last night's strong showing, streamlined selection, and gorgeous sunny summer evening atmosphere, Angeleno's Live & Dine L.A. event is emerging as one of the best of the city's many food fests.
