Hinoki and the Bird – West Los Angeles, CA.  Hinoki and the Bird is one of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles currently, following Kuniko Yagi’s popularity as a fan favorite on the TV show Top Chef.  Hinoki was also awarded best new restaurant in 2013 by Esquire Magazine.  Kuniko Yagi story is very intriguing.  She became a chef almost by mistake; Leaving her finance job in Japan and moving to Los Angeles on a whim.  She became a server in a Japanese Noodle house where she met David Myers.  He ended up giving her a chance by her articulation in food in his restaurant and she succeeded with no formal culinary training or education.  She later became the executive chef of his restaurant Comme Ca.  Hinoki and the Bird is the culmination of Chef David Myers and Kuniko Yagi’s creative culinary vision.  Located in Century City Hinoki has both indoor and outdoor seating.  They have creative cocktails, appetizers, entrees and desserts ranging from different inspired ingredients and techniques.  Some unique offerings were Seasonal Fix – Vodka with muddled seasonal fruit and fresh lemon, Sambal Skate Wing, Chili Crab Toast, Lobster with squid ink roll, Hinoki Scented Black Cod, Drunken Duck Breast, Miso Marinated Skirt Steak, Rice Cream Chocolate Mochi, Cotton Cheesecake and Miso Donuts.  Love, Peace and Hinoki Scented Black Cod Grease!

Seasonal Fix – Vodka with fresh lemon and fresh muddled Strawberries – Very refreshing

Chili Crab Toast, spicy cucumber, coriander

A must have at Hinoki and the Bird

Beef Tartare, pickled jalapeno, parmigiano

 

Fried Spring Rolls with avocado

Lobster Squid Ink Roll, Thai basil

Very good flavors

Butternut Squash Soup

Hinoki Wood Scented Balck Code, Sweet Potato, Pistachio

Signature Dish at Hinoki and the Bird

Drunken Duck Breast

Caramel braised Kurobuta Pork Belly, radish, mustard greens

Braised Shitake Mushroom, Yuzu Kosho

Sambal Skate Wing

Miso Marinated Skirt Steak

Roasted Yam, creme fraiche, lardon – surprisingly savory and the table favorite dish

Miso Donut, honey caramel – very good

Rice Cream – Chocolate Mochi, campfire marshmallow – like a smore and ice cream with a rice component very unique and amazing

 

Ylang ylang, gooseberries, black sesame, passionfruit meringue, perfume sorbet

Cotton Cheese Cake, rhubarb, raspberry cream, strawberry yogurt ice cream – very interesting textures and rhubarb flavor

An OCFoodlist first: a bathroom shot, very unique tiled mirror