Sushi Koto-Fountain Valley, CA. You know those restaurants frequent all the time and want to keep it your little secret. Sushi Koto is one of those places for me. This place in my opinion has the best valued Chirashi Bowl in the land. Yes based on value and quality it even takes out the mighty Akasaka and I’ll even explain exactly why. When going to Sushi Koto don’t mind anything else on the menu, it’s all about the Chirashi Zen. Don’t bother with any of their other Chirashi specials or Bento plates. They are good but the Chirashi Zen is the best. It is better than any other Chirashi bowl I have tried because it comes in a box and you open the box and it is beautiful and you are amazed but then “Spoiler Alert” you realize that the box has two levels. One level consists of mostly fish roe and rice but not just salmon roe but also masago, flying fish roe and others which creates a colorful masterpiece. That level also contains avocado, baby squid and unagi and others depending what is fresh for the day. The 2nd level is your normal Chirashi fare including tuna, albacore, yellowtail, salmon, mackerel, white fish, shrimp, egg but also scallop, clam, crab, uni and if you are lucky some chu toro and other morsels. The bowl varies on what is fresh for the day but is pretty consistent and gives you much much more variety than most Chirashi bowls. What makes it even better is it is a fraction of the price as well for only $25.00, which is a total steal. I like going here after work and not having to make a reservation, not having to wait for a table so please keep this our little secret, hush hush. Oh by the way their other food is decent but why mess, when you can just have the best. Love, Peace and Chirashi Zen grease.

Bento Box  

1st level of the Chirashi Zen

2nd level of the Chirashi Zen  

Baby Squid in the Chirashi Zen  

Trois Mec – Los Angeles, CA.  Ludo Lefebvre’s brick and mortar restaurant, what can I say.  Ludo has been one, if not my favorite chef for several years now. But we will get to that later, Ludo is a french born and trained chef who moved to Los Angeles, CA in his early 20’s.  He became head chef at L’Orangerie and Bastide both gaining Mobil Guide five-star awards under his direction.  Ludo first caught my attention starring on Top Chef Masters and opening the pop up restaurant Ludobites in Los Angeles, CA.  Ludobites provided me with some of the best dining experiences in my life.  I still remember several dishes to this day including the Potato Mousseline, Ham Sandwich Soup and an Octopus dish (so tender that we could cut a inch thick tentacle with our fork).  I remember discussing this dish with Ludo at our table, about how amazed we were on how tender the usually tough Octopus was and Ludo replied in a heavy french accent, “It is very easy you just cook it low heat for a long time, no problem.” Easier said than done.

Trois Mec is a very interesting restaurant, not only has it taken over a Raffallo’s Pizza restaurant, Ludo has purposely kept the original signage intact.  So passersby may have no idea one of the best restaurants in the nation resides in a lowly strip mall on Highland Ave. Trois Mec is a reservation only prix fixe menu.  Reservations are released via their website and a hot commodity selling out for weeks within minutes of being released.  Trois Mec is considered the hottest restaurant in Los Angeles and some have rated it the top restaurant in the US.  With a prix fixe menu of $75.00 which you prepay in advance it is a steal for the quality of food you receive.

Now onto the food.  Trois Mec is definitely a restaurant I wouldn’t bring someone unless they have a true appreciation for fine dining and understanding of excellent complex food.  A lot of his dishes seem very simple but the complexity is amazing.  Ludo crafts his dishes to seem very simple at the naked eye but when you dig deep with your fork and when the dish tickles your taste buds it is exactly the opposite.  Ludo is the master at transforming simple dishes and flavors you would never dream about combining and making them delicious.  His take on Garlic Bread, King Crab with Peruvian Ceviche, Veal Belly, Grilled Cabbage and Strawberry Cake were awesome.  I will admit flavor wise some of the dishes didn’t agree with my palate and that could just be due to my flavor preferences.  Nonetheless Trois Mec is a magical experience.  Thank you Ludo for your creativeness, professionalism, individuality and greatness you have brought to the culinary world.  You have changed the way I have ate, tasted. looked at and thought about food, cheers.  Love, peace and Veal Belly grease!

Picture with Ludo and I taken back in 2010 at Ludobites at Gram and Papas.

Kitchen staff hard at work

Full view of the kitchen

Ludo the master stepping in to add a finishing touch

Menu

Herb Salad Tart with edible Flower

Buckwheat Popcorn

Crispy Tapioca with Passionfruit

Inside the Crispy Tapioca

Garlic Bread

Inside Garlic Bread

Dijon Creme Brulee

Carrots, Crispy Hay, Cultured Coconut Milk, white Chocolate Emulsion and Ramps

King Crab, Peruvian Ceviche, Avocado, California Citrus, Buckwheat Popcorn and Edible Flowers – my favorite dish

Grilled Cabbage, Smoke Almond Milk Anglaise, Miso Flan and Fennel Pollen – a fan favorite on his menu, who knew burnt cabbage could taste so good.

Confit Squid, White Asparagus, Caper Puree and Mascarpone (Supplement)

Veal Belly, Crispy Artichoke and Parmesan – Another amazing and interesting dish

Strawberry Cake, Meringue, Chantilly, Fresh Strawberries and edible flowers – This dish was very complex with a lot hidden under the cream.  One of the best desserts I have had.

Mignardises – Garlic Caramel

Signed copy of Ludo’s book Ludobites

Hashigo Korean Kitchen – Costa Mesa, CA.  Hashigo is located in an unassuming strip mall home to a few other good eateries, including the likes of Anjin (Japanese BBQ) and Oki Doki Cafe (Mixed Asian) among others.  Hashigo is a great place to grab a drink and meal with friends or catch the game after work with its 4 flat screens.   They also have many happy hour specials as well as specials when the Lakers play.  Hashigo would be best described as Korean Fusion restaurant and they carry a lot of Korean comfort dishes. They also have some amazing Korean fusion dishes that are not only creative but also delicious.  Two of the best examples of this are the Curry Stewy Cheese fries and Korrito. The Curry Stewy Cheese Fries are a mix of Korean curry, melted cheese, onions, scallions and french fries.  I am not the hugest curry fan but this dish actually works and is comparable to a great chili cheese fries dish.  The Korrito is pure amazingness, it takes Korean Fusion to the next level.  Everyone not living under a rock has witnessed the spur of Korean fusion food particularly started by Roy Choi’s Kogi trucks and continued by the multitude of restaurants, gastropubs, cafes and food trucks offering Korean fusion dishes usually Korean and Mexican (Latin American) fused so ingeniously in Korean tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc.  The Korrito is taken to a new level, not only is it a burrito mixed with your choice of Korean marinated meat such as Kalbi (marinated beef short rib) or Bulgogi (Grilled Marinated Beef), kimchi fried rice, cheese and cilantro but they serve it bathed in a steaming broth of hot Soon Doo Boo/Sundubu (hot tofu soup).  Burritos, Kalbi and Soon Doo Boo are 3 of my favorite dishes so its a win win win!  Did I mention that every meal also comes with complimentary with Banchan (small appetizers) which includes kimchi, sweet potato and pickled radishes.  They also carry Short Rib Tacos, Korean style Buffalo Wings, Bootcamp Ramen, Spicy Kimchi Fried Rice, Udon, Soba Noodles, Bi Bim Bap, Squid Legs, Garlic Edamame, a variety of Sushi Rolls and multiple Dinner Combos.  When a creative new dish tastes delicious that’s when things get exciting.  Cheers to the Korrito.  Love, peace and Korrito grease!

Banchan – Kimchi, pickled radish and sweet potato

Soon Doo Boo – Beef Tofu Soup

Curry Stewy Cheese Fries

The Korrito – Korean Burrito over Soon Doo Boo

Kalbi Nachos

Kalbi Box Combo with Mandoo (fried dumpling), green salad, macaroni salad and rice.

Bulgogi Box Combo