Author Archives: Josie Mora
So – you probably know the popular guys in town. You know, the guys featured in every mainstream blog; the culinary varsity equivalents. But here’s a few guys you may not have heard of. Their names are Gev Kazanchyan & Dave Watrous (Beachwood BBQ & Brewing). Both men have full day jobs, but they also dedicate their spare time to being stellar craft-loving human-beings. Luckily for us, they’ve managed to bring their love of craft beer to the mainstream (through local beer programs across the city); and a few weeks ago, to charity. To kick off LA Beer Week, the …
I’m not going to lie, when my friend asked me to join her for Happy Hour at BoHo, a gastropub on Hollywood & Highland, my eyes definitely rolled. But I put my pride aside… After all, I wanted to hang out with my friend, Stephanie. However, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of culinary prowess. There I was, in the main vein of tourist dystopia. I briefly contemplated walking away, but I shrugged off any presuppositions and marched in. A bubbly blond waitress greeted me with a friendly smile and I told her who I was there to meet. She …
I’ve had the privilege of meeting a few Top Chef contestants in my day, and I have to say, they’re usually a lot better in person than on TV. Our three hour lunch with chef Fabio Vibiani was no exception – that feisty Italian was all class. Vibiani, Santa Margherita wines, and Firenze Osteria hosted a group of my blogging peers and I to an intimate lunch; Vibiani was the vivacious host & chef. Without ever missing a beat, a very energetic Vibiani bounced in and out of the kitchen, was really funny, and very charming. Up until a few …
Ask me to accompany you to a healthy restaurant & I’ll politely hush, ‘Sure, but I warn you, I may need a hot dog afterwards.’ (Sadly, I’m not kidding about that last sentence.) After all, my idea of dining out doesn’t include eating like a rabbit. My father says that’s why men don’t take me on second dates… I’m starting to think he’s right. Suffice to say, I seldom frequent (much less actively seek) a healthy option when deciding to splurge for a meal away from home. This, however, was different. True Food Kitchen opened a couple months ago in …
Sometimes my mind craves nothing more than the retrospective imagination of the Jazz Era. Under my desk, I so often find myself tapping my foot to the stirring rhythm of gospel, soul and blues on Pandora’s Ray Charles’ station. The Ray Charles’ algorithm has introduced me to the vocal stylings of one Mrs. Barbara Morrison. Morrison has played with a respectable, if not legendary, group of musicians in her day (Ray Charles, James Moody, Etta James, Tony Bennett & Keb’ Mo, to name a few). Much to my excitement, I heard that she would be singing in the Fedora room …
I speak for all women when I say that ‘Girls Night Out’ is not for the feint of heart. When huddled together we’re unruly, we’re honest and we’re bound by sisterhood. Eavesdropping on a GNO might ruffle a few feathers but it’s also a powerful window into the female mind. All in all, there is no subject that is off-limits; and the meal & conversation generally make you stronger. A weird sense of identity had kept me off the radar recently, so when this GNO opportunity presented itself, I quickly jumped on-board. My friends, all of whom are in their …
Above: You might ask yourself, why should I eat beet raviolis? Well, Scarpetta Beverly Hills is why. It’s fantastic; end of story. Background: In general, dates should be fun. Unfortunately, as a result of some unfair cosmic twist of fate, sometimes we find ourselves across the table from some freak (aka the ‘awkward dater’). It’s then that you immediately start to question your life because the universe has just sent you one big f*ck you. But you continue to eat, smile and try to play nice – as you have some bad karma to atone for. To be fair, the …
I’m a firm believer in the following equation: p (pleasure) = f (food) * l (laughter) A few weeks back I recall a famous sociologist saying that significant events emerge from idle conversation; from different people sharing the same space. I think restaurants are a perfect example of such a theory. Case in point: The Hudson in WeHo. I admit – The Hudson’s Yelp reviews were pretty good, so a part of me really wanted to hate it. However, I pushed down my initial judgments and sat down & waited for my friend, Sterling. I think many of us still …
Drink:Eat:Play hosts some of the most gourmand events in LA. Some of these events include: 80s Prom, Dessert Decadence, Gourmet Five Year Old Party, and, as seen here, The Cupcake Challenge. Below is a recap of some of my favorite cupcake highlights. You can also find the official winners here. FYI: The next event is the LA Sake Festival on March 27th. (Carina and I had a blast year.) BELOW (from left to right): The lovely Onnie, Anisha, me, Deanna and Dan <— The man behind Eat:Drink:Play. ABOVE: PB&J Cupcake from Sugar Babies Cupcakery. ABOVE: CHOCOLATE ZIN cupcakes from Double D …
Khrysta, Director of Events extraordinaire, invited me to the Brasserie to check out Chef Haru’s skilz. The LA Times had just awarded the Brasserie a glowing review and my buddy, Tony, had just described Haru like this: ‘He’s dreamy. The French Chef. The French chef who speaks Japanese and cooks Japanese food. And oh, Rick Bayless likes his sushi with mole spices.’ <— I know. It can only be described as iconoclast. This was to be a girl date with no idle conversation, Khrysta Ramos AND a dreamy chef. I didn’t need much convincing. Then and Now: For those that …