October 2009 / Letter from the Publisher

When in LA, Go Gourmet

Whether you consider yourself a food connoisseur or not, everyone can certainly appreciate a delicious meal. And when it’s prepared by a world-renowned master chef? Even better.

I remember a rendezvous in Napa Valley when I was lucky enough to experience an amazing meal at Thomas Keller’s legendary French Laundry. The anticipation of eating at such a distinguished restaurant (it takes two months to get a reservation, and that’s with a connection) was so intense I was beside myself with excitement. That visit so many years ago—my first time sampling the work of a celebrity chef—launched my passion for culinary adventures.

With Los Angeles as one of the country’s dining meccas, I thankfully no longer need to travel to Napa Valley to satiate my appetite for moules au pistou. From Mario Batali to Wolfgang Puck, we are exceptionally fortunate to have many James Beard Award-winning chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants right in our backyard. When it comes to fine dining, our city can easily stand toe to toe with gourmet powerhouses like New York or Paris. We can experience the finest flavors of the world any day of the week.

The food scene here is ever-evolving and endlessly exciting. Pop into one of downtown’s newest darlings, the restaurant/ patisserie/gourmet market Bottega Louie, or sample some of the mouthwatering seafood dishes by Michael Cimarusti at Providence on Melrose. Dive into a hearty porterhouse steak at BLT Steak on Sunset. Travel to the Far East with Mr. Chow’s elegant and innovative Chinese creations, or leave it up to your sushi chef with an omakase meal at Urasawa in Two Rodeo.

Not only does food satisfy our physical hunger and keep us going throughout our busy days, but it also brings us together. There’s nothing more intimate or special than sharing a meal with a loved one or friends, and in LA the options are endless.

Having all these wonderful chefs and dining destinations in town is one reason my autographed French Laundry cookbook remains only slightly worn. My guess is that after reading this issue, you’ll probably make several reservations; I know I did.

Cheers,

ALISON MILLER
GROUP PUBLISHER