ANDREW YOON photographer and UX designer.

by Johnny on September 22, 2011 in Interview with No comments

 

1. Who are you what do you do?

I’m a Los Angeles based photographer and UX designer. I’ve shot documentary work in Haiti, Africa, China, Mexico and designed for the Suicidegirls, Technicolor, Wieden+Kennedy and now at TestFlight. I also love shooting weddings.

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?


Recently, my good friend Johnny turned me onto Chimu in downtown Los Angeles and I can’t get enough of their braised pork belly (chancho). Thanks Oakland!

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
For dinner, I love me some meat, and I’m often craving steak, fish, or fried chicken of some sort. My favorite thing to eat lately is fresh grilled mackerel, rubbed with salt and minced garlic. The bones are small enough to just chew and swallow. It’s fatty, fishy, cheap and delicious. Just like how Mom used to make.

 4. Drink of choices
After a long day, a bottle of mexican coke is my “you earned it” drink of choice, though I wish it wasn’t. As far as alcohol goes, I like my whiskey neat or on the rocks (a single oversized ice cube or sphere please).

5. Last meal would be?
My last meal request would be for Popeye’s fried chicken with good friends.

 


 

Julie Khuu interior designer

by Johnny on September 21, 2011 in Interview with No comments

1. Who are you what do you do?
Julie Khuu:  certified interior designer/ one-time HGTV alum/ part-time fashion blogger/ full-time foodie

2. Where’s your favorite place for lunch?  Dishes?

I’m a pretty obsessive Francophile so Marché Moderne in South Coast Plaza simply cannot be beat.  $20 prix fixe meal with a daily changing menu is seriously the most bang for your OC buck in these parts.

Whatever they’re serving for the day is always what I’m having.  My most memorable meals have all been drowned out by their sinfully delectable 3rd course desserts.  Did I mention you get this all for $20?  Seriously the shiznits.

Images:  http://hautekhuuture.blogspot.com/2011/06/food-porn-friday-marche-moderne.html

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
Hands down Ikko Sushi.  A total hole-in-the-wall, blink and you’ll miss it mainstay by Shark Club, also in Costa Mesa.  My first experience there was orgasmic to say the least.  They serve this eggplant tempura dish with spicy tuna topped with tobiko that is melt-in-yo’ mouth friggin’ fantastic.  Moving onto the hot dishes with sake soup clams, broiled yellowtail cheek and back to the cold with fresh sashimi dipped in masago to cleanse my palette.  Then onto their specialty dishes including salmon tortilla chips, uni custard soup, and whatever else the chef tells me to consume for the evening.  Wash it all down with some Otokoyama sake and repeat as needed.  I don’t mess around with my sushi, man.

 4. Drink of choices
I can never resist a good lychee martini. Brodard Chateau in Westminster makes a pretty mean one.  Bonus points if they mix it up with Calpico and use Grey Goose Poire instead.

5. Last meal would be?

A plate of French fromage.  In Paris.  During Winter.

 


 

Emma Östergren model blogger

by Johnny on September 20, 2011 in Interview with No comments

1. Who are you what do you do?
My name is Emma Östergren, I’m born in Stockholm and 20 years old… I’ve been modeling full-time and travelled the world since I was 16 (worked in Cape Town, Paris, London, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China and The Netherlands).

I also run one of Sweden’s biggest blogs: www.modellbloggen.se with around 40.000 unique visitors a week… And I have my own clothing line: www.emmaoclothing.se that I started running when I was down in Cape Town!

In my modeling I’ve worked for Elle, Marie Claire, Acne, MTV etc… I’ve got two worldwide American Apparel campaign’s running at the moment…

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?
I love to eat lunch at home – Anything with Halloumi (!)

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
Newport deli in Cape Town… Epic sandwiches – I’m a quite simple girl when it comes to food :) Or homemade Taco Pie… Kebab?

 4. Drink of choices
Red or white wine

5. Last meal would be?
Swedish pea soup!

 


 

Craig Thornton of Wolvesden

by Johnny on September 13, 2011 in Uncategorized with No comments

1. Who are you what do you do?

Craig Thornton aka… Wolvesmouth… I live in l.a. and am known for my “dinner parties” and private dining experiences in my space aptly named Wolvesden… we set dates. people who sign up on our mailing list rsvp and we put the names in a lottery to choose who gets to make it out… we have 12-16 seats available at each dinner… whats it like? checkwolvesmouth.com which will help really explain what it is we do… as far as clientele I keep it mum as I want clients to know they can have their privacy when they come to my spot…

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?
Its constantly changing right now I am hitting up daily dose and fat spoon quite a bit…I am a stickler for ingredients so I like going to places where I know the quality of the meat/produce etc is on point… daily dose does sandwiches quiches etc… very good quality ingredients local organic the whole deal plus I like the outside seating in the courtyard, reminds me of being in europe… Fat Spoon I have been getting the little mini Kurobuta corn dogs, the beef curry, the pork cutlet curry (with a ton of pickled radishes), and a salad or grilled veg to balance it all out… I keep hoping they have curry pan but every time I go they are out…

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
My favorite dinner spot this is another constantly changing deal.. I hit up Mexicali and Forage frequently… I usually cook at home a lot, mostly vegetarian in style… if I am going out with a group of friends I am probably headed to a place like Animal or Son of a Gun really dig what Jon and Vinny do… I hit up Red Medicine cause I cant escape their legume dish very light and refreshing…

 4. Drink of choices
Drink of choice for me is mainly water, then juices and a nice root beer. really good micro-brewed root beer. right now I am into tower root beer out of boston and this root beer from bills tavern I had in Cannon beach, they make it in-house and don’t sell it outside the restaurant (bummer). Sprechers was at my top for a while but I don’t know what happened to their recipe its way to sweet now… I don’t drink too much alcohol, I think I have maybe had the equivalent of 2-3 glasses of wine in the last year.

5. Last meal would be?
My last meal well its changing a bit, I always stick with the bowl of white beans cooked with ham hock and really good bread with good butter, but I have since added a few other things to this meal, there are these kimchi pancakes @ Olivejina christine Choi-fang makes that are so fucking good it would definitely be in there and maybe some well made pasta with pesto and an heirloom tomato with salt on the side (if I were dying in summer) and of course wash it all down with a nice root beer or depending on how I am dying (if by firing squad I would elect to drink absinthe or something pretty heavy to get me loose and ready to eat lead) (if by dying in sleep I would elect for the root beer) (maybe a mixed drink for death by anything else in between).

 


 

Lynn Chen, actor, food blogger, and body image activist

by Johnny on September 12, 2011 in Interview with 1 Comment


1. Who are you what do you do?
Lynn Chen – actor, food blogger, and body image activist.

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?

Larry David stated on a recent episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” that he doesn’t like to have hot food for lunch.  I agree – especially not this past week.  I stick to mostly salads, sandwiches, and snacks, but recently I’ve been eating frozen deserts as my mid-day meal – shaved ices, frozen yogurts, etc.  My favorite is gelato at Scoops.  I usually get whatever the vegan flavors are, but their regular Brown Bread is almost always there, and is pretty unique.

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
I’m always in the mood for M Café – their Kale with Spicy Peanut sauce is like crack.  I rarely pay more than $10 for a salad that I can make at home, but the “M Chopped” is worth it.  And even when I’m craving something comforting and filling, the Macro Burger with fries satisfies.

 4. Drink of choices
Water.  I’m never without my Keith Haring Sigg bottle.

5. Last meal would be?



Locanda Verde’s Lemon Riccota Pancakes in NYC.  Black Muffins (molasses and pecan) from K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans.  Several slices (white clam, spinach, regular cheese + tomato) from Pepe’s Pizza in New Haven, CT.  And Sweet Lady Jane’s Cherry Pie right here in Los Angeles.  Obviously this last meal would take several days for travel.

Matt Meyerson of RPRT

by Johnny on September 12, 2011 in Interview with No comments

t

1. Who are you what do you do?
Matt Meyerson, Founder RPRT Communications and Management. We are an action sports athlete management firm which represents clients in surf, skate, snow, bmx, moto, mma and adventure (clients include: Geoff Rowley, Curren Caples, Louie Lopez, Chad Kerley, Kyle Loza, Jeb Corliss, Kevin Jones and Mark DellaGrotte). RPRT is also a full service marketing, PR, production and product placement agency with a specialty in youth culture and fashion.

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?
Well since I am one of those pinko communist veggies I would have to say in a perfect world (being that I am in LA and only get to be in OC for lunch of rare occasions) Taco Loco in Laguna Beach makes an incredible blackened tofu burger. Get it with the super hot sauce! I could eat those all day.

Also, when I am traveling to NYC I will take a slice of pizza any day over some fancy lunch. Stop into Lombardi’s for a slice of eggplant parm pizza…you will never go wrong there.

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
I am not your typical LA trendy restaurant snob. I could be obvious and say Mr. Chow, Nobu or Gjelina but frankly the thought of going to eat at a place everyone else goes to because they are told they should go there is not my style. I prefer off the beaten path hole in the wall’s that I never remember the name of but rather where they are and what they serve. I like authentic cuisine – Italian, Indonesian, Chinese, Thai food made by 80 year old grandma’s. The vegan hot and sour soup and egg rolls at Mao’s Kitchen in Venice always does me right. For hole in the wall vegetarian goodness I am a big fan of LA Vegan on Centinela. There is nothing on the menu that isn’t good. I am also a sucker for breakfast at night…Swinger’s always has something that fills this craving for me.

In NY though I do have one place I always patronize with friends and clients. Emilio’s Ballato (55 E. Houston St.) is by far the best real-deal Italian I have had in my life. Though it is not on the menu, ask Emilio to make you an extra spicy Putanesca (translation: “pasta the way whore make it,” hold the anchovies) and you will thank me. This is also the only time I actually order a house Chianti as well instead of a Jameson or Newcastle. Do not skimp or forget to order one of the best cannoli’s in the world as well.

 4. Drink of choices
Jameson, Rocks with a Hendricks Gin and Tonic as a close second

5. Last meal would be?
With family and friends…the food would be irrelevant

Chad Rea

by Johnny on September 6, 2011 in Interview with No comments


1. Who are you what do you do?
Chad Rea. Portland, OR. Former ad agency founder/creative director (86 the onions) turned social brand innovator and serial entrepreneur (ecopop). I used to build brands for Fortune 100 companies. Now I mainly build them for myself. Check out chadrea.com, ecopop.com, dabball.com, electricityshowroom.com, createyourhappy.com, and google.

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?
Por Que No? for their tacos and guacamole. Pollo Asao, Pollo Verde, and Pescado are my favs. http://www.porquenotacos.com/

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
Produce Row Cafe for their pulled pork sandwich with jalapeno cream sauce and fries. It’s not on the menu anymore but if you ask for it, you shall receive. They have a great whiskey and beer pairing menu, as well. http://www.producerowcafe.com/

 4. Drink of choices
Bulleit Bourbon on the rocks with a splash of soda. With a beer back of anything from Double Mountain Brewery.

5. Last meal would be?
Gilbert’s El Indio Restaurant, Santa Monica, CA. #6 Combo Plate: Chicken taco and chicken enchilada with a side of Diablo sauce and two homemade flour tortillas to make bean and cheese burritos. The chips and salsa are to die for, and since it’s my last meal, it only seems fitting to have them as part of my last meal.

Nathan Siu, Chef

by Johnny on September 3, 2011 in Interview with No comments


1. Who are you what do you do?
My name is Nathan Siu, I currently work as a private chef for the sororities and fraternities at the University of Southern California. In my past I also worked at Bazaar and Westside Tavern. I have 5 different houses with a brigade of 4 cooks including myself. We cater to Delta Gamma, Phi Gamma Delta, Theta Xi, Kappa Sigma and Delta Tau Delta. as for the fame part, very few people know about who I am or what I do, im just a chef who loves what I do and thats cooking good food!

2. Where’s you favorite place for lunch?
I have more than one restaurant for this question, originally im from Alhambra, CA and surrounded by mostly Asian restaurants. i do recommend a few places for lunch if you in the area, Dip’s Grill(American/Asian fusion) Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, Savoy Grill(Chinese/Malay) Hainan Chicken or Curry, Armando’s(Mexican) Albondigas soup and try tacos there, Patakan(Thai) Curries are good, Cao See Pod Rod(i think thats what its called) its their special house fried rice and the pad see eew(pan fried noodles with a lightly sweetened sauce), and Golden Deli for Vietnamese Pho

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
El Casario in Silver Lake (nice intimate little place which serves Equadorean and Italian food) Every dish was a hit and reasonably priced, Westside Tavern in West LA(this ones a little pricy for comfort food but still a good one… i used to work there lol) salmon burger would be my favorite… the short rib dish. Sasaya and Honda Ya for Izakaya(drinking pub and japanese tapas) love the ground chicken rice (soboro) and Yakitori… im a simple guy really but everything on the menu is good. So many restaurants i have…. the list goes on and on

 4. Drink of choices
Love anything Coffee flavored :D

5. Last meal would be?
1st course: Duck Confit salad with summer nectarines, honey mustard seed vinegarette, red onion with spiced caramel walnuts

2nd course: Lobster Bisque or Corn Potage

3rd course: Scallops with lobster mushroom, uni buerre blanc, cauliflower/yellow squash puree, micro chives and aceto balsalmic reduction

4th course: Prime Rib…Short Rib… and Baby back rib… i know it sounds lame but its my fantasy dammit! lol i call it rib 3 ways over a bed of garlic whipped potatoes and veggies(asparagus, spinach, thumbalina carrots)

5th course: Truffle Risotto with Veal Jus and Foies Gras

6th course: Chocolate mousse with a praline crust and coffee ice cream

Eric Nakamura of Giant Robot

by Johnny on September 3, 2011 in Interview with 3 Comments

1. Who are you what do you do?
My name is Eric Nakamura. I’m the owner of Giant Robot. Clients are anyone who purchases an item in our shop or hires myself or Giant Robot to do something in exchange for money. It could even be an advertisement on our website. My claim to fame if any is Giant Robot. People seem to know it in some form, and for that I’m thankful. At the same time, many don’t know it, and that is perfectly great too.

2. Where’s you favorite place for lunch?

Lunch. Obviously, I’d pick gr/eats. Our own eatery. Dishes? There are many, but sometimes, it’s the simplest that are best. Katsudon or even just curry works well. However if it’s not gr/eats, I like to venture to Venice Beach area. It’s actually Rose Avenue near 5th street. There’s a taco truck called La Isla Bonita. Trucks have become trendy and ridiculous at times, but this is an original that I have visited since 1989. Yes, the 80s. The truck was established in 1987 and I was taken by a colleague at my job at the time. I’ve been going ever since. There’s a pattern to every visit and it starts with Ceviche. The ceviche is probably the best I’ve had. It is white in color with limited amounts of tomato bits, cilantro, and plenty of lemon. It rests on a tostada chip. I add Tapatio and everyone I’ve taken has fallen in love with the truck.

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
Dinner is difficult. The favorite place might be just a spot that I like to visit that has good food and easy to navigate. Again, I could say gr/eats, but if that wasn’t there, I’d pick a place called Asian-ya. It might have the crappiest name, but it’s menu is simple for my tastes and I could go there three times a week and afford it. There are grand sushi places that cost near $200 a meal, but again, favorite? I classify it as a place that I go to most. Dishes are simple. The one I have most is Soon tofu. It’s not traditional in terms of korean food. But it’s close. Koreatown is hard to get in and out of if you live where I do, and Asian-ya is a distance that I can actually walk. The banchan is definitely another story. It’s not Korean at all, sans the kimchee. The rest are an array of veggies and you get 4 types. There’s plenty of other Japanese foods on the menu, since in the end, it’s Japanese run and owned. The cooks are younger Japanese dudes as well, so their tastes match mine.

 4. Drink of choices
Water. I’m boring that way.

5. Last meal would be?


Something my mother cooks. Perhaps the last meal would be the first meal of the year. New Year’s Day. Included in the last meal is just about everything that you can want. It’s Japanese food and every kind of it. It’s at home. It’s with family. There’s nothing else that matters.

Helene Traasavik former Miss Norway

by Johnny on September 2, 2011 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment


1. Who are you what do you do?
Helene Traasavik, model and yoga teacher, former Miss Norway and Red Cross ambassador. everything from catalogues to car commercials.  I dream of becoming a bond girl without having to act, haha

2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?
My moms, when i’m home in norway, she makes the most AH-MAZING Thai food. Fav dish is Miang Kham.

3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
I could never pick just one… hm. Melisse I Santa Monica, Tango in Stavanger, Breeze at Le Bua in Bangkok…..but these are fancy places to eat for special occasions, I mostly get my dinner at the Wholefoods salad bar.  favorite dishes? so many, i love french food.

 4. Drink of choices
Depends on whats for dinner, water w lemon, pinot grigio or green tea

5. Last meal would be?
My favorite meal of the day is BREAKFAST!  poached eggs on toast, or eggs benedict, no bacon please. I’m a vegetarian.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →