All posts in Los Angeles

>Paulette Macarons – Los Angeles

by Mark on October 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, Christophe Michalak, Dragée, Los Angeles, Paris, Paulette macarons, Pierre Hermé with No comments

>Beverly Hills, California

DÉLICIEUX!

The great thing about LA (or any major city for that matter) is the instant accessibility to anything. Walking on Rodeo, tired, needing some time to get off my feet, it was an easy two block walk to find Paulette’s. Once inside it felt as if I’d made an even longer journey directly to Paris (see earlier Pierre Hermé post).

A beautiful atmospheric space with an undulating curved counter filled with brightly colored macarons. OMG. perfect!

Paulette herself was lovely. I talked with her about macarons, Paris and Pierre Hermé. Being sheepish in comparing her work to Hermé was a polite gesture since her work spoke for itself. The award winning space styled by Viennese architect Andrea Lenardin Madden and the fresh daily macarons made by herself and master pastry chef Christophe Michalak were a world class tribute to the modern haute patisserie française. I filled a sleeve with a dozen samples and sat outside with a friend getting high on our beautiful cache;
 
Caramel – ooey-gooey rich and chewy
Coconut – 2 dimensional
Madagascar Vanilla – PERFECT…really…just perfect!
Passion Fruit – an explosion of clean, bright, rich flavor. Pierre Hermé could not have done better himself.
Rose – too perfumey and strong
Sweet Wedding Almond – Dragée – nice but I’ve had better
Sicilian Pistachio – Excellent
Colombian Coffee – boring. It tasted like espresso powder.

 
I’ve already mail ordered a sleeve of my favorites.

Paulette Macarons on Urbanspoon

>Jar Restaurant – Los Angeles

by Mark on August 18, 2009 in Butterscotch pudding, Japanese Purple Yams, Jar restaurant, Lamb Shank, Los Angeles, Suzanne Tracht, Top Chef Masters with No comments

>
Los Angeles, California


TOP CHEF MASTERFUL

After seeing the thoughtful dishes coming out of Suzanne Tracht on Top Chef Masters, I immediately made a reservation at her restaurant in Los Angeles. “Jar” located on Beverly and Harper, makes you feel like you’ve just stumbled onto a neighborhood secret when you pull up to its small corner location.

The decor was simple and stylish…a little mod… nothing pretentious… an open, comfortable dining room with soft leathers and soothing wood tones that helped us sink into our martinis and the menu.

This is a chop house… a modern American California inspired version of one mind you, and the main focus of the menu are the Braised and Sautéed selections along with a few well chosen family-style sides. I had a braised pork shank prepared with star anise, coriander and garlic floating in an amazing reduction that I think is one of the best I’ve had…anywhere. It was simple, straight forward and delicious! It was the Sunday type dinner that warms your belly and makes you sleepy. Suzanne Tracht…will you marry me?

We shared a table of ample sized side dishes including Japanese purple yams, creamed spinach, duck fried rice, sautéed pea tendrils and asparagus. Very good…not great.

Dessert was as true to the restaurants mission as anything else on the menu…a straight forward, delicious, comfort food American classic; butterscotch pudding.

Jar on Urbanspoon