What is the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival?

Before you get confused and say, “But there’s been LA Food & Wine events before,” the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival is not the same thing. This is its first year in LA! This festival celebrates the diverse food and art scene in LA. It highlights various culinary talent, art installations, wine and beverages. Some of the headliner chefs this year included Antonia Lofaso, Duff Goldman, Jet Tila, Stephanie Izard, Adam Richman, Geoffrey Zakarian, Andrew Zimmern, and many more!

LAWFF took place this year in March in conjunction with Frieze Week Los Angeles, which is an international art fair focusing on contemporary art. So not only did we enjoy delicious food and meet renowned chefs, but we saw some fun art collaborations and danced to the DJ sets.

What to expect at LAWFF?

Lots of delicious food and drinks and a fantastic time! Tickets to LAWFF are all-inclusive, so you can grab as many bites and drinks to your heart’s delight! However, I have to warn you to pace yourself. I felt stuffed before I made it to all the chefs’ tables.

Because the LA Wine & Food Festival took place in a tent, I was a little apprehensive before going. I imagined it being small, crowded, and with long lines everywhere. Surprisingly, it was the opposite! The event was very well-organized, and the setup made great use of the space. Although there were quite a few people, it never felt too crowded. There were hardly any lines for food unless a chef was prepping a new batch of food. I could definitely tell the event planners and the chefs came prepared. A couple places ran out of food, but for the most part, chefs made enough to keep it flowing the entire night.

There were some lines for the cocktails and wine, since people were either introducing the brand or making the drink to order. However, it was still very much manageable.

Highlights of the Wine & Food

Some of my favorite moments of the event were meeting Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Chef Adam Richman! I grew up watching The Food Network, so getting to meet these celebrity chefs in person was awesome. They were friendly, warm and funny! Chef Zakarian made Tuna Tonnato with Cripsy Capers, Pickled Shallots, and herbs. So fresh and tasty! Chef Adam Richman made pulled pork egg rolls with sweet & spicy peanut dipping sauce. Crispy on the outside with juicy pulled pork inside – just the way I like it!

I also enjoyed the Dungeness Crab Leek Fonduta from Chef Ben Ford (you can’t go wrong with Dungeness crab!), smoked salmon cannoli from Donna’s EP, tuna tartare taro taco from STK Steakhouse, spicy rigatoni from Ospi Venice, Massachusetts bay scallop with kaluga caviar from Saltie Girl LA, and so much more.

For drinks, Icelandic Glacial provided sparkling water. Tastemade mixed cocktails featuring Una Vodka, Henebery Whiskey, and Kohana Rum. Various wine brands attended as well, like J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Paper Plane Wines, and Mizel Wines.

I highly recommend going to the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival next year if you love good food and wine! You’ll taste top-notch bites and sips, catch some art, maybe meet celebrity chefs, and have a great time!

To see some video highlights, check out my IG video recap here. For more info, visit the LAWFF site here.

Would you go to this wine and food festival? Let me know in the comments!

The post Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival (LAWFF) 2024 Recap appeared first on Chat with Cat.

Small business – Little Berry Fairy
Offers: Chocolate covered strawberries and breakable hearts

This LA small business makes beautiful chocolate and event sweets, including gorgeous marbled strawberries with custom messages. Other items include breakable hearts and cakesicles that have been trending during the pandemic, but what sets Little Berry Fairy’s treats apart is her attention to detail. Every set she makes is quite lovely and/or adorable, and each box feels like a lavish gift. Check out her page here for her 2-tiered Mother’s Day gift box or glam box!

Small business – Ganchic
Offers: Grazing boxes with kimbap quinoa rolls

Another small business near Arts District, Ganchic takes the traditional kimbap (Korean rice rolls) and turns it into a cleaner, lighter, and more artful version. These rolls are made out of quinoa instead of rice and with clean, whole ingredients. No preservatives or artificial additives. Besides daily rolls, Christina creates these gorgeous grazing boxes with fresh florals, and you can opt to substitute some rolls for farmer market berries and vegetables. She’s currently taking limited orders for her “Super Mom” set, which is one you don’t want to miss!

Small business – Eats Lucy Wang
Offers: Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Next on the list is LA small business, Eats Lucy Wang in the heart of Ktown. Lucy recently started baking up burnt basque cheesecakes in various flavors like coffee, matcha, and ube, and they are delicious. Light, fluffy, and infused with subtle flavors, these cheesecakes make for some great post-dinner desserts. Check out this post to order a Mother’s Day Gift box with 3 sets of flavors.

Small business – MM Creamery
Offers: Tofu Cheesecake

MM Creamery in the SGV region has yet another take on the classic cheesecake. MM Creamery also makes various sweets including wedding treats, but their tofu cheesecakes steal the show. The original tofu flower cheesecake with ginger syrup reminds me of the classic tofu pudding I grew up eating. Besides the classic, MM Creamery also experiments with various other Asian flavors, like black sesame, pandan coconut and currently Sakura lychee. They rotate flavors, so make sure to try it when you see it on the menu! They are also offering various Mommy x Me + cookies curated dessert set to make and bake with the family.

Small business – Foodologie
Offers: Cookes, Brownies, Ice Cream

Last but not least, Foodologie is an LA small business in Long Beach that offers cookies, brownies, and ice cream. The wonderfully chewy cookies (salted toffee cooking, chocolate chip, churrodoodle) and ube brownies are such a treat. Deciding which one to get can be hard, so my advice is to try it all! Trust me, you won’t regret it! Because she often sells out quickly, you’ll want to place your orders on her site here as soon as you can.

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This past weekend, the Japanese Food Expo 2021 gave me a chance to experience Japanese food and culture from home! I had hoped to visit Japan this year to see their cherry blossoms, but travel plans have been on hold. So for now, I’ll fill that void with ramen and matcha from the Japanese Food Expo.  

Traditionally, the Japanese Food Culture Association (JFCA) hosts the Japanese Food Expo each year to showcase various Japanese premium foods and beverages. The goal of the exhibition is to share the simplicity and beauty of the Japanese food that has nurtured Japanese civilization for centuries. Attending the expo is a fantastic way to learn more about the Japanese culture while sampling delicious eats and drinks!

Due to this year’s circumstances, JFCA hosted the Japanese Food Expo 2021 virtually for the first time on Mar 6th, 2021. Although an online event doesn’t quite compare to the live event, I liked that I could attend from the comforts of home. No parking to scour for or crowds to battle. This expo was also quite informative! This year, it focused on three prefectures of Japan: Aichi, Shizuoka, and Fukushima. JFCA even sent me a gift box of some of the goodies to try along with the show!

Japanese Food Expo 2021 Prefecture Highlights

Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture is part of the Central region of Honshū, Japan’s main island. It is most known for its healthy food, particularly those requiring fermentation. Perhaps one of the most famous examples is Hatcho Miso. The Japanese make this miso by fermenting steamed soybeans and salt in wooden casks over several years. This process results in a dark and boldly-flavored miso often used in broths and sauces. During the expo, host Alice sprinkled the Hatcho miso powder on ice cream. She also mixed it with mayonnaise to create a vegetable dip. One-start Michelin Chef Masanori Nagano created cute miso onigiri in a live demo as well. For experimental purposes, I will definitely need to try the miso powder with ice cream!

Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Prefecture is also part of the Central region of Honshū, and it actually borders Aichi Prefecture. It runs along the Pacific Ocean coast and is home to Mount Fuji, so you can only imagine how beautiful the land is there! With its bountiful land, tea is this prefecture’s most famous product. As such, the people there harvest and produce many premium green teas, matcha, and hojicha teas. Host Midori showed us how to make some easy and delicious-looking iced hojicha latte and iced matcha latte.

Fukushima Prefecture

Fukushima Prefecture is part of the Northeast region of Honshū. It’s also located along the Pacific Ocean coast and is part of The Diamond Route. The Diamond Route, named for the shape of the route, is a tourist route that connects Fukushima, Tochigi, and Ibaraki prefectures. They boast of “sparkling treasures” in food, sights, history and more in the heart of Japan. One of the cities, Kitakata, is known for its ramen. This year, the expo highlighted kitakata ramen noodle from Igarashi Seimen. Chef Andy Matsuda, founder of Sushi Chef Institute, made a bowl of ramen with chicken and egg. I received these instant kitakata ramen noodles in my Japanese Food Expo 2021 gift box, and I loved them! These ramen noodles were so easy to prepare, and I loved the taste of the broth. I enjoyed the texture of the noodles too! They’re thicker than traditional ramen noodles and have a nice wavy, chewy texture.

Learning about these prefectures and their specialty foods from the Japanese Food Expo 2021 made me appreciate these foods more. The next time I visit Japan, I definitely want to visit these prefectures as well as The Diamond Route to experience the food and culture firsthand! But for now, I’m glad to know these products are now available in the United States. If I can’t go there, I can bring a taste of it home!

I’m hoping next year’s Japanese Food Expo will be a live exhibition, and I’m looking forward to learning and sampling more of the Japanese culture then!

If you missed the expo, you can watch the Japanese Food Expo 2021 here. Let me know which of these Japanese foods you would love to try!

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Imagine my excitement when someone introduced me to Haute Mess, a gourmet European inspired market and cafe right in the heart of Los Angeles! Located in the Fairfax district, this cute little market gives off some homey, chic European vibes. The bright open space, high ceilings, colorful tiled floors, cheese and meat displays, wine racks, fresh pastries and espressos all take me back to my previous vacations in Europe. Markets, meat, cheese, sandwiches, and wine are aplenty in many of the major European cities.

The Market Side of Haute Mess

While waiting for my food, I perused the Haute Mess small market offerings. The market sells items like pasta, chocolate, wine, olive oils, and other European cuisine products. The market offers a pretty impressive selection, particularly the extensive wine rack. Their team of epicurean virtuosos curates these wine bottles and items for sale.

The Cafe Side of Haute Mess

Although Haute Mess itself is a relatively small store on Beverly Blvd, it offers quite a bit of food options! Although indoor dining is prohibited, Haute Mess offers a few tables for patio dining.

The Sandwich Bar

The sandwich bar offers fresh made-to-order European-style sandwiches. These types of sandwiches are a pretty typical staple of the European culture. While eating an authentic Italian sandwich seems like such a treat to me, I remember easily finding these types of sandwiches everywhere in Europe. The Haute Mess sandwiches are cutely named after classic drinks. I ordered the Cosmopolitan e Rosati, which is made with proscuitto di Parma, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, arugula, and pesto vinaigrette. It did not disappoint!

Charcuterie Counter

The charcuterie counter stands right by the entrance and is the first thing you see. However, the owner is in the process of redesigning Haute Mess to add an area for gelato (my fave!!), so the layout will change. The cheese display shows all the different cheeses they curate. The cured meat display is located towards the back. Haute Mess offers charcuterie boards for both individual orders and catering. I tried a board with several meat and cheese pairings based on the recommendations of the staff there. I really liked the Fromager D’affinois (truffle) cheese and the Honey Bee goat cheese, both which I tried for the first time!

Café

The counter in the back is where you order your cup of morning coffee. The selection includes espresso, mocha, and other Italian coffees. You can also order ice blended drinks, as well as loose leaf tea.

Bakery

While they didn’t have too much of a selection when I went, the bakery offers handcrafted buns, sourdough, challah, french country and baked baguettes. I didn’t order any of the fresh baked goods, but I did order a sandwich which used a fresh baguette. The baguette was delicious!

L’patisserie

No meal is complete without dessert! The L’patisserie at Haute Mess crafts beautiful pastries that all look so delicious. Of course I tried the classic Italian dessert, the tiramisu. It tasted creamy, light and delicious. I also tried the cute strawberry shortcake since I LOVE strawberries. I liked that the strawberries added just a hint of tart to the sweetness of the cake.

If you miss a taste of European street markets, check out this beautiful Haute Mess market and cafe! (And with a Yelp check-in, you get $1 off your in-store purchase!)

Haute Mess
7673 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

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If you’re not sure where to start, I’m here to share my top recommended places to eat in Denver! Pin or bookmark this page, because you’ll want to try out these restaurants at some point!

Best Breakfast and Brunch Restaurants in Denver

Denver Biscuit Co

If you’re anything like me and you LOVE biscuits and gravy, then Denver Biscuit Co is a no-brainer. They offer biscuit sandwiches, biscuit shrimp and grits, biscuit pot pie and even biscuit cinnamon rolls! If the dish can be made from biscuits, you’ll probably find it here. This casual eatery is well-known and perhaps one of the best breakfast restaurants in Denver.

The hearty, comfort Southern food certainly hits the spot, especially in Denver’s chilly mornings. May I suggest bringing your appetite and trying The Franklin – a biscuit sandwich with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, and cheddar cheese – smothered in sausage (or vegetarian) gravy! There are several locations, but I visited the one at Stanley Marketplace, which is a community-focused marketplace with over 50 food and drink stalls, shops, and more!

Location: Inside Stanley Marketplace, Aurora, Colorado.
2501 Dallas St., Aurora, CO 80010
Denver Biscuit Co

Onefold

Undeniably, the crowded line at the front should tell you not to underestimate Onefold, a cute breakfast and lunch nook. It’s a restaurant that serves up family-inspired recipes made from scratch. Though physically small and cozy, Onefold brings food to the table that speaks volumes in flavor and execution. Perhaps it’s because many of the dishes are cooked in duck fat, which always enhances the taste.

Here, you’ll find eggs cooked all ways, Asian and Mexican influenced flavors, and portions that will keep you stuffed. The open kitchen and bright, minimal farmhouse-styled décor make the restaurant feel a little bigger than it is, but don’t be surprised if you’re asked to share a table with strangers due to the constant inflow of customers! My favorite here was the bacon fried rice with 2 duck-fat fried eggs! It’s mixed with chili oil, soy sauce, garlic, and your choice of maple or habanero Tender Belly bacon. The comforting duck congee porridge is also a great choice. Wash it all down with a cup of fresh-squeezed juice!

Location: West City Park
1420 E. 18th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Onefold

Best Restaurants in Denver for a Night Out

Elway’s Downtown

If you’re looking for a delicious steakhouse, Elway’s Downtown is the perfect choice. Co-owned and named after Denver Bronco’s beloved quarterback John Elway, this restaurant combines the quality of a traditional steakhouse with the ambiance and menu options of a contemporary restaurant. Although the quality of the food and service is upscale, the ambiance is more casual and welcoming than you may expect.

Elway’s menu consists of a good variety of hot and cold appetizers, fresh salads, U.S.D.A. prime hand cut steaks with plenty of sauces and sides to add, as well as various classic meat and seafood dishes. For starters, I really enjoyed the South African lobster tails dipped in their house-made biting cocktail sauce! The lamb chop fondue was surprisingly tasty as well. I tend to shy away from lamb sometimes because of its gaminess. However, when you’re in Colorado, you have to try locally sourced Colorado lamb at least once, right? For the main meats, I tried two specials: the bison tomahawk and the Japanese A5 wagyu steak. Both were so satisfyingly delicious! Next time, I’ll want to try the rib eye and short rib!

Location: Downtown Denver, inside the lobby of The Ritz Carlton Denver.
1881 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
Elway’s Downtown

Rioja

Another restaurant to try is the beautiful Rioja which boasts of Mediterranean-inspired but locally and seasonally influenced dishes. Chef Jennifer Jasinski creates elegant dishes out of simple ingredients, bringing out the bright flavors in each dish. As a result, she won a James Beard Award for “Best Chef in the Southwest” in 2013.

Prior to your meal, the staff offers you complimentary bread service, which was one of my favorite parts of dinner. A server brings a platter overflowing with various fresh-made bread like lavender sourdough, goat cheese & rosemary biscuits, focaccia, and kalamata olive bread. Then you get to pick which ones you want to try! For appetizers, the crispy Brussels sprouts salad with roasted kabocha squash, gooseberries, shaved apples, and hazelnuts is a great choice. It’s a refreshing mix of savory and sweet that I would’ve devoured – only if I didn’t have to share. For entrees, we tried the pastas and liked both the Colorado lamb and ricotta gnocchi and the tagliatelle and clams. The pasta tasted al dente, and the dishes were lighter than I expected. If you’re looking for a date night spot, consider Rioja.

Location: Historic Larimer Square, a charming old-town neighborhood worth a leisure stroll.  
1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
Rioja

Root Down

For some of the best restaurants in Denver, talk to the locals and they’ll tell you that Root Down is a neighborhood favorite! This fresh and funky restaurant converted from an old gas station and prides itself on a globally-influenced seasonal cuisine. Rather than tying itself to a specific genre of food, the chefs focus on organic and local ingredients.

Root Down’s offbeat mid-century decor, bright eclectic art and cozy ambiance are perfectly complemented by the bright and intense flavors of each dish. It’s loud, fun, and makes you feel like you’re in an underground house party. To begin with, try the roasted baby beet salad and Colombian arepas. Then move onto the mains, like the rockfish tom kha and Moroccan roasted chicken. A quick glance at these dishes instantly showcase the global influence of the menu. Every single dish I tried was delightful, and each item had its own distinct cultural taste. No wonder it’s a local favorite restaurant in Denver! Also note, the chefs also accommodate all dietary needs.

Location: Highlands, or “LoHi” Denver
1600 W. 33RD Ave, Denver, Co 80211
Root Down

Honorable Best Asian Restaurants in Denver

Viet’s Restaurant

If you happen to crave some authentic Asian food, Viet’s Restaurant is an unassuming Vietnamese restaurant tucked away in the corner of a strip mall. Granted, I haven’t visited many Asian restaurants in the city so I can’t say this is the “best” Asian Restaurant in Denver. However, some locals introduced me to this gem, and it was really delicious! From the outside, it may not look like much, but the food speaks for itself.

Viet’s offers practically every single Vietnamese dish you can think of eating! The menu is quite extensive. In fact, there are pages and pages of specials, spring rolls, noodles, rice plates, and more. Because we wanted to try a little bit of everything, we ordered family style to share. My favorites were the fresh papaya salad with shrimp and steamed pork, the Ca Kho To (sweet & spicy catfish in a clay pot) and Viet’s House 50/50, which came with deep fried softshell crab, grilled pork and shrimp, shrimp paste, shrimp tempura, egg rolls. Once the dish arrived, we rolled these into our own messy spring rolls, a fun hands-on experience for everyone! For delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine, add this one to your list.

Location: Southwest Denver
333 S. Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
Viet’s Restaurant

Without a doubt, Denver has many great food options, and these are just a few! Have you been to any of them? Or if you’ve been, what do you think are some of the best restaurants in Denver?

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So what makes it interesting? Kitchen United Mix is more of a hub serving meals from multiple restaurant concepts. It’s a central kitchen cooking up orders for customers. It’s focused on to-go orders for pick-up and delivery. Everything is packed to order and ready to go. However, there are a few tables and chairs for those who choose to eat there, but it’s not ideal for dining with a big group.

There’s no server here to take your order. Instead, you order directly at the kiosk. You can choose from AmazeBowls, Canter’s Deli, Mama Musubi, The Halal Guys, Grilled Cheese Heaven, Samlor Thai Street Food, FreiBurger, Equelecua Cuban Vegan Cafe, or Tokyo Riso. For the indecisive and the taste-testers, try them all if you want! Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can place your order in advance online and choose what time you’ll pick up your food. It’s quick, easy, and ideal for anyone looking for convenience. Note: Only debit and credit cards accepted – no cash! They also have one hour of free parking with validation in the structure off 40 S. Oakland, a block west of the building. Y’all know that free parking anywhere in Los Angeles is a GIFT, so definitely take advantage of it!

I have tried several of the vendors – while they were all delicious, some of my favorites included the fresh, fruity smoothie bowls from AmazeBowls and the delicious corned beef reuben from Canter’s deli. That juicy, fatty corned beef cooked so tenderly, paired perfectly with the tangy sauerkraut. It’s a bit messy and greasy, but delicious if you’re in the mood for something a bit heartier!

Surprisingly, the turkey pesto sandwich from Grilled Cheese Heaven is a favorite item among the staff working at Kitchen United Mix. I can see why! The toasted bread with melted cheese, bright pesto flavors, creamy avocado, and stacks of turkey breast looks slightly on the healthier side is packed with flavor!

There are so many more vendors there though that are worth checking out when you get a chance. I’ll have to go back to try out some of the other food the next time I’m in the area and need a quick bite to go!

Have you been to any other food hubs? What would you order from here?

Check out my @chatwithcat for a giveaway to eat some of this food for free!

 📍  Kitchen United Mix
55 S Madison Ave, Pasadena, CA

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