Palihouse, West Hollywood

In case I never mentioned it, Chef Gary Menes is probably my favorite chef that I've worked with in Los Angeles. He was privously at French Laundry, Plate and Palet and most recently at Marche in Sherman Oaks. Now, he took over a great place in West Hollywood, called "The Hall", which is part of the Palihouse Hotel. I shot last week some of his new dishes and again, I was blown away.

The An Dynasty: Crustacean, AnQi, Tiato.

The An family is building a food Dynasty in Southern California! Started by Chef Helen An, whom everybody refers warmly as "Mama", and supported by her five daughters, this small food empire is comprised of the original Crustacean in Beverly Hills, Anqi in South Coast Plaza , and now the newest addition Tiato in Santa Monica. Each restaurant is very different in style, but the food is consistently impressive throughout, with the Asian influence underling every dish.