Plate by Plate 2013 (Los Angeles, CA)

Plate by Plate 2013
214 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.platebyplate.org/la/
Sat 08/03/2013, 06:00p-10:00p





This past Saturday, August 3rd, Project by Project hosted its 11th annual Plate by Plate tasting benefit at the beautiful Vibiana cathedral in the heart of Downtown. For the uninitiated, Project by Project is a nationwide non-profit focused on issues relating to the Asian-American community. Each year, the group chooses a particular theme to concentrate on--whether it be health, education, or the arts--and partners with a charitable organization in that space. 2013's partner is East West Players, the country's premier Asian-American theater troupe. As always, Plate by Plate showcased the culinary chops of some of the City's most popular and up-and-coming eateries, all washed down by unlimited, free flowing booze of all varieties. And of course, I'm continuing on as PbP's Manager of Restaurant Relations, my third year in the role.


Left: Former PbP legal counsel Annie Lin running the show at the check-in table.
Right: Marketing Team members Eve Yen and Alison Ma, with Manager of Public Relations Mayly Tao (of DKronuts fame).


Left: Director of Events Risa Abarientos, alongside President Marian Bacol-Uba.
Right: Bacardi Portfolio Manager Jaymee Mandeville and colleague.


The Raymond, helmed by Tim Guiltinan (from Leatherby's down in OC), kicked things off with a Bonito Cured Sirloin, Jalapeno Salsa & Pitchfork Dressing along with Cantaloupe Ice Cream, Raspberry Streusel for dessert. Also present were Special Event Managers Teresa Brown and Emely Cubias.


Coincidentally, the Rare Beef Salad from Chef Perry Cheung's Phorage was a similar dish. That's Partner Jesse Duron in the suit there, who also happens to be the GM over at Hamasaku.


Left: The Raymond's Teresa Brown again, with eventual Instagram contest winner Katie Buntsma.
Right: Walter Manzke and Neal Fraser in the mix.


The Park's Finest brought some Filipino flavor with Mama Leah's Coconut Beef & Rice and Ann's Cornbread Bibingka. Rockin' the shades is Co-Founder & BBQist Johneric Concordia, along with Christine Araquel-Concordia.



Lazy Ox Canteen had their Octopus Curry with Ratatouille and Lazy Ox Hand Whipped Rice Pudding. Chef Hiroyuki Fujita (formerly of Fat Spoon) is working there now, and was joined by Assistant Manager Shana Dysert.


Taberna Arros y Vi, Michael Cardenas' newest project, was repped by Executive Chef Verite Mazzola and GM Wes Zelio. What did they serve? Some dainty Shrimp Gambas.



Starry Kitchen's Nguyen Tran was without his Kitchen Ninja tonight, but still managed a hearty dish of Singaporean Chili Crab Gumbo & Buttermilk Beer Beignet, with Black Sesame Panna Cotta with Green Tea Lemon Latte Cookies for dessert.


Director of Partner Outreach Eden Tol and Manager of Campaign Partner Kayla Vu with representatives from East West Players.


Bill DiDonna and Charles Kelly's ambitious Echo Park eatery Allumette gave out tasty little bites in the form of a German Butterball Potato Chip, Coconut-White Soy Marinated Salmon Roe, Yuzu Cream. Interestingly, Chef Miles Thompson was joined tonight by Derrick De Jesus, whom we last saw over at Alma.


Rivera's Columbian Chocolate Torte with Habaneros and Citricos was quite a sight to behold.


From Hamasaku, Executive Chef Wonny Lee and Executive Sushi Chef Yoya Takahashi joined forces to produce a Pork Belly Handroll with Gochujang Moromiso.


Bashan, meanwhile, gave us a delightful nibble of Sword Tip Squid, Red Pepper Chutney, Mango.


Left: National Director of Operations & Secretary Eleanor Lem with National Leadership Development Director Jason Ho and PbP NY Director of Finance Sunny Chiou.
Right: President Marian Bacol-Uba shows off a golden plate signed by all the restaurants, the prize for the winner of the PbP Instagram competition (attendees were encouraged to post photos with the hashtag #playwithfoodla).


Chef Neal Fraser (whom you may recognize from the current season of Top Chef Masters) is opening up Redbird at Vibiana early next year, and gave us a tantalizing preview with his Dungeness Crab Salad with Curried Cauliflower and Micro Shiso.



Joining Fraser in the VIP was Kali Dining's Kevin Meehan, who produced a one-two punch of Dungeness Crab, Avocado, Tomato, Cilantro and Vanilla Curd, Strawberry, Pistachio, Balsamic.


Left: Director of Volunteer Management Yulree Chun taking charge.
Right: Former PbP LA member Jennifer Chen is now Manager of Team and Leadership Development up in San Francisco.


Thai sensation Jet Tila gave us a hearty Khao Soi, though unfortunately I managed to miss snapping a photo of the Chef. Tila, of course, just opened up Kuma Snow Cream in Las Vegas.



The Oinkster (Andre Guerrero, Jan Purdy) had a very substantial Hand Cut House Made Pastrami Sandwich, followed up by brownies.


Left: Director of Events Risa Abarientos and Events Team member Sarah Mendoza.
Right: Eric Tung brought a much more attractive date than he did last year in the form of Melissa Lee.


Downtown Italian hotspot Bestia had Grilled Beef Tongue, Green Garbanzo Bean Puree & Pickled Eggplant & Salsa Verde. Chef Ori Menashe, meanwhile, was looking as smoldering as ever.



Stella Barra Pizzeria had Chef/Partner Jeff Mahin (whom you may recognize from The Taste) and Special Events and Catering Manager Kaitlin Leard on hand for their duet of Summer Tomato Salad, Arugula Pesto, Fresh Burrata, Smoked Almonds, House-Made Bread and Madagascar Vanilla Bean Custard, Cognac infused Preserved Peaches, Hazelnut Crumble.


Headed by GM Bobby Caravella, Saddle Peak Lodge served up Duck Mousse, Brandied Cherries, Cornichons atop toast.


Fluff Ice offered two variations of its shaved ice: the LAMILL Coffee Organic Black Onyx Blend and a loose-leaf steeped Thai Tea Fluff, both topped off with Cream & Sugar and Condensed Milk.


Left: DJ Shy kept us going throughout the evening.
Right: Props to Patina for not being shy about busting out the liquid nitrogen canisters.


Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's (Executive Chef Seakyeong Kim) was the lone Orange County restaurant at the event, but that didn't stop them from plating hefty House Made Mini Korean-BBQ Sausage Rolls, Jalapeno Potato Roll, Caramelized Onion, Wasabi Aioli, Kimchi Sauerkraut. I really would like to get some more OC representation going, but what else is worthwhile down there? And yes, I did ask Playground (they ended up donating to the silent auction).



Dessert slanger Ramekin had perhaps the widest array of treats for us tonight: a Key Lime Tart with Whipped Cream, Nectarine Tart, Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, three sorbets (Ambrosia Melon, Blueberry, Tangelo), and even more ice creams (Banana Choco Chip, Chocolate, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, Vanilla). Note that Chef Jason Park has just opened up Maru in West LA as well.


Downtown LA grande dame Patina was on hand with Chef Charles Olalia's signature Tamarind Braised Lamb Shoulder, Feuille De Bric, Whipped Yogurt, Little Gem Lettuce, arguably the schmanciest dish of the night.



Next door, Top Chef: Just Desserts finalist Carlos Enriquez and Patina Pastry made waves with their modernist trio of Nitro Cotton Candy (probably the most oft referenced dish of the night), Coconut-Mango-Passion Fruit Squeeze Pop, and reimagined black forest cake.


Left: Two thumbs up from the dynamic duo of Stephane Bombet and Ricardo Zarate.
Right: Director of Marketing Aliyah Wong, Director of Fundraising Sunny Chung, Marketing Team member Alison Ma.


Heading outdoors, we see Executive Chef Byron Freeze and Circa's Tunisian Chili Marinated Prawn.


Micheladas were the just what the doctor ordered from Guelaguetza.


Left: Devon Espinosa with Bill Chait's entourage: Zoe Chait, Julie Mills, Tanya Holt.
Right: Mole queen Bricia Lopez, as ebullient and effervescent as ever.


Tony Esnault is, of course, the latest chef to take over the kitchens at Yassmin Sarmadi's venerable Church & State, and presented a rather striking Salade Paysanne Fraicheur, Farmers Market Tomatoes, Eggplant, Zucchini, Sweet Corn, Herb Vinaigrette. Note that the Chef is also planning on opening up a new restaurant called Spring, located on Spring Street, next Spring.


Seoul Sausage Co cornered the ball market tonight (apologies to Starry Kitchen) with their Lil' Osaka Ball, Japanese Curry Ground Kalbi and Potato Rice Ball served with a Shoga Aioli. Badass.


Left: MasterChef Season 3 finalist Felix Fang. I was really rooting for her to win the whole thing.
Right: Artist William Zin enthralled us with a live chalk art demo.



I believe Star King BBQ is the first KBBQ joint to make an appearance at Plate by Plate, and owner Jackie Yoo had both an Acorn Jelly Salad and Sweet Potatoes Noodles with Veggies to go along with her Piedmontese Marinated Short Rib.


More Top Chef Masters love came in the form of Lukshon. Sang Yoon and Ted Hopson presented a Hawaiian Red Prawn & Tea Leaf Salad, Chana Dal, Sesame, Marcona Almonds, Peanuts, Crispy Prawn Head, Chile Aioli, which just so happens to be the same dish that gave team Lukshon the win on last week's episode (and which I also tried during my last dinner at the restaurant). Very cool.


Left: Matt Biancaniello, with his trademark basket of farmers market produce.
Right: I don't know how this guy managed to steal my name tag.


Restaurant Row newcomer Scratch|Bar is already making a name for itself, and tonight Chef Phillip Frankland Lee and Pastry Chef Margarita Lee (can you tell she's a former model?) prepared one of their signature bites: Pork Belly & Raw Oyster.


Longstanding PbP participants Ricardo Zarate and Stephane Bombet repped their latest restaurant, Paiche, by giving attendees a taste of Yuquitas: Stuffed Yucca Beignets, Manchego Cheese, Grated Parmesan & Serrano Sauce.


Left: Sponsor Ketel One always does it up proper while running the main bar. A favorite of almost all the attendees.
Right: With Co-Masters of Ceremonies Susan Hirasuna (Fox 11 News) and James Kyson (Heroes).


Executive Chef Atsushi Kenjo and Marketing & Creative Manager Cindy Choi were here for Chaya Downtown. Their dish? Brie Cheese Tempura, Yellow Peach Marmalade.


Chef de Cuisine Sainegee Wong from Andre Guerrero's Belgian beer cafe Little Bear opted for an appealing Fried Oyster Gougere Slider.


Director of Volunteer Management Yulree Chun gets chummy with Walter Manzke and David Féau.



Gavin Mills (Tavern, Wood & Vine) was here with wife Jessica Lauricella Mills to debut their new charcuterie project, Mills + Company. If the Chicken Liver Mousse and Country Pate were any indication, they're off to a good start.


Lexington Social House won the "best dish" competition with their Yellowtail Tuna, Compressed Watermelon, Yuzu Tobiko, Candied Wasabi, Ponzu Crème Fraiche. And yes, that's none other than David Feau, who's consulting for the restaurant currently.


Viva La Art was on deck with live artwork demos from John Park and Hans Haveron.


Chef Kimmy Tang's 9021pho had two types of its namesake soup available: Pho Ga (Chicken), and Pho Chay (Veggie & Tofu).


Last, but certainly not least, were Walter and Margarita Manzke with Petty Cash Taqueria. The Chef's Ceviche Negro was a dish that I really enjoyed during my last visit there. For those keeping count, Republique (in the old Campanile space) should be opening up in the coming months, so be on the lookout for that.


Left: The line on Main Street.
Right: Violet Kim from the K-Town reality show, with new beau Blair Tudas.

This year, we made a real effort to beef up the mixology portion of Plate by Plate, and thus organized a cocktail competition judged by Matt Biancaniello, Devon Espinosa, and Bacardi rep Jaymee Mandeville. The goal was to have three contestants create a cocktail on the fly that would best incorporate Bombay Sapphire East gin. Originally, we'd confirmed Deysi Alvarez (Paiche, Mo-Chica, Picca, Fraiche, Rivera), Dino Balocchi (Littlefork, Longman & Eagle in Chicago), and Brittini Rae Peterson (Goldie's, Ink, The Tar Pit, Fig & Olive, Soho House). However, none of the three competitors would end up actually competing. Dino dropped out the day before Plate by Plate for unknown reasons, but fortunately we quickly found Nate Oliver (Harvard & Stone, Ink, Church & State) to take his place. Then, Deysi fell sick and had to pull out while we were setting up for the event; thankfully, Brady Weise from 1886 (who was here to run the VIP bar) agreed to replace her. And finally, if that wasn't enough, Brittini Rae went AWOL, so Marcel Vigneron (yes, Marcel) had to step in at the last minute. With everything finally in place, we were free to begin, albeit a bit behind schedule. First, the mandatory introductions. The competitors get going; they only had 10 minutes to come up with their drink. Marcel is the last to finish, while his fellow competitors look on in apparent consternation. Since judging was done blind, the drinks were rearranged in haphazard order before the judges tasted and rendered a verdict. The winner, by unanimous decision, was Brady Weise and his concoction of Bombay Sapphire East gin, bianco vermouth, peach, lime, simple syrup, and various herbs, garnished with chamomile and heirloom tomato. For his efforts, he received a commemorative etched Plate by Plate trophy, a limited edition bottle of Bacardi 1909 rum, and a $50 Sugarfish gift card. In addition, all of the contestants and judges each received a $25 gift certificate to use at Bar Keeper in Silver Lake as a token of appreciation.

Left: President Marian Bacol-Uba and the new boyfriend.
Right: Eater LA Editor Kat Odell. And yes, I'll be watching Eat Drink Love.


Left: Fundraising Team member Clayton Tran: VIP area bouncer.
Right: VIP guests were also treated to a magician. Here, Eric Tung is utterly bewildered.


This year, Plate by Plate turned up the wick in the VIP by having 1886 at The Raymond tend the VIP bar (using products donated by various participants, including Ketel One and Bacardi). This arrangement proved quite popular, with the cocktails coming out of here really taking things up a notch. I was particularly fond of their Maime Taylor (Dewar's Highlander Honey, Fresh Lime, Ginger, Angostura).


Left: PbP SF represent: National Leadership Development Director Jason Ho, Manager of Restaurant Relations Mary Zhang, Director of Events Yatman Kwan.
Right: Manager of Auction Donations Nami Han taking care of business in the silent auction area.


Left: MC Susan Hirasuna, with Margaret Lin and Events Team member Sarah Mendoza.
Right: Bill Chait, his daughter Zoe, and Tanya Holt lounging in the VIP.


Left: Director of Operations Ray Warriner with Theresa Kiang.
Right: A word from Tim Dang, Artistic Director for East West Players.


Left: Project by Project National President JT Kim and PbP LA President Marian Bacol-Uba, with Outreach Team member Kayla Vu.
Right: Lily Yip (whom I first encountered at a dinner at Night+Market) and friend.


Left: Tuyet Nguyen, Phil Cheng, Elizabeth Yang, and friends.
Right: Marcel Vigneron and his latest squeeze.


Patina's nitro cotton candy proved to be quite popular for obvious reasons.


Left: Production Manager Vickie Chan regulating.
Right: Carmel Mayol and friends resting after a long night.


Left: Oanh Nguyen, 2012 National Director of Events as well as Director of Events for 2011's event (and the person who initially introduced me to the organization), with Kayla Vu and friend.
Right: Oanh with Project by Project National Director Nirendran Kathirithamby.


Left: None other than Darin Dines bidding (rather surreptitiously, seemingly) on a Bestia gift card. He would go on to win cards from both Bestia and The Royce.
Right: Speaking of Darin, that's Marcus Lo, the winner of his ticket giveaway, to the right, along with real estate maven Michael Hsu.


Left: Plate by Plate mainstay Sherwin Goo (I first encountered him back at the 2010 event), with requisite ladies in tow.
Right: Former PbP Manager of Campaign Partner Relations Jackie Fung with former Manager of Leadership Development Emi Fukuoka.


Left: Manager of Beverages & Winery Relations Danny Li with Manager of Design (and fiancée) Margaret Lin.
Right: Starry Kitchen's Nguyen Tran mixing it up with Patina head toque Charles Olalia.


Left: Elizabeth Yang (whom I first met at Alma) seems to be having fun waiting in line for the always-popular photo booth, provided this year by Sutando.
Right: Yes, that's Marcel Vigneron, tongue out, a headstand, a gilded toilet, a fitting way to end this recap.



Previous Plate by Plate posts: 2012, 2011, 2010