Tag Archives: LA County

VIDEO: Let’s Make Sushi!

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Tanayas Table Sushi

The delicious sushi we made in class. Yup, that sushi flower is my creation! 😉

 

It had been a while since my friend Dani gave me a lesson in sushi making, so when I had the opportunity to take a class with Chef Eric Crowley of Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom in West LA, I was excited to get an official refresher and learn some new techniques along the way!

A major key to sushi success is making sure the rice is perfect. Flavoring it with kombu (edible kelp that imparts an umami flavor), fanning it out for the perfect stickiness level, and flavoring it with rice vinegar are a few tips to keep in mind.

We also learned to cut the fresh fish against the muscle fibers to maximize the delicate, soft textures, and how to roll the sushi in mats, forming tight and perfect little circles of deliciousness. The video below has Chef Eric teaching me the ways!

Chef Eric was patient and informative, and helped us all out in a hands-on manner during the class so we could get the most out of it. We toasted the nori (seaweed sheets) over the stove flame to allow for crispiness, and gleaned other helpful hints along the way… all culminating in the ultimate sushi party, where we made and enjoyed nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls.

We got creative, cutting and adding different fish (yellowtail, salmon and tuna being a few options) and other fillings (avocado, sprouts, fish roe, carrots, cucumbers and more) to customize our rolls. I decided to get artsy and made the flower in this video:

Chef Eric and his team are so friendly and welcoming that I’d definitely recommend trying out his class if you’re a sushi fan, or just love learning new skills in the kitchen. Heads up: the next sushi class will be on Friday, 4/29!

If you’re interested in learning how to make your own sushi, or want to take your pick from array of other classes offered (knife skills, grilling, wine pairing, professional programs, 4, 10 and 18-week cooking series and more!) sign up at Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom. Happy cooking! ❤

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SNEAK PEEK: Dodgers Home Opener NEW Eats

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Tanaya's Table Dodgers Stadium Bobblehead Boomerang GIF.gif

Growing up in SoCal in a sports-loving household, you bet I was excited when the Los Angeles Dodgers invited me back again this year for a private media preview and exclusive, in-depth tour of Dodger Stadium!

Thanks to Steve Brener, Yvonne Carrasco, Jon Weisman and Daisuke Sugiura of the Dodgers Communications Department, we got a chance to get a first taste of the new stadium offerings. I had an especially great time with my foodie friends Kristie Hang (to whom credit goes for the Boomerang video above of my bobblehead buddy and me) and Chef Jay.

The tour was incredible (I Snapchatted it all at MsTanayaG… follow along for future access!), as we got a behind-the-scenes look at everything from the Commissioner’s (championship) Trophies and Golden Glove Awards, to the actual Dodgers dugout and field, the press box, and the old Dodgers clubhouse, which MLB legends of visiting teams have used during seasons past.

FUN FACT: The Dodgers jacket I’m wearing belonged to my great aunt, who was a dedicated Dodgers fan and wore this very jacket to the final 1988 World Series Championship game, which the Dodgers won!

Dodgers Dog.jpg

Before our stadium tour, we got to taste the food and chat with Dodger Stadium Executive Chef Jason Tingley, who did an awesome job not only creating the new bites, but also explaining them to us all.

Today is the home opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and here are some new bites you can expect to track down, whether you’re going to the game today or plan on visiting Dodger Stadium anytime this season:

King’s Hawaiian Dog (pictured above): All-beef quarter pound dog topped with pineapple salsa, on a King’s Hawaiian bun // Where to find it: Extreme Loaded Dogs

Gouda Kobe Burger: 1/3 lb. premium Wagyu burger topped with caramelized onions, pickles & Thousand Island dressing // Where to find it: Elysian Park Grill

Chicken Verde Sandwich: Chicken breast on Telera bread with jalapeno aioli, lettuce, tomato & tomatillo verde sauce // Where to find it: Healthy Cart, Marketplace, Tony’s Stand

Dodgers Brat.png

Shock Top Bratwurst: Pork bratwurst sausage link infused with Shock Top beer, served on a buttery grilled lobster roll with caramelized onions & spicy brown mustard // As Chef Tingley explained, “It is made with Shock Top beer and comes two different ways: There’s going to be a spicy and a regular bratwurst.” // Where to find it: Think Blue BBQ

Specialty Nachos Verde: Crispy tortilla chips with tomatillo verde sauce, pickled jalapenos, fresco cotija queso // Where to find it: TBD

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Smoked BBQ Wings Bundle: 15 smoked chicken wings tossed in BBQ sauce, served with fries, veggie sticks and two soft drinks // Where to find it: Think Blue BBQ

I really liked the Nachos Verde and the King’s Hawaiian Dog the best, but the wings were definitely finger-licking good as well!

Also, here’s a video from last year’s media preview as a little Throwback Tuesday! 😉

In addition to subscribing to my blog and YouTube channel, feel free follow me on Snapchat: MsTanayaG to get realtime behind-the-scenes scoop on stadium tours, chef interviews, new restaurant sneak peeks, inside food influencer events and more… and connect with me on Instagram (@tanayas.table) to get the scoop on all the newest and hottest places to go and what to try!

And now, as Vin Scully is about to say, “It’s time for Dodger baseball!”

VIDEO: The Inside Slurp On Ramen Champ’s Revamp

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Tonkotsu Tan Tan

Tonkotsu Tan Tan

Hi all! I know it’s been a while, and I’ve missed you guys tremendously while on the road, in the air, on overnight trains, boats and auto rickshaws in the 10+ cities around India and Hong Kong I was visiting this past summer.

I encountered some obstacles in the health department on the trip, but I’m all good now and back in action here in LA! Stay tuned for a ton of travel food, sights, sounds and protips to come in the form of videos, photos and stories. They’re coming very soon!

But for now, I’d like to dish some local food news, starting with a preview of Ramen Champ’s upcoming re-opening. Because who doesn’t love a warm, hearty bowl of comforting ramen?

Here’s a sneak peek at the new Ramen Champ menu in action:

A few food blogger friends and I got to taste a variety of bowls, and genuinely enjoyed every strand of noodle and every sip of broth.

The soy-based vegan “meat” was a bit sweet for my taste, but I suppose its purpose is to balance the traditional saltiness of the broth. Other than that, the spinach noodles, crispy garlic and complex broth of the vegan ramen made it a true winner for herbivores and omnivores alike.

You can find more on visiting Ramen Champ at their 2nd floor location inside LA’s Chinatown Far East Plaza here.

The conclusion? Whether you get the Original Tonkotsu ramen, the Tonkotsu Tan Tan noodles, the Hot and Sour ramen or the Vegan ramen, you can’t go wrong. They re-open October 2 under new ownership, so I definitely suggest you go check it out if you’re a ramen fan. Cheers!

Ramen Champ Noodles vegan

VIDEO: Celebrating My 100th Episode At Ox And Son

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Unique dessertsoy

As many of you know, I’ve enjoyed working alongside Tastemade for a while now, and love being part of this ever growing community that has quickly become like family to me through the ups and downs of life.

In about 6 months of starting out, I somehow reached over 100 videos on my Tanaya’s Table channel!

I don’t know how it happened so fast, but I do know that I had a lot of fun meeting so many great chefs and fellow food lovers along the way.

I feel blessed to have tasted and shared with you so many amazing dishes — everything from street food, hidden gems and fine dining to special events, new openings and pop-up dinners.

Through the countless hours (which would add up to multiple weeks of my life!) filming, hosting, arranging, editing and getting creative with my clips, it’s been a learning process that has given me the opportunity to hone my skills in video content production.

I’m so excited to say that — with a lot of encouragement and requests from my amazing followers — I’m working on launching my Tanaya’s Table YouTube channel as well!

Without further ado… here’s how my friends Nitar and Taylor from Tastemade, and Tastemade itself, showed me some love: They took me out to a magnificent three-course meal at Ox & Son, a new modern American restaurant by FNA Hospitality Group in Santa Monica. 😀

For starters (along with some great wines), we had amazingly fluffy Uni & Eggs with truffle salt & molasses bread with caraway seeds, Kusshi Oysters harvested from fjords in glaciers (see video to hear Chef Brad’s awesome description) and Yellowtail Crudo.

I loved all of them, but the Uni & Eggs (pictured above) really blew my mind and tastebuds! It’s a definite must-try, as the moist, fluffy eggs with crème fraîche and chives go so surprisingly well with the buttery Santa Barbara uni and slightly sweet, soft, deeply flavored bread.

Uni and Eggs

As for main courses, we got the Prime Charcrust Hanger Steak with a crisp cheddar panisse, broccolini, charred onion and black garlic & miso lime béarnaise; Chicken Fried Duck Confit with shaved pickled vegetables, house kimchi slaw and red chili & local honey sauce; and Sticky Pig Cheeks with black vinegar glaze, roasted turnip, coconut black rice and charred leek.

We all sampled from one another’s plates. The Sticky Pig Cheeks that Taylor got were my favorite, with the thick, sweet-tart glaze going so well with the succulent meat. Plus, the black rice with coconut milk took me right back to my travels to Bali a couple years ago!

For dessert — not sure how we had room, but we (okay, especially Nitar and I) always have room for dessert, I suppose! — we got the rich coffee cake & butterscotch deconstructed dessert, as well as the refreshing lemon & strawberry malt deconstructed cake. Peep the one-minute video above for all the visuals and action shots!

If you’re looking for innovative American food with a touch of global flair, I definitely recommend checking out Ox & Son in Santa Monica. Thanks again to Tastemade for making me feel part of the family, and to showing me appreciation in such a delicious and special way. ‘Til next time, on the road to the next hundred videos… Cheers from Tanaya’s Table!

Ordering New Menu Items Off iPads At STACKED: Food Well Built

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Tanayas Table Stacked iPad Pink Cocktail

I still remember the time I got to treat my family and friends to a dinner out after landing a new job. We decided to keep it local, opting to go to STACKED: Food Well Built.

I was excited to show them how they could customize their own dishes on the nifty iPads at this hi-tech spot by the Cerritos mall. A few years ago, it was an even newer concept, so it was extra fun to see our culinary creations come to life.

My family loved the experience, and ever since that day I’ve had an extra special association with the STACKED in Cerritos. Thus, you can imagine how enthusiastic I was about getting an invite to a media dinner they were hosting, with new menu items.

Tanayas Table Stacked Burger

The new Short Rib Sandwich, with an egg on it.

I tried the short rib sandwich with horseradish aioli off their new sandwich section of the menu, and even added an egg to it… because you can do that at a place like this.

The food is so customizable that co-owner Paul Motenko told me they even have 139 gluten-free options, across all categories of their menu! There really is something for everyone here.

It’s quite the thrill to build your own mac ‘n cheese burger, top your pizza with pastrami, or even put potato chips on your pasta… or include all the superfoods you want in your nutritious and delicious salad.

Heck, you can even customize your own milkshake or ice cream sandwich on that iPad! Then, it comes to life when they bring it out of the kitchen on onto your table… and it’s every bit as good as you imagined it would be when you were creating it!

Check out all the items I tried here, including candied bacon and a Cadbury Egg seasonal milkshake:

Check out new menu items in this one-minute video inside our media dinner!

Check out the new menu items in this one-minute video inside our media dinner!

To visit STACKED: Food Well Built, you can find all the info on their website. Stay tuned for a lot more foodie finds to come. Cheers!