Dining in Los Angeles: The Hidden Gems
by Jake Resnicow

EDGE Travel Contributor
Tuesday Feb 20, 2007
LOS ANGELES -- There’s no question that L.A. is quickly becoming the hottest travel destination for gays- especially us New Englanders who need a break from sub-zero temperatures.Yet, between the unrivaled nightlife and gorgeous boys, finding that perfect dining experience in the country’s second-largest city is never easy.

I passed on Nicole Richie’s juice-and-crackers diet, and focused my
efforts on searching for the best eats. From West Hollywood to Wilshire,
I went looking for great food, service, and ambiance. But, what
distinguishes a good restaurant from the exceptional’
For me, it’s the feeling you get from a restaurant. Maybe it’s the coziness and warmth, the lack of pretension, or just the simplicity of the menu...

While service is certainly important, the restaurant should be able to do something spectacular. You can order a Cosmo and a chicken dinner anywhere, but it’s that one extraordinary cocktail and divine dish that puts a restaurant in a league of its own.

I believe in the essence of the evening. I like to go out and have fun. I enjoy ordering a few appetizers or entrees and sharing with friends. I love to try as many specialty cocktails as I can. Yet, a great restaurant is the total package - every detail, from servers who know and understand the menu, waiters who find our your name and use it - all complement great food.

After a very comprehensive survey of many of LA.’s restaurants - from the most expensive and exclusive, to the most laid-back and best bargains - and a whole lot of added calories .- three restaurants stand out as musts for your next visit to Los Angeles: Luna Park, Asia de Cuba at the Mondrian, and Red Pearl Kitchen. Here’s why:

RED PEARL KITCHEN: Vibrant and Decadent with a Flamboyant Charm

Amidst a Los Angeles base of vegans and tofu- enthusiasts, Red Pearl Kitchen is expanding the limits on food, opening up taste buds, and educating adventurous diners. Inventive, fun, and sophisticated with a flamboyant by-way-of-Hollywood charm.

Red Pearl Kitchen markets itself as family-style Southeast Asian dim sum fusion. A bit of a mouthful. But once give it a taste, you’ll certainly be coming back for more.

Pull up to the valet and be greeted by girls decked out in ski jackets with furry trim. Inside, the dining room’s decor plays up kitschy with a clever fink. Mounted on the ceiling is a chandelier made of firecrackers and kimonos. Tucked behind a deep orange-tinted glass wall is the kitchen -- watch the cooks work their dim-sum magic under deep red light.
One room over, a den-style lounge with a pool table and plasma TV draws a casual, unpretentious crowd sipping on exotic cocktails. Perfect for birthday parties or boys’ nights out -- the whole vibe invokes a stimulating fantasy of glamour and mystery that sizzles.

Much like Luna Park and Asia de Cuba, Red Pearl Kitchen places an emphasis on family-style dishes and communal tables. Indeed, whether you’re on an intimate date or out with friends, social dining is just sexier, and so much more fun.

Start of with some cold sake or a Red Pearl (pearl porn vodka, champagne, peach pineapple and cranberry). Or ask your server for recommendations - the staff is warm, friendly, and unpretentious.
The dim sum menu is very reasonably priced (most dishes under $10); don’t be afraid to explore. Each dish is masterfully prepared. If you are in the mood to go on a culinary journey, the 7-course tasting menu offers an excellent value.

Otherwise, you can’t go wrong by relying on your gut and ordering what you find most appealing. I recommend starting of with a unique twist on edamame - grilled and sautéed rather than boiled. As well, the black- pepper caramel shrimp offers a fresh alternative to traditional sweet- sour shrimp.

We also enjoyed the tuna tartar tempura eggplant, topped with a white garlic sauce. The chill-glazed calamari offers a satisfying crunch, but the fried taste is clean, not heavy. The duck and banana lettuce wraps as well as the oineaoole Kobe beef satay were thorouohly satisfying.
On a whim, we ordered the ginger-scallion sea scallops - even though I thought we’d be too stuffed to eat much. Yet, the scallops were simply divine - large and fluffy, expertly seared - they melt in your mouth.
At Chinese restaurants, one rarely thinks to order dessert beyond a fortune cookie with your check. But here, you cannot pass up a dessert menu that so effectively complements the Asian dishes. We rounded off the meal with their homemade Thai chili papaya and pomegranate sorbet - rich, creamy, and a delightful palate-cleanser. And if you’re planning on heading to a nightclub afterwards to dance off the calories, be sure to order the banana cake with chocolate soufflé and passion fruit ice cream.

An insider tip: All food and bottles of wine are half-price on Mondays.