Dining Where the Chefs Go

Ever wonder where a chef hangs out after the restaurant closes down? Or where they go on a day off? It turns out that when the cooks leave the kitchen at top restaurants like Providence and A.O.C., they hit neighborhood joints just like the rest of us. Here's where LA's top toques sate late-night hunger pangs or go to taste cuisine far different from what they create. —Lesley Balla

Manpuku Tokyo BBQ

Josiah Citrin, chef and owner of Melisse and co-owner of Lemon Moon, says this Korean-style barbecue spot is one of his children's favorite places because they love to grill the meat themselves. Like father, like kid.

Greenblatt's Delicatessan

Despite three restaurants between them (A.O.C., Lucques and the hungry cat), husband and wife chefs David Letz and Suzanne Goin sometimes opt for carryout from this deli near their home. Suzanne gets a #3 and David a #5 to go (that's a pastrami with Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing; and a three-decker corned beef, pastrami, Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing, respectively), then they open a bottle of big red wine at home and chow. Wine and pastrami? Once a gourmand, always a gourmand.

Pink's Hot Dogs

Eric Greenspan created gourmet masterpieces at Patina and Meson G, and foodies eagerly await the spot he'll open later this year. But, surprisingly, he's prone to meeting friends at this hot dog institution. He asks, "What else would you go for but the chili?" Chef Chris Robbins from Falcon is another one who likes to sneak off for a hot dog when he's not feeling so haute.

Porto's Bakery

When Vince Manna has a day off from Maple Drive, he loves the variety of unique Cuban sandwiches and pastries here.

Monte Alban

After six years at Water Grill, Michael Cimarusti just opened his own place, Providence. Monte Alban is where he and his family indulge in a Mexican feast. It's the one cuisine they can all agree on.

Sushi Gen

Dominick's chef and co-owner Brandon Boudet heads out for sushi in Little Tokyo because he loves feeling worlds away from sceney restaurants like his own. He opts for traditional dishes like monkfish liver, fried eggplant and yellowtail collar. Chef Neal Fraser from Grace is another fan; he thinks the quality and freshness of the fish, and how everything is kept immaculate, is superb.

Whist chef Warren Schwartz started going to this sushi den when he lived in a small downtown apartment while renovating his new house in Eagle Rock. After finishing working on the house on Sundays, he and his girlfriend would clean up and enjoy a quiet evening at this cool spot.">Zip Fusion Sushi--Downtown

There won't be any awards bestowed upon the surrounding scenery, but this hidden gem is worth seeking out.

El Taurino

Jamie De Rosa, new chef de cuisine at Campanile, says this homey Mexican spot is one of his regular late-night hangs. He and Dahlia Solomon, the pastry chef at Campanile, take the kitchen staff out for tacos and Tecate after work.

the hungry cat

Transplanted East Coast chef Lee Gross (former personal chef for Gwenyth Paltrow) and his wife Darleene, who together just opened the macrobiotic M Cafe de Chaya, like to hang out at the bar here. It's one of the only restaurants in LA that offers food memories of their childhoods, and it's a big chef hangout.

10.

Versailles

Rodelio Aglibot, former chef at Koi, now owner of Yi Cuisine, has lived in LA for more than 11 years, including his college days at UCLA. Old haunts, like this Cuban down-home favorite for oxtails and coconut shakes, continue to earn his patronage.

11.

Swingers--Santa Monica

Jared Simons, the not-yet-30 chef/owner of Violet, looks to this nearby happening spot to curb his after-work cravings. He enjoys the shakes, as well as the cute rocker-girl customers.

12.

Yungui Garden

Father's Office chef and owner Sang Yoon may be known for crafting one of the best burgers in LA, but when he craves spicy, authentic Chinese food (which is often, he says), he goes here. Only a few servers speak English, so he's found his favorite dishes like chongking shrimp and super-spicy three-pepper chicken through trial and error.

13.

A.O.C.

Chef Josie LeBalch and her husband Frank sometimes sneak out a little early from their restaurant Josie for a quick bite and a glass of wine. She loves the small-plate dishes here, saying that she gets "tired of the big comminment plates" and just likes to nibble.

14.

The Counter

This burger palace is perfectly situated between Ezio Gamba's home and Valentino, where he recently became executive chef. The handsome Italian is just getting to know his new Santa Monica neighborhood, and thinks dining on customized classic American burgers is a great way to do it.

I read in the news Nancy Silverton is one of the best Chefs in all cities.where is her Restaurant at.?Or can you tell me.?

Posted 09/22/07 04:19PM PDT by e walter brown

I read in the news Nancy Silverton is one of the best Chefs in all cities.where is her Restaurant at.?Or can you tell me.?

Posted 09/22/07 04:19PM PDT by e walter brown