Show 406, January 2, 2021: Executive Chef Michael Patria and Assistant General Manager, Lana Nguyen, Cara Restaurant at Cara Los Feliz

Michael Patria of Cara RestaurantOpening rather quietly without fanfare in September was the Cara Los Feliz (Hotel,) a boutique luxury property with 60 well-appointed rooms located on the western edge of Thai Town adjacent to the Los Feliz neighborhood. It’s the result of a tasteful and ambitious (and expensive) makeover of a former dowdy motel. There is obviously big money behind this project.

For foodies the major attraction is the Cara Restaurant which offers relaxed patio dining around a tranquil interior pool. The lush landscaping includes 100-year old olive trees and California Palms. It’s a touch of class with no pretentiousness whatsoever. The menu maker is Executive Chef Michael Patria, most recently with the Four Seasons Biltmore Resort in Santa Barbara. The cuisine is California-Mediterranean inspired based around ingredients sourced from local farmers using biodynamic and organic methods.

The Lemon Fettuccine with lemon and Parmesan, and Pappardelle with short rib and mushroom ragout are standout pastas.  Both are available on the Cara At Home menu.

Cara debuted with nightly dinner until the ban on patio/outside dining arriving just before Thanksgiving. In the interim Cara is providing their guests with Cara At Home with both a prix fixe menu (for 2) option and a la carte offerings. Room Service is also on the menu for Hotel Guests.

The current Cara at Home complete meal package is centered around Charcoal Smoked Chicken prepared in Chef Patria’s Big Green Egg grills. The starter is Burrata with seasonal cherry tomatoes and grilled sourdough. The accompanying veggies are roasted carrots, broccolini, winter squash and colcannon. Raspberry Galette with almond cream completes the ample meal for two.

We’ll meet Chef Patria as well as Restaurant Manager Lana Nguyen.

Show 281, July 14, 2018: Executive Chef / Proprietor Daniel Mattern, Friends & Family, Thai Town Los Angeles

Daniel MatternFriends & Family, a new Thai Town staple and beloved dining destination, launched dinner service this last week. The well-received hybrid dining / takeaway concept created by Chefs Daniel Mattern and Roxana Jullapat transforms into full dinner service in the evenings (Wednesday through Sunday), offering a variety of shared plates and mains that incorporate sustainably-raised, hearth-roasted meats, seasonal vegetables, farmers’ market salads and their favorite heritage grains.

“We’re ready to add a great neighborhood dinner option to Thai Town,” said Mattern. “With a comfortable vibe and market-driven food, it’ll be a unique spot in the neighborhood, and the perfect place for an impromptu dinner or casual meet-up meal with friends before catching a show at the Greek.”

“To start, the seasonally-rotating menu will feature savory items paired with bright summer produce such as Chicken Liver Toast with Apricot and Nigella and Spiced Half Chicken with New Potatoes and Purslane Salad as well as hearty mains including Wild Salmon Grilled in Grape Leaves over Almond Wood and Hanger Steak with Kimchi Mayo and Crispy Greens. Guests will also enjoy dishes that focus on the use of heritage grains including the Spelt Pretzel with Mustard Dipping Sauce or the Smoked Fish & Beer Rarebit with Housemade Rye Sourdough, both perfect for sharing over a pint (or two).”

Complementing the market-driven fare will be a selection of natural wines hand-picked by Mattern and Jullapat to pair with the menu’s robust flavors, as well as craft beer on tap from some of their favorite local breweries including Eagle Rock Brewery, Craftsman Brewing and Beachwood Brewing.

To finish, diners will be able to indulge in seasonal housemade desserts like Jullapat’s fan-favorite, Huckleberry Meringue with Blueberry Compote and Buttermilk-Blueberry Ice Cream or Sorghum Sticky Pudding, Dates and Roasted Apricots.

Since it’s National Ice Cream Month it’s of interest to note all the ice creams and sorbets served at Friends & Family are made in-house.

We pull the busy Chef Daniel off the line for a chat.

 

Show 230, July 1, 2017: Executive Chef Daniel Mattern & Pastry Chef/Baker Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family, Los Angeles

Daniel MatternThe team of Executive Chef Daniel Mattern and Pastry Chef & Baker Roxana Jullapat are fondly remembered as the culinary heart of Cook’s County (now closed.) Happily they have now opened a 4,000 square foot, fast casual breakfast and lunch place of their own, Friends & Family. Dinner is coming soon…All breads & pastries are prepared and baked in-house. It’s a great addition to Los Angeles’ rediscovered Thai Town.

It’s a vibrant bakery, coffee bar and café where you can enjoy every menu item there or have it packaged to go. The ice cream counter features eye-catching rotating seasonal flavors presented in housemade waffle cones. They also prepare appealing gift baskets, picnics and have a monthly bread club (Friends & Family Sourdough Club.)

Pies for the 4th of July can be ordered through July 2nd. On the menu are Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie and Blackberry & Nectarine Pie.

Remember Senor Bill Esparza (The Street Gourmet Los Angeles) will be there on Saturday July 8th from Noon to 3:00 p.m. signing copies of his new book, L.A. Mexicano – Recipes, People & Places. Books will be available there for purchase. Also, Bill’s Abuela’s recipe for Huevos Rancheros will be on the menu that day.

Chefs Roxana and Daniel join us.

Melting Pot Food Tours Presents “Chef Jet Tila’s Ultimate Insiders Flavors of Thai Town Tour”

City of Los Angeles Thai Town SignMelting Pot Food Tours is proud to announce the Chef Jet Tila’s Ultimate Insiders Flavors of Thai Town Tour, hosted personally by celebrity Chef Jet Tila. This is the fourth culinary tour offered by the original Los Angeles food tours company, and the first hosted by a popular food television and national media personality. For an all-inclusive price of $99, the once-monthly Sunday food tour features authentic tastings at Chef Jet Tila’s favorite restaurants, a visit to a Thai grocery store, recipes, and unique storytelling by Thai Town’s honorary Mayor himself.

“Chef Jet Tila is exactly the type of personality that we love partnering with at Melting Pot Food Tours,” exclaims Diane Scalia, founding partner. “His passion for Los Angeles – our mutual hometown, his amazing food savvy, and his kind, genuine manner are all things that make us extremely proud to be associated with him.”

The new Thai Town tasting tour, now on the regularly scheduled Melting Pot Food Tours’ menu, was once available only privately for prominent journalists and distinguished visiting chefs, including Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain. His Emmy Award-winning “No Reservations” LA show featuring Chef Jet’s exclusive insider’s view of Thai Town, whet viewers’ appetites for the epicurean treasures found in this East Hollywood neighborhood, a true hidden LA gem.

“We’re very excited about this tour,” adds Lisa Scalia. “To have a tour of this caliber in our arsenal of options is tremendous! I love that we’ve partnered with Chef Jet to make such an opportunity available in the Los Angeles market.”

Chef Jet Tila, whose father was one of the principals in founding LA’s Thai Town, grew up working in his family’s kitchens and markets. Los Angeles has the largest Thai population outside of Thailand. This unique pocket is the only officially recognized Thai Town in all of America, and is even considered Thailand’s 77th province.

Papaya SaladThis “Ultimate Insider’s Flavors of Thai Town Tour” is purposely limited to 15 persons to ensure a cozier, more personal experience. Guests enjoy authentic Thai traditions at the table alongside Chef Jet as he serves up his favorite signature dishes, including Papaya Salad, Jade Noodles, and delicate finger desserts like Banana Coconut Fritter.

In addition to tastings and Chef Jet’s unique gourmet storytelling, the tour includes a visit to a Thai grocery store, and recipes from the tasting stops.

Chef Jet notes, “I’m so very excited to be partnering with Melting Pot Food Tours! No other team can show the flavors and sights of Thai Town like we can. With Diane & Lisa’s tour expertise and my intimate knowledge of the community, there will be no better tour of this unique locale.”

The inaugural tour is set for Sunday, December 2, 2012, at 10:30am with tours scheduled for Sunday, January 6, 2013, and Sunday, February 3, 2013. Future 2013 dates to be announced in the new year. Tickets are $99 per person and can be purchased online here or by calling the Melting Pot Food Tours office at 424-247-9666. Bookings for private groups of 10 or more for this tour will be available in 2013.

Hungry visitors to Los Angeles interested in learning more about Melting Pot Food Tours may visit us here. Private groups of 10-50 are welcome for tours, and may contact Lisa Scalia at 424.247.9666 for more details.

Melting Pot Food Tours was founded by native Angeleno sisters Lisa and Diane Scalia, who share a passionate desire to put Los Angeles on the map as a world-class epicurean destination. Their pure intention is to acquaint locals and tourists with extraordinary neighborhoods and the foods that make them so special and unique. Inspired by the rise in culinary and heritage tourism, and America’s new invitation to visit its Land of Dreams, Lisa and Diane Scalia are joyfully committed to showcasing the rich culinary diversity that is Los Angeles.

Show 4: October 27, 2012: Melting Pot Food Tours Part One

When it comes to entertaining and engaging food walking tours in Los Angeles no one does it better than Melting Pot Food Tours!

Thai Town MarketSisters and co-founders Lisa and Diane Scalia are L.A. natives and lifelong residents of Italian heritage who truly “live to eat.” Lisa, a caterer and private tour guide, and Diane, a professional chef (BarComida in Redondo Beach,) cookbook author, and food writer, together have over 25 years of combined experience in the hospitality business.

Current tours are Farmers Market – 3rd Street, Old Pasadena, and L.A. Latin Spice. It all started in 2008 with the Original Farmers Market Tour at Third & Fairfax in Los Angeles.
Melting Pot’s newest addition is Chef Jet Tila’s Flavors of Thai Town Tour. This is an incredible VIP experience all the way. When Travel Channel’s Tony Bourdain brought his “No Reservations” crew to Los Angeles he selected Chef Jet, the honorary Mayor of Thai Town, to guide him through the area. Since then visiting journalists and prominent chefs have prevailed upon Jet to escort them through Thai Town on the same trail. Now this enhanced, ultimate insider’s experience is available to a select group of savvy food tourists on a very limited basis.

Show 4: October 27, 2012: Melting Pot Food Tours Part Two

When it comes to entertaining and engaging food walking tours in Los Angeles no one does it better than Melting Pot Food Tours!

Thai Town FoodSisters and co-founders Lisa and Diane Scalia are L.A. natives and lifelong residents of Italian heritage who truly “live to eat.” Lisa, a caterer and private tour guide, and Diane, a professional chef (BarComida in Redondo Beach,) cookbook author, and food writer, together have over 25 years of combined experience in the hospitality business.

Current tours are Farmers Market – 3rd Street, Old Pasadena, and L.A. Latin Spice. It all started in 2008 with the Original Farmers Market Tour at Third & Fairfax in Los Angeles.
Melting Pot’s newest addition is Chef Jet Tila’s Flavors of Thai Town Tour. This is an incredible VIP experience all the way. When Travel Channel’s Tony Bourdain brought his “No Reservations” crew to Los Angeles he selected Chef Jet, the honorary Mayor of Thai Town, to guide him through the area. Since then visiting journalists and prominent chefs have prevailed upon Jet to escort them through Thai Town on the same trail. Now this enhanced, ultimate insider’s experience is available to a select group of savvy food tourists on a very limited basis.

Jet Tila’s TV Adventures

Take a look at our Jet Tila all over the foodie lover TV dial.

First off, here’s Jet on the web series, Rock the Wok from Tasted showing how to make the best Shrimp Stir-Fry dish.

Here’s Jet on Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate as Giada De Laurentiis shares her affinity with Jet’s Drunken Noodles back in his days at the Encore Las VegasWazuzu.

Here’s Jet with the always opinionated Anthony Bourdain on Travel Channel’s No Reservations. Jet gave Tony a tour of LA’s Thai Town and his families Bangkok Market. Will Jet eventually make a return appearance once Tony Bourdain hits CNN?