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.

 

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