“Firstborn in Mandarin Plaza is a Modern Chinese American restaurant from Chef / Owner Anthony Wang (formerly of Ink, Auburn, Destroyer) in L.A.’s Chinatown exploring identity, seasonality, and technique.”
“When you get a classically trained chef cooking dishes like country-fried chongqing chicken, egg custard, and roast duck, there’s only one place in Los Angeles that feels right for it: The Mandarin Plaza in Chinatown. Firstborn’s menu changes seasonally which gives the guests motivation to dine there regularly.”
Chef Anthony Wang takes a break from prep to join us.
Kei Concepts (OC-based restaurant group) debuted QUA ContemporaryChinese Cuisine last October. “It’s a deeply personal new restaurant from chef and founder Viet Nguyen. Located in Fountain Valley, QUA marks a return to roots— a tribute to family, memory, and the flavors of home.”
“For years, I created what people asked for,” says Nguyen. “This time, I’m sharing something from my own life. These are the dishes I grew up eating — meals shared with family, neighbors, and friends. The flavors that shaped me.”
“At the heart of QUA is Nguyen’s grandmother, Vũ Thị Lan, who raised ten children on her own after fleeing Northern Vietnam during a time of upheaval. She built a life from scratch in Saigon — feeding her family with simple, nourishing meals that were always filled with love. Before QUA was a restaurant, it was her kitchen. Her values — resilience, warmth, and care — form the foundation of QUA, where food is shared, stories are passed on, and community is built around the table.”
“QUA draws inspiration from Chợ Lớn, Saigon’s historic Chinatown, where generations of Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien / Fujian, Hakka, and Hainanese immigrants shaped the local cuisine. Meals are served banquet-style — meant to be passed, shared, and talked over.”
Viet Nguyen takes a break from his busy kitchens to join us.
“Located in Chinatown, Las Vegas, The Golden Tiki (celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year) takes you on a trip to exotic Skull Island. The Golden Tiki has spared no expense in recreating the classic mid-century tiki bar, reminiscent of the legendary Don the Beachcomber’s and Trader Vic’s while mixing in Las Vegas legend and lore. The hand-crafted cocktail menu features nostalgic classics and new mixological creations by world-renowned barman, Adam Rains.”
“Alongside an eclectic spirits list, curated local craft beer, and a massive rum selection, The Golden Tiki’s hospitality is legendary. Featuring the work of renowned artists Tiki Bosko, Billy the Crud, Bill Collins, and Oceanic Arts, the one-of-a-kind decor also boasts a unique collection of celebrity ‘shrunken heads,’ an astounding array of artifacts, and Bud ‘n Al’s Oasis, the world’s only adult animatronic bird show.”
“Accolades include Top 5 Tiki Bars In The Country (Food Network), Ten Best Nightlife Destinations In Las Vegas (USA Today), Best Tropical Drinks In Las Vegas (Trip Savvy), Top Drinking Destinations In Las Vegas (Virgin Holidays), Best Bar, Readers’ Choice 2018, Best Chinatown Bar, Readers’ Choice 2025 (Las Vegas Weekly) & Best of The City nods from Desert Companion & Vegas Seven. Culinary Excellence Award for Drink Specialist – 2019 (Nevada Restaurant Association) for Beverage Director Adam Rains.”
The General Manager of The Golden Tiki, Nick Brink, takes a respite from behind the bar to join us.
Chef Wes Avila with a fine-dining background founded Guerrilla Tacos as a street cart in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles in August 2012. A year later he opened Guerrilla Tacos as a food truck and then as a brick -and -mortar restaurant in 2018, earning a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide to California in 2019.
In 2020 Chef Wes stepped away from Guerrilla Tacos and later that year founded the Angry Egret Dinette in L.A.’s Chinatown at Mandarin Plaza. It’s a James Beard Award nominee this year for “Best New Restaurant.” This fast casual service restaurant boasts a tranquil outdoor atrium patio and you order at the window for Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner (Friday and Saturday only) is full-service with an expanded menu. Reservations are strongly encouraged. “The seasonal Alta California style menu includes favorites such as the wild Mexican shrimp tacos, chilaquiles, mariscos, ceviches, hearty tortas, burritos, and whatever else Chef Wes and his inspired team create.”
This month Eater LA honored Angry Egret Dinette as one of their “38 Essential Restaurants” along with select highly regarded, fine-dining establishments.
“KA’TEEN, Chef Wes’ latest and most ambitious restaurant, is an adventure to the lush jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, nestled in the bustling heart of Hollywood at the Tommie Hotel. This new restaurant and Mezcal bar serves up discovery within every dish. The name KA’TEEN means “afresh” in Mayan, perfectly describing Chef Avila’s vibrant interpretation of the region’s rich and diverse culinary traditions. Immersed in 5,000 square feet of tropical garden space, guests can expand their palettes and broaden their horizons through creative tequila cocktails, bold Latin-American plates, and DJ sets that recall the rhythm of the rainforests.” For the moment it’s Dinner service only.
Chef Wes Avila with a fine-dining background founded Guerrilla Tacos as a street cart in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles in August 2012. A year later he opened Guerrilla Tacos as a food truck and then as a brick -and -mortar restaurant in 2018, earning a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide to California in 2019.
In 2020 Chef Wes stepped away from Guerrilla Tacos and later that year founded the Angry Egret Dinette in L.A.’s Chinatown at Mandarin Plaza. It’s a James Beard Award nominee this year for “Best New Restaurant.” This fast casual service restaurant boasts a tranquil outdoor atrium patio and you order at the window for Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner (Friday and Saturday only) is full-service with an expanded menu. Reservations are strongly encouraged. “The seasonal Alta California style menu includes favorites such as the wild Mexican shrimp tacos, chilaquiles, mariscos, ceviches, hearty tortas, burritos, and whatever else Chef Wes and his inspired team create.”
This month Eater LA honored Angry Egret Dinette as one of their “38 Essential Restaurants” along with select highly regarded, fine-dining establishments.
“KA’TEEN, Chef Wes’ latest and most ambitious restaurant, is an adventure to the lush jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, nestled in the bustling heart of Hollywood at the Tommie Hotel. This new restaurant and Mezcal bar serves up discovery within every dish. The name KA’TEEN means “afresh” in Mayan, perfectly describing Chef Avila’s vibrant interpretation of the region’s rich and diverse culinary traditions. Immersed in 5,000 square feet of tropical garden space, guests can expand their palettes and broaden their horizons through creative tequila cocktails, bold Latin-American plates, and DJ sets that recall the rhythm of the rainforests.” For the moment it’s Dinner service only.
Donald Contursi is the founder of Lip Smacking Foodie Tours and Finger Licking Foodie Tours based in Las Vegas. In a few short years they have earned the reputation as the premier food walking tour operator in Las Vegas. They offer both fully escorted as well as self -guides foodie tours of the most significant dining areas in Las Vegas both on and off The Strip. Downtown and the neighboring Arts District are now a huge dining destination known for a variety of ethnic cuisines.
“Lady Luck may be a necessity at the gaming tables in Vegas, but not at the dining ones. Not with Lip Smacking Foodie Tours ensuring you the ultimate payoff with the best bites this exciting city has to offer. Our award-winning culinary walking tour company was founded by veteran restaurant industry professionals with years of experience and exclusive connections, who have made it their mission to introduce visitors and locals alike to the best signature dishes, unique preparations, and exciting tastes in Vegas, complete with superlative VIP service.”
“Dubbed “The Stir-Fry Guru” by the New York Times, Grace Young has devoted her career to celebrating wok cookery through her cookbooks and videos. On March 15, 2020, she began Coronavirus: Chinatown Stories, an oral history project with videographer Dan Ahn, in collaboration with Poster House, documenting the stories of how Manhattan’s Chinatown has been impacted by COVID-19. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History featured Coronavirus: Chinatown Stories in their 2020 Youth Summit for middle and high school students as an exemplar of how one person is addressing the challenging question of how we choose to strengthen a community in the middle of a pandemic.”
Grace is on an important mission to spread the word that Chinese restaurants are integral to America’s food culture and need our support right now. She is our guest.
“Dubbed “The Stir-Fry Guru” by the New York Times, Grace Young has devoted her career to celebrating wok cookery through her cookbooks and videos. On March 15, 2020, she began Coronavirus: Chinatown Stories, an oral history project with videographer Dan Ahn, in collaboration with Poster House, documenting the stories of how Manhattan’s Chinatown has been impacted by COVID-19. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History featured Coronavirus: Chinatown Stories in their 2020 Youth Summit for middle and high school students as an exemplar of how one person is addressing the challenging question of how we choose to strengthen a community in the middle of a pandemic.”
“Help spread the word that Chinese restaurants are integral to America’s food culture and need our support now.”
How to participate:
Post a photo of your favorite dish from your local Chinese restaurant (takeout or dine-in) on Instagram with the hashtag #SaveChineseRestaurants and nominate your friends and followers to do the same.
Tag @beardfoundation and The James Beard Foundation will repost some of their favorites.
“In New York and San Francisco’s Chinatowns, the pandemic wiped out a steady customer base of both tourism and walk-in traffic from office workers. Now facing back rent and mounting bills, and with the onset of cold weather and limited indoor dining, barely surviving establishments are hanging on by sheer grit. We urgently need the #SaveChineseRestaurants campaign, launched together with the James Beard Foundation, which asks each of us—including family and friends—to support these restaurants just by showing up, either for takeout or dining in. This is a crisis and without steady patronage, these businesses will not survive. I truly believe if we all pitch in we can save these eateries and treasured ethnic neighborhoods everywhere.” — Grace Young
Famous for their fresh strawberry whipped cream cake, almond and butterfly cookies and the unusual watermelon pastries, Phoenix Bakery has been artfully creating delectable cakes and pastries since 1938.
Founded by, and still operated by the Chan Family, their little Chinese bakery serves families and celebrities alike for all occasions. It’s one of the five-original business operating in L.A.’s historic Chinatown. They celebrated their 80th Anniversary last August.
Baker (and Family Member) Youlen Chan frosts the cake for us.
“Founded in 1938, the idea behind Chinatown’s landmark Phoenix Bakery was to create a gathering place for the community producing traditional Chinese pastries and cookies not found locally. At the time, Chinatown was truly the place where Chinese immigrants came together and the iconic architecture and plazas were opening.”
“Using generation-old recipes, the Chan family’s first bakery highlighted their almond cookies. Founders, F.C. Chan and his wife were proud to offer the treats to everyone. Soon thereafter, F.C.’s brother, Lun joined the bakery and their trademark fresh strawberry whipped cream cake became part of the offerings.”
“It wasn’t until the 1970s, however that Phoenix Bakery became famous throughout Los Angeles for being a little Chinese bakery making a “not so Chinese” cake. With business flourishing, in 1977, the Chan family moved from Chinatown’s Central Plaza to a custom-built bakery on Broadway that remains their current location today.”
“Catering both to the local population celebrating birthdays and to the thriving businesses operating downtown, Phoenix Bakery cakes started becoming traditions. Lun’s son, Youlen eventually took over production and Phoenix Bakery continued to thrive as he expanded the offerings of sweets and confections.”
