The perfect Sunday afternoon, at the most iconic sports arena in the world. All eyes are on this venue every January 1st, when the biggest football game hits the West Coast. Yes, that would be the Rose Bowl and yes that would be the most exciting venue to hold a food event ever. Imagine siting at a lovely umbrella covered table enjoying all the stellar restaurants at the 50-yard line on the field at The Rose Bowl—wow, what a concept. The weather did not disappoint either, upper 70’s with a perfect breeze and the afternoon sun tucking itself away as the afternoon went on. Yes, just the perfect day in every way.
My dear friend Lawrence Moore told me about her event a few months back and made sure that I would be in town and available to enjoy her glorious food tasting event. Well I’m here to say that her event was a huge success and the restaurants showcased were all amazing.
Here were the restaurants that were there:
Birch, Alexander’s, Amara Thai, 118 Degrees, BierBeisl, Celestino, Claud Beltran Bacchus Kitchen, Crossings, Del Frisco Grill, Hache LA, Hamasuku, Hyde Sunset Kitchen & Cocktails, Inotheke, Made in Brooklyn, Magnolia House, Night Hawk, Noor, Osawa, Ozu East Kitchen, Redbird, Sangers & Joe, Say Cheese, SOL, Spare Tire, The Perfect Bite, The Raymond 1886, Toca Madera, WAFL, Wax Paper, and Wood & Vine.
Sweet Masters:
Alique Gourmet Toffee, Butter Cake Shop, Chocolate Stars USA, Copenhagen, Choctal, Crème Caramel LA, Helados Pops Ice Cream, Kelley’s Kookies, and Sprinkles.
Beverage Masters:
14 Hands, 10 Barrel Brewing Co, Ascension Cellars, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alosta Brewing, Anglim, ANEW, Bai, Baja Brewing, Balsam Amaro, Beefeater London, Bodega Sangria De San Antonio, Bootleggers Brewery, Boxed Water, Brugal, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Diabolo, Diama Sparkle, Demitasse, Desmadre, Mezcal El Silencio, Elysian, Four Brix Winery, Goose Island, Golden Road, Golden State Wine Co., Indie Brewing Company, Iron Triangle, Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Kombuchadog, LWC, Michelle, Motto, nectar, Nighthawk, Sadie, Shock Top, Sequoia, Snow Leopard Vodka, Spin The Bottle, Stella Rosa, Stella Artois, Cidre, St. Michelle Wine Estates, The Raymond 1886, Van Ruiten Family Winery, Vinemark Cellars, and Zico Coconut Water.
There were a lot of very decadent food items to be had, but some of my favorites included: Hamasuku’s – chirashi, Celestino – raviolini filled with asparagus and black truffle sauce, Hache LA – very innovative burger, Night Hawk – sweet potato pancakes with fried chicken, Wood & Vine – buffalo chicken terrine, with compressed celery, fried ranch, Made in Brooklyn – pizza, BierBeisl Imbiss – crispy pork belly crostini with fava bean and radish.
Everyone had a lot of fun, you could tell from the smiles on everyone’s faces. Some of the restaurants I had already reviewed,and there were new restaurants in tow. Other writers told me that their favorite restaurants were represented here as well. In my book, it could not have been a better event. So circle your calendar for next year and come prepared to eat and drink, eat and drink, repeat, repeat, repeat!
Masters of Taste
http://mastersoftastela.com
