February 23rd, 2009
Well that little bit of news traveled fast. A huge thanks to all the bloggers and fans who shared excitement that this blog is *almost* up and running. CB will get there, but right now I need to focus all of my energy (and every waking moment) on TastingTable LA (seriously…hit it, sign up, pass it on!!)
I promise it wasn’t a one-hit wonder: I definitely have more news, fun stories, some little gossipy items, but I don’t want to go full throttle until I get the blog all nice and pretty and clickable and rssable. And I can’t do that until TTLA is solid.
SO, check back, keep commenting, write me if you like: lesbal at hotmail dot com. There’s tons to talk about.
XOXO
Posted in Dining, Drinking, Elsewhere, Restaurants | 3 Comments »
February 19th, 2009
The XIV Terrace
So, yeah, this blog isn’t ready yet (that’s a mighty empty sidebar over there), but with my new gig as editor of TastingTable LA (sign up, dammit!), I haven’t had as much time as I would’ve liked to get Chow Balla up and running. But sometimes you just have to jump in the pool. Some good goss came my way a couple weeks ago via unexpected channels, and the entire story checks out. I can’t keep it in any longer: As of today, the Michael Mina/SBE ”social dining experiement” that is XIV has chucked the whole 35-item tasting menu concept out the window and replaced it with a “normal” appetizer/entree one.
For anyone who’s been–and there were many, including S. Irene Virbila who gave it two stars–this really comes as no surprise. The first and only night I went, for a preview dinner, it was interesting; some great dishes, some good dishes, nothing bad. It was Mina, creative, energetic, precise, and it was great to have him in town. But—and it wasn’t his partnership with SBE, it wasn’t the location–I just didn’t see how the whole everyone-at-the-table-order-the-same-thing concept would work. Maybe others would like it, but my gut said no. For a special tasting menu, something you do on occasion, maybe; but not on a regular nightly basis. That night I might have blurted out a few times (possibly to Mina himself) that I give it six months, that the Angelenos who will most likely be drawn to that restaurant will not get it. It’s been four.
This isn’t to say that people aren’t excited to have Mina and his crew in town–that’s huge, exciting, people are thrilled. But the whole idea of introducing a new “concept,” a “new way of dining,” right now, well, maybe it just isn’t the right time. So the gist: The regular menu is now apps and entrees , comprised of some of the more popular XIV dishes as well as some Mina hallmarks like lobster pot pie and a kobe burger. There’s also a munchie menu strictly for the terrace–which will also have a DJ, so you know who’s hanging out there. For those who love the tasting menu, the concept, the chance to eat 35 courses all in one sitting, it’s still available by request. The new menus, after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Dining, Restaurants | 8 Comments »
February 17th, 2009
I am currently the editor for the food-centric Tasting Table LA newsletter (sign up!) but after two years of gossiping over at Eater LA, I can’t seem to shake the blogginess out of me. Therefore, this is my new home for all sorts of news, tid bits, observations, snap shots and general frivolity about restaurants, dining, drinking. Los Angeles primarily, but you never know where my thoughts will end up.
About the name Chow Balla: Balla, my surname, is not pronounced “balla” as in “I’m a balla (say what); high, roller baby (baby, baby); shot colla (thats right); ain’t nobody this crazy (like me),” as true as any of that may be (thanks, Chingy). Instead, Balla is pronounced with a short ‘a’ as in bat or ballet. It’s a play on Ciao, Bella! because my friends, who helped come up with it, are very clever. Time to chow down.
XOXO,
Lesley
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »