Art: Ludo Bites (Los Angeles)

I would like to interrupt my Hong Kong/ Shanghai trip blogging and bring you my meal at Ludo Bites.

I couldn’t get a reservation for Ludo Bites at the Breadbar, so I was excited about Ludo’s 13-day dinning showcase at Royal/T - “Ludo Bites & Royal/T Get in Bed Together.” Like the event at the Breadbar, reservations for Ludo’s event at the Royal/T filled up quickly. Luckily, I was able to piggyback on my friend’s 9 pm reservation.

By 11 pm, we had just received our last course – Grilled Beef Tenderloin. Ludovic, aka Ludo, comes out. “ Hey guys, can you please wrap up, we’re closing.”

My mouth drops, as I stared blankly at him and my head runs a mile a minute thinking -

1 star for you, Asshole! We’re not done eating!

Then Ludo’s laughs and goes on saying in his sexy French ascent, “Take your time. How are you enjoying your meal?”

We then not only give him a raving review of his food, but go on spending the next 15 minutes interrogating him about everything from his favorite foods (bread and butter and frozen pizza), to inspirations (traveling), and his take on French bakeries. By taking the time to talk to us, not only did Ludo fall back into our good graces and words like asshole faded away, but he allowed us to put a face to the artist behind our food. This helped add personality, color and understanding to each unique creation.

For a table of 8, we ordered 2 of 8 different dishes, but 3 of the beignets to share. We ordered: (Due to my hunger, and the hunger of my friends, I was unable to take photos in the special food photo staging area with perfect lighting created by Ludo’s wife Kristy. Thus, I am not posting my photos because there are a million photos on the Internet taken in perfect lighting that will put my photos to shame.)

Natucket Scallop, Pineapple, Brown Butter, Black Bread Power $14 –
I loved the brown butter sauce and pineapple cubes. To me, the scallops were soft and tender, but the pineapple added a different texture bringing the dish to another level.

Celery Root Soup, Black Truffle, Parmesan $15 –
This soup was rich, creamy and flavorful. I could have a whole bowl on a cold rainy day and be happy. I loved it!

Slowly Sautéed Monterey Wild Squid, Chorizo Oil, Kimchi Puree Black Olive $14 –
The squid was soft, not chewy and the spicy kick from the Kimchi, along with the eggplant paper and chorizo oil created amazing flavors in my palette.

Crispy Confit Pork Belly, Burnt Eggplant Puree, Plantain, Coconut Thai Chili Emulsion $16 –
This pork belly is soft and perfectly cooked. But, I did not like the burnt eggplant puree. To me, it tasted burnt. The plantain was also forgettable.

Foie Gras Beignet, Saffron- Dried Apricots $17 –
The beignet was perfectly fried with an amazing glaze. Everyone loves foie gras, but to me, it was too much foie gras. The foie gras filling tasted under cooked and overwhelming. My Foie Gras Beignet must have been neglected, because my friend said that hers was perfect.

Brittany Cod Teriyaki, Mashed Potatoes, Picked Garlic, Lemon – Miso $24-
I LOVE the buttery goodness of the mashed potatoes, but I thought that the teriyaki sauce over powered the cod.

Braised Veal, Udon, Caramelized Onions, Kombu Dashi, Enoki Mushrooms $ 16 –

The Kombu Dashi (kelp stock) was overwhelming and did not allow me to enjoy the dish.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Crispy Lard, Carrots “Vichy”, Mustard $28 –
It was the perfect end to the night, a perfectly grilled beef Tenderloin with crispy pieces of lard and a nice mustard sauce.

This meal was truly an amazing experience. It showed case flavors and techniques from around the world. Ludo is no ordinary chef. Ludo is a complex artist. He blends together unique techniques, spices and ingredients like chorizo oil and kimchi puree or pineapple and scallops to create a well thought out masterpiece of textures and flavor for the palette. Ludo is not only sexy, but so his is food!

Ludo Bites @ Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-630

Hello Mr. Robuchon: L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (Las Vegas)

$200 on Red.

In order to win big, you must play big. If I doubled my money, I would walk up to the Mansion and demand a table.

Black 35.

Not today. Instead, I walked up to the hostess at L’atelier and demanded to be seated or else! And it worked! Yah, right. I don’t have the balls to do that. I don't want to be blacklisted from Mr. Robuchon's world! He holds the key to the Mansion. We waited about an hour and half for a seat at the bar at this beautiful and sleek restaurant, filled with black and bright red accents, and colorful fruit and vegetable shape decor. Because we were seated at the section for poor planners who do not make reservations, I thought we were going to be treated like second-class citizens. Really? Who sits at the counter at a French restaurant? But, in Mr. Robuchon’s world, this bar seat was the best in the house! At most fine dinning restaurants, I always feel like a 8 year old kid, wearing her mommy's dress, heels and makeup, looking ridiculous, sitting nice and straight, drinking water with her pinky up, pretending to be an adult. Instead, the bar seating at L'atelier created a world of unpretentious French dinning, removing the stuffiness yet creating warmth with the attentive wait staff and a view of the chaotic cooks working to provide delicious meals while fellow foodies take in each dish with all their senses.

I went with the summer prix fixe menu for $75 instead the discovery menu for $149. 

It included: 


Amuse-Bouche- foie gras with port reduction and form Parmesan served in a shot glass. I took a spoon full and closed my eyes as the salty Parmesan, foie gras and sweet port hit my palette and partied in my mouth. Loved it.

Les Legumes - Layers of tomato, eggplant, zucchini with Buffalo Mozzarella and dabs of Basil puree on the side. All the vegetables were well seasoned. Each layer of vegetables brought a different dimension to the dish. I loved the tomato confit. It was very sweet and flavorful.

La Langoustine - Crispy Langoustine Fritter with Basil Pesto. Tissue thin fried batter wrapped around a sweet Norway lobster. Yum. It was nice and crispy. Although, it tasted 100 x better after I figured out that the micro-salad had a purpose other than decoration. One piece of La Langoustine + a few piece of micro salad + a dab of basil pesto = a good favor combination of fresh, sweet and crispy.

La Porc Fermier - Braised Pork belly with confit sweet onion. Sweet melt in your mouth pork belly. The mashed potato was really tasty. I can taste a heart attack waiting to happen. 


Les Fromages - Blue cheese, Creamy sheep cheese and Camembert. Although, the cheeses were awesome quality, I thought that this was filler, so I don't leave starving. I would have rather eaten something else. 


I wanted to try the traditional tarts, but they were sold out. So, being difficult, I petitioned to substitute the assorted sorbet for the La Framboise - fresh raspberry inside white chocolate sphere, yuzu ice cream. It was a little too tart for me, but the sweetness of the white chocolate combined with fresh berries and the distance flavors of yuzu ice cream created a very distinctive unique flavor.

I loved my meal and my experience. It was a beautiful window into Mr. Robuchon's world.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
MGM Grand
3799 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 891-7925

http://www.joel-robuchon.com/