Part of what happens when you are in the nexus of awesome energy is you meet a vast array of amazing people.  DTLA people are quickly becoming my favorite sorts.  They are artsy, creative, edgy, a little dangerous and full of life.  One of those people is Jean Francoise Valcarcel.

Jean is the creative mind behind the underground supper club Re Creo.  It’s a night of wildly inventive food with twelve total strangers you will inevitably find fascinating.  Dinner consists of 6 to 8 courses served over about 3 to 4 hours.  You bring  your own wine (but be willing to share).  It’s donation based.  And you have to be willing to try anything because the menu is not released.

Upon walking into the DTLA loft, you sign a guest book and you are handed a carefully crafted cocktail.  It doesn’t take long for someone to approach you.  The crowd is always very friendly and capable of conversing on a diverse array of topics without ever turning to anything offensive or divisive.  For now, most of the people attending know Jean somehow, which is why I think everyone is so wonderful.  He and his boyfriend are very accomplished men who attracted an eclectic collection of equally accomplished friends. I’ve met other chefs, painters, free spirits, digital artists, tastemakers and personal trainers.   Of course, the common ground for everyone is food.

I’ve attended Re Creo twice.  It’s been as great a dining experience as eating in any of LA’s top twenty restaurants.  Everything is fresh, made from scratch and artfully plated.  One of the best parts of Re Creo is the communal silence and initial reactions during each course as the first bites hit palettes.  It’s so much fun.

I had occasion to visit Re Creo this past Sunday.  What follows is a visual presentation of what we were treated to this time around.

Sea Urchin Panna Cotta, Yuzu Geleé, Smoked Almond Brittle - Photo by Christopher Spinder

Fava Bean "Canned Soup", English Pea Crostini - Photo by Christopher Spinder

Burratta, Bitter Greens, Fried Grapes, Aji Amarillo Vinaigrette - Photo by Christopher Spinder

Fresh Fettuccine Carbonara, Quail Egg, Thyme Bacon - Photo by Amy Koslofski

Herb Crab Cake, Brussels Sprouts Slaw, Mustard Caviar - Photo by Christopher Spinder

Lomo Saltado Shepherd's Pie, Balsamic Pearls, Oregano Oil - Photo by Christopher Spinder

Sticky Toffee Date Cake, Aji Amarillo Honey Ice Cream, Raspberry Sauce - Photo by Christopher Spinder

Pictures do not do justice to the unearthly experience of these flavors and textures at play upon your tongue.  I have never seen plates cleaned so fast nor so completely as when at Jean’s table.  Nothing is left behind, even the foods people swear they’ll never touch.  (For me, it’s beets. But damn if he didn’t get me to not only eat them but like them at my first dinner.)

Jean’s skill and love of food is evident in every dish.  He’s spent a great deal of time around some big names in cooking and put in hard work with regards to his craft.  He is an endless source of knowledge about all things food related.  I have very little doubt that I will one day be sitting in one of his restaurants and it will be celebrated for its playful, inventive, sexy cuisine.  But, for now, he’s a well kept secret orchestrating the type of dinner you’d find Dorothy Parker enjoying.  It’s quite a feat.

At the moment, Re Creo has no where near the level of notoriety of Wolvesmouth, Provisions, or the newly created BRK.  It means your chances of getting in are very good.  Dinners are also not predictable.  When the whim strikes, Jean sends out an invitation with a deadline to respond.  If you want in, you can join the Facebook page.  If that’s not your thing, worry not.  Just shoot them an email at re.creo.supperclub@gmail.com. 

Do your taste buds a favor and go.

You may think I’m a little obsessed with the 626 Night Market that shared this video.  I am.  Can’t help it as its one of the biggest cultural events out here in the SGV and its fun too!

Evacuation orders have been lifted for most neighborhoods in my area, with only 2 streets still under them.  According to the city web, which has done a bang up job of keep us updated, the command for the fire will shift back to the Emergency Operations Center at City Hall this morning.

Where I sit right now there is no visible flames or smoke, with luck the hot spots will be done with and containment will happen sooner.

Isn’t this an early start to the “fire season”?

A fire broke out this morning on Avacado Place in Monrovia near the “M” that is visibile from the 210 Freeway.  It was started by a gardener accidentally.  (Contrary to popular rumor it was not a 420 celebration).

Snarks aside this is a serious matter being made worse by lookie loos.  As of 4PM it was over 90 acres and a 3 alarm fire.  The lookie loos are so bad and thick it is getting hard for the fire fighters and law enforcement to get up to the fire.  Please stay away from the fire zone and use the parking lots at Santa Anita Mall, strip malls along Foothill and Huntington in Monrovia if you have to come see the smoke and flames.  Thats a good vantage point to watch and not interefere with evacuees leaving or those of us in the affected area from getting in and out of our homes.

As I blogged a while back during another brush fire, the hills above Monrovia and Duarte haven’t burned since the early 60′s and that is nearly 50+years of fuel to feed a fire.

More as this story develops.

Fabulous Fords Forever Poster

The absolute biggest single make auto show on the west coast is the Fabulous Fords Forever show. It got started here at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center at Griffith Park in 1984. It has grown so big its since been moved to Knott’s Berry Farm. It is one of my all time favorite shows. Its about a lot of cars, fun people and celebrities. I had the chance to meet the legendary racer/builder Carroll Shelby two years ago, Henry Ford III last year.  Hell, I even absent-minded walked right into Jack Nicholson while I was all agog over the cars.

Every year there is a new theme to the show with new guests as well.  This year among the 2000+ cars, it will be celebrating 110 years of Ford Motor Company with a display of milestone cars. Additional features are 85 years of the Ford Model A, 45 years of the Torino and 20 years of SVT. They have cars registered from 13 states and Canada, covering 55 classes of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks, plus several displays of the latest from Ford and Ford Racing.

The guest of honor is the celebrated Formula Drift Champion, Vaughn Gittin, Jr., who will have his latest drifting Mustang on display along with his RTR Mustang stable.  Linda Vaughn will be in attendance with a team of legendary 1960’s drag racers of California fame. Meet and greets will be available with them.

Deets: Sunday April 21, 2013 from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Knott’s Berry Farm,8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, CA 90620  MAP HERE 

Jonathan Winters passed away in quietly in his Encino *home overnight.  He was one of my favorite comedians.  He excelled at improv, but he also was a scene stealer on TV and movies.  His Web Site HERE, Wiki and IMBD.  That should give you plenty to read, laugh and enjoy.  A few more vids after the jump.

http://youtu.be/B5xtxs221w0

*PS Times issued a correction after the post went up that he died in his Montecito home, not the one in Encino.

Mayan Bar and Grill rating sheet

I recently got to participate in a Chef’s Tasting at the soon to be opened Mayan Bar and Grill here in Monrovia.  The Mayan will be in the historic Aztec Hotel in the space formerly occupied by the Brass Elephant.  It was a fun experience.  Tasting and rating menu items for a new restaurant before it goes public.  The Mayan will focus on Central American cooking a first for my little corner of L.A.

The food was simply pretty terrific.  First up was Ensalada Esmeralda which was a simple mix of roasted chilis and greens tossed with a bright avocado and cilantro dressing.  Next up was a Puerco Mole Verde, or pork medallions in a somewhat spice, but deeply flavored mole sauce.  The last course they gave us was the Tequila Lime Shrimp…with a spicy sweet mango salsa.  All in all I rated them all very highly, made comments where appropriate but really enjoyed the experience.  The new Chef at the Mayan did not disappoint.

Do you want to get in on the tastings too?  Simply friend the Aztec Hotel on FB and watch for their notices and instructions on what to do for the next event.  Its really as simple as noting date, time and emailing the hotels General Manager Art Desaultels that you want to attend.  This Thursday is nearly full and they just added in Friday for another tasting.  They fill fast so act fast.

The Aztec Hotel has been blogged by me before. The Aztec has had a change of hands and the new owners are charging fast forward into a complete renovation while maintaining historical accuracy of the place. The hotel lobby is near completion and they are in the process of redoing all of the rooms.  The latter is why I was unable to get any new pictures of the 2nd floor…those will follow.  What I have seen has impressed me.  The future of the Aztec here in Monrovia is pretty bright.  Unlike that last iteration that was a frustration to many, I think they will be pleased to see the changes made in the hotel and the clientele they hope to attract.  A few more pics of my visit to the Aztec can be found in a flickr set.

From the ladies  that brought us “shit girls say in L.A.” now comes a quick riff on Coachella which most of the music lovers in L.A. will be heading out to the desert for shortly.  If you have the time to check out their entire channel on youtube do check out the Trashy Girls.

Its been widely reported that Annette Funicello, one of the original Mouseketeers passed away today.  Her TV programs and movies about growing up in the ’50s and ’60s helped make the beach party a part of L.A. and American culture.  Never mind all the folks she enticed to make it behind the Orange Curtain for a trip to Disneyland.  Complete WIKI on her HERE.

Thanks to the folks at 626 Night Market I now have the answer on how to eat these delicious little bites.  After all these years I’ve learned they aren’t finger foods and double dipped.

More on the 626 Night Market can be found on their web.  Count on hearing more from me about the arrival of this event closer to the first one in June.