Aftertaste LA

Ruen Pair opened in 1996 and quickly became an LA institution. Thai restaurants are ubiquitous across Los Angeles, especially in Thai Town, off Hollywood Boulevard, but very few have celebrated a 30th anniversary, as Ruen Pair did this year. It’s a family-run establishment, well into the second generation of ownership. In 2020, the original owners of the family restaurant, Pensri and Somchai Jansaeng, gave the reins son Champ, who now runs it full time with his wife Chanita.

The combination of Isan (northeastern) and Teochew (central) influenced Thai cuisines is Ruen Pair’s greatest strength. Isan’s cuisine focuses on sour and heat, exemplified in Ruen Pair’s Papaya Salad with Raw Crab, with sticky rice and fermented fish rounding out this region’s staples. Teochew's heavy Chinese influence brings a salty-sweet depth with dark soy, preserved vegetables, and “the breath of the wok” with signatures like the Salted Turnip Fried Egg or the Stewed Pork Leg.

In 2023, Ruen Pair opened Kanomwaan Thai Gelato and Dessert Cafe right next door in their slow but steady expansion through the strip mall at Harvard and Hollywood. The menu features gelatos, milk teas, and shaved ice with unique and delicious Thai-inspired flavor combinations. If you do go to Ruen Pair, we recommend not skipping dessert.

ruenpairthai.com

@ruenpairla

0:00 – Intro

4:37 – Menu Breakdown

6:39 – Thai Iced Tea

8:42 – Ruen Pair Beer

10:54 – Papaya Salad with Raw Crab

13:07 – Thai Style BBQ Pork

16:07 – Fried Egg & Salty Turnip

20:00 – Stir Fried Crispy Catfish

22:19 – Tom Kha Gai

24:20 – Sauteed Morning Glory

26:55 – Stewed Pork Leg Over Rice

31:01 – Kanomwaan Thai Gelato & Dessert Cafe

38:25– Ambiance

40:20 – Service

45:58 – Verdict

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-ice-cream-los-angeles

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape.

They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#ThaiTown #ThaiFood #LAFood

Maree, the new Parisian-inspired bistro and wine bar from 3 Michelin Star Chef Marcus Jernmark, is finally open in Beverlywood in the former Manzke space.Jernmark already found restaurant success in Los Angeles with Lielle this year, which opened in the former Bicyclette space and quickly earned 1 Michelin star after three short months.

Maree is located on the floor above Lielle, and is the perfect juxtaposition to the tasting menu experience downstairs. The bistro aims to be a neighborhood institution, taking after the likes of famous Zuni Cafe in San Francisco.

The menu brings a bistronomy approach to the LA French bistro landscape, focusing on fine dining techniques while using the best ingredients California has to offer in a relaxed setting, accompanied by really good wines. This past month, Aftertaste attended opening night to discover Chef Marcus's next act here in LA. Since we heard about its imminent opening during our meal at Lielle, we have been excitedly anticipating its opening, and we couldn’t put off going for even a day.

Check out our video on Lielle to see why we were so excited for the expansion of Chef Marcus’ growing restaurant empire.

Here is a link to that review we highly recommend it :https://youtu.be/3fRVMQGmi9g

0:00 – Intro

9:45 – Drinks

14:14 – Food Overview

15:22 – Escargot Beignets

19:51 – Bread and Butter

23:23 – Tartare

26:02 – Salt Spring Mussels

27:40 – Blue Prawn Cocktail

29:30 – Chicories

32:42 – Duck Ravigote

34:43 – French Fries

36:16 – Burger Au Poivre

43:25 – Mushrooms

45:52 – Dessert

53:08 – Ambiance

55:40 – Service

59:00 – Verdict

https://www.maree.la/

Instagram: @Maree_la

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else.

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#FrenchBistro #MichelinGuide #LosAngelesRestaurants #LAFood #WineBar

Darling in West Hollywood is celebrity chef Sean Brock's first restaurant outside the American south, initially opening in 2025 as a Californian, seasonally-driven restaurant. This did not go over well with Angelenos; they wanted the cornbread and the grits and the fried chicken, they wanted the classics. And we don't blame them. Imagine a rock star band coming to town and playing none of their hits? Same thing.

Darling is now being marketed as a southern-heritage restaurant with a kiss of California, taking advantage of the freshest and highest quality produce in the country. The cornbread is here to stay, as is the Carolina Gold rice and the Anson Mills grits, so Los Angeles finally gets to try some of these iconic classics from Chef Sean.

Brunch and happy hour are now available at Darling, too. The hi-fi listening lounge is swinging in full gear, and the bar program has also been revamped to include a Southern touch.

Darling.la

ansonmills.com

https://la.eater.com/los-angeles-restaurant-news/304494/darling-west-hollywood-restaurant-southern-pivot-sean-brock

0:00 – Intro

5:56 – Drinks Program Overview

6:25 – Amber Royale

7:45 – Shelby

9:42 – Midnight Club

10:48 – Reverie

12:05 – Paradis

13:38 – Drinks Overall Thoughts

14:49 – Food Program Overview

15:44 – Deviled Eggs

16:39 – Country Ham and Melon

18:29 – Texas Deer Skewers

20:34 – Cornbread

24:14 – Dressed Lettuces

25:07 – Abalone and Rice Stew

27:40 – Carolina Gold Rice

29:53 – Vermillion Rock Fish and Grits

32:04 – The Darling Burger

34:31 – Food Overall Thoughts

36:42 – Peanut Tart

39:12 – Eton Mess

42:42– Ambiance

48:06 – Service

51:25 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape.

They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#AftertasteLA #LosAngelesFood #RestaurantReview #FoodPodcast

Bar 109 is a cocktail bar in Melrose Hill, Los Angeles, that serves as the entry into 1-star Michelin restaurant Corridor 109 from Chef Brian Baik.

Lucky for us, Bar 109 is also open for guests not wanting to shell out $325 a head plus 20% service, as you do in the back room.

Up front, the cocktail menu and full suite of wines and sakes on offer are all available to order, as well as, a small food menu of mostly snacks, all created by chef Baik. Tuesday night is burger night at Bar 109, and begins at 8pm. It's reason enough to make the visit, though you better get there early as they sell out quick.

Since we love a thick burger, we showed up early on a Tuesday and ordered every single thing on the menu, including the full gamut of cocktails.

Drinks come from Kayla Garcia, who ran the program at Chicago's Kumiko before opening Thunderbolt's Valley sibling, Night on Earth, while the wine list is curated by Master Sommelier Michaël Engelmann.

🍸 Bar 109 → https://www.corridor109.com/bar

No reservations. First come, first served. 641 N Western Ave, Tue-Sat 6PM-midnight.

0:00 – Intro

4:42 – Menu Overview

6:25 – Satsuma Margarita

7:50 – Mikan Old Fashioned

8:59 – Saigo

10:31 – Marine Layer

12:16 – Snap Pea G&T

15:25 – Oolong Boulevardier

16:13 – Bar 109 Vesper

21:51 – Veggie Sticks

24:25 – Mentaiko Fries

29:05 – Wagyu Beef Dog

31:50 – The BURGER

38:07 – Ambiance

44:34 – Service

47:10 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Sips):

1️⃣ Sip = Skip it

2️⃣ Sips = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Sips = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Sips = Can’t miss

#AftertasteLA #LosAngelesFood #RestaurantReview #FoodPodcast

Lapaba, or La Pasta Bar, aims to be exactly that: a neighborhood pasta bar. Given that the neighborhood in question is Koreatown, it makes all the more sense to incorporate the Korean cuisine LA is known for into the cooking. But don't let that fool you into thinking this is a Korean restaurant. Lapaba is, at its core, LA-style Italian.⁠ ⁠

Husband-and-wife chefs McKenna Lelah and Matthew Kim are behind the stove, coming full circle back to their time together at Osteria Mozza to deliver a fresh take on Italian cuisine. And it doesn't hurt to have LA's godmother of food, Nancy Silverton, as your backer and menu consultant.⁠ ⁠

The bar runs mostly on wine (primarily Italian and French), rounded out with sake, makgeolli, and soju. With the kind of food they're serving, you won't miss the full bar anyway.⁠ ⁠

The space was gutted and rebuilt, and it is, as advertised, a true pasta bar. One large marble-topped counter winds through the room and covers the bulk of the seating, save for two tables in the back. The most coveted seats are directly across from the open kitchen and the pasta room, if you're looking for dinner⁠ and a show.⁠

0:00 – Intro

2:55 – Rhubarb Tonic

3:50 – Negroni Sbagliato

4:50 – Cabernet

6:25 – House Made Milk Bread

7:44 – Fried Chicken

10:54 – Burrata Con Crema

13:53 – Tonnareli and Lobster

17:14 – Bucatini Amatriciana

19:15 – Agnolotti and Cheesy Corn

23:25 – Orechiette and Sausage

25:11 – Broccolini and Summer Beans

27:33 – Dessert

31:32 – Ambiance and Service

39:28 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best.

Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#AftertasteLA #LosAngelesFood #RestaurantReview #FoodPodcast

Electric Bleu is a brand new French Bistro in Mar Vista by husband-wife duo chef Craig Hopson and creative director Mai Sakai.⁠ ⁠ Chef Craig's resume is truly impressive with stints at Troisgros, Guy Savoy, Le Cirque, and Picholine — absolute titans of the French dining world.

Don't let that scare you away from trying the food here because the prices are some of the most reasonable we have seen in town for the level of food coming out of that kitchen.⁠ Electric Bleu boasts elite-level cooking and a fantastic wine list in a relaxed environment that is a perfect and welcome addition to a neighborhood that frankly does not have the strongest dining scene in LA.⁠

Mar Vista | Los Angeles | California | Opened August 2025

https://electricbleu.com/

@electricbleula

00:00 – Intro

03:57 – Ambiance

06:18– Drink Talk

09:30 – Food Menu Breakdown

11:50 – Pate en Croute

15:20 – French Onion Soup

17:25 – Soup Talk

21:40 – Salad

24:03 – Cabbage

26:40 – Signature Roasted Chicken

31:10 – Electric Fries

33:22 – Beef Bourguignon

39:29 – Dessert

42:02 – Service Notes

47:35 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#AftertasteLA #LosAngelesFood #RestaurantReview #FoodPodcast

Not No Bar in Santa Monica comes to us from the team behind Dudley Market, transforming the old Isla space into a vibing tiki disco with solid Neapolitan pizzas and great cocktails. The space is small, loud, and what one could confidently call "a scene."⁠ ⁠

The place stays busy and becomes quite a party on weekends, usually with a line to enter and a DJ working the vintage hi-fi turntable. Leather booths line the perimeter, with the rest of the indoor area devoted to standing room high top tables. The large outdoor patio area boasts more seats and is a perfect place to have a summer tiki drink and split a pie with friends. ⁠ ⁠

The pizza program perfectly accents drinks, baked in the wood-fired oven that came with the space. The pies are constantly rotating alongside a few small snacks and bites, including the obligatory crudo, an obvious addition from the Dudley Market alums.⁠ ⁠

https://www.notnobar.com/

@notnobar

0:00 – Intro

4:29 – Drinks Menu Overview

6:57 – Space Camp 98' Drink

9:27 – Scissorkick Drink

10:55 – Soy Del Rancho Drink

12:46 – High Low Drink

14:42 – Espresso Martini

20:39 – Food Menu Overview

23:50 – Margherita Pizza

26:45 – Clam Pie

31:45 – Snacks

34:22 – Dessert

36:42 – Ambiance

41:13 – Service

43:16 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA:

Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Sips):

1️⃣ Sip = Skip it

2️⃣ Sips = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Sips = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Sips = Can’t miss

#SantaMonica #CocktailBar #NeapolitanPizza #TikiBar #LARestaurants

Alta in West Adams is a completely revamped restaurant with a fresh concept, new menu, and a makeover of the dining room, but the story of Alta is the story of its chef and owner, Keith Corbin. ⁠

The professional kitchen has always been one of the great second-chance rooms in the American workplace where one's grit, grind, and determination are tested every night. Plenty of cooks come up through hard roads, including hard time, and food service is one of the few industries willing to take a chance on them. Keith Corbin took that chance and turned it into two James Beard nominations, a best-selling memoir, and a spot on Eater's list of the 38 most influential restaurants of the last 25 years.⁠ ⁠

After years trying for a certifiate of rehabilitation from CA to be allowed a passport, his first opportunity to travel the world came in 2025 and quickly became the inspiration for the reinvention of Alta and Corbin himself.⁠ ⁠

The new menu takes the soul-food foundation from the original and builds on it with refined cooking techniques from Europe, Asia, and Latin America using the incredible bounty of ingredients in California. ⁠ ⁠

The updated beverage program by Madeline McQuillan includes spirits and wines sourced from Black-owned and underserved-community producers.⁠

https://www.altaadams.com/ @altarestaurant

0:00 – Intro

4:12 – Drinks Program Overview

6:20 – Watermelon Cocktail

7:50 – South Central Cola

9:32 – Sweet Corn Cocktail

10:39 – For Goodness Sake Cocktail

13:45 – Carrot Cocktail

15:10 – Strawberry Rhubarb Cocktail

16:24 – Sparkling Rose and Final Drink Thoughts

18:29 – Food Menu Breakdown

19:13 – West Coast Oyster

21:08 – Black-Eyed Pea Salad

23:07 – Miso-Glazed Japanese Eggplant

24:40 – Ember-Roasted Sweet Potato

26:26 – Roasted Cabbage with Harissa Miso Glaze

30:02 – Confit Duck Leg

33:56 – Wood-Grilled Half Chicken

36:23 – West African Osso Buco

38:15 – Dark Chocolate Cake and Final Food Thoughts

43:45 – Ambiance

46:40 – Service

54:36 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss #AftertasteLA

#LosAngelesFood #RestaurantReview #FoodPodcast

Lielle just earned its first Michelin star, and it took four short months into its run at the former Bicyclette space for Marcus Jernmark, the executive chef who helped Stockholm's Frantzén earn three Michelin stars, and his team to secure it.

You enter down a staircase into a moody wine cave: cork barrel-vaulted ceilings, warm antique lighting, smoked cherrywood tables and cozy leather booths meant to be shared side-by-side.⁠ ⁠

Lielle carries the kind of résumé that usually comes with a stuffier room and a much bigger check. On paper, $150 for four courses sounds steep. That is, until you experience the first morsels and realize you are in the hands of masters of fine dining. Under-promise and over-deliver is the philosophy here — the four menu courses are complemented with a run of snacks to open, a bread course, and enough little extras that you walk out fuller and happier than the menu ever let on. ⁠ ⁠

The cooking at Lielle emphasizes hyper-local sourcing of California's freshest and most delicious seasonal fare. Chef Marcus incorporates numerous techniques to prepare each ingredient to its fullest potential, allowing all to sing together in perfect harmony without becoming overcomplicated.⁠ ⁠

The dedication to wine is very clear here with a 300+ bottle cellar and a substantial by the glass list featuring local producers with high degrees of environmental responsibility. Each wine glass is hand-blown and very delicate, further elevating the experience of Lielle's excellent wine with their fine craftsmanship. ⁠ ⁠

But for all the pedigree, Lielle refuses to take itself too seriously. Catchy music, a warm and unpretentious staff, and a few playful surprises over the course of the night keep it feeling like a whimsical evening out rather than a stuffy one.⁠

https://www.lielle.la/

@lielle.la

0:00 – Intro

2:54 – Wine and Beverages

7:20 – First Bites

10:27 – Menu Breakdown

11:22 – 1st Course

13:47 – 1st Course Supplement

15:55 – 2nd Course

19:17 – Spaghetti All'assassina Special

23:26 – 3rd Course

29:29 – Cheese Supplement Course

33:39 – 4th Course

36:30 – Complementary Dessert Course

38:55 – Magic Water

40:22 – Final Bites

42:40 – Ambiance and Service

54:36 – Verdict

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#Michelin #MichelinStar #LARestaurants #FineDining #LosAngelesFood #RestaurantReview #FoodPodcast

We spent our anniversary on a bite-and-sip tour through New York, hitting 7 bars from North America's 50 Best Bars 2026, including 3 of the top 4 and the current #1. We came home and asked the obvious question: where does LA actually stand?

We break down what each bar does well, where we would go back, and take a hard look at where LA's bar scene trails New York, where it can compete, and what we think LA needs to do to close the gap.

Bars in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

3:45 – Sip & Guzzle

12:17 – Angel's Share

16:08 – Attaboy

19:51 – Bar Snack

25:13 – Schmuck

29:10 – Overstory

31:18 – Maison Premiere

34:12 – NYC vs LA

42:38 – What LA Does Great

47:40 – Closing Thoughts

🎧 Listen to the Podcast:

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZUVt7hAf8JvrA4NvHRd7Z?si=3f3b627900fb4583

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aftertaste-la/id1840083535

Amazon → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b94749de-3c4c-40a2-b549-f80ac2725a58/aftertaste-la

RSS Feed → https://feeds.captivate.fm/aftertaste-la/

📱 Connect with us here:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/aftertastela

Threads → https://www.threads.com/@aftertastela

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@aftertastela

🍴 About Aftertaste LA: Join Chef Vlad and Nicole on their journey through the Los Angeles dining scene. Each episode focuses on a different restaurant, analyzing strengths and weaknesses from service to flavor, to creativity, and everything else.

Nicole and Chef Vlad are the friends you trust to give a thorough review of the many restaurants of the diverse and vast Los Angeles dining landscape. They’ll break down the hits, the misses, and the avoid-at-all-costs so you can target your experiences to what fits you best. Whether you’re a local, just visiting, or dreaming of an LA vacation, they’re your source for tasty information about the restaurant experiences that make Los Angeles special.

⭐ Our Rating System (1–4 Tastebuds):

1️⃣ Tastebud = Skip it

2️⃣ Tastebuds = If you’re in the neighborhood

3️⃣ Tastebuds = Worth a trek

4️⃣ Tastebuds = Can’t miss

#NorthAmericas50BestBars #SipAndGuzzle #NYCBars #CocktailBars #50BestBars