Why I Heart L.A.: LudoBites

Last night, I felt like openly weeping. At the dinner table.  The food at LudoBites was that magical, that complex, that creative, that thrilling to every taste bud.  Last night, I had one of the top 5 meals of my life and eating will never be the same.

LudoBites is a guerilla style pop-up restaurant event created by Iron Chef phenom Ludo Lefebvre. Think of it as a restaurant within a restaurant limited only by the tatted up French chef's  imagination. Read this recent Time Magazine article that asks "Are Pop Up, Top Chef Restaurants the Future?"

LudoBites has been referred to as “Mad Genius” and celebrated for its “Kitchen Miracles.”  Last night the location of this gastronomic religious experience was Gram and Papa's - smack dab in the center of my beloved Fashion District.


Jonathan Gold of LA Weekly was so impressed with LudoBites that one week after it concluded it summer 2009 stand at Breadbar, he included it as one of his 99 Most Essential Restaurants in LA, saying “you can’t find it in Directory Assistance, and you can’t have dinner there tomorrow night. It has no address. So in a sense, Ludo Bites doesn’t really exist.”

Ugh, tell that to my thighs, Mr. Food Critic Man.

Last night, the Brown Devil and St. Jude along with three other foodie pals (one who created the La Food Street App - follow him on Twitter and download the app now!) orgasmed over plate after plate after OMEEGOD plate of insanely delicious, unique culinary concotions. Um in fact, we sampled nearly everthing on the menu.

 

Like the Tartine Plate "Warm Baguette" with Honey-Lavender Butter & Smoked Lard.  YES, SMOKED LARD.  And that honey-lavender butter = a spa in your mouth. INSANE.

Brie Chantilly, Honey Comb, Frisee Salad with Balsamic.  I realized I had never lived until I'd tasted brie whipped into sublime perfection.  Literally felt reborn.

Scallop, Spinach, Yogurt Curry, Spring Garlic, Violet Flowers.  A beautiful delight for every sense.

Seabream Ceviche, Heirloom Tomato, Jalepenos, Meyer Lemon Paste, Cilantro Flower.  The BEST ceviche I have ever tasted.  Can't tell where the seafood ends and the citrus starts.  Could eat it every day, all day.

My second favorite dish was as hoggish as it gets: PARIS HAM SOUP, BREAD, SWISS CHEESE, radish, cornichon, AND GUINESS.  I want to live inside Chef Ludo's brain.  And have to eat my way out. Please and thank you.

Soft Shell Crab Cornet, Mango, Red Spicy Mayo, Corona Granite.  Quite possibly what heaven tastes like.
Nothing like it on this plane at least.

Last appetizer: Santa Barbara Prawn, Avacado, Cocktail Sauce.  Sublime.

Now for the main courses: my favorites was the Squid Carbonara, Pancetta, Poached Egg, Parmeson Snow, Chive Flowers.   That egg in the center was the most perfectly cooked thing EVER!!!  Holy moly what a burst of flavor.

Second Favorite: Bavette, Escargots Red Butter, Shallots Jam, Roasted Eggplant, Carrot Slaw

Wild Striped Bass, Fresh Sanshho Pepper, Fresh Peas, Lettuce, Spring Onions, Yuzu

And a Rack of Lamb topped with Fresh Goat Cheese, Dried Bonito, Artichokes, Mint and paired with the most decadent mashed potatos EVER!  (Sorry for the half devoured photo, I was in a daze by the time the Lamb came out.  TOO MANY mind-scrambling taste sensations)

Sadly the desserts weren't as relevatory as the rest of the meal. But, um, we still sucked them down.

After such an amazing meal, Mr. Diabolina is lucky I didn't suck Chef Ludo's face when he came over.  Strictly as a thank you of course.  That accent and those twinkly eyes didn't have anything to do with it.

Amazing food is like amazing fashion for me.  Both can be run of the mill, utilitarian.  But the minute a true artist - whehter sartorial or culinary - creates something beautiful and transcendant...well, food and fashion alike can become artistic expressions. They convey something creative and unique, with a point of view. They can inspire you and excite you and make you think about the world and life and your self differently.


LudoBites will be at Gram Papa's thru May 28.  Visit http://www.ludolefebvre.com/ludo-bites/gram-papas to see if you can snag a resy though I am told they completely "sold out" in a few hours,  or sign up to get updates on future outposts.


p.s. For you non-pig fashionistas who don't care for my food posts, here's a shot of the delicious Pradas I wore last night for your gobbling pleasure.  :)