LA's Fusion Food Scene

Me on Hallmark's Home and Family

I am by no means an expert on the cuisine of LA. In fact, I've only been here once before. From a professional standpoint, that trip doesn't even count, because it was a vacation with my Roman friends a decade ago. Back then my biggest concern was finding my traveling companions "acceptable" espresso to drink before and after meals. That was no small feat in those days, and, unfortunately, everything else is a blur.

My Mussels in Tomato Saffron Broth 

This trip has a completely different feel. I've come  to promote The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, my 6th cookbook. Even though my main mission was to teach about my favorite topic, I still hoped to learn something about the local food scene. When I inquired, natives assured me that "LA has no cuisine of it's own...it's a mix." But I wasn't convinced, so, I continued to inquire and do research, and by "do research," I mean, eat.

Alluring Guacamole from Mercado 

Third day into the trip and I finally began to hear locals boast about the quality of their  Mexican food and large number of sushi establishments. If you're from the East coast, be prepared to experience Mexican food as it was meant to be. The guacamole from Mercado's newest location completely revolutionized the way I think about the ubiquitous green dip. Their version's consistency is creamy enough to bind, yet still features large chunks of silky avocado, and is seasoned in a way which makes the final dish much tastier than the sum of it's already delicious parts.

Grand Central Market

I was curious about LA's inspiring fusion cuisine. If you're like any of my other chef friends you might be rolling your eyes at the sight of the "f" word. That's right, "fusion." is a word despised by many in the culinary world, and for good reason. Truth be told, it's hard to do any cuisine justice outside of it's homeland. It's a job left to the culinary greats, like Jose Andres and Wolfgang Puck who have multiple locations and an in-house infrastructures which can deliver complicated concepts.

Nahid La Patisserie 

What I find intriguing about LA, however, is that you don't need to go to a high end restaurant to experience really good fusion. When I mentioned my affinity for El Salvadorian cheese pupusas, someone told me that Little Tokyo was where I could satisfy my craving. Then, when searching for a quick pick- me -up in Beverly Hills, I stumbled on a French Patisserie with a Persian name that offered just the cake I needed. A beautiful Armenian-Persian woman that I shared a ride with told me that the best Lebanese restaurants are Little Armenia.  Are you noticing a trend?

Book Party at Melissa's Produce

I was. I began to think that LA's cuisine could define"fusion" food itself. The next day's book party reinforced my opinion. Forty members of the food press attended. They all had unique audiences and were searching for info that they could relay to their vegan, gluten free, Latino, Greek, health-conscious, Asian, Italian, Jewish, Paleo and Colombian followers.... as well as to the general LA public. 

They told me of more winning fusion combinations (such as Colombian Arepas topped with Korean Kimchi, found in Little Tokyo, of course. Later that day I also learned that the place to get great Vietnamese coffee could be had in "New York-style" delis.

Downtown LA

On my next trip out here I plan on contacting some of my new local friends and delving deeper into the flavors of this multicultural metropolis. The most positive vibe that I've witnessed during my short stay comes from a fun loving mentality of communities of open-minded people who are proud of their own cuisines, yet culturally curious at the same time. 

Angelenos,  regardless of their ethnicity or budget, aren't afraid to mix flavor profiles and ingredients of multiple cultures together. Being deeply rooted in food philosophies of their own cuisines, they are able to compliment them with ingredients of equal integrity from other communities. That way aficionados of both cuisines can be pleased at the same time and a new style is born. 

If we journey back through the ages, and break down the elements of our favorite dishes from any world cuisine, we will find a ingredients and techniques that weren't indigenous to that part of the world.  Bottom line, my advice is to let go of any preconceived notions you may have and search out fusion cuisine when in LA.  One bite into your first kimchi topped arepa will reveal a sensation that is only achieved by a cook truly proficient in multiple culinary languages.