Napa Wine Country’s Heitz Cellar congratulates Erik Elliott, MS
Heitz Cellar is excited to announce that Estate Director Erik Elliott has passed the Masters Exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.
Erik is one of 10 individuals who successfully met the qualifications to be awarded the title of Master Sommelier. The results were announced at the Krug Reception on August 31, 2022, at the Royal Sonesta in Portland, Oregon.
Heitz Cellar Authority
The Master Sommelier Diploma is the highest distinction a professional can attain in the beverage service industry.
The Master Sommelier Diploma Examination consists of three sections:
a verbal theory examination,
a wine assessment exercise using the Deductive Tasting Method,
and a practical component that focuses on hospitality, beverage service, salesmanship, and overall business acumen.
Candidates must receive passing scores in each section to earn the highly coveted Master Sommelier title.
“I AM SO PROUD OF ERIK FOR PUTTING IN THE HARD WORK AND ACHIEVING THIS SPECIAL HONOR.
IT’S A JOY TO SEE MY CLOSE FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE JOIN THE COURT OF MASTER SOMMELIERS.
I HAVE WATCHED HIM GROW FROM A BARTENDER TO A SOMMELIER, A
ND EVENTUALLY A HOSPITALITY DIRECTOR TO ESTATE DIRECTOR,
ALL WHILE DEMONSTRATING HIS TIRELESS WORK ETHIC AND DEEPENING HIS KNOWLEDGE OF FINE WINE AND HOSPITALITY.”
Carlton McCoy, MS.
(Lawrence Wine Estates, CEO)
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WeHo’s Newest culinary experience: Blue Birdy Gastropub Opens on Sunset Strip Near legendary Whiskey A-Go-Go
Sunset Strip’s Blue Birdy Gastropub Opens Near legendary Whiskey A-Go-Go
Located two doors down from the legendary Whiskey A-Go-Go is a brand-new culinary experience.
Blue Birdy offers up some super tasty gastropub fare on the iconic Sunset Strip.
Blue Birdy opened its doors to amazing success in early 2024, due largely to its chef and owner JC Mahdavi.
JC is no stranger to success since he’s been in the restaurant business, having owned Joxer Daly’s in Culver City for many years. His formula is great food mixed with solid cocktail recipes. Joxer Daly’s is an Irish Pub/Sports Bar with a neighborhood feel, a true staple in the culinary landscape of Los Angeles.
He brings that same philosophy to Blue Birdy but with more of an upscale vibe.
Blue Birdy has a French-influenced menu. JC implements his family’s recipes, hailing from France, he knows what good mouthwatering food is and how to create it.
“I want my customers to feel comfortable at Blue Birdy,
a place that they can come to and leave the stress of their day behind,
enjoy great libations and wonderfully inspired gastropub cuisine.”
owner JC Mahdavi
Blue Birdy’s menu includes a wonderful specialty cocktail program, all made from scratch.
The Boom Ba Da packs a nice punch, with its smooth lemon flavor and gorgeous presentation.
Strawberry Fields is a nice refreshing blend of champagne vodka and strawberry puree, almost like a smoothy but with a nice marriage of citrus essences, which has a great mouth feel. Brunch items are huge and super tasty.
Their French Toast is unlike any other, with ube, cream cheese, and sugar-filled, it’s purple and really is amazing. The Short Rib Benedict is comfort brunch at its best, a must-try.
Their Noodle Salad is perfect for the health-conscious diner as well as their tempura asparagus. Entree menu items include Lemon Herb Chicken, Steak and Fries, Fish & Chips, Teriyaki Salmon, and lots of Burgers – all simply delectable.
Whatever you order, you too will be surprised at how great their food is.
The sparkling interior gives you an elegant hipster vibe. The subtle blue flowers that adorn the overhead light fixtures really create a cool, sensual feeling.
Striations of blue linear lines are part of the overall flooring. Highlighted on one wall is a floor-to-ceiling LED flat-screen TV wall, that is guaranteed to bring in many sports fans for those big-ticket games, with many additional screens both inside and out.
Blue Birdy can accommodate inside seating as well as a front street-level patio and a back patio for more of a secluded experience, it’s the perfect spot for a private party.
There are plans for different themed nights. So far, Tropical Thursdays are guaranteed to get your Salsa on. Friday will be dress-up Drag Night, and Saturday is Shabhaye Tehran-LA. With all of the viewing opportunities, any night or day is a sports theme, but whatever the occasion, Blue Birdy will make your Sunset Strip experience one to remember.
Vietnam Celebrates Art: Jérôme Peschard Launches Art Exhibition at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City
Jérôme Peschard Launches Art Exhibition at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in Ho Chi Minh City
For the past 60 years, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts has epitomised the essence of French art de vivre across the globe. As 2024 heralds its Diamond Jubilee, commemorated with a series of exclusive events at Sofitel properties worldwide, Sofitel Saigon Plaza, the paragon of French hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City, proudly inaugurated an extraordinary celebration of art.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/From-Left-Betty-Qiffe-Pallard-Consul-General-Daniel-Stork-of-the-Netherlands-to-Vietnam-Nykky-Do-and-Milena-Padula-Spouse-of-Consul-General-of-Italy-to-Vietnam-1024x684.jpg)
From Left- Betty Qiffe Pallard, Consul General Daniël Stork of the Netherlands to Vietnam, Nykky Do and Milena Padula- Spouse of Consul General of Italy to Vietnam / photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Painting-1-scaled-e1719530418374-684x1024.jpg)
photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
On the evening of June 21st, the Sofitel Saigon Plaza was the scene of a glittering event, marking the launch of a collaboration with the internationally renowned French Pop Artist, Jérôme Peschard.
![French Pop Artist Jérôme Peschard Portrait / photo courtesy of Stephane Thierry](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/French-Pop-Artist-Jerome-Peschard-Portrait-2-683x1024.jpg)
French Pop Artist Jérôme Peschard Portrait / photo courtesy of Stephane Thierry
The hotel’s lobby served as an elegant backdrop for an array of Peschard’s stunning oil paintings on recycled corrugated metal, showcasing his inspiration from French Indochina.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/group-1024x684.jpg)
From Left- Tracie May, Milena Padula- Wife of Consul General of Italy to Vietnam, Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel Manager Alistair Minty, Lindsay Nutley, Consul General of Australia to Vietnam Sarah Hooper, Simon Pugh and Michael Hooper // photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
The event attracted an illustrious group of attendees, including Mrs. Sarah Hooper, Consul General of Australia to Vietnam; Mr. Daniël Stork, Consul General of the Netherlands to Vietnam; Mrs. Milena Padula, spouse of Italian Consul General Enrico Padula; and Mrs. Lê Hạnh, CEO of TVHub Vietnam. Distinguished guests also included Michelin Starred Chef/Owner Peter Cong Franklin of Ănăn Saigon, totalling one hundred and thirty of Ho Chi Minh’s leading tastemakers.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Painting-4-scaled-e1719530504956-684x1024.jpg)
photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
Guests enjoyed a selection of exquisite canapés, fine wines, and champagne while admiring Peschard’s captivating works. Adding to the allure, music by DJ Edge Pamute filled the space, and trendsetters Tracie May and Nykky Domodelled custom-embroidered Áo Dài, the national costume of Vietnam, designed by Peschard and couturière Giao Basson. A pop-up retail store showcasing Peschard’s merchandise collection also opened to the public, featuring a curated selection of home decor, limited edition numbered and artist-signed lacquer replicas of paintings, and an array of gift items. Both the boutique and the art exhibit will grace the Sofitel Saigon Plaza throughout the summer, concluding in early September.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Painting-2-scaled-e1719530437404-684x1024.jpg)
photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
This premier event highlighted the vibrant intersection of art, culture, and gastronomy, celebrating a unique fusion that will enchant visitors throughout the season, encapsulating Sofitel Hotel and Resort’s world of prestige and luxury.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Saigon_03-970x1024.png)
photos courtesy of Nick Middleton for the Sofitel Saigon Plaza.
“I’m deeply grateful to Sofitel Saigon Plaza for granting me such a fantastic platform to showcase my art. Although I am French, my heart is Vietnamese, and I’m thrilled to share my homage to Vietnam with their guests and visitors during the 60th Anniversary celebration of Sofitel Hotels and Resorts.” – Jérôme Peschard
“Marking 60 years of exceptional hospitality, we take pride in being a part of a legacy that consistently sets the standard for excellence in Asia, providing a unique experience for all modern travellers to explore Ho Chi Minh City through a French-inspired perspective.” – Mario Mendis, GM, Sofitel Saigon Plaza
ABOUT SOFITEL SAIGON PLAZA:
Sofitel Saigon Plaza harmonises the sophistication of French art de vivre with the vibrancy of local Vietnamese culture, delivering a luxury hospitality experience enriched by genuine heartfelt service. Conveniently located in a tranquil enclave on Le Duan Boulevard, Sofitel Saigon Plaza places you in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business, cultural, and shopping district. The hotel boasts 286 rooms and suites adorned with refined décor and deluxe amenities, a fitness centre featuring advanced exercise equipment, and an outdoor swimming pool with breathtaking city views. Sofitel Saigon Plaza also features five dining establishments serving local and French cuisine, seven polished meeting rooms, and an opulent ballroom equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the ideal destination for business, leisure, meetings, and gatherings.
ABOUT JÉRÔME PESCHARD:
Dubbed the “Gauguin of Vietnam,” Jérôme Peschard is a self-taught artist whose work reflects a life richly lived and creatively charged. His art bridges the past with the present, blending East and West, while drawing profound inspiration from his adopted home of Vietnam. Characterised by the use of oil on rusted corrugated iron sheets salvaged from local construction sites, his pieces reflect the very essence of Saigon – its history, development, people, culture, and vibrant spirit. Peschard’s unique fusion of Western pop art with Asian influences, inspired by comic book legend Jack Kirby and modern art icons like Basquiat and Warhol, continues to evolve as he explores new themes in his storytelling. In the dynamic energy of Vietnam, Peschard not only found his place in the world, but also his distinctive artistic identity.
Art Beyond the Glass (ABTG) returns for its 12th event on Sunday, June 30th, 2024 – The Original Bartender Art Festival
Art Beyond the Glass XII – The Original Bartender Art Festival Celebrates Cocktails, Art, Community & Inclusivity for All
Art Beyond the Glass (ABTG) returns for its 12th event on Sunday, June 30th, 2024, at the legendary Catch One nightclub!
More than 100 of LA’s top bartenders will make cocktails and showcase their artistic talents, with proceeds donated to Self Help Graphics & Art.
Since its inception, ABTG has raised more than $250,000 for arts-based nonprofits in LA and across the country.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ABTG-XI-Hotel-Bacardi-Eugene-Lee-1024x683.jpeg)
Photo Credits: Eugene Lee & Abigail Smith
Co-founded by Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates, ABTG is the original celebration of bartender artistry and widely regarded as one of the country’s premier cocktail culture festivals.
From painting to photography, live music, DJs and more, every ABTG showcases the creative pursuits of bartenders when they are not behind the bar.
“It’s hard to believe that what began as a casual conversation at Sunny Spot
in November 2011 has grown into this extraordinary event,”
Co-founder Daniel Djang
“The cocktail creativity and artistic talent of the bar community in LA and beyond never ceases to amaze me. We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsoring brands and the numerous venues that have welcomed us into their spaces. Can’t wait to reunite with the extended ABTG family at ABTG XII!”
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ABTG-XI-Class-Photo-Eugene-Lee-1024x613.jpeg)
Photo Credits: Eugene Lee & Abigail Smith
Art Beyond the Glass is taking place for the third consecutive year at Catch One, which is graciously being donated to ABTG XII for this exclusive event.
Located on Pico Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles, this landmark nightclub was opened by Jewel Thais-Williams in 1973 as Jewel’s Catch One, a pioneering LGBTQ+ disco. Featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting, the massive venue spans two floors and multiple indoor and outdoor spaces.
For the 12th annual Los Angeles event, Art Beyond the Glass is honored to be raising funds for Self Help Graphics & Art (SHG), which fosters the creation and advancement of new artworks by Chicana/o and Latinx artists through experimental and innovative printmaking techniques and other visual art forms.
Since 1973, SHG has been at the intersection of arts and social justice, providing a home that fosters the creativity and development of local artists. SHG establishes international collaborations and partnerships nationwide and creates worldwide cultural exchanges.
ABTG is once again partnering with their fiscal partner Another Round Another Rally, a nonprofit financial resource for the hospitality industry.
ARAR co-founder Travis Nass: “It is an honor to be a part of one of the most creative, innovative industry events across the country. We have always loved ABTG, and it is such a pleasure to be able to work with them again this year. We could not be prouder to work with this wonderful organization.”
ABTG will feature dozens of Bartenders from LA’s top bars and restaurants, including All Day Baby, Apotheke, Bar Flores, Bar Next Door,Death & Co, Fanny’s, General Lee’s, Level 8, Lustig, The Mermaid, Mother Tongue, Nativo, Roger Room, Scum & Villainy, The Varnish, along with pop-up bars and a special Legacy Team.
“Art Beyond the Glass has become so important to the bar community,”
Clare Ward
ABTG Head of Production
“Bartenders are makers. We make drinks. We make art. We make community. This is the perfect event to celebrate everything we do.”
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ABTG-XI-Band-Abigail-Smith-1024x683.jpeg)
Photo Credits: Eugene Lee & Abigail Smith
Guests will also be able to buy bartender art, shop handmade items by bartenders, and bid on silent auction items.
![](https://dailyovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ABTG-XI-Star-Trek-Smoke-Gun-Eugene-Lee-1024x695.jpeg)
Photo Credits: Eugene Lee & Abigail Smith
ABTG XII is being made possible by its generous sponsors: Amaras, Bacardi, Balcones, Barr Hill, Beam Suntory, Bushmills, Calisco, Deutsch Family, Dirty Sue, Filthy Food, Flor de Caña, Fords, Hedonistas, High West, Jack Daniel’s, Juliette, Kin, Liquid Alchemist, Mal Bien, Mommenpop, Montenegro, Pinhook, Proper 12, Real Del Valle, Ritual, St Benevolence, St George, Seedlip, Silvergrin, Spiribam, Tito’s, Tromba, True Believers, Underberg, West Coast Ice, and Zomoz.
Ticket information: ABTG XII will take place from 3pm to 7pm on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Catch One.
General Admission tickets are on sale at the Catch One website for $65 per person until 3pm on June 30.
If still available, tickets will be sold at the door for $75 per person.Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over.
The all-inclusive ticket includes entry, cocktail samples, art gallery, entertainment and bar bites. In addition, guests will be able to purchase bartender artwork, buy raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items such as artwork, photography, rare spirits and more. All proceeds fromABTG XII will be donated to Self Help Graphics & Art.
# # #
About Art Beyond the Glass:
Art Beyond the Glass was founded in 2011 by Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates as a special event for bartenders to showcase their artistic talents when they’re not behind the bar. From cocktails to paintings, photography, live music, DJs, spoken word and more, ABTG is a celebration of bartender artistry inside and beyond the glass. Proceeds from every ABTG event are donated to a local arts-based nonprofit – to date, ABTG has donated more than $250,000 to these vital community organizations.
FOLLOW ART BEYOND THE GLASS:
Instagram: @abtgla Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtBeyondTheGlass
Catch One
4067 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
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Come Taste Silverlake’s Casita Del Campo May 15 to Celebrate 60 Years in Business
Come Taste Silverlake’s Casita Del Campo May 15 to Celebrates 60 Years in Business
There is truly no place or space like Casita Del Campo.
Since May 15th, 1962 when the restaurant first opened, by artist and dancer, Rudy Martin Del Campo, who appeared in the original West Side Story film, this restaurant has created moments and memories that transcend time.
Casita Del Campo was a business idea but Rudy also wanted to create a haven for his creative community, a unique and thoughtful space where they could come together, enjoy a meal and some entertainment.
Casita Del Campo has become an institution in the community of Silverlake and the city of Los Angeles.
The Del Campo family that continue to run and oversee all operations are proud and appreciative to be able to celebrate 60 years of business and patronage on Sunday, May 15th, 2022.
Related: Silverlake’s Casita Del Campo maintains its charm, its originality and its creativity
Throughout these past few years of hardship near and far, it is truly a testament to the power of community that Casita Del Campo continues to stand, tall and proud and bright and bold.
It is such a rare occurrence these days to be able to maintain a restaurant let alone have success for 60 years, but Casita Del Campo has continued to grow, to shine and to find its way amidst the chaos.
The clients that pour in, both regulars and newcomers alike, call this place a second home, it is an oasis in the center of the city where many come to seek solace, to have a laugh and to enjoy one of the many nectars of a joyous life, a solid margarita.
Rudy Del Campo, of Mexican descent and his beautiful wife, Nina Del Campo, of Colombian descent ran Casita Del Campo their whole adult lives, expanding by buying neighboring properties and continuously seeking new motives and ways to make the business more successful.
They were married for 40 years, completely involved in everyday operations and were avid supporters of the LGBTQ community and the neighboring community of Silverlake and beyond.
As both Rudy and Nina passed away some years ago, their son, Robert Martin Del Campo, continues the legacy of this magical restaurant and has dedicated his efforts to making it stay current with the times and continuously improving in every possible way.
As Robert puts it:
“this place was made with love and that is the most important ingredient of how it still runs to this day.”
His creative passion for the arts is evident in all the pieces you see in each room and his wife, Gina Martin Del Campo, an artist who studied at UCLA is the incredible mastermind behind all the stained-glass patio tables that many come to the restaurant to sit at while enjoying the beautiful SoCal weather.
Related: Los Angeles most colorful Mexican Cuisine at El Granjero Cantina
A rarity in the ever evolving, trendy neighborhood of Los Angeles, Casita Del Campo has maintained its charm, its originality and its creativity. The staff and the vibe has truly remained very similar to the day it opened on May 15,1962.
The music flows through an epic sound system, the drinks are constantly being shaken behind the bar and the waiters have become like family to many local aficionados. Of course, the sizzling and delicious food that comes from the kitchen is a huge part of the love for Casita Del Campo, and the original recipes and cooking practices have remained consistent since the day the restaurant opened 60 years ago.
Every morning, fresh vegetables are chopped for the salsa and dishes, the guacamole and chips are made fresh on the daily as well as the home-style soups passed down from Grandma’s recipes.
As featured in the Casita Del Campo’s “60th Anniversary Menu”
some favorites include the Casitas Special, a sharable appetizer served with six mini tortillas topped with chicken or beef, accompanied by sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo and beans.
The Sizzling Fajitas are fun and delicious, the Carnitas are tender and packed with flavor and the Enchiladas are an absolute must. Of course, the meal should always end with Casita Del Campo’s homemade Flan which is just sweet, sweet perfection.
The bar is led by Antonio Cruz, who created some special Anniversary Cocktails including a Mexican Mule which is made with Don Julio Tequila, ginger beer, a splash of soda water, fresh lime juice and mint and the refreshing and popular Blackberry Margarita made with Don Julio Tequila, muddled blackberries and raspberries, agave and fresh lime juice.
Obviously, you can never go wrong with the Classic Casita Margarita made with Tequila, our freshly made lime juice and a little triple sec. The original creative Margarita flavors include Pomegranate, Guava, Ginger, Strawberry, Mango, Melon, Watermelon, Peachand for a little kick, Jalapeño.
The Casita Del Campo bar
The Casita Del Campo bar is a full bar and although the Tequila is the main star, every cocktail is a winner.
The Casita Del Campo Cavern Club Theatre
The Cavern Club Theatre downstairs hosts a wide array of comedy, drag-strip and holiday shows that bring people near and far who are fans of the acts including many celebrities who enjoy a good laugh.
It is an experience that one can have only at Casita Del Campo. You grab a drink, head downstairs and enjoy some of the best laughs you will ever have. The theatre is run by Mr. Dan, who is part of the family as he has been there for over 30 years and brings new customers and faces to the restaurant with every show. The family is very appreciative to have him and to be a supporter of something so unique and embraced in LA.
To celebrate 60 years is to celebrate something many restaurant business owners never get the chance to and that means the world to the Del Campo family. They have celebrated special occasions, momentous moments and have created life memories together here and they wouldn’t choose any other place to be.
The passion, the love and the attention to detail is obvious in every corner of the large space.
Everyone that walks into Casita Del Campo becomes a member of this joyous, creative and fun family and you better believe they will be back. It is not one thing, one dish or one person that makes this restaurant what it is, but it is the combination of so many ingredients and efforts that vividly showcase what family and legacy means. Life’s worries stay at the door once you arrive, have a seat at the incredible mosaic patio table by the fountain, enjoy an Anniversary cocktail and a smile from our staff, because if nothing else, Casita Del Campo is here for you and is here to stay.
60 Years of life, love, passion, art, good food and drink at Casita Del Campo and a lifetime to go!
Casita Del Campo will celebrate 60 years on Sunday, May 15th, 2022 for all the amazing patrons from 12:00 pm noon to closing with live entertainment, special guests, margaritas and lots of smiles.
Casita Del Campo is open every Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 12am and then Sunday from 11am to 10pm.
There is a special 60th Anniversary Menu offered every day at 4:00 pm to closing, a Lunch Menu offered from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday through Friday and a Brunch Menu offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Casita Del Campo offers Happy Hour every day from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Casita Del Campo has special rooms available for private parties and celebrations.
For more information please visit http://casitadelcampo.net or call 323.662.4255. The address is 1920 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
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New Years Eve: Enjoy Sparkling Wine with Signature Menu at Emilia Ristorante
This New Years Eve: Enjoy Sparkling Wine with Signature Menu at Emilia Ristorante
Grab your sparklers and stroll over to Emilia Ristorante this New Year’s Eve and sip a Sparkling Wine with savoring Emilia Ristorante’s Signature Menu featuring Al Centro Tavola (Something to Share), Insalate (Salads), Paste & Risotto, I Secondi (Main Dish), I Contorni (Sides), and Desserts, where each dish inspired from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and can also be perfectly paired with a White Wine, Rosé, or Red Wine from Emilia Ristorante’s award-winning Wine List.
NEW YEAR’S DAY:
Get ready to roll out of bed and into 2023 by heading to Emilia Ristorante for Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch!
Enjoy Emilia Ristorante’s Breakfast & Lunch or Weekend Brunch Menus featuring Uova in Camicia, two organic poached eggs served over sautéed jumbo green asparagus, topped with smoked Guanciale Hollandaise sauce and sliced Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese,
Focaccia da Colazione, flatbread with smoked mozzarella, sliced tomato and crispy Guanciale, topped with a sunny-side-up egg, arugula and sliced Parmigiano,
La Piadina di Mattina, an Emilia-Romagna traditional bread roll, filled with two organic scrambled eggs, Fontina cheese, Italian ham, served with side of mixed-green salad,
Quiche agli Asparagi e Provolone, traditional Italian-quiche puff pastry with Fontina cheese and asparagus, served with an organic mixed-green salad,
Toast Francese, French toast topped with mixed berries, served with organic maple syrup,
Salmone Affumicato, King salmon plate, softened cream cheese, topped with shred hard boiled eggs, diced red onion, chives, crispy capers, served with toasted sourdough bread,
Uovo alla Benedettina, two organic poached eggs, served over house-made focaccia bread, topped with Italian ham, Provolone cheese, and smoked Guanciale Hollandaise, and much more.
Toast Francese, Photo Credit: Wonho Photography
Each of these beautiful Breakfast, Lunch and Weekend Brunch dishes can be perfectly paired with an Italian Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Rosé, or Red Wine from Emilia Ristorante’s award-winning Wine List.
Emilia Ristorante will be open on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31st, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Emilia Ristorante will be open on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1st, 2023, for Brunch and Lunch from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and for Dinner from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; 8500 Burton Way, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 424.999.4755; www.EmiliaLA.com
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Ordering Chinese food in Los Angeles? HungryPanda want to Help
Ordering Chinese food in Los Angeles? HungryPanda want to Help
Leveraging their industry-leading delivery services, the HungryPanda app seamlessly connects food, people and culture.
HungryPanda goes further with Asian food culture
The ‘Golden Panda Award’ is a symbol of excellence in the global overseas Chinese food industry, setting the highest standard for culinary achievement.
It stands as the world’s exclusive international honor specifically dedicated to recognizing restaurant businesses in the food delivery sector. This prestigious award embodies commitment to promoting and celebrating outstanding achievements in the realm of international Chinese cuisine.
Kitty Lu from HungryPanda
Joe Winger:
We are here today with Kitty Lu from HungryPanda.
Help me get to know HungryPanda.co
Kitty Lu:
HungryPanda serves a niche market for Asian communities. We were established in 2017, founded in the UK when our CEO and the founding team were studying in Nottingham University.
The platform was born from a very simple, but compelling need experienced first hand, by the founders as international students, struggling to find authentic Chinese food in the UK.
From that outset, HungryPanda started to really focus sharply on that particular niche market, tailoring our user experience with Chinese interfaces to overcome culture and language barriers.
That’s how our app got started. We are very lucky enough to be growing really fast within the past six years.
Now we expanded into 10 different countries, including: US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
Joe Winger:
Different cultures, maybe different ways people use their phones, different apps.
What challenges has HungryPanda faced as you enter the very competitive North America market?
Kitty Lu:
Local regulatory requirements that we need to meet. Every country, every region has different regulations, and especially with food delivery.
The U.S. is actually coming out with all the new regulations lately, therefore that’s one of the challenges as well.
Also intense competition from established local and global brands.
When we entered the North American market, Door Dash, Uber, the giants, had already occupied the mass market. In the Asian food delivery market, we also have competitors like, Chow Bus and others.
Obviously we were the new brand going to the market.
Therefore, that’s the main challenge that we faced. But, we were actually quite confident and, lucky enough because we have a very good team structure. All of our team members have experience opening markets in different countries.
So unlike Uber or DoorDash, when they are opening a new market, for example, North American market and Australian market is very different. People have different consumer behavior. But for us the good thing is, although we are in different countries, we are serving the same type of people, which is the overseas Asian customers, therefore the consumer behavior is rather similar.
Although we have the challenge, it’s easier for us to actually dive in and then adapt in a rapid rhythm.
HungryPanda
Joe Winger:
Is North America the toughest audience when it comes to regulations?
Kitty Lu:
With regulations, we’re talking more towards the drivers, how do we protect them?
Obviously there are minimum standards. Because what we call the “gig economy” is still considered a new industry, no matter what part of the world.
North America, Australia, the UK, all the countries are coming out with new regulations to actually protect this particular industry.
We are all at the same stage, growing from a new industry to a more mature industry.
Joe Winger:
Your company released a food trends report from 2023. What’s the biggest takeaway?
Kitty Lu:
Consumer interest in the authenticity and quality in food.
When you talk about Chinese food in North America or the UK, the first thing you think of is actually Cantonese food because [it] arrived first.
Now we can see all the hot Sichuan hot pots and malatang, all these are more modern and, trendy or more northern cuisine start to really get in the picture. popularity.
This is something that’s blowing our mind as well.
It’s a strong signal to the food industry to really focus on the authenticity, offering high quality ingredients. This is something I think is actually quite interesting.
Joe Winger:
Talking about trends, anything was surprising?
Kitty Lu:
The most popular category is definitely Boba tea. Now, as.
As we can see the hot pot, stuff actually, coming on top of, all this fried chicken, bubble tea and stuff. That suggests our local consumers start to really adapt into a more authentic flavor Chinese food instead of people always ordering honey chicken, spring side pork.
They learn to really understand, oh, that’s you know, Chinese people eat in China, they really start to learn and understand and admire about the spice actually in the food.
This is something actually I find quite interesting.
Joe Winger:
That’s really a big change.
Based on your 2023 report, any predictions for 2024?
Kitty Lu:
The rise in the family demands, so AOV ( average order value) keeps growing. Food delivery is not growing accommodating only for one person, two person, but it’s starting to expand, for more towards a family’s demands.
We can anticipate the age group that actually accepting or keep using the food delivery services actually start to grow and expand as well.
Also predicting new services for delivery companies. We can actually see the trend that many people start to order.
Pick up orders from the app and you can go straight to the restaurant to pick it up without waiting. It’s helps you jump the queue.
When you order a pickup it’s actually cheaper than ordering at the shop itself.
Therefore, this is actually one of the trends that we can see. It’s actually start to grow.
Joe Winger:
How do your users want the experience to go for them?
Kitty Lu:
During the pandemic, everything had to be contactless. Therefore the pickup feature was actually created during that period and blossomed afterwards.
Joe Winger:
Now you just mentioned the pandemic. Your company learned a lot from that experience, like how much packaging matters.
Can you talk a little bit more about what you learned about packaging?
Kitty Lu:
First thing we need to discuss is the difference between Asian food and Western food.
When it comes to Chinese food, generally it’s very heavy on sauces. Therefore, restaurants have to elevate the packaging standards to ensure the food quality can remain consistent.
When you order Chinese food, you expect it to still be hot, to have the best of flavor. Iit often [comes] with soup and if the packaging is not good, it actually leaks.
That has always been a challenge that Asian food delivery faces.
China created a new trend with laminate packaging to make sure all the packaging is sealed and kept warm. That helped the whole industry globally to maintain higher standards.
Joe Winger:
There’s nothing worse than when you get the package to your house and it’s broken, ripped, it’s spilled.
The superior packaging isn’t about looking pretty necessarily. It’s about keeping your food secure.
Kitty Lu:
That’s right. Another thing we have to consider is [being] environmental friendly.
The Chinese food industry has been blamed for using too much plastic to begin with. Therefore, the new packaging uses aluminum.
Joe Winger:
So your HungryPanda app itself has a lot of features. Can you let’s talk through some of the most popular features?
Kitty Lu:
Comparing with other apps, one thing we find quite convenient is that on the front page we have a very full restaurant list with tabs: by distance, by popularity, by discounts, by reviews, by delivery times. So it’s very easy for you to access.
Other apps have the categories but limited restaurants.
Joe Winger:
What’s the best way for an Asian restaurant to make the most of this opportunity of this new food trend?
Kitty Lu:
I think In the age of technology leveraging online platforms for visibility, working with a food delivery platform is definitely one of the ways to help them really engage with consumers.
When we talk about foodies, they are young, they’re always on social media. They’re always online. Therefore, promoting yourself in front of them is very important.
We use our channels to really promote different restaurants to help them to expand their reach within their comfort zone.
Joe Winger:
What’s your favorite food? What would you order on your app?
Kitty Lu:
My favorite food is [the same as] the trend report. Sichuan malatang.
So that shows the report’s authenticity. The audience like the food like a real Chinese person.
The reason why I like the malatang is because not only is it delicious, but it’s actually quite healthy as well.
It’s a hot spicy soup, but you put in fresh vegetables, fresh meat, it’s like you’re cooking your own hot pot
And it’s a very balanced and nutritious meal. Flavorful when you put all these different ingredients into one pot of soup. Brings you more flavors and it’s very fast [to make].
Joe Winger:
What is HungryPanda’s user coverage look like?
Kitty Lu:
We have about 30 cities covered in the U. S. Obviously, New York, L.A., all major cities itself. I would be more than happy to provide you with the full on city list. We’re in Canada as well and just over 80 cities all around the globe.
Joe Winger:
For the audience who’s watching and listening right now, what’s the best next step? How can they enjoy this app?
Kitty Lu:
If they haven’t downloaded it yet, give it a try.
For new users, we actually have new user vouchers available for them to have a few free deliveries.
You can order to deliver, you can order to pick up it’s very convenient to use, very simple. Obviously we have a much wider supply for Asian food.
Therefore, if you are a Asian food lover, you should have HungryPanda on your phone.
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