Category Archives: Tuna Toast Ten

Tuna Toast Ten

(and Tuna Toast 3rd Anniversary!)

I am still sorting through the gazillion or so photos I took during my South America trip so they’re coming, but not before we post another titallating Tuna Toast Ten! Thanks to Nicole Landau, who was gracious enough to do the TT10 a couple of weeks back, we had the chance to talk with Troy Smith, Sommelier at Montage in Laguna Beach. It seems appropriate to have a sommelier do this version since it falls on the 3rd anniversary of this blog, so a toast is in order…for Tuna Toast! Three years ago on 11/11, I posted my very first entry after discovering that I could post my nonsensical food ramblings and people would actually be interested. Whodathunkit??

Uh, ok, lame jokes aside, thanks to the two faithful readers who have stayed with me through both blogging and non-blogging spells and lots of awful photography (and there’s lots more of THAT to come, folks!). So thank you!

Now, onto more important things….another action-packed Tuna Toast Ten!

Name: Troy Smith
Occupation: Sommelier, Montage Laguna Beach
City, State of residence: Laguna Niguel, CA
Website/blog/thing you’d like to pimp:http://www.newmedici.com/ A media and lifestyle holding company put together by sommelier Bonnie Graves and her partners, which in part provides Beverage program consulting and wine event coordination.

1. The best restaurant meal I’ve had recently is: Craft, Los Angeles. Served in an unfussy style without pretense, an attractive combination of refinement and rusticity. Each element of the meal was prepared flawlessly, but save your pennies, because nothing on the menu is inexpensive.

2. If money wasn’t an issue, I would want to eat at: Alinea in Chicago, the El Bulli of the U.S.

3. The food I eat most often is: Pasta. Incredibly versatile, easy to make (even from scratch) and nearly universal.

4. No great meal is complete without: People to share it with. What’s the point of having a great meal all by yourself?

5. The best cheap eats in my neighborhood: In&Out. I know it seems like a low-brow cop-out but it’s always fresh and always good. [Ed note: I couldn't agree with you more. In & Out is where it's at for cheap eats!]

6. There’s no way in hell I’d ever eat: Baluts. Do you know what that stuff is?! Further proof that the term “delicacy” is just a ploy to trick unsuspecting foreigners into eating something horrible for the amusement of locals. There’s a reason it’s usually consumed with beer. I suspect lots and lots of beer is involved. [Ed note: A balut (Trứng vịt lộn or Hột vịt lộn in Vietnamese, Pong tea khon in Cambodian) is a fertilized duck (or chicken) egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell according to my favorite-yet-not-always-totally-accurate-websource, Wikipedia. I have shivers running down my spine…but not in a good way. Good grief.]

7. My go-to dish I’d cook for guests is: I make a conscious effort to cook something different each time I entertain, so I don’t really have a go-to dish.

8. Man can’t live on food alone, so my favorite libation is: I’m pretty much obliged to say “wine” since I am a sommelier, but it really depends on where I am, what I’m eating, and quite frankly, what’s on hand. I guess when it really comes down to it, I’ll drink almost anything with alcohol in it.

9. My favorite guilty food pleasure is (c’mon….be HONEST!): Doritos. All flavors. [Ed note: Being a Sun Chip worshipper myself, I totally feel the chip love, I really do.]

10. My favorite food-related website/blog is (no obligation to list TT, we’re completely objective over here!): Inasmuch as wine is a food: http://www.thewinedoctor.com/. The site has a tremendous amount of information, but the producer profiles are outstanding. Well-written and informative without being to geeky. All things being relative, of course. A great resource overall.

Tuna Toast Ten

This week we’ve put a gun to the head of LA’s own Lesley Balla, Editor of Eater LA, to answer the ten questions on the minds of hungry people everywhere (or just here). If you haven’t checked Eater LA, you should- it’s the best place to hear about restaurant openings, restaurant closings, chef news, sightings of celebrities noshing (proof that some of them actually DO eat!) and other Los Angeles food-related happenings.

Name: Lesley Balla

Occupation: Editor, Eater LA; freelance writer
City, State of residence: Pasadena, CA
Website/blog/thing you’d like to pimp: Eater LA of course

1. The best restaurant meal I’ve had recently is:

I feel like I’ve been to more events/parties than actual dinners lately, so I have to say the spontaneous lunch at Pizzeria Mozza is a standout. Not only did we get a great seat at the pizza bar (and not too long of a wait), the clam pizza, meatballs, burrata with pesto, and budino rocks it every time. [Ed note: the budino is, IMHO, hands down, the best dessert in Los Angeles. It really does rock it in a way nothing else can.]

2. If money wasn’t an issue, I would want to eat at:

El Bulli first, Urasawa second.

3. The food I eat most often is:

Coffee, some version of pizza, sushi. Pretty much in that order.

4. No great meal is complete without:

A great martini, fine wine, good company.

5. The best cheap eats in my neighborhood:

I don’t eat in my neighborhood as much as I should. When I do, it’s usually for lunch because I’m off galavanting all over town for dinners. If I don’t just whip up something easy at my office (home), I probably grab a sandwich (chicken salad on rosemary currant bread) or pastry from
Europane. Cheap eats, considering. [Ed note: I love this place myself....the turkey sandwich is insane as is their bread pudding....wow]

6. There’s no way in hell I’d ever eat:

I hate saying that I’ll never try anything, but tripe stands out. I don’t know if I can handle any of those nasty soups Zimmern and Bourdain eat on their shows, but who knows.

7. My go-to dish I’d cook for guests is:

I honestly don’t have one go-to. I cook whatever inspires me. I make a mean cornmeal-crusted fried chicken, damn good short ribs, and anything with pasta. I love to bake. [Ed note: Mmmm fried chicken......]

8. Man can’t live on food alone, so my favorite libation is:

You’ll most likely see me drinking a gin martini (love the Hendricks) or a glass of wine. I love beer, too, though. Can you tell I’m indecisive today?

9. My favorite guilty food pleasure is (c’mon….be HONEST!):

There’s this roasted artichoke dip from Trader Joe’s that I just love. But it’s dangerous: I can polish it off with some crackers in one sitting, so I try not to buy it.

10. My favorite food-related website/blog is (no obligation to list
TT, we’re completely objective over here!):

I could say Eater LA, but that’s cheap. I really scan way too many on a daily basis to pick just one. Let’s just say this: I’m addicted to my Bloglines feeds.

The Tuna Toast Ten

This week, our noodle-slurping friend and amateur comedian Rameniac steps up to tackle the Tuna Toast Ten.
Name: Rickmond, AKA Rameniac
Occupation: Ramen eater
City, State of residence: Los Angeles, CA
Website/blog/thing you’d like to pimp: Rameniac

1. The best restaurant meal I’ve had recently was:

Just tonight, at Setagaya Ramen in the East Village, NYC. Or two nights ago, at Ippudo Ramen in the East Village, NYC. A toss up?! Find out soon at you-oughtta-know-where…

2. If money wasn’t an issue, I’d want to eat at:

Money is never an issue. Not because I’m filthy rich in these dire times, but rather because my momma raised me right and taught me not to skimp on food. Although she probably wasn’t thinking of Urasawa when she said that. With all that in mind, I’d still be eating $5 chicken pho at Hoan Kiem.

3. The food I eat most often is:

Bolthouse Farms Blueberry Smoothies… Monday – Fridays, four servings a day! (Ed note: Wow, who knew you were such a health nut!)

4. No great meal is complete without:

A drunken companion and an indiscriminate fumble resulting the droppage of some really small pieces of fabric. (Ed note: Hey hey! This is a family blog…..not sure what this means but it sounds dirty……!)

5. The best cheap eats in my neighborhood:

$5 chicken pho at Hoan Kiem.

6. There’s no way in hell I’d ever eat:

Poo. Some people are into that, but no. That would be crossing a very firm line. (Ed note: I may have to re-phrase this question since I mean what FOOD wouldn’t you eat. But poo is a good answer I suppose…..and everyone reading would probably agree with you.)

7. My go-to dish I’d cook for guests is:

What is this “cooking” thing you speak of?

8. Man can’t live on food alone, so my favorite libation is:

…..ever-changing like the fickle wind. Or whatever gets the job done.

9. My favorite guilty food pleasure is:

I don’t feel guilty about much of anything. As a recovering Catholic, the guilt cortex has been permanently lobotomized from my brain.

10. My favorite food-related website/blog is:

Rameniac! I check it every day, in fact. Even when I don’t post an update.

The Tuna Toast Ten

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another edition of our new weekly feature, The Tuna Toast Ten (cue thunderous applause). It’s just a list of ten food-related questions that will be answered by a different person every Tuesday. Who’s in the hot seat this week (meaning who did I beg and plead with to do this)? It’s Los Angeles-based entertainment reporter Marc Istook, with whom I have the pleasure of working with and chatting about food with on a daily basis. Marc lists Food Network’s “Gotta Get It” as one of his many television credits and is currently a reporter for Hollywood 411. He makes a mean cheesecake and is the go-to guy on any cooking-related segment we produce, including one we just shot with Marco Pierre White.

Occupation: TV Entertainment Reporter
City, State of residence: Los Angeles, CA
Website/blog/thing you’d like to pimp: Hollywood 411 on TV Guide Network

1. The best restaurant meal I’ve had recently is:
Hamasaku on Santa Monica in Westwood. Just incredible. I’m still learning to love sushi, but the combination of creative pairings and amazing flavors made this a meal I won’t forget for awhile.

2. If money wasn’t an issue, I would want to eat at:
I’d want to eat at Urasawa in Beverly Hills. I used to work near there and have heard nothing but good things about the eating experience. That, or El Bulli.

3. The food I eat most often is:
I eat a lot of sandwiches. But instead of just slapping some meat between two pieces of bread, I try to get creative with meats, toppings (salsa on a sandwich? I say yes!), paninis, condiments, etc. Rarely will I make an uncooked sandwich.

4. No great meal is complete without:
A good starter. No matter what you’re eating, or where, the right appetizer can set the table (no pun intended) for an even better meal.

5. The best cheap eats in my neighborhood:
California Roll Factory, 11629 Santa Monica Blvd. It’s a good combination of relatively inexpensive sushi, a fun ambience and proximity — within walking distance of my apartment.

6. There’s no way in hell I’d ever eat:
I’ve made it this far without foie gras, and given all the uproar over force-fed ducks, I might be able to make it another 32 years without. [Ed note: I respect that, but I love me some foie...sad but true!]

7. My go-to dish I’d cook for guests is:
I make a mean guacamole. I also think salmon or tuna steaks are easy dishes that can taste great without a ton of prep work.

8. Man can’t live on food alone, so my favorite libation is:
Anything with alcohol. Seriously. I’m not picky. Red wine, white. Beer. Margaritas. Jack and Coke. Whatever. And for dessert, champagne. [Ed note: ahhh, the truth comes out! Closet lush!]

9. My favorite guilty food pleasure is (c’mon….be HONEST!):
There are so many. It’d be between pizza, a good, fat steak, cheesecake or Oreos.

10. My favorite food-related website/blog is (no obligation to list TT, we’re completely objective over here!):
I’m lazy. The Food Network website is easy. Especially because I can find the recipes I watched Bobby, Paula and Giada make on TV. [Ed note: Looks like Foodnetwork.com just revamped their site- much better than the old one!]

The Tuna Toast Ten


Here’s the first edition of our new weekly feature, The Tuna Toast Ten. It’s just a list of ten food-related questions that will be answered by a different person every Tuesday.

For the very first edition, I thought it’d be appropriate to ask my fellow blogger, friend and unofficial adopted little brother, Dylan, who writes one of my favorite food blogs, Eat, Drink & Be Merry, to kick it all off. Enjoy!

Name: Dylan



Occupation: Art director/graphic designer
City, State of residence: Silver Lake, CA
Website/blog/thing you’d like to pimp: Eat, drink & be merry

1. The best restaurant meal I’ve had recently is:

Palate, Glendale. The food cooked by Chef Octavio Becerra, formerly of Patina, is filled with flavor and soul.

2. If money wasn’t an issue, I would want to eat at:

Urusawa. I’d probably eat sushi 4 x’s a week if I could afford it.

3.The food I eat most often is:

Asian noodle soup! That’s easily 4 x’s a week. (Ed note: Dylan is the expert on Asian noodle soup- he even taught Bourdain a thing or two about his favorite dish!)

4. No great meal is complete without:

Hookers, midgets, a keg, narcotics, strobe lights and techno music. Just kidding. I’d say company.

5. The best cheap eats in my neighborhood:

In SGV (Ed note: That’s San Gabriel Valley for all you non-SoCal-ers), virtually every restaurant is a good deal. At the moment, it’s Armenian ‘pizza’ called lahmejune. it’s $.75 each at the local Armenian market!

6. There’s no way in hell I’d ever eat:

Nothing I won’t try eating once.

7. My go-to dish I’d cook for guests is:

Anything braised in my Le Creuset pot. You throw whatever in, throw it in a 500 oven for 2.5 hours and magic happens.

8. Man can’t live on food alone, so my favorite libation is:

Belgian beer.

9. My favorite guilty food pleasure is (c’mon….be HONEST!):

Bacon, pork belly, anything with eggs, anything with chili and $.99 deep fried stuff from fast-food joints.

10. My favorite food-related website/blog is (no obligation to list TT, we’re completely objective over here!):

To tell you the truth, I don’t read food blogs. (Ed note: Is that why you met your fiancée via food blogging? You two are the “It” couple of the food blogging world!)