Los Angeles City Guide | Hinoki & The Bird

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The Pros

- Chef David Myers

- Chef Kuniko Yagi

- Bartender Brandyn Tepper

It was Chef David Myers’ travels through the Silk Road that led to his latest restaurant Hinoki & The Bird. The inspiration comes from Asian, the ingredients mostly from California. The menu features small plate dishes and creative cocktails. You’ll find lots of seafood, including the much talked about lobster roll, and cocktails that range from the Gordon’s Cup with gin, lime, cucumber and Szechuan pepper and salt to Swizzles made with a range of ingredients from Amontillado sherry to Bermudan rum. Along with Myers, the crew includes Japanese-born executive chef Kuniko Yagi and head barman Brandyn Tepper.

The Hinoki & The Bird team fill us in about their restaurant and pass along their favorite places to eat, drink and shop in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles City Guide | Hinoki & The Bird

December 9, 2013

Chef David Myers, Chef Kuniko Yagi, Bartender Brandyn Tepper

Hinoki & The Bird’s Lobster Roll

Photograph courtesy of Hinoki & The Bird

The Food

Kuniko: The experience we’re creating at Hinoki & the Bird is inspired by our travels all over the world, specifically throughout Japan and Southeast Asia, and the bounty of California ingredients. There’s an abundance of great farmers’ markets and access to local farms and farmers. Our climate is ideal for growing just about everything. The must tries on the menu include: the Lobster Roll, Chili Crab Toast and the Sambal Skate Wing.

Cocktails by bartender Brandyn Tepper

Photograph courtesy of Hinoki & The Bird

The Cocktails

Brandyn: The cocktails follow the 18A Program that is instilled at all David Myers Group restaurants. An 18A cocktail encompasses classic cocktails done how they were originally made before prohibition, using quality spirits and the freshest ingredients available. At Hinoki, we might put a twist on the classics, however the formula and template remains the same.

[Get bartender Brandyn Tepper’s spirits tips and recommendations.]

Los Angeles City Guide

Find | Markets

Ingredients for Matsutake Gohan

Photograph courtesy of Nijiya Market

Nijiya Market

David: A Japanese market where it’s all about organic products and unique Japanese ingredients-- this is the market I head to to get all my ingredients for cooking at home. Whether it’s a shabu shabu or a hotpot, it has everything I need.

Kuniko: I can find the best selection of Japanese organic produce and condiments here, like shiso leaves, cucumbers, eggplant, red shiso powder, yuzo kosho and white soy sauce. I like coming here to buy things for my own personal use, not for the restaurant. They actually grow the fruits and vegetables here in the states, but the seeds are originally from Japan.

2130 Sawtelle Boulevard, Los Angeles

T: 310.575.3300 | www.nijiya.com

Find | Glassware

Tortoise General Store

Photograph courtesy of Tortoise

Tortoise General Store

Kuniko: They have more in the shop besides culinary related items, but they sell H.S. Glassware which is a Japanese line of glasses that we use at Hinoki & The Bird. They also sell these adorable crane ginger graters that I love. I have one at home, but they are also great little gifts.

1208 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291

T: 310.314.8448 | www.tortoiselife.com

Find | Barware

Everything for your bar at Bar Keeper

Photograph courtesy of Bar Keeper

Bar Keeper

Brandyn: This is a one-stop shop for all your cocktail, glassware and spirit needs — go visit Joe Keeper at Bar Keeper in Silverlake.

3910 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90029

T: 323.669.1675 | www.barkeepersilverlake.com

Eat | Italian

Charcuterie at Bestia

Photograph courtesy of Bestia

Bestia

Kuniko: The pizza and pasta are great, but their antipasti is the best I’ve ever had.

Brandyn: I keep finding myself back at Bestia. It’s an Italian restaurant in the Arts District of Downtown. Bestia is arguably the best Italian food in the city. Chef Ori Menashe is doing some pretty incredible things here and he makes sure I always leave on a full stomach. They have so many great dishes, but a must-get is the ricotta cavatelli with sausage and black truffles.

2121 East 7th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90021

T: 213.514.5724 | www.bestiala.com

Eat | Californian

Gjelina

Photograph courtesy of Gjelina

Gjelina

David: I try to show visiting chefs what California cuisine is in my eyes, so I typically take them to Gjelina. It exemplifies California and our market-driven nature. The ambience is great and Travis Lett is a great chef in the local community.

1429 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291

T: 310.450.1429 | www.gjelina.com

Chicken & Waffles at The Tasting Kitchen

Photograph courtesy of The Tasting Kitchen

The Tasting Kitchen

Brandyn: A favorite for everything from the food, to the bar program headed up by Justin Pike, to the atmosphere. Abbott Kinney Boulevard was named coolest / trendiest block in America a couple years back, and this restaurant is a great example of why. However, what’s best about the Tasting Kitchen is the fact that they do Saturday and Sunday brunch. I’m always in the mood for their burger or chicken and waffle brunch dish.

1633 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291

T: 310.392.6644 | thetastingkitchen.com

Eat | Japanese

Hiko Sushi

Kuniko: Chef Hiko-san is so calm and down to earth and has an excellent palette. Every time I go, I just let him serve me whatever he wants.

11275 National Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064

T: 310.473.7688

Ramen at Daikokuya

Photograph courtesy of Daikokuya Ramen

Daikokuya Ramen

Brandyn: The original Daikokuya Ramen in Little Tokyo has the best spicy miso ramen ever for under $10. What’s great about ramen is that something so filling and flavorful is very affordable. It will be the sign of the end of the world when a bowl of ramen is not cheaper than $12.

327 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

T: 213.626.1680 | www.daikoku-ten.com

Yakitori Heart at Yakitoriya

Photograph courtesy of Yakitoriya

Yakitoriya

David: It’s a must-try LA experience. They do a great job of showcasing yakitori.

11301 W Olympic Boulevard #101, Los Angeles, CA 90064

T: 310.479.5400

Eat | Thai

Chef Kris Yenbamroong’s Thai food at Night + Market

Photograph courtesy of Night + Market

Night + Market

Kuniko: I love everything on the menu from top to bottom, hands down.

Brandyn: It’s located inside a traditional Thai food restaurant on Sunset Blvd near Doheny. Chef Kris Yenbamroong is creating street Thai food dishes that are out of this world. The food is known for being spicy that's why a large Singha beer is a must. The Chiang Rai Style Pork Larb and the Larb Gai are my favorite dishes… I also love his shrine dedicated to tennis legend Pete Sampras, thank you chef.

[Check out where Night + Market chef Kris Yenbamroong’s LA guide.]

9041 W Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

T: 310.275.9724 (make a reservation) | thenightmarket.blogspot.com

Eat | Vietnamese

Vietnamese at Nong La

Photograph courtesy of Night + Market

Nong Lá Vietnamese Café

Kuniko: It’s a Vietnamese noodle shop that servers a very LA style of pho, light and perfectly flavored. They also have a really good bahn mi.

2055 Sawtelle Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025

T: 310.268.1881 | nonglacafe.com

Eat | Vegetarian

Vegetarian at Café Gratitude

Photograph courtesy of Café Gratitude

Café Gratitude

Kuniko: I’m not a vegan, but I love their food. I usually come here on my own and get the kale salad with kimchi.

639 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004

T: 323.580.6383 | cafegratitudela.com

Drink | Cocktails

An Old Fashioned and a Martini at The Varnish

Photograph courtesy of The Varnish

The Varnish

Brandyn: Hands down, they do the best job in terms of consistency, service, hospitality and presentation. There’s a reason they’ve been named one of the best cocktail bars in America.

[Discover where The Varnish’s bartender, Eric Alperin, is drinking in LA.]

118 East 6th Street / Behind Cole’s, Los Angeles, CA 90014

www.213nightlife.com/thevarnish

Drink | Beer

The Otheroom

Photograph courtesy of The Otheroom

The Otheroom

David: I love coming here, because I really like the vibe.

Kuniko: They have a stellar beer selection.

1201 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291

T: 310.396.6230 | theotheroom.com

Drink | Dive Bar

Beau du Bois Of The Corner Door

Brandyn: I don’t often frequent dive bars, but it’s a bar I love because it’s a neighborhood bar that serves good food and has great drinks. They do an outstanding job servicing the neighborhood where the bar is located.

12477 W Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90066

T: 310.313.5810 | thecornerdoorla.com

Hinano Cafe

Photograph courtesy of Hinano Cafe

Hinano Cafe

Brandyn: It’s the one dive bar I do sometimes go to. At Hinano, it’s just beer, pool, popcorn and burgers—what more could you ask for in a dive bar.

15 W Washington Boulevard, Venice, CA 90292

T: 310.822.3902 | hinanocafevenice.com

Drink | Coffee

Coffee at Handsome Coffee Roasters

Photograph courtesy of Handsome Coffee Roasters

Handsome Coffee Roasters

Brandyn: I’m a morning person, so I need my coffee. I spend a lot of my time in the Arts District of DTLA and I love Handsome Coffee Roasters. They have the perfect milk to espresso ratio and I love the fact they do not carry cream of sugar and serve coffee the way they want to.

[Find out where the Handsome Coffee Roasters crew drinks coffee around the country.]

582 Mateo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

T: 323.606.3593 | www.handsomecoffee.com