Jessica Koslow

Steaks have been movie stars (John Travolta ordered one “bloody as hell” in “Pulp Fiction”) and used as weapons (one was hurled at John Heder’s face in “Napoleon Dynamite”). They have been devoured in eating challenges (John Candy in “The Great Outdoors”) and savored as comfort food (after dodging tornadoes in “Twister”). Whether celebrating or in the mood for a steak-out, Downtown Los Angeles offers quite a few options — with more opening every year. They range in style, including Brazilian and French and vibe. Reserve a spot at one of these top choices — and save an appetite.

This summer, Mastro’s, known for its steaks cooked 28 days, wet-aged in a 1,500-degree broiler, has rolled out its Summer of Luxury $100 prix fixe menu. Guests can choose an appetizer, entrée including a petite filet, fresh vegetables and potatoes and a dessert, including its signature warm butter cake.

“We feel that 28-day wet aging is the optimal time for flavor and for the beef to tenderize,” said Patrick Barrett, the divisional vice president of Mastro’s. “We use a house steak dry rub that’s proprietary and then put them on a broiler at 1,500 degrees, and those broilers get a nice sear on the steak, a nice crust, and lock in all the flavor.” . . .

Read the entire article at LA Downtown News.

Ten million, 512,000 minutes: This is how long Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen has been serving the Santa Monica community and beyond with its casual, farmers market-driven approach to dining. During this time, co-owner Josh Loeb met his wife, Zoe Nathan, and had three kids. The kitchen launched the careers and provided a creative space for trailblazers including opening chef Samir Mohajir, Felix Trattoria’s Evan Funke, Birdie G’s Jeremy Fox and Beethoven Market’s Michael Leonard.

“It’s been a lot of everything,” said Loeb, who, along with his wife and business partner, grew up in Santa Monica. “My restaurant journey, it’s where I met so many friends — so much learning, so much success, so much failure. A lot has happened in the last 20 years, but I’m really grateful for it. It’s been an experience that shaped and changed my life in so many ways.”

Rustic Canyon received a Michelin star in 2019 and has been listed on the Los Angeles Times’ 101 Best Restaurants list. It was ranked No. 95 on Robb Report’s “100 Greatest Restaurants of the 21st Century” and was the first in the succession of the Rustic Canyon Family of Santa Monica restaurants: Huckleberry Bakery & Café (16 years), Sweet Rose Creamery (16 years), Milo & Olive (14 years), Cassia, Esters Wine Shop & Bar, Tallula’s, Milo SRO and Birdie G’s. . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

There are quite a few things that stand out about Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen. It offers a zero-proof beverage program and a 100% halal (complying with Islamic dietary laws) menu. It is the first-ever Michelin-recognized Pakistani restaurant in Southern California and has received a Michelin Bib Gourmand every year since opening its first location in 2020 in Fullerton.

On July 16, chef-partner Imran Ali Mookhi opened the third location, following the second in Hawaiian Gardens, on Santa Monica Boulevard at 1st Street. It was formerly Tumbi Craft Indian Kitchen, and because the space was occupied by a restaurant, it only took about three to four months to transform it into Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen.

On the food menu are shareable, street-inspired dishes such as Pani Puri, goat cheese Kulcha with butter tomato sauce and the signature Sloppy Khan, a riff on a Sloppy Joe, filled with grass-fed wagyu beef. The beverage menu, curated by mixologist Ahmad Hosseini, offers refreshing mocktails such as the Basanti Ecstasy with lavender-infused molasses and lime and Devil’s Kiss with passion fruit, lime and jalapeño. . . .

Read the entire article in The Argonaut.