Five Guys with One Mission: Take Over the Burger Biz

The Burger Wars just got real, you guys.

For those of us here in Los Angeles, we all know that the undisputed reigning champ in the fast-casual burger restaurant market is In-N-Out Burger. But that could all be changing pretty soon, if the Murrell boys have anything to say about it.

Matt, Jim, Chad, Ben, and Tyler Murrell are the five brothers that make up the Five Guys burger chain that has been steadily creeping west across North America. Like some kind of culinary Manifest Destiny, the Murrells have been conquering palates wherever they’ve decided to set up shop. They’ve taken over Vegas and are currently spreading like wild fire across Southern California, opening franchises in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, and Fullerton. Before long, we will be seeing restaurants on Wilshire and Figueroa, right here in L.A., as well as on Tampa Avenue in Northridge, right next door to where an In-N-Out currently resides! Those sound like fighting words to me... And I can’t wait.

Though I haven’t yet had the pleasure of sampling the Five Guys menu, from what everyone has told me, it blows In-N-Out out of the water. And for anyone who has had an In-N-Out burger, that’s some pretty incredible praise. So, what makes a Five Guys burger so amazing? It could have something to do with Five Guys’s food being named among some of the unhealthiest food in America by Men’s Health – and everyone knows that, the worse it is for you, the better it tastes. Okay, so, maybe Five Guys shouldn’t be part of your daily diet, but for those major, unavoidable burger cravings, it sounds like this is the place to indulge. The chain has received awards from no less than 20 major cities, considering its fare the best around. Pretty impressive for a chain that avoids any sort of national ad campaigns!

The Five Guys menu is fairly simple, but unlike In-N-Out, it does offer a few more options, such as additional (free) toppings, hot dogs, and two different styles of French fries. And if the lines get too long, you can keep your appetite in check by snacking on the free un-shelled peanuts that most restaurants have available. They make their own buns in-house, use only fresh (not frozen) beef, and the entire menu is trans-fat free.

Sounds good to me. I’m ready for my first Five Guys burger; how about you?

True Food Kitchen Keeps It Real for Health-Conscious Foodies

Summer is upon us, guys, and I think it is about time to tell you about a restaurant whose bites taste as good as you'll look at the beach!

True Food Kitchen began in the “Valley of the Sun”, Phoenix, Arizona. The concept began when health guru and author Andrew Weil agreed to pair his “anti-inflammatory diet” with Fox Restaurant Concepts and skilled chef Michael Stebner. From this collaboration, a menu that focuses on preventative health care and based on integrative medicine was born. True Food Kitchen is a certified green restaurant, which means you are enjoying your food in a environmentally responsible space, following guidelines regarding water efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable furnishings and building material, sustainable food, etc. All of which compliments your happy taste buds and healthy eats!

The seasonal menu is chock full of unique savory dishes that use the freshest and highest quality ingredients, like edamame dumplings, spaghetti squash casserole, a panang curry, and even dairy-free organic chocolate pudding! Who knew such tasty combinations could be made from food that is so healthy? True Food Kitchen is also the only restaurant in the nation that has Olivello juice, a powerful antioxident and extract from sea buckthorn berries.

With three locations -- two in Arizona and one at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California -- I am psyched to share with you all that there is now a TFK in Santa Monica, near the corner of 2nd and Colorado!

If you love trying new and healthy ways of eating, visit http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/ and get excited about welcoming a new destination for brunch, lunch, dinner, and cocktails that will have you feeling good and looking better! See you there!

Fig & Olive Brings Their Unique Tastes to L.A.

Who would have thought that you could design a concept for a restaurant specifically around extra virgin olive oil? Not me, but fortunately for the rest of us, Laurent Halasz, the founder of Fig & Olive, did just that, and with fantastic results.

Fig & Olive, which just opened in Melrose Place on Wednesday (March 2), boasts an impressive collection of over 30 different types of olive oil from varying regions (such as the south of France, Italy, and Spain) that encompass fruity, buttery, and peppery varietals as well as infused olive oils with truffles, lemon, and basil. Is your mouth watering yet?

Fig & Olive is such a unique concept it had to be successful. All of the details that go into choosing these specific EVOOs are used to create extraordinary and unforgettable dishes. After taking New York City by storm, Fig & Olive has finally branched out to the West Coast and spreading joy with every bite! I attended the opening on Wednesday, and the experience was way better than I could have expected. The event was put on by two of YH’s favorite people, EMC|Bowery's Ben Rousso and The Supper Club's Tamsin Lonsdale. Bending under lots of pressure, openings can sometimes go horribly wrong with unpreparedness and so-so food, but Fig & Olive nailed it, I can only imagine how even better it will be over time.

Let me take a moment to mention the decor -- it was amazing. As soon as you walk in, you feel as if you are stepping into a warm and intimate setting in the Mediterranean (exactly what they were going for). After walking into the smell of rosemary and olive trees, there is a display of their olive oils and a long white marble communal table with a tasting bar, a great place for getting to know other people during a fine dining experience. Even the smoking patio was the coolest I have ever seen. The main dining room is separate and has a view of the open kitchen, so you can get a first-hand view of the talents of Chef Pascal Lorange people. I had the most pleasant experience, and hats go off to General Manager Hardeep Birdi for making sure everything ran so smoothly.

All in all, Fig & Olive is sure to be the next best thing to hit L.A.’s culinary scene. I look forward to the next time and encourage anyone looking for a unique dining experience to give it a try. You wont be sorry!

Find Your Faves with FindLAFoodTrucks

 

What are you in the mood for?

On corners everywhere these days, food trucks are claiming their territory and serving it up hot! In the past, YH gave you the scoop on 2 food trucks in particular to check out -- Cool Haus and Kogi BBQ -- but now, FindLAFoodTrucks.com is keeping Los Angeleans in the know of any type of cuisine that's being parked and where. 

If you are in the mood for Korean BBQ, tacos, desserts, if you are a vegetarian or even vegan, don’t drive around hungry and aimlessly -- let L.A. Food trucks come to you! There is even a blog that dishes out all of the details about what’s hot off the grill. (Also be sure to check the blog for ways you can help get involved with good causes in the area by purchasing food truck goodies!)

So the next time hunger strikes, you know where to go: right around the corner!