I'll admit it, I'm crazy for new and different foods. I search menus for items never tried, ingredients cleverly used, flavors boldly mixed. Most of all I look for intense flavor. I';m just not impressed with wimpy food. Fabulous plating is NOT what I'm talking about here. Neither are bizarre mixtures meant to shock. I'm talking finesse, talent and flavor. Eeking out the best flavors from the finest ingredients.
Fusion cuisine of all types has been at the forefront of influence in the Western U.S. for over a decade. French classic preparations are easily mixed with a variety of ethnic cuisines. Some, such as Asian/French are so commonplace that they are truly the new American classics. Others such as Spanish/French, Central American (Mexican) /French, Vietnamese/French (a natural) are already being seen in some of the U.S. and European cities (New York, London, Chicago). But I want more! I'm just not inspired by what I've seen lately coming out of some of Los Angeles' finest kitchens.
The profusion of California French cuisine in Southern California has had a tremendous influence on the restaurant scene. While places such as Patina, Joe's, 2424 Pico and JiRaffe produce fabulous staples of this genre, dishes are becoming all too "classic". Basil mashed, roasted-garlic, encrusted, you name it. Joachim Spilchal's potato influence has had the area in a sleep walk for over a year. While I enjoy basil mashed potatoes as much as the next person, enough is enough. Where are the new and exciting dishes?
In general, when cooking at home and looking for an exceptional experience, I need inspiration. I look for combinations that tempt my senses. Lately (as you can guess), local restaurants have just not done it for me. Looking to the WWW for influence Yahoo's ethnic listing of Food and Eating Sites is a great listing of all types of ethnic recipes on the web. Sally's Place houses this great article: Focus on Ethnic Cuisine which gives a good history of Fusion in America. For some high-flavor, at-home creative influence, try Robin Garr's World of Creative Cookery. In his own relaxed style Robin brings fusion food flavor to anyone's kitchen.
Enjoy!
Culinary Vixen
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