a retro dinner party in la and a visit to rivera restaurant, downtown la

I visited Brendan in LA a couple of weeks ago to celebrate our Christmas since we would not be able to do it over the conventional holiday. (He will be in SF for New Year's Eve.)

Brendan planned a great dinner for six of us and I was only to happy to assist since he is a little out of commission due to recent repair surgery on a damaged elbow. The table was absolutely gorgeous and the menu delicious. We tagged team and it worked out perfectly. Our retro menu began with a classic clam dip and a first course of cream of broccoli soup. Brendan re-created our favorite salad from House of Prime Rib in San Francisco followed by a super moist, herb infused pork tenderloin with roasted fingerling potatoes tossed with Gorgonzola and sauteed baby carrots. Homemade blackberry pie a la mode completed the decadent fare.

The beauty of any party is the interesting mix of guests, some who have never met but through some mysterious chemistry seem to have instant interesting dialog and debate on a variety of topics. (After dinner party questions don't hurt.) In attendance of course was our dear host, Brendan, the driven and consummate entrepreneur-owner of Blink Photo. Tu, the beautiful neighbor with a trail of broken hearts who works in executive placement. Jodina, the loving mother, a voice actor/partner with Jon St. John Productions. Dwayne, the cool intellectual who owns Gathers Strategies, and Jennifer, the actress strong in her beliefs, who owns GuerriLA Theatre in LA, a unique theatre experience performed in private homes. I don't know where I fit into this whole mix except that perhaps I am the keen observer, waiting to see how the whole
thing plays out. On this night no topic was off limits and no opinion to sacred. A great time was had by all.

I can't go to LA without trying out the latest hot restaurant and downtown Los Angeles is the place to find it. We made a Sunday night reservation at Rivera, an upscale Latin eatery on Flower across from the lavender lit trees of the Staples Center.

We started with the tortillas florales with Indian butter, delicate homemade tortillas stamped with edible flowers and the butter, an avocado puree. Another starter not to be missed are the piquillos rellenos stuffed with chorizo, gruyère and golden raisins. Brendan had an entree of banana leaf braised pork shoulder with Peruvian potatoes and I had blue corn tortillas stacked with duck, black beans and goat cheese, smothered in chili rioja sauce. A side of quinoa and spinach complemented both.

Another lovely trip to LA.