In the end, the worrisome clouds parted over Malibu yesterday just in time for the seventh annual Los Angeles Magazine Food Event. It ended up being a picture-perfect fall day at the Saddlerock Ranch, where the Zebras, Llamas, and about 3,000 hungry (and quite fashionable, we might add) Angelenos nibbled their way around the grassy estate. The afternoon was filled with top-notch wine, incredible cocktails, fun chef demos, and titillating panels—but in the end, it was all about the food. This year, we decided to up the ante with a little healthy competition. A panel of five celebrity judges—Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza, the Intolerable Foodie Joel Stein, wine expert Lou Amdur, Lisa Semler of Malibu Family Wines, and Los Angeles magazine dine editor Lesley Bargar Suter—sampled each of the 40 restaurant’s offerings to pick the Cadillac Dish of the Year. It was no easy job, all of the restaurants brought their A-game, but in the end we had to pick one winner. Who took home the honor? You might be surprised. We sure were! So, without further ado, a slideshow countdown of the top 5. Drumroll please…
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#5: Lamb chorizo tostada from Bizarra Capital (photography by Elina Shatkin)
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#4: Santa Barbara spot prawn with grilled citron, salsa verde tarragon granita, and avocado from the Royce (photography by Elina Shatkin)
#3: Wagyu tartare on toast and an asparagus skewer from Mo-Chica/Picca (photography by Elina Shatkin)-
#3 continued: Picca’s asparagus skewer close-up (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)
#2: Chile relleno, smoked trout salad bruschetta, and salted caramel custard from Black Market Liquor Bar (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)-
#2 continued: The chile relleno at Black Market Liquor Bar (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)
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#2 continued: Trout bruschetta at Black Market Liquor Bar (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)
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#1: And the winner of the Cadillac Dish of the Year is… the Hart and the Hunter! The Melrose Avenue restaurant, which began as the pop-up Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, is brand spanking new and was the last to join our stellar lineup, so we were doubly impressed with their ambitious showing. The newbies brought three dishes (only two of which we managed to document—those biscuits went fast). Part 1 was this shaved brussels sprout salad with bacon sherry vinagrette and aged Hook cheddar. (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)
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#1 continued: Part 2 of the onslaught from the Hart and the Hunter was yes, another trout salad on toast. This one sported pickled onions, capers, and a perfect hard-boiled egg. Part 3, which so far has gone undocumented (again, it was simply too delicious) was a warm biscuit with honey butter as well as pimento cheese made with Hook Two-Year cheddar. Well done. (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)
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Our hearty congrats to the winners, chef-owners Kris Tominaga, Brian Dunsmoor, and team! (No bonus points were awarded for beard thickness and overall lumberjack appeal, we promise.) Till next year, folks! (Jennifer Fujikawa Photography)
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