The night was set for a great time: Hollywood Blvd, private dinner, famed chef… to say the least, expectations were high.
As I walked into the 9-foot high loft space, I immediately felt the “good vibes”. The dinner event was created by TFN Media as apart of their monthly food experiences.
LA Chef – Teresa Montano curated a 5-course tasting dinner using Mind Fish Co. tuna which is sourced from sustainable fishing practices in the Maldives. The environmentally friendly dynamic of Mind Fish Co. is particularly important because global warming issues and pollution in the sea are becoming more apparent each day. All of which can affect our bodies if we put in the wrong things. But no need to worry, Mind Fish Co. is here.
Now let’s get down to the food!
I can start by saying Chef Teresa Montano did an amazing job. Each dish had a unique yet consistent taste to it. All of which paired really well with wine complimentary of Antalva Imports.
The appetizer was subtle. A good start to the night. It included “Tuna and anchovy goat butter toast with roasted radish and herbs” all of which paired well together.
Course 1 was “Basque tuna and avocado salad with piquillo pepper and sherry vinaigrette”. The tuna covered around avocado made for a delightful bite. The colors looked amazing together as well.
Course 2 was “Tuna cacio y pepe with pecorino romano, meyer lemon, pink and black peppercorn”. This was my favorite dish because it was simple. I felt like I could make it at home. The pasta, the hint of tuna and the kick of lemon were perfect.
Course 3 was “Marmitako de atun with lobster dashi, cherry tomato, new potato, and pimento”. I absolutely loved this dish. The soup and lobster dynamic was great. The tiny unpeeled potato gave it a great balance as well.
The main course was “Porchetta tonnato with spring vegetables and quail egg”. This was the absolute highlight of the night. It was a perfect mix of flavors. The porchetta was soft and moist and just melted in your mouth. It was a fantastic display of artistry and knowing exactly how to end a 5-course meal. Bravo Chef Teresa Montano. Bravo!
But wait there’s more!
Dessert was “Crema Catalana with citrus, cinnamon, and sherry poached blueberries”. The person sitting across from me laughed at my facial expression when I tasted it. The look on my face was pure joy. I’ve never tasted such rich flavor pairings like this before. It was wonderful. The night was magical. Everything was perfect!
Chef Teresa Montano is currently working on her new concept Otoño which is set to open its doors in Los Angeles’s Highland Park neighborhood in May. Otoño will be a progressive Spanish-inspired restaurant concept exploring tapas and paella beyond the traditional and through a modern, urban lens.
I’ll definitely be making reservations.
-Hakeem Animashaun
