Combinacion de pollo enchiladas
$$, Outdoor Seating, Mexican, Full Bar, Tacos, Bar, Beverly Grove
"El Carmen is a super cool spot, low-key but fun. The chicken enchiladas have a perfectly bitter and spicy mole. It gets me every time."
ChefCasey Lane
Los Angeles
About Casey Lane
Casey Lane is the chef/co-owner of The Tasting Kitchen. He is a Texas-born, a veteran of the Portland, Ore., restaurant scene, and a 2011 James Beard Award nominee.
My Venues
Accolades
- Nominee for Rising Star ChefJames Beard Foundation
- 99 Essential LA RestaurantsLA Weekly
- 10 Best New Restaurants in AmericaGQ Magazine
- ChefsFeed WinnerOne of the Best Things to Eat in LA
Where I Go Out
Burger
$, Outdoor Seating, Burgers, Fast Food, Palms
"I like it 'animal style.' It's so cheap, yet so consistent. It's a great business model: 'This is all we do—like it or love it!'"
Gal-bi
$$$, Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Korean, Reservations, Bbq, Koreatown
"These are the business. We're talking Korean short ribs, wagyu beef, and a perfectly sweet marinade mixed with a little kimchi."
Ramen
$, Ramen, Japanese, Mar Vista
"It's in a food court, so it feels odd to say, but it may be the best ramen in the city—maybe the best I've had. I've been to all the places in NYC for ramen, but this is simply delicious."
French toast
$$, Outdoor Seating, Café, Reservations, Modern, Full Bar, American, Breakfast, Brentwood
"This is the best French toast I've ever eaten, light as air but with all the flavors of the richest, most custardy French toasts."
Shrimp toast sandwich
$$$, Happy Hour, Reservations, Modern, Full Bar, Seafood, Beverly Grove
"Sweet and oozy with Sriracha mayo—just effing delish! It's just damn good. End of story."
At My Venues
Clams, chorizo, & tomato
$$$, Happy Hour, Modern, Full Bar, New American, Venice
"There's a great brininess to the clams, just enough spice from the chorizo, and enough sauce to enjoy dipping your bread into."
Clams, chorizo, & tomato
$$$, Happy Hour, Modern, Full Bar, New American, Venice
"I love this clam dish. The broth is very flavorful, rich, and delicious without being too heavy or too thin."
Clams, chorizo, & tomato
$$$, Happy Hour, Modern, Full Bar, New American, Venice
"This is one of my favorite Westside restaurants with great cocktails, atmosphere, and food. This dish is a comforting bowl of goodness. It's simple, hearty, and flavorful."
Guinea meatballs
$$$, Happy Hour, Modern, Full Bar, New American, Venice
"prepping guinea meatballs.
#thetastingkitchen"
Burrata, red kuri, pepitas, and pomegranate
$$$, Happy Hour, Modern, Full Bar, New American, Venice
"burrata. red kuri. pepitas. pomegranate.
#thetastingkitchen"
Bucatini grandi with scarola and fagioli
$$$, Happy Hour, Modern, Full Bar, New American, Venice
"bucatini grandi. scarola e fagioli.
#thetastingkitchen"