Kyle came all the way down from Sonoma a day before for the
event! He also brought so many donabe to be used in the dinner.
A night before the dinner event, we had dinner at Ledlow.
Josef currently owns 4 (all very popular) restaurants in Downtown LA, and they
all have different themes and styles. Ledlow is like a contemporary American
diner with mostly locally sourced ingredients. Their wine list focuses on
boutique wineries from California.
![photo IMG_5014_zpssvdtihyw.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5014_zpssvdtihyw.jpg)
![photo IMG_5019_zpsgbsmniu4.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5019_zpsgbsmniu4.jpg)
![photo IMG_5018_zpst1xlr7fk.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5018_zpst1xlr7fk.jpg)
With my iPhone, I couldn’t take good photos under the light
level, but hope you can see how great the dishes were. I love that the menu has
a lot of California style vegetable rich dishes.
![photo IMG_5016_zpsksgz4hyt.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5016_zpsksgz4hyt.jpg)
Everything was Fantastic.
![photo IMG_5024_zps9vk6aiek.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5024_zps9vk6aiek.jpg)
We were so hyped up about the event after the dinner!
![photo IMG_5022_zps89s8a72n.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5022_zps89s8a72n.jpg)
![photo IMG_5020_zpsm4fhtalr.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5020_zpsm4fhtalr.jpg)
![photo IMG_5021_zpsy96zf6gn.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5021_zpsy96zf6gn.jpg)
![photo IMG_5016_zpsksgz4hyt.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5016_zpsksgz4hyt.jpg)
Everything was Fantastic.
![photo IMG_5025_zpsciwog6vd.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5025_zpsciwog6vd.jpg)
![photo IMG_5024_zps9vk6aiek.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5024_zps9vk6aiek.jpg)
We were so hyped up about the event after the dinner!
![photo IMG_5028_zpstxljw6qu.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5028_zpstxljw6qu.jpg)
The next day, the first seating of the book dinner started at 6 pm. Josef told us the kitchen was all taken care of and we didn’t need to do any work or help in the kitchen. How sweet! So, I came in just a little before the dinner time to help setting up the book display. The dinner took place at Penny-Ante, a private dining room inside of Ledlow.
Pairing wine: Mary Elk, Brut, Chardonnay/ Pinot Noir
Sparkling
What a beautiful combination of extremely fresh kanpachi with the seasonal flavors.
What a beautiful combination of extremely fresh kanpachi with the seasonal flavors.
Simmered Hijiki Salad (my recipe from the book) – shiitake
mushrooms, lotus root
Pairing sake: Kaori JC Sake
Loved both so much, and they were great with the sake.
Loved both so much, and they were great with the sake.
![photo IMG_5044_zps6jpuupgd.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5044_zps6jpuupgd.jpg)
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![photo IMG_5045_zps5idoxyl2.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5045_zps5idoxyl2.jpg)
Donabe time! Rice dish made in double-lid donabe rice cooker, "Kamado-san"
Very Juicy Chicken Wing Rice (my recipe from the book) – ginger, sansho, sesame oil
Pairing wine: “La Clarine, Rose of Syrah/ Mouvedre”. They totally nailed it!
![photo IMG_5053_zpsxg7gxiu3.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5053_zpsxg7gxiu3.jpg)
![photo IMG_5058_zpsgllngijn.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5058_zpsgllngijn.jpg)
Another donabe dish, made in soup and stew donabe, "Miso-shiru Nabe".
Braised Shio-koji Beef Brisket (Josef’s recipe from the book) – sunchoke, basil, radish, meyer lemon
Braised Shio-koji Beef Brisket (Josef’s recipe from the book) – sunchoke, basil, radish, meyer lemon
Pairing wine: Field Recordings, Ventucopa Tempranillo
His donabe beef stew was so hearty and elegant at the same time. It was really great.
His donabe beef stew was so hearty and elegant at the same time. It was really great.
![photo IMG_5061_zpsvsrfdtac.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5061_zpsvsrfdtac.jpg)
Quince Almond Cake – ume sabayon, candied ginger, cassis
Pairing liqueur: Contratto Vermouth Bianco
Beautiful flavor.
![photo IMG_5052_zpssxtjneri.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5052_zpssxtjneri.jpg)
Someone looks very happy with my book. So many people including friends came to the dinner and it was a great fun. The dishes were really delicious!
![photo IMG_5062_zps0i4711xz.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5062_zps0i4711xz.jpg)
Kyle's dad, Kyle, and me. Photo was taken by Sonya.
Happy donabe life!
Beautiful flavor.
![photo IMG_5052_zpssxtjneri.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5052_zpssxtjneri.jpg)
Someone looks very happy with my book. So many people including friends came to the dinner and it was a great fun. The dishes were really delicious!
![photo IMG_5062_zps0i4711xz.jpg](http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/naokomoore/2015/IMG_5062_zps0i4711xz.jpg)
Kyle's dad, Kyle, and me. Photo was taken by Sonya.
Happy donabe life!