This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into one of the wildest chef vs. critic stories in recent memory: Thomas Keller of The French Laundry allegedly asked SF Chronicle critic Mackenzie Chung Fegan to leave the restaurant. Was it a momentary lapse or a sign of a chef in crisis?

Then: Chef Ari Kolender of LA seafood hotspot Found Oyster and Eagle Rock’s Queen’s Raw Bar & Grill joins us to talk about his gorgeous new cookbook How to Cook the Finest Things in the Sea, the rebrand of Queen’s, and his journey from Kosher kid in South Carolina to one of LA’s most celebrated chefs.

We also get into:

🧾 Congress' push for a No Tax on Tips law and what it means for restaurants and diners

🍔 Questlove’s no-beef burger spot in Westlake Village

🥪 A Katz’s Deli dupe in Burbank

🍕 The unhinged, erm, rise and chaotic fall of Dough Drop Pizza, cyber-vigilanted by the one and only Turk’s Pizza Party in defense of LA’s pizza scene

Hit play for chef drama, seafood revelations, and the latest in LA food chaos.

Helpful Links:

Ari Kolender on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/arikolender/?hl=en

How To Cook The Finest Things In the Sea https://www.arikolender.com/cookbook

Found Oyster https://www.foundoyster.com/

Queen’s Raw Bar & Grill https://queensrawbar.com/

Mackenzie Chung Fegan on her dinner at The French Laundry https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/thomas-keller-french-laundry-20290670.php

QuestLove’s new spot per Rebecca Roland https://la.eater.com/2025/5/19/24433364/mixtape-burger-restaurant-opening-neighborly-westlake-village-questlove

No tax on tip law https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/dining/no-tax-on-tips-bill.html

Katz’s Deli dupe per Matthew Kang https://la.eater.com/2025/5/19/24433481/katzs-deli-jewish-deli-burbank-sandwiches-opening-los-angeles

Dough Drop Pizza lol https://www.instagram.com/doughdroppizza/?hl=en

Taqueando with Bill Esparza Episode 3, featuring Si! Mon chef Jose Olmedo Carles Rojas

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Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

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Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Claire Dinhut—aka Condiment Claire—cookbook author, flavor scientist, and social media sensation. Born and raised in Los Angeles but now based in Europe, Claire has taken TikTok by storm with her inventive approach to sauces, spreads, and the science of taste. Recorded at Venice’s iconic Roosterfish bar, this episode covers her global condiment obsessions, her viral rise to food fame, and the delicious details behind her new release, The Condiment Book—a must-have for any home cook.

We also dive into Claire’s “Condiment Mount Rushmore,” her hot takes on trending sauce brands, and her go-to LA eats whenever she’s back in town.

Plus: why chefs love and hate burgers, the surprising economics behind oysters, and a major shake-up coming to one of LA’s most beloved French restaurants.

Whether you’re a flavor fanatic, cookbook collector, or just obsessed with where to eat in LA, this episode’s for you.

Helpful Links:

Condiment Claire https://www.tiktok.com/@condimentclaire?lang=en

Julia Moskin on burgers https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/dining/burgers-jeremy-fox-birdie-gs.html

Amy McCarthy on oysters https://www.eater.com/2025/5/14/24430156/oyster-cost-dollar-oysters-restaurant?_gl=1*13g3fhu*_ga*NTY3MzcwNDY5LjE2Nzk1MzY5MTc.*_ga_GMSWCRTSTY*czE3NDczMzM3MzMkbzMyMyRnMSR0MTc0NzMzMzc1NSRqMzgkbDAkaDA.

Jenn Harris on Pasjoli https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-05-15/pasjoli-santa-monica-french-restaurant-reopen

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Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

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Go check out Roosterfish

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into the results of a new survey from Substack favorite The Angel that asked Angelenos what they really want from restaurants. Hosts Luca and Father Sal break down what LA diners say matters most—vibe vs. food, great service, price, and originality—and reveal the surprising (and kind of maddening) contradictions in the data.

In Part 2, we’re joined by Nancy DaSilva and Bits Nicholas from Compliments to the Chef for a Top Chef Season 22 midseason check-in. We talk fantasy picks, emerging food trends, and who we think has what it takes to win it all.

Plus, big news: The LA Food Podcast is now part of the Acquired Taste Media network—home to the new show Taqueando with Bill Esparza! If you're into tacos, regional Mexican cuisine, and the LA food scene, this one’s a must-subscribe.

Keywords: LA food scene, restaurant survey, Top Chef Season 22, LA dining trends, Bill Esparza, Taqueando, LA restaurants, Substack The Angel, Mexican cuisine, foodie podcast

Helpful Links:

Taqueando with Bill Esparza https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZY5gUvBo0Z3pRmCJILM6S

James Beard media nominations https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/2025-james-beard-media-award-nominees

The Angel survey https://www.theangel.la/p/what-angelenos-want-from-restaurants-survey-results

Compliments to the Chef https://open.spotify.com/show/5ySvTZh0inCpq1SJP9baq6

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Go check out The Lonely Oyster in Echo Park! ⁠https://thelonelyoyster.com/⁠

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Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods