Red Medicine

Something special happened last summer between a couple of friends over jamon iberico and pitchers of sangria, and although it's been months since we've left the crowded streets of Las Ramblas and the dry heat of Madrid, that magic is still there. I like to think our friendship really developed over food, perhaps with my unyielding stance against touristy spots as the catalyst. Instead of quick meals of reheated paella at some convenient restaurant, we shared many long dinners that were rewarding not only in taste, but also in conversation. One night we wandered the cobblestone alleyways of the Barri Gotic to find ourselves at a hidden gem of a restaurant, where we played a wine-ridden game of truth or dare. In Madrid, we kept returning to a Galician tavern that served the tenderest octopus on wooden platters. We loved it so much, it was there that we celebrated our last night in Spain with a flaming bowl of boozy queimada.

It took a birthday to get us all back together for a meal, but the interesting dynamic between us was still the same. The request was "artistic" food. My answer was Red Medicine. Coincidentally and fittingly, we were still sharing "tapas" of sorts, though Vietnamese and not Spanish in nature. Yes, the food was beautiful (I'm a sucker for the careful sprinkling of little flowers), but it was the company that really made my night.

Red Medicine

8400 Wilshire Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

tel: 323-651-5500

www.redmedicinela.com

SWEET POTATO

dried chili, turmeric, beer, baby shrimp, lettuce

BEEF TARTARE

water lettuce, water chestnut, spicy herbs, nuoc leo, chlorophyll

"BANH MI"

foie gras, pate de campagne

green papaya, pickled roots, crispy taro, tree nuts, nuoc cham

early season legumes and roots (raw & roasted), virgin walnut, bayonne ham

oyster mushrooms, oyster sauce, haricot vert, brioche, espelette

LAMB BELLY

hoisin, hibiscus-onion, sunflower seeds, salsify, lady apple

BEEF CHEEK

"cromesquis", cashew, asian pear, raisin, romanesco

COCONUT BAVAROIS

coffee, condensed milk, thai basil, peanut croquant, chicory

LIME SABAYON

cucumber ice cream, cashew macaroons, white chocolate, jasmine