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L-R: Kirby, Sam, Jenn, Chrystal, Amir, Michael and Liz
This past weekend, we met up with a few Los Angeles food bloggers for the first time. Well, we actually went to college with two of them, had some of the best Thai food in life a couple of weeks ago with one and ran into another at Joy the Baker’s Virtual Picnic, but we won’t quibble over semantics. It’s fun to get to know people online, and you can really get an idea of their personality through their blogs, but it’s of course better to meet in person. Back away from the RSS feeds and keypads everyone and step out into the real world. You never know what will happen.
On a toasty Sunday evening, we arrived at Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills to claim our chosen table in the lounge area. Chaya is a great place for late night happy hours. They’ve extended the generous offerings, so now you can get late night eats from 5:00 pm to close every night of the week. Wine and special martinis for $6, a variety of margaritas for $7 and several small plates ranging from $4-$14. It’s one of the best happy hours you’ll find in LA for price, quality and ambiance. If you’re anywhere nearby, stop in. There are now four locations–Beverly Hills, Venice, Downtown and San Francisco–with their own happy hour listings, so it’s worth it to try each one.
We settled in and waited for the first folks to arrive. Turns out it was Diana from Diana Takes a Bite, followed shortly thereafter by Esi at Dishing up Delights. Finally, we were starting to put non-avatar faces to the owners of a few of the blogs we follow. There was Michael from South Bay Foodies, Jenn from Bread + Butter and Sam the Punky Chef. Kirby from Kirby Von Scrumptious and Liz from Yo Soy! arrived together. Those are the two fellow Tar Heels here in LA! The table was full, and we were ready to eat, drink and chat.
Arare Calamari: Fried puffed rice coated squid with a sweet chili miso vinaigrette
There were only a few nibbles ordered at the table. The two most popular choices were Chaya’s unique crusted calamari (sampled by Amir, Chrystal and Sam) and mini cheese burger sliders with Chaya’s garlic and parsley flecked French fries (ordered by Amir, Chrystal and this time Esi). One interesting note about the calamari is that there are two different versions, if you will. We ordered the dinner size, which is the one you see above. The appetizer or industry menu calamari does not feature puffed rice, and it comes with a jalapeno lime aoili. Just something to keep in mind if you’re were thinking of stopping by.
Guava Martini: Chaya infusion, guava juice, sweet & sour and lime
Of course, no happy hour is complete without a cocktail. Amir guzzled the Guava Martini and a Mojito Martini, Chrystal sipped on a Caipirinha Passionfruit Martini and Michael tried the Pomegranate Margarita and Ginger Margarita. Esi and Kirby were classy with their wines, and Liz kept cool with a couple of beers. Throughout the eating and drinking, conversation flowed nicely on both sides of the table.
The chef sent out this platter of sushi for us to try, which was a really nice gesture. The service at Chaya was top notch. (We have to thank Jenn for this picture!)
Everyone was so helpful at the restaurant. The hostess and our waitress could not have been more responsive to our questions, and the service was really great. It’s always nice to eat out without any craziness, and Chaya has always been a place where we’ve received nothing but really attentive service. Two thumbs up! The head chef was even so nice as to send a platter of sushi to the table for us to sample.
Vegetarian Caterpillar Roll, Spicy Tuna, California Roll and Crunchy Spicy Shrimp Roll
Like all good things, the evening did have to come to an end. It was a ‘school’ night, and most of us had to get up early for work the next day. We got a group shot outside the restaurant just before saying goodbye and headed to our respective cars. Talk of a second meet up was in the air, though, and we’d love to do it again. There were a couple of people who couldn’t make it out this weekend, and of course, we’re sure there are others who may want to meet food bloggers from their city. Can’t wait for the next one!
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Wow, how fun!! First off that restaurant looks awesome and what a great night out to share with fellow bloggers! Thanks for sharing!
That calamari looks intense!! Yum!! And the sushi!! Great pictures
glad you were able to make it and that you had fun!!
nice meet-up – our coasts are a little far apart but one day the two sides might merge……
Nice! I haven’t met any foodies in my area yet, maybe in the future we could organize something like this. it looks like a lot of fun.
oh god, I sound like such an unclassy lady ordering beers at a fancy happy hour–I was just really in a beer mood!
That was so fun–what a nice group of people-can’t wait to do it again!
Liz: You are the definition of classy! The cute hand on hip stance speaks to that. Beer is the new wine!
Sounds like fun.
What a fun and scrumptious gathering!
I can’t decide what I want to eat first the sushi or the calamari! yum!
What fun, we have a Chaya Bistro here and its a great place. Love the calamari pic
What a fun meet up and the food looks delicious!
That was SO fun! You are very right about the great conversation, and look at ‘cher bad self with the awesome calamari pic.
LOOK OUT Gourmet magazine…
yes! it was the most unique calamari i’ve ever had. adn the margaritas were very memorable; more ginger please!
looking forward to the next one. South Bay anyone!?
I had a really fun time. It was great to put some faces into blogs I’ve been reading for months. Just adds another element to it. Plus, I love meeting people. You guys definitely picked a great place. Though, I did wish that I ordered the calamari. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I got home. Took a couple nibbles from Sam’s plate. hahaha…
Wow, it seems that you all had a great time with really nice food. I’d like to try them all…specially the guava martini
Wow, what a great group. Love the picture of all of you.
What a fun night and that puffed rice on there….how cool!
The calamari i nthat photo look unreal. That’s some very pretty and well-crafted food.
It’s always great to meet other bloggers. Looks like I have some new blogs to check out after reading this.
Love the look of the calamari! How cool that you guys were able to get together.
Wow, you must have had a great time together! Yummy looking food!
Cheers,
Rosa
Love me some blog meet-outs, dinner and great conversation go hand in hand…oh we need a third for the beer though!
so much of fun you had eh?? something rili good u did! keep it up!
cheers!
i have never seen calamari done like that. i’d love to try it!
[...] she’d be there for brunch as well, so it was great to see her again so soon after our recent LA food bloggers happy hour. (She ordered the famous French toast with fig compote and marscarpone, which is next on our list [...]
[...] AKA the Punky Chef; Kirby from Kirby Von Scrumptious; and Liz from Yo Soy! Oh, and of course, The Duo Dishes. It was great meeting all of you. We’ll have to share a meal again [...]
Good times!! I love the Chaya!!
[...] she’d be there for brunch as well, so it was great to see her again so soon after our recent LA food bloggers happy hour. (She ordered the famous French toast with fig compote and marscarpone, which is next on our list [...]