If Barbara Jean was a real woman, she would be saucy, a bit edgy and complex but composed and well put together. Chef Jason Fullilove offered a bit of sassy mixed with a flavor explosion of sumptuous goodness.
We started off with the chicken and egg salad which was a ying and yang of crisp fresh shaved cabbage contrasted with the chewy cranberry and the moist shredded chicken. It had a light citrusy dressing which was perfect for the mixed textures of the dish.
The buttermilk biscuits were dense, a bit gritty and grainy but combined with the sweet warm honey and the softened butter they whisked you back to home, to your childhood at your mom’s kitchen after she had given you a pat on the back for a job well done at school.
After that “Ratatouille” moment, our experience was followed with the orecchiette pasta which had a tart but tasty tomato emulsion at the base of the plate giving it another layer of flavor on top of the already delicious combo of mushrooms, peas and pecorino. It was an Italian Mother’s dream.
In direct contrast was the shrimp and grits which is what I imagine southern dreams are made of because the shrimp were quite large, sweet on the outside but juicy and tangy in the inside. The grits were perfectly cooked and subtly flavored.
My favorite part of the meal, the star of the show, was the fried chicken. As my husband said, it was far superior to Honey’s Kettle which is mass produced. Clearly, these are fighting words but I would have to second his opinion. It was evident that great care and respect was paid to memorialize what fried chicken should taste like. The batter and the skin were light, crispy and seasoned with herbs which were visible with each bite. The meat was ridiculously tender and juicy. I was in fried chicken heaven. If I could choose my last meal, the fried chicken by Chef Jason Fullilove would be it.
Not to be outdone by this 5 Star meal at a 2 Star location was the dessert which had a bit of cream cheese frosting combined with a bit of fruit bread and sweet nut layers mixed into each bite.
Everybody should sprint through the door at this new Culver City eats because it’s ridiculously delicious, inexpensive considering the quality of the food and Chef Jason Fullilove is an absolute dream, so talented, cool and collected. We are so happy Barbara Jean moved into town and hope that Chef Jason will want to make Culver City his home.
Madly in love with @barbarajeaneats and @cheffullilove! The BEST food and chef in Culver City!! A 5 star foodie experience for 2 star price!!
Barbara Jean,
4114 Sepulveda Blvd, Ste E
Culver City, CA 90230
My first introduction to Anthony Bourdain was during my earlyish years working at Fox. We had optioned the rights to his book, “Kitchen Confidential.” All I knew was the book was about the underbelly of kitchen and restaurant life, all of its inner workings and sordid and despicable details with lots of profanity thrown in for kicks. To this day, I’ve never read it. The studio at Fox produced the series for one season so I saw Bradley Cooper portray Anthony Bourdain while I, and other coworker friends, mooched off the craft services offerings as it was literally down the fire escape stairs outside of our offices. I loved the show but the general public didn’t so off the air it went. Clearly this was before online streaming. Sadly, the timing of the series was too early. Now, especially with his passing but more importantly with the infusion of the foodie culture which has exploded on all platforms, the current environment is ripe for a show about him based on real life kitchen experiences. I began watching his earlier shows on Food Network, Travel Channel and eventually CNN. I found him gruff and offensive initially but he grew on me to the point that at the time of his passing, I wept and had moments of ugly crying while watching old episodes of No Reservations on the Travel Channel a day after his death. Anthony Bourdain literally took viewers to Parts Unknown. I still remember watching the Lebanon episode and how real life broke out in Beirut and he stepped back and let history speak for itself. His gift was his ability to be inclusive and make you want to partake in the food and culture despite its possible controversial or questionable past. He compelled us to learn and appreciate other cultures so that we can grow as individuals and as a society through the experience of food. All of his shows were thoroughly researched with cultural and historical reference so it seemed as if we were in class but with sensory teachings. I didn’t realize how much he impacted me until he passed. I had created an Instagram account to document my food and travel finds and started a food and travel blog to help others find their way. But for Anthony Bourdain, I would not have even thought of that possibility. He is my hero and he has left us. My heart is broken. I am crushed but he leaves a legacy and we each must do our part to get his voice and message heard. To travel and eat is to live. I honor and pay homage to his life’s work and legacy by sharing my journey. I am angry and beyond crushed that he is gone but I will continue my path that he has inspired. I will forever miss his gift of storytelling but I will continue to eat and travel to keep his inspiration and memory alive.
“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food.” – Anthony Bourdain #theanthonybourdainmovement
Anthony Bourdain was an inspiration to many. He taught us how to appreciate other cultures through food and travel. His impact on how we see the world is indelible. He will be missed. #rip #saddened #heartbroken
I was at the gym, of all places, on the treadmill on my iPad, switching between Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown Vietnam and Bornea episodes and Yelp, looking for some inspirational new Asian eats to have lunch at that was close to home. Somehow this new find which appeared to have opened just a week ago, was not in the New & Noteworthy search. Luckily, I had expanded my search first from Vietnamese food to Asian food and found this restaurant with 4 red Yelp stars. Upon reading the reviews, looking at the photos and then checking their profile and photos on Instagram, I decided right then and there, that is where we must go. It’s literally up the street, about an 8 minute drive.
We walked into the restaurant which was surprisingly busy for a Sunday afternoon. Word must have gotten around that this was the new hot spot in town. We had an amazing waiter, Victor, who was totally on top of his game. Didn’t miss a step.
The food was outstanding and hit the spot. The fries were crispy and piping hot. The turmeric fried chicken was exceptional. It was juicy and you could see the herbs mixed into the batter as you bit into each crispy layer. The garlic noodles were perfectly cooked and evenly coated with bits of garlic. The prawns were also perfectly seasoned and crispy with an amazingly light but flavorful cabbage slaw. The star of the show though was the goi gai salad which had chunks of marinated white meat chicken mixed with a slippery noodle salad. It had a light citrusy, sesame flavor which could almost be considered a palate cleanser as it provided a brief and delicious interlude in between the fried appetizers and the entrees.
Mee and Greet is the new neighborhood gem and I could not be happier at its close proximity to home. Thank you for choosing to make Palms your new home!!
#NowOpen #neighborhoodeats #neweats #asianfood #southeastasianfood #friedchicken #chickennoodlesalad #fries #noodles #prawns #foodie #foodgram #foodporn #foodpics #eaterla #infatuationla #laeats #lafoodie #eeeeeats #buzzfeast #feedfeed #foodlover #foodstagram #fooddiary #foodphoto #foodblogger #foodphotography #foodgasm #foodblog #yelpla
3500 Overland Ave, Ste 150, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Grace Gambin
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