Paleo Fine Dining Is a Breeze in LA
Last week, I had the opportunity to experience something I’d only dreamed of- Paleo Haute Cuisine in an upscale restaurant in a popular area of a big city.
No, I’m not making it up or stretching the truth- and you absolutely must try this the next time you’re in LA because it’s wasn’t just a one-time trial of a single Paleo dinner.
Breeze Restaurant, in the Hyatt Regency in Century City, has debuted their Paleo menu, just a a few weeks ago.
Chef Ali, in collaboration with Executive Chef Felix, both of the Hyatt Regency in Century City, have masterminded an out of this world Paleo dining experience that would make any Paleo skeptic or misbeliever change their ways in a heartbeat.
Chef Ali, with over 14 years of culinary experience that includes the Hyatt Hotel on Sunset, the Patina Restaurant Group, The Ortolan Restaurant and Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Los Angeles, combines his passion for the hospitality industry and expertise as a top chef with a very clear knowledge of not only what foods are Paleo but how to prepare and present them in such a manner that would leave even the biggest bread or pasta lover feeling they’d missed out on anything!
The collaboration with Executive Chef Felix, (Executive Chef of the year in 2008 and 2011), who has held various culinary positions within Hyatt’s North America operation, since 2001, resulted in creations are that beautifully stunning, well thought out, seasonally planned, locally sourced and practically left me agape, in awe and to be honest….kind of wanting to move in to the Hyatt so I could partake on a daily basis.
Below is the menu I was privileged enough to experience; it was definitely a challenge to only take a few bites of each in order to be sure I’d have room to taste them all! Fortunately, I was offered the chance to take the rest home; I couldn’t bear the thought of any of that lovely food going to waste!
Starters/ Soups/ Salads
Pear and Arugula Salad with citrus cranberry vinaigrette
fresh cranberries, juices (no vinegar) and honey to sweeten
Baby Organic Kale with bacon, pomegranate and preserved lemon
preserved lemon is a natural process containing natural salt, spices and lemons
Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque
creamy soup with coconut milk, agave, onions and thyme Entrees
Main
Char Grilled NY Steak
mustard pan sauce, sautéed winter greens, sweet potato leek gratin layered with almond milk, honey, and herbs and spices
Sage and garlic Roasted Free Range Chicken Breast
caramelized brussel sprouts with bacon, parsnip puree with winter herbs
Seared Seabass
roasted artichokes, kalamata olive-tomato ragu, cauliflower “rice”, toasted pinenuts
Desserts
Mason Jar Paleo Pumpkin Pie with Coconut whipped cream
Crust is made with coconut flour, agave, sea salt, coconut oil and egg whites Filling is made with eggs, maple syrup, spices, fresh roasted pumpkin, coconut milk
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with Almond Butter Banana Cookie
“ice cream” is made from raw cashews, vanilla beans, fresh mint, and raw cocoa nibs
Cookies are made from dates, bananas, almond butter, lemon, spices, egg, and pecans
Again, I must emphasize, this was not a one-off trail; it’s offered every day. Just as one might find a gluten-free menu or one listing vegetarian options, this is the first time I’ve seen any restaurant offer a Paleo presentation.
This is, by far, the place to check out. Located at 2025 Avenue of the Stars in Los Angeles, inside the Hyatt Regency, eating Paleo has never been such a ‘Breeze’.
By the way- if you haven’t made your holiday plans yet, look no further. They’re offering Paleo holiday menus, too. It doesn’t get much better than this!
