Food Journal Magazine Brings Readers Face to Face With the Chefs Behind LA’s Best Tables

The independent Los Angeles food magazine pairs every review with a conversation in the kitchen, building a reader’s guide to the chefs behind the city’s best tables.

Los Angeles, California, United States, November 7, 2026 -- Food Journal Magazine (FJM), the Los Angeles food and restaurant publication, has published a new season of restaurant reviews built around time with the chefs themselves. Each review pairs a full meal with a conversation in the kitchen, so readers see how these rooms cook and who is behind the plate.

Electric Bleu, Mar Vista

FJM’s newest review takes readers to Electric Bleu, Chef Craig Hopson’s Michelin-recognized modern French bistro in Mar Vista. Hopson trained under Troisgros, Senderens and Guy Savoy before running Picholine and Le Cirque in New York. In Mar Vista he cooks French food with a California accent, and the signature roast chicken is the dish the room is known for.

Gwen, Hollywood

Gwen LA, Curtis Stone’s steakhouse and butcher shop, marked ten years on Sunset Boulevard this summer. FJM spent an afternoon with Chef Marcell Hatten, from the bone marrow custard to a 36-ounce dry-aged porterhouse off the fire.

Chi Spacca, Melrose

At Chi Spacca, Nancy Silverton’s Michelin Green Star room on Melrose Avenue, FJM sat down with Executive Chef Alisa Vannah and ordered around the famous steaks. The vegetables won the night. FJM has also reported on Spacca Tutto, Nancy Silverton’s new opening in Pacific Palisades.

Petit Trois Le Valley, Sherman Oaks

At Petit Trois Le Valley, FJM sat down with Chef Ludo Lefebvre inside his Sherman Oaks brasserie, working through the omelette, the Big Mec and the filet au poivre.

More from FJM

The fall reviews join FJM’s earlier visit to Pasta Bar Encino, the Michelin-starred tasting menu on Ventura Boulevard. In its LA restaurant news, FJM also reported on Lielle earning a Michelin star in its first year on Pico Boulevard.

“A great kitchen tells a story. What we want readers to also experience is the people behind it,” said Matthew Tropp, Editor-in-Chief of Food Journal Magazine. “Sitting down with Craig Hopson, Marcell Hatten, Alisa Vannah and Ludo Lefebvre gave us the story behind every plate, and that is what we bring to every review.”

Readers can find every FJM restaurant review, LA restaurant news brief and food event guide at Food Journal Magazine.

About Food Journal Magazine

Food Journal Magazine (ISSN 2471-3090) is a Los Angeles food and restaurant publication covering restaurant reviews, openings, chef interviews and food events across Los Angeles and Southern California.

Contact Info:
Name: Matthew Tropp
Email: Send Email
Organization: Blackthorn Publishing
Phone: 8186261191
Website: https://blackthornpublishing.com

Release ID: 89208789

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