The Taste food festival: Bites and sips from some of the city’s best restaurants

Kasih in Little Tokyo features Asinan kelapa, an Indonesian slaw that has gluten-free and vegan options.

By Jenn HarrisColumnist

Sept. 1, 2018 8:05 AM PT

The Taste, our annual food and drink festival, is happening this weekend at the Paramount Pictures backlot. Some of the best chefs and restaurants in the city, including N/naka’s Niki Nakayama, Ma’am Sir’s Charles Olalia and Rosaliné’s Ricardo Zarate will be there. Here’s a taste of the weekend’s highlights so far:

Otium serves yellowtail confit with smoked eggplant and sweet and sour tomatoes on opening night of the L.A. Times' The Taste on Sept. 1.

Festival attendees mingle and nosh at The Taste's opening night at the Paramount Pictures backlot.

Chef Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium talks to festival attendees as he hands out samples.

Wanderlust Creamery serves violet marshmallow ice cream and "te amo L.A." sorbet.

Maple Block features a wood-smoked brisket with vinegar slaw and green sauce at The Taste.

Chef Michael Lawless gives a live demonstration on preparing his jumbo gumbo.

Festival-goers collect plates during The Taste's opening night.

Chef Richard Zarante of Rosaline poses with his como saltado after performing a live demomstration on opening night.

Mayura Indian Restaurant, a Jonathan Gold top 101 pick, features a variety of options like the Naan bread.

A portrait of Jonathan Gold is painted.

Border Grill features a breakfast after dark with Chorizo-wrapped eggs and guava and cheese empanada.

Smoked Macedoine at the Trois Mec tent has many foodies lining up.

The Los Angeles Times cafe has samples of coffee and a place for people to take a seat and enjoy the festivities.

Burt Bakman of Trudy's Underground BBQ holds a brisket preparation demomstration.

HomeState's Briana Valdez demonstrates Texan-style cooking.

Los Angeles foodies, from left, Ilene Strudevant, Ashley Nunn and Tanner Pfaff pose in front of a GIF maker.

Prawn coastal features a Paella and shrimp and crab soba noodle salad at The Taste.

Spicy Kua Kling dry Thai curry with ground chicken from Jitlada during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sept. 2.

From left, Charles Kuhnau, Jenny Kuhnau, Sirine Bunkua, Jazz Singsanong and Aoun Sungkamee stand with spicy Kua Kling dry Thai curry with ground chicken from Jitlada during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sept. 2.

Kim Prince, owner, prepares Nashville Hot Chicken bites from Hotville Chicken during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sept. 2.

Sticky tofu bites from Banh Oui during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sept 2.

Jazz Singsanong of Jitlada carries away some beverages during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sept. 2.

Sticky tofu bites from Banh Oui during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Minh Phan of Porridge + Puffs prepares savory fig mochi with the L.A. Times' Amy Scattergood on the Culinary Stage during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot .

A savory fig mochi from Minh Phan of Porridge + Puffs

Devin Liston paints a mural of Jonathan Gold during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Marcel Vigneron, chef and owner, serves up crack potatoes from Wolf during The Taste on the Paramount Studios

Crack potatoes made with liquid nitrogen from Wolf during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot

Charles Olalia of Rice Bar and Jennifer Feltham of Sonoratown present on stage during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sunday, September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Patrick T. Fallon/ For The Los Angeles Times)

Taco de Carne Con Chile Colorado on handmade corn tortilla from Guisados during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sunday, September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Vartan Abgaryan, executive chef, left, and Javier Lopez, chef de cuisine, of 71 Above, prepare crispy cauliflower with yuzu kasha bagna cauda pecorino, lime and dill during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Jennifer Feltham of Sonoratown presents on stage during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot

BBQ Brisket biscuits with home-made pimento cheese and house pickles from Yardbird Southern Table & Bar during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Doro Wot tofu with cabbage and carrots from Meals By Genet during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Niki Nakayama and Carole Lida-Nakayama of n/naka present on the culinary stage during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Kobee fried, made with cracked wheat, beef, onion and pine nuts, from Kobee Factory during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot.

Marcel Vigneron, Wolf chef and owner, right, pours liquid nitrogen with Ramon Bojorquez as they prepare crack potatoes from Wolf during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Monday, September 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Patrick T. Fallon/ For The Los Angeles Times)

Crispy cauliflower with yuzu kasha bagna cauda pecorino, lime and dill from 71 Above during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sunday, September 2, 2018 i

Doro Wot tofu with cabbage and carrots is served up from Meals By Genet during The Taste on the Paramount Studios backlot on Sunday, September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jenn Harris is a columnist for the Food section and host of “The Bucket List” show. She has a BA in literary journalism from UC Irvine and an MA in journalism from USC. Follow her @Jenn_Harris_.

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