The first time I visited Red Medicine, I was still suffering from the ill effects of being pushed into a light pole in my three week old beautiful car. So even though I’m sure it was a wonderful meal, I don’t remember most of it. However, despite the concussion I was recovering from (and the memory loss), there is one dish that I do remember clearly and that is the foie gras dish with the croissant. Swoon.
So with the impending foie ban looming, the Vinhja and I had been spending most of the last week plotting where we had to eat before the 1st. He decided to go with Animal, and I decided I needed Red Medicine to eat that foie dish one last time. You know, without the concussion this time. I found myself seriously craving that dish, but I couldn’t find anyone willing to go with me. The Vinhja told me to go alone, but I didn’t want to drive all the way over there alone.
After having a coffee break with The Hustler (who is back in town for a month) I went home and took a nap. I had accepted that I just wouldn’t be making it out to Red Medicine before the ban, no biggie. Just kidding. I was really bummed. Then around 9pm I was awakened by a phone call from a friend saying we should go to Red Medicine. I jumped in the shower, threw on a dress, and was ready to go! As my friend drove, I made an 11pm reservation using the Open Table app (best ever) and we arrived at 11:01pm. Perfect! I told the host that we were there for the foie as he got the menus and was ready to walk us to our table.
So imagine that dagger through my heart when the host told me that they were out of the dish. Facepalm. We debated on leaving since that was our main purpose, but I had been itching to try the banh mi, and since we were already there, I figured I could try some dishes from last time again, now that I am clear headed and no longer concussed. We ended up sitting in the bar area and ordered three dishes as a little snack since we were going to go eat dinner at another place afterwards. First up were the chicken dumplings. I remembered these from last time because of the plating, but I didn’t remember the lettuce wraps or the pickles. Assembling these was great fun.
These are chicken dumplings with caramelized sugar and pork fat. Love. These totally softened the blow of not getting foie tonight. Seriously, so good.
Next was the banh mi that I had been wanting to try and is only available in the bar area. Traditionalists will probably be all snooty when it comes to the Red Med version, but at the end of the day, yeah it was good. The pork belly was the best part. My friend had never eaten banh mi before…looks like we need to pay a visit to Lee’s soon.
The last dish we ordered was the beef tartare, which apparently I had on my prior visit but don’t remember (pesky concussion). The thing is, this dish was so good tonight, that I’m sure I would remember it. Then it occurred to me that the plating might be different now? Regardless…I’ve had many a beef tartare within the City of Angels and this one was one of the best I’ve had lately.
So despite that sadness about missing out on Red Medicine’s foie dish, which along with Bouchon’s terrine, is a tie for the best foie I’ve had, tonight was a good night. I can’t wait to go back to Red Medicine and order half the menu again with a clear head this time. If tonight’s snacks are any indication, then I’m in for a real treat!
Red Medicine
8400 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
