Eggslut's Alvin Cailan opened his culinary incubator Unit 120 in Chinatown just a couple weeks ago, and there are already some super exciting things going on in the Far East Plaza space. On January 27, Angelenos will be able to get the first taste of a new concept called Here's Looking At You, opening in Koreatown this spring. Owned by Lien Ta and chef Jonathan Whitener—who left Animal last December after serving as chef de cuisine for three years—the restaurant features Japanese-influenced food with California flair.
The preview dinner will showcase Whitener's talent with a family-style meal that includes unagi, hamachi, beef tartare, whole blue prawns, smoked pork rack and two desserts: almond coconut cake and lemongrass pot de creme. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, but everyone who attends will start off with the chef's beloved Mai Tai from the community punch bowl. It's a fantastic example of what this incubator is all about: testing, experimenting and being guinea pigs for LA's next great restaurants.
Tickets are $75 (including tax and gratuity) and can be purchased for a 6:30, 8 or 9pm seating. Can't make it to the preview dinner? Keep an eye out for Here's Looking At You's spring opening at the former Whiz space at 3901 W 6th Street in Koreatown.