Jason Killalee at Bar*Food
It was never Jason Killalee’s intention to own a restaurant.
When the now 37-year-old Killalee moved to the States from his native Ireland 15 years ago, he had one goal in mind: acting. He’s had a measure of success, even working with acclaimed directors (Jim Sheridan, “In America”), and he doesn’t have any intention of giving up on his dream.
But along the way, Jason found a second passion – food.
“I always loved to cook, even as a kid,” Killalee says. And after working in such Michelin-starred Los Angeles restaurants as Valentino, Providence, and Bastide, he’s sure to have picked up a few pointers along the way – not to mention a few employees. Killalee has staffed his new restaurant, Bar*Food, with friends that he’s worked with at other establishments, virtually guaranteeing a positive, easy-going work environment filled with people he can trust.
Killalee says that the name Bar*Food came to him in a semi-conscious dream one night, and the idea for the gastropub-style menu soon followed, which is divided into four sections: hot, cold, salty, and sweet. He envisioned his restaurant as “a place I’d want to go…that’s all I was thinking of, what kind of place would I want to go to. And in this present economy, I don’t want to have to spend $100 a person to have some good food, you know?”
He was also focused on keeping his food simple, evidenced by the small yet eclectic menu at Bar*Food. “Nothing’s elaborate,” Killalee states. “I’m not trying to fancy anything up.”
The atmosphere at Bar*Food is very chill, and it’s the type of place where you’d feel comfortable becoming a regular. That’s no coincidence – Killalee was very focused on avoiding the attitude one can find so easily in Los Angeles eateries. “There are so many places that are expensive and mediocre at best, and they are so pretentious that it drives me crazy. It goes against the grain with me.”
This focus on creating a laid-back spot where people can get fantastic food at affordable prices has paid off – Bar*Food has only been open a few months, but already it ranks quite highly on many user-driven review sites (4.5 stars on Yelp, out of 62 reviews). Many of those reviews list Jason by name, as he currently tends the bar every night the restaurant is open, and he’s always sure to greet you as you walk in the door and give you a hearty thanks as you leave. It’s a small token of appreciation and class that many upscale establishments skip, but at this phenomenal new restaurant, it’s just the icing on an incredibly delicious cake.
Click here for my restaurant review of Bar*Food!
Bar*Food
12217 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
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