If you're in Los Angeles and looking for a truly unique culinary experience, look no further than Belly of the Beast.
Started in 2010 by business partners Kelly Phanuekthong and Nathan Sheppard, Belly of the Beast (BOTB) is a monthly dinner party where friends (and friends of friends) gather to fill up on deftly crafted multi-course meals and specialty cocktails.
As its name might suggest, Belly of the Beast is not for the vegetarian. The fixed menu often features protein-based courses such as "Roasted Salmon Belly Chowder with Oil Poached Celery, Glazed Carrots and Bacon & Leek Potatoes." This dish (pictured on the left) exemplifies the BOTB dining experience. The dishes are both delicious and beautiful to look at, proving that BOTB's success stems from a collective culinary mastery and a dedication to detail.
Everything is made from scratch -- from the bread, to the BBQ sauce, to the homemade ice cream. Chefs Phanuekthong and Sheppard often plan their menu well in advance (usually in a bar over scotch, which might explain some of their imaginative undertakings) and carefully construct a series of dishes around star ingredients.
The meal is typically comprised of two starters, two entrees, one main meal, and a dessert. The partners each make one starter and one entrée, and switch off responsibilities between constructing the main dish and the dessert. The result is a harmony of flavors inspired by a myriad of different cultures, with the key influencers stemming from Sheppard's southern upbringing and Phanuekthong's Thai, Mexican, and French culinary background (Clearly, Phanuekthong was raised in Los Angeles).
The overall experience is what makes BOTB so exceptional: Members of this "supper club" dine together in a private bungalow. In warm weather, the garden patio is put to use, in cold weather diners gather around a massive table that takes up the majority of the living area. First-rate service is established from the get-go: Engaged in a whirlwind of whisking, plating, and seasoning, Phanuekthong, Sheppard, and their wait staff peek out from the kitchen to greet guests as they trickle in. Almost immediately water is poured, drinks are served, and utensils are laid out for the first course. The smell is the first thing that draws you in and it is typically the prevailing topic of conversation amongst strangers just getting to know each other. The initiation doesn't last long -- by the time the first round of cocktails have been cleared, you're already amongst friends who share your love of good food and new experiences.
View the slideshow for more examples of BOTB dishes.
For more information on Belly of the Beast, visit www.botbla.com
For reservations
Email: reservations@botbla.com
Call: 213-700-8119
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