By Jasmin Rosemberg By Jasmin Rosemberg | November 1, 2022 | Food & Drink, Migration,
Culinary arbiter Max Block founded carvingblock to share authentic stories about food. PHOTO BY LIAM BROWN
Hospitality PR veteran Max Block discusses founding his creative agency carvingblock and his picks of the hottest spots in town.
Growing up in Los Angeles to a family embedded in the restaurant industry—who own one of the country’s top liquor license agencies—Max Block’s parents inspired his love of food through cooking together and traveling. “I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to traverse the globe with food as a guide,” he says, “whether that’s truffle hunting in Alba, or a tour of regional dim sum in China, learning the ways it can affect culture and community. I strongly believe food is the ultimate connector and a great meal has the potential to diminish the differences we may perceive between each other.”
While he considered a career in entertainment, Block pivoted to hospitality as the city embraced what he dubs the “chefs are the new rock stars” mentality. After honing his skills at culinary PR firms, in 2015, he founded carvingblock (carvingblockpr.com), which creates events and experiences that share stories authentically, with food at the forefront. The creative agency produces epicurean events for clients such as Amazon Studios, Cinespia, FX and Soho House, and represents concepts including Caruso, Cocktail Academy, Ace Hotel and Grand Central Market. Currently, they’re programming food festivals, awards season events and novel campaigns within the beverage space. Says Block, “Hospitality at its core is about taking care of people, so regardless if it’s a blockbuster movie premiere or a neighborhood dinner spot, we aim to create unforgettable meals and memories.”
Block has long been involved in the Dine LA (dinela.com) restaurant week, which this year will run from Oct. 14 to 28. “It’s a celebration of restaurants you love and restaurants you have been meaning to visit,” he says. In addition to hundreds of restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus, this year’s program will include new initiatives with hotel partners. He notes, “We’re expecting packages that encourage Angelenos to book a staycation and create dining itineraries perfect for dates, family and friends, in new neighborhoods.”
As for his own culinary itinerary? “I am what my friends call a food snob, but, to me, that doesn’t mean tasting menus, truffles, caviar and food so esoteric you can’t understand what you’re eating,” says Block, a culinary arbiter, entertainment consultant and co-host of Tastemade podcast Table Setting.“I love to see a chef trust their vision and execute it to the highest extent. You can honestly taste the difference.” Here, he shares his picks of the L.A. restaurants you shouldn’t miss.
Nobu Matsuhisa’s Matsuhisa Beverly Hills PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
The king crab tempura PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Matsuhisa Beverly Hills
“There’s something effortlessly chic about Nobu Matsuhisa’s flagship restaurant. It’s subtle and understated, filled with locals who have been going since it opened and just always feels like home to me. Try the king crab with amazu vinegar and jalapeños in lieu of—or in addition to—the classic rock shrimp tempura.” Beverly Hills, 310.659.9639, matsuhisabeverlyhills.com
Capo serves modern Italian-style cuisine PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Capo
“One of the city’s best-appointed dining rooms and under-the-radar, always-knocks-it-out menus. The well-heeled crowd sips martinis while enjoying wood-fired veal scaloppini—regulars add a side of the legendary tartufo ragu to dip in, and soak up the unmatched L.A. scene.” Santa Monica, 310.394.5550, caporestaurant.com
Don’t skip Horses’ pastas, such as the tagliarini with clams. PHOTO BY LUCKY TENSON
Horses
“It’s rare that there’s a restaurant that’s so deserving of the hype. What Liz, Will, Amanda, Charlotte and the team have created feels of the moment and entirely ‘’90s power dining throwback’ in the best sense. Yes, the burger, yes, the hen, but for me it’s the seasonal pastas that are always unexpected and wow beyond belief.” West Hollywood, horsesla.com
Cobi’s
“Talk about a vibe. This Southeast Asian Santa Monica hot spot is filled with the West Side’s most fashion-forward enjoying some of the city’s best flavor-punching dishes in a wildly fun setting. The dry-aged branzino with yellow curry and herb salad is one of the year’s must-try dishes, hands down.” Santa Monica, 424.238.5195, cobis.la
Cobras & Matadors
“Everybody loves a comeback. The energy is palpable and the crowd gives off a ‘f**k it, let’s party’ European cafe attitude that’s turned the restaurant into the ‘it’ spot of the moment. Don’t miss out on the entrecôte steak that seals the deal on why this is the dining room you need to be in tonight.” Beverly Grove, 323.272.4924, @cobrasandmatadors
Founded in Paris in 1927, Caviar Kaspia helped establish the art of caviar PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Caviar Kaspia
“The definition of fashion and food have come to life in the new Melrose Place maison for the Parisian brand. The whole setting feels transporting, the guests are oozing with stylish sensibility and the new L.A.-only menu cannot be beat. If you’re lucky enough to score a reservation—and trust me, it’s tough—you’re one of the lucky ones.” West Hollywood, caviarkaspia.com
Photography by: