Local Flavor: Ludo and Krissy Lefebvre Talk Urasawa, Sprinkles and...KFC?

Ludo & Krissy - photo credit: Jo Stougaard

Welcome to “Local Flavor,” a new bi-weekly column on Rainy Days and Sundays. Every column will feature a local chef, sommelier or tastemaker talking about his/her local favorite eats. This week: Chef Ludovic Lefebvre and his business partner and wife, Kristine, who are currently working on the next incarnation of their roving restaurant LudoBites (coming to Royal/T Café in Culver City for 13 days in December), sit down and share their favorites (and not-so-favorites) from the SoCal food scene.

1) Favorite neighborhood joint?

Ludo: Kaya Sushi in El Segundo. When we lived in Venice we used to go to the location in Marina del Rey all the time. I love Asian food and they have a great mix of Japanese and Korean.

Krissy: I agree with Ludo on Kaya, it is definitely a favorite. I LOVE the Japchae noodles. Although it is a bit further away (closer to my old neighborhood), Typhoon is still my ultimate favorite neighborhood joint.

2) Favorite high-end restaurant?

Ludo: I have not been to a high-end restaurant since I returned from Las Vegas. I had many great high end meals in Vegas, but now back in LA I mostly focus on exploring new different cuisines. I am always looking for new inspiration. If I had to pick a high-end restaurant it would be Urasawa, and I loved my meals at Hatfield's.

Krissy: Unlike Ludo, I have a really hard time going to high end restaurants. Ludo is simply happy to have someone else cook for him, but I can't help myself and compare every meal to his cooking. I am so spoiled. I have eaten probably 100+ meals at L'Orangerie and Bastide. How do I ever enjoy anything else? My favorite high-end restaurant is definitely my own kitchen when Ludo is cooking. Nothing tops it.

3) Favorite watering hole?

Ludo: We really don't just go out to drink. If we are going to meet friends for a drink and want to stay in Manhattan Beach, it would probably be at Shade, although it is not what I would consider a "watering hole." In France there is always a great pub on the corner, but it is difficult in LA because you have to drive everywhere.

Krissy: Shade is a watering hole for cougars. I do enjoy the entertainment, although you feel the claws the minute you walk in the door.

4) Most overrated food trend?

Ludo: Cupcakes. I don't understand this trend. I did not even know what a cupcake was until Sprinkles came to town; we don't have these in France. I think the idea of a cupcake is great, a small little sweet, but I have not been impressed by any of the cupcake companies and surely not enough to stand in line for hours. They all seem dry. The one time I have been impressed by a "cupcake" type treat was at Kiss My Bundt. Their cakes are so moist and delicious; I would take them over a cupcake any day.

Krissy: Hmmm, bacon??? Did I really say that? I love bacon but it is all about bacon. :)

5) Most underrated restaurant?

Kristine: Neither of us had an answer for this one - sorry.

6) Most embarrassing food indulgence?

Ludo: I am never embarrassed about eating.

Krissy: Where do I start? I am not embarrassed about what I eat, but there are definitely some significant swings in my diet. When Ludo is home it’s all about "fresh" and "homemade.” The minute he goes out of town I fall back to my comfort zone: frozen pizza, PF Changs and by far my favorite indulgence - salami, whipped cream cheese, wheat thins and apple slices, followed by sea salt caramel - YUMMMMM!

7) Favorite hangover meal?

Ludo: Greasy burger, fries and Coca-Cola.

Krissy: Pretty much same as Ludo, but I usually add in a homemade vanilla malted milk shake.

8) Most memorable meal you’ve had at an LA restaurant?

Ludo: Urasawa. Every dish was so fresh and creative and the ingredients were the top top. I was wondering how many courses there would be and did not realize that I had to surrender to Urasawa. I could have eaten for days just to experience each creation but I finally gave up after about 3 hours.

Krissy: This one is easy. The first time I ever at L'Orangerie. It all started with an amuse bouche. Good thing I did not know that every table got this little treat from chef. I thought it was all for me and it allowed me to create the perfect romance in my head, despite the fact I was on a date. Love is funny thing.

9) Favorite dive eatery/roach coach/etc?

Ludo: El Tarasco. Great after-surf food and is a close second for favorite hangover food.

Krissy: Does not fall into a "dive" but it is definitely KFC. I LOVE the extra crispy snackers.

10) Anything you won’t eat?

Ludo: Nope. It is my job to try everything. I prefer not to, but sometimes I even give in to bad food.

Krissy: Salad. I know it sounds crazy, but it just grosses me out.

Stay tuned for more “Local Flavor,” coming to you every two weeks. Interested in being featured? Email me at clare@clareiswriting.com