theUSfiveyearsago,theonlythingsthatImissareourcafeculture
andourAussietakeonAsianfood.”SosaysMullumbimby-raisedchefLouisTikaram.And
withE.P.&L.P.,hisWestHollywoodrestaurantandbarwithBotanicalGrouppartnersand
fellow Australians Grant Smilie and David Combes taking care of the Asian-fusion side of
things,that only leaves one hole to fill.
EnterStringsofLife,the50-seatLosAngelesventurefromthetrio,thatwillbringpure
AussiecafevibestotheDesignDistrictaroundMelroseAvenue,deliveringwhatTikaram
sayshe’syettofindinthecity:“Thesmellofcoffeewaftingdownthestreet,ascreeching
espressomachine,greatmusicandfood,andwhereeveryoneknowsyourname.”
Thechef, who cut his teeth at Sydney’s Tetsuya’s and Longrain before being lured to
LA to helm E.P.&L.P., says the menu at Strings of Life (or SOL for short, in a nod to the
healthy, fresh and focused on quality ingredients, as well as showcasing our love
for simple yet tasty food”. Something clearly on show in the SOL-based recipes here.
As for Tikaram’s other love: “