The 21 Best Dishes Eater LA Editors Ate in 2021, Mapped | Eater LA

"I was incredibly saddened to hear of chef Calvin Alexander’s passing a few months ago, a tragic loss for a life taken too early because of this wretched pandemic. When his restaurant Chef C’s Smhokin’ Pot opened earlier this year, a friend and I loaded up on the Cajun-inspired fare located next to Dignity Health Sports complex. The place is close enough that I can drive locally there, which is a major boon for when I’m craving things like gumbo, jambalaya, and lobster-laden mac and cheese. The gumbo and jambalaya in particular were very good, with heavy seasoning and all the right levels of comfort that took me back to my trip to New Orleans many years ago. Now when I visit, I’ll toast to the memory of Alexander, an icon in the South Bay that will hopefully continue to make an impact with his delicious, creative recipes. —Matthew Kang" - Eater Staff