LA's 16 Best New Dishes Of 2022

"Jollof Rice When was the last time you ate something worthy of a grand ceremony? Chances are, it’s been a while. Consider this your cue to experience the jollof rice at Ilé, a West African tasting menu pop-up in Hollywood. Served from a big smoking cauldron, the fluffy jollof smells like smoky tomato puree with a pinch of sweetness from the slices of ripe plantain cooked inside. The chef explains the inspiration behind the dish while he doles it out: an attempt to end the (mostly friendly) rivalry between West African countries over who makes the best version. His recipe blends elements of Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Senegalese jollof in one huge pot, to create something wholly original and deeply personal." - nikko duren, garrett snyder, brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore