Score one for Tristan Simon, the Pied Piper of Henderson. He robbed Red O, Rick Bayless’ hot new restaurant in LA of its executive chef Michael Brown. It will be a matter of days before Brown hits Dallas to take over the kitchen at Alma, Simon’s redo of Cuba Libre on Henderson, and create the “elevated regional Mexican cuisine” menu.
Yow. Zah. Red O on Melrose in West Hollywood opened last May and the crowds are still lining up at the door. Brown auditioned for Bayless who is technically the consulting chef of Red O, but has maintained a high profile in LALA Land. Los Angeles Times critic S. Irene Virbila gave Red O 3 stars in August.
Before his stint at Red O, Brown worked for Wolfgang Puck’s corporate catering and Patina. His arms are covered with Dia de Los Muertos tats.
Would you like to watch Brown and Bayless in action? Here you go.
UPDATE: Here is Michael Brown’s resume: Red O, Los Angeles, Executive Chef, 2010. The Conga Room (Wolfgang Puck Restaurants), Los Angeles, Chef de Cuisine, 2009. The Abbey (SBE Restaurant Group), Los Angeles, Executive Chef, 2007-2008. Brasserie Vert (Wolfgang Puck Restaurants), Los Angeles, Chef de Cuisine, 2006. El Toro Cantina, Santa Monica CA, Executive Chef, 2003-2005. Restaurant 5 Dudley, Venice CA, Chef de Cuisine, 1999-2003. Pino Bistro (The Patina Group), Los Angeles, Sous Chef, 1995-1999.
