Taco Town

It Ain’t Over Yet: Fusion Tacos and Pop-Ups Come Together in Culver City

Tortillas, prepare to be invaded
Tortillas, prepare to be invaded Photo: CBertel via Flickr

Just when you thought the streets were safe from more fusion-y takes on tacos, Royal/T is holding three different taco pop-ups every Wednesday in December. “Nighttime at Royal/T” starts tomorrow with Sean Chaney, the chef at new Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa Beach, dispatching numerous takes on tortilla stuffing (Update: yes, he makes his own tortillas).

Meanwhile, a different form of visual and/or musical entertainment will pair with the meal in the cafe’s backroom. Both the talent and the menus strive for harmony, with a screening of Japan’s Supermarket Woman and ensuing lecture on Japananese grocery shopping paired with a menu featuring spicy tuna, curry tofu, hamachi, and Kobe tacos. Tomorrow, live painting and a music performance called “Goat Wisdom” will meet with Chaney’s “Meal from the Future,” which forgoes birria for ox tail, duck confit, Philly cheesesteak, and crispy BBQ pork tacos, all in an attempt to transmogrify entire meals into taco form. See the whole schedule of performances and planned menus below.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010 | Showtime 8:00 p.m.
“Goat Wisdom” and “Meal from the Future”
$10 general admission | $5 for students

Goat Wisdom

Live music by Andrew Pask, Jeff Gauthier, Steuart Liebig, and Brad Dutz, and live painting by Norton Wisdom

“Meal from the Future”
Menu selections ($4-6 each) include:

Ox Tail Taco: Braised Leeks, White Cantalonia Beans, Horseradish Cream Sauce, Red Onion, and Lemon Zest

Duck Confit Taco: Duck Chicharron, Cheesy Grits, Sautéed Greens, and Maple-Bacon Glaze

Slammin’ Alabamin Taco: Crispy Pork, Coleslaw, White BBQ Sauce, and Cilantro

Philly Cheesesteak Taco: Seared Rib Eye, Bell Peppers, and Provolone

Wednesday, December 15, 2010 | Showtime 8:00 p.m.

“Superfood”
Free admission

Screening of the 1996 Japanese movie Supermarket Woman. Followed by “Superwomen and Supermarkets: Food Battles in Modern Japan,” a lecture by UCLA Lecturer Jordan A. Yamaji Smith.

Menu
Menu selections ($4-6 each) include:

Spicy Tuna Taco: Enoki Mushrooms, Seaweed Salad, and Sesame Seeds

Curry Tofu Taco: Grilled Tofu, Tomatoes, Peas, Green Onions, Yellow Curry, and Sriracha

Hamachi Taco: Shishito Peppers, Soy Sesame Glaze, and Mushrooms

Kobe Taco: Seared Kobe, Grilled Onion, Basil Oil, Mushrooms, and Cilantro

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 | 7:00 p.m. - midnight

First Annual Tokyo Social Club “Christmas Is for Cupid” Holiday Party
$10 general admission
Pre-sale tickets available online.

“Japanese-style holiday party and multi-player ping-pong tournament.” Live music by DJ “Santa,” “free raffles by Love Shack Parties’ sensuality specialists, and a prize for the sexiest holiday costume.”

Menu selections ($4-6 each) include:

Mojo Chicken Taco: Tempura-Battered Chicken, Caramelized Onions, Mojo Sauce, and Cilantro

Yard Bird Taco: Carolina Chicken, Braised Cabbage, and Granny Smith Apples

Gyro Taco: Grilled Lamb, Tomato, Lettuce, Grilled Onions, and Tzatziki Sauce

Mom’s Favorite Taco: Ground Kobe Beef, Tomato, Lettuce, Sour Cream, and Avocado

It Ain’t Over Yet: Fusion Tacos and Pop-Ups Come Together in Culver City