Ads used to be here

Recipes (Check out our NEW Recipes Area!)

Yan Can Cook Recipes
Asian Fusion
Chinese
Indian
Japanese
Korean
Malaysian
Singaporean
Thai
Vietnamese

Star Chefs
Martin Yan
Bryan Nagao
Dan Ivarie

Asian Fruits and Vegetables Reference Guide

Find out how to...
Chef Yan's Sauces Vegetable Garnishes Art of Tea
Dim Sum
Using Chopsticks
Cutting Techniques
Kitchen Utensils Making Wontons

Restaurant Reviews
Krungthai Restaurant
MAKO Restaurant
Tommy Toy's

E-mail Your Experiences

Restaurant Review: MAKO
Beverly Hills, California

MAKO, is a new hot Asian bistro with food so sublime that words cannot do the dishes justice.

Click to enlarge

This cozy 49 seat bistro is named after it's chef Mako Tanaka, former protege of Wolfgang Puck. Like Wolfgang Puck, Mako is busy in the open kitchen, but still finds time to come out to warmly greet his guests.

Mako was executive chef at Wolfgang Puck's Spago restaurant for three years and then eight years at the tony Chinois on Main.  Mako is responsible for bringing the Asian fusion concept to New York when he opened the China Grill.

Mako began his culinary career by apprenticing in his family restaurant in Kyoto, Japan. Now, after a lifelong distinguished career as a star chef, he has opened his own restaurant.

Lucky patrons can stop by the Beverly Hills bistro and sip fine wines and martinis while waiting for the chance to taste Mako's creations.

Every dish is a masterpiece, prepared imaginatively such as the Whole Lobster served with Mushroom Thai Basil and Pasta, and the delicious Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushrooms and Spinach with Sweet Sake Soy Sauce on the side.

Even the Roasted Chicken is a work of art with Sticky Rice in a Tomato Soy, Porcini and Shitake Mushroom Sauce. Try the appetizer Sauteed Foie Gras with Poached Pear in a Whole Grain Mustard Soy Glaze and Fresh Wasabi.   Oh, and the desserts are heavenly creations by noted pastry chef Amy Machnak!

Toasting Mako and pastry chef Amy Machnak (2nd from right)

Mako shares with AsianConnections the recipe of his Black Vinegar Chinese Sake Ginger sauce!

The recipes of special sauces by great chefs are always treasures. Guests at our table swooned with ecstasy, as they tasted the fresh sashimi, so we dared to ask Mako about his signature special sauce.

Click for recipe on Mako's Black Vinegar Chinese Sake Ginger Sauce

MAKO Restaurant
225 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212
Tel: 310.288.8338

AsianConnections thanks Brian Uy, digital entertainment producer and President of Havana Cabana, the "in" restaurant in Honolulu for introducing us to Mako. Members in the photo toasting Mako are of Brian's friends and family including cousin, USC medical student Jeffrey Uy (L).   - Suzanne Kai and Mike Kai