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Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
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    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
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Dish of the Week: Bistec Encebollado at Isla, La Palma

  • October 5, 2019
  • Brad A. Johnson
Isla in La Palma, California (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Bistec encebollado at Isla in La Palma, California (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Southern California has never had a shortage of Cuban restaurants, but we’ve never had a truly great Cuban restaurant, either. And, yes, I know the ones you’re thinking of right now — and they’re not as good as you think they are. Want proof? Go to the new Isla in La Palma.

This new restaurant will make you rethink every Cuban kitchen that preceded it. And if you eat only one thing at Isla, order the bistec encebollado, a simple flap steak with sautéed onions. The steak is extremely thin, almost like the air-dried cecina in Mexico. It’s cooked until heavily charred and crisp around the edges but it somehow retains its moisture and tenderness. It in absolutely delicious. This is Cuba done right.

Isla, 30 Centerpointe Drive, La Palma, 714-735-8597

For more details about Isla, check out my review in the Orange County Register. To view more of my work for the Register, visit the archives. For more dining and travel inspiration, bookmark this blog and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, World Food Media Awards, Food Photographer of the Year Awards, Society of Features Journalism Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as Editorial Director of the new luxury consumer travel magazine of the Global Travel Collection (launching Spring 2023).

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Hey, OC. FYI in case you missed it, @ryegoods has opened a new location on Red Hill in Tustin, just down the street from Flight/Mess Hall. Same incredible breads and pastries as the original on the peninsula. No lines here, plus a huge seating area. #sourdough #pastries #coffee #orangecounty 322 9
One more post from our lovely stay at @fstokyo. Delicious lunch at @maisonmarunouchi, the casual sibling to @sezannetokyo. Excellent all around. And clearly popular with Tokyo's ladies who lunch: the clientele during our visit, almost entirely women. Quite the see-and-be-seen crowd. 57 1
I’m not sure which I liked better about the @fstokyo, the valet greeter and escort from the train station, the view of the trains from our room, or the super comfy pajamas. Excellent service all around. #Tokyo #Japan #hoteljunkie 79 3
I think @sezannetokyo ⁠has a #footfetish, and I’m ok with that. Truly fantastic lunch. Impeccable service. ⁠ 63 1
We had a really fun "Lost in Translation" moment at @meatman_roppongi. Google Translate failed hilariously. Delicious meat/fat overload anyway. Great staff, charming hospitality. Lots of sake. Thank you, @fstokyo for securing the reservation! #Tokyo #Roppongi #sake 76 1
Well, that was interesting.  A toast to 2022. And looking forward to ‘23. Cheers, and safe travels to all. 81 1
Brad A. Johnson
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Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

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