The octopus was plated on a wooden plank, as were all the dishes. Then, it was time to eat! The first course was Marinated Grilled Octopus, made by Chef Chris Tzorin. We started off with an Old Fashioned and a refreshing Mango Serrano Margarita with a Tajin rim. Upon arrival, after a tour of the kitchen, we took a seat with fellow influencers who were also invited to this delightful dining experience. ItвЂ™s my life on a plate,вЂќ he concluded.ДЄnd with that, hereвЂ™s what Chef Chris, ChefВ Charlie and Chef Salvador created for us at the coursed dinner: Some will say, вЂNo, youвЂ™re not supposed to do that,вЂ™ IвЂ™m gonna do it anywayвЂ¦.В I just want people to recognize me for who I am, and why I cook. вЂњHere, weвЂ™re bringing more urban-style, outside-the-box food. Now that Chef ChrisвЂ™s expansive career has led him to Tempo Urban Kitchen, he says heвЂ™s open to learning some newer techniques from the two younger chefs, ChefВ Salvador & Chef Charlie, who are big on molecular gastronomy. вЂњ(After) two divorces and losing a child, after all the things IвЂ™ve been throughвЂ¦ the blood, pain and tears, IвЂ™m still here.вЂќ And thank goodness, since he not only inspires people now, but makes amazing food in the kitchen, day in and day out. Chef ChrisвЂ™sВ story inspires me, as I hope it will inspire many of you, to always keep pushing forward with the best attitude possible, to accomplish great things.Д¬hef ChrisВ explained that it was his two boys for whom he brought his A game to win GuyвЂ™s Grocery Games on Food Network. And although the two losses are not comparable, as no two losses are, I share a similar outlook on life after losing my best friend, my mother, much too early. I suppose I especially wanted to share Chef ChrisвЂ™s story because I see a lot of myself in the way heвЂ™s grown from his personal tragedies, and how heвЂ™s transformed it into something that drives him every day to do the most with the life heвЂ™s been given. I want to be able to experience a lot in life, and meet as many people (as I can) and inspire them.вЂќ He teared up as he spoke of little Chris, and said that after going through such a dark and trying time, вЂњThatвЂ™s why you hardly see me upset. However, when the accomplished chef lost his other son, Chris, it changed him forever. He hangs out with me in the kitchen.вЂќ Indeed, Armani was right there with his dad that night at the tasting, wearing his own little personalized chefвЂ™s coat!

вЂњMy dad always told me IвЂ™d be better than him one day, and now I tell ArmaniВ (his young son) the same thing, so he can take it to the next level when he grows up. вЂњMy dad would cook at home, my mom too, and we would sit together at the table and talk about how the week was together as a family,вЂќ he reminisced. Tempo Urban Kitchen does New American fusion food on shareableВ plates, using modern techniques and interesting flavor combinations.В At the Gigasavvy Social Club dinner, we enjoyed a tasting menu of memorableВ bites prepared for us by accomplished ChefsВ Chris Tzorin, Charlie Medina & Salvador Carrillo, all ageВ 30 and under.Д¬hef Chris Tzorin, a recent winner of Food NetworkвЂ™s GuyвЂ™s Grocery Games, is a friend of mine whose story inspires me and many others to keep striving for success, despite the cards you are dealt in life.Д¬hef Chris grew up in the fine dining industry, as his dad was a chef. Something thatвЂ™s worth getting excited about again. However, let me tell you about a great spot in Brea, CAВ doing something very different from your averageВ New American restaurant. These days, the novelty and excitement when the wordsВ вЂњmodern AmericanвЂќ and вЂњfusion foodвЂќ come to mindВ have pretty much worn off, at least compared to a few years ago. The place also packs 'em in for weekend brunch.Marinated Grilled Octopus (all photos by Tanaya Ghosh) (Note: Former chef Cody Storts has left the restaurant.) Desserts such as made-at-the-table ice cream are fun to experience, but one of the many excellent cocktails might round out the meal as well. Mains are highlighted by a quartet of tableside grill options, including the massive carnitas shank served on the bone alongside nopales and saffron rice. Familiar and traditional comfort fare is elevated, as seen in the short rib mole taco with chocolate tortilla. You'll find thoughtful, thrilling Mexican fare on the menu, such as the starter of shrimp ceviche-stuffed oysters and roasted bone marrow topped with crispy shrimp, kimchi slaw, chimichurri and honey sriracha, perfect for scooping into a flour tortilla. But the near-industrial interior and paintings of John Coltrane, Miles Davis and other music icons show you to expect the unexpected. Tempo Urban Kitchen Restaurant Review : From the outside, this humble Brea restaurant looks like a quiet, nondescript strip mall eatery. Be sure to contact the restaurant to find out its current status and offerings. Operations may be disrupted due to COVID-19.

Tempo urban kitchen