'Modern Family's' Ty Burrell Takes THR’s Taste Test

Ty Burrell, who plays Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, co-owns the just-opened Chez Soi (451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., 310.802.1212), a Euro-seasonal spot in Manhattan Beach’s Metlox Plaza, three blocks from the pier. His partners are restaurateur Thierry Perez of Culver City’s L’Epicerie and executive chef Mark Gold (the recently shuttered Eva on Beverly Boulevard). Expect chestnut flour pasta with wild chanterelles, roasted P.E.I. mussels with Indian spices and a whole lot of wood-fired vegetables. The cocktail program, which focuses on classics (bucks, mules), was developed by Bar X, a Salt Lake City lounge also co-owned by Burrell, who lives in Utah part-time.

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TY BURRELL’S THR TASTE TEST

Current Fixation
“A salt block. My wife bought me one for my last birthday. It can be used to serve food or to cook on as well. The first time I cooked on it I made the mistake of also salting the food. The meal tasted like a punishment for something.”

Known For Cooking
“I’m known around my house for grilling over- or undercooked meat. This is why I’m interested in restaurants.”

Destination Dinner
“Well, I’m working in London at the moment and we just went to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. It was so good I wanted to cry. Oh wait, I did.”

Go-To Take-Out
“L’Epicerie in Culver City. It’s why I ended up working with Thierry Perez. The food is amazing and fresh and affordably priced.”

Adventurous Bite
“I’ve eaten pork that I’ve cooked.

Simply Won’t Eat
“Nothing I won’t eat so far. That said, cow bowel doesn’t sound fantastic.”

Favorite Snack
“Meats and cheeses.”

Dietary Regimen
“I’m an indiscriminate omnivore.”

Preferred Company
“My wife and daughters.”

Pet Peeve
“Not having salt and pepper on the table. Most restaurants are back to having them out, but it always seemed sort of stubborn to me.”

Big Wish
“I wish my brother would open a bar in my neighborhood. He’s heading up the bar program at Chez Soi, along with two other owners from Bar X, and I’m just so blown away by those guys and what they do.”

Embarrassing Experience
“I generally have a ring of stains around my plate. My hand-eye coordination is suspect. Also, I eat like an animal.”

Guilty Pleasure
“Cheetos.”

Last Meal
“A giant charcuterie board filled with the finest bounty in all the land.”