Green Eggs & Ham Benedict | House Baked Ham, Biscuit, Chive Hollandaise

About a month ago, a big cafe with a big patio – thankfully with the charm to match – opened for business behind MTV Networks in Santa Monica. And this past weekend, the An group (The Crustacean) opened up their garden cafe for service on Saturdays and Sundays to feature a brand new brunch menu.

Chilled White corn Bisque with Creme Fraiche

In the past month, it’s become a favorite for weekday breakfast, brunch, lunch (including grab-and-go) and Thursday/Friday happy hour. But now non-Santa Monica professionals (and non-professionals, at that) can enjoy weekend brunch on the window-adorned, dark bricked patio. Heidi Montag, her handlers, my friend Jim from Vegas and I were all there to check it out. (And for once, the cameras on-site were taking pictures of food, not Heidi.) Inside you’ll find a cool dining area with modern, wooden-metal chairs designed by Catherine An, herself.

Tiato Grass Fed Burger | Brioche Bun, Crispy Shallots, Tabasco Aioli, Lettuce, Harvarti Cheese, Fried Egg, Sweet Potato Fries

For $28, guests get three courses by choosing from an array of starters, main entrees and dessert. I loved the brand new Chilled White Corn Bisque with Creme Fraiche – so refreshing yet creamy at the same time. The Cured Salmon Carpaccio was dressed with Fried Capers, Horseradish Creme Fraiche and Tiato straight from their potted herbs right on the patio. In fact, the huge patio is surrounded by planted herbs from which Chef Helene An emerges from the kitchen to pick from, for the menu.

Tiato's patio with live band

The house-baked ham in the Green Eggs and Ham Benedict had perfect flavor while the Grass Fed Burger really held its own, complete with brioche bun and a fried egg topping the patty. If you need your fix of eggs, Tiato’s got you covered – as I realized later the dishes we gravitated towards just happened to include them in the recipes.

Also, if you’re jonesin’ for some cosmopolitan Vietnamese dishes, Catherine An has put Pho, Traditional Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad and even Banh Mi on the menu. I have yet to try those, but will certainly take an opportunity the next time I’m on the westside. Soon, thanks to many customers’ requests, Tiato will bring over The Crustacean’s famous garlic noodles so those who aren’t right by the oceanfront will have easier and more casual access to those addictive tendrils.

Tiato (Vietnamese Perilla)

While you’re there, don’t miss the garden market inside. You’ll find random Asian snacks – fresh (Wasabi Peas, Sesame Sticks, Smoked Almonds, Veggie Sticks, Berry Nutty trail mix) and packaged (Yan Yan, jellies, and more) – nuts, fruits, and other fixins. They’re all free for the sampling, so you can browse to your delight. Soon, they’ll be bringing farmers in themselves to sell their prized goods as a push to create their own farmer’s market space. Combined with their herb garden, Tiato doesn’t get any more local than that.

Photo credit to avilon_music on Flickr

There’s something huge and exciting going on next Saturday. Folks, “it’s” not back. Because whatever it was, is relocating and then arriving as an improved version of its former self. It’s the LA Street Food Fest’s Summer Tasting Event – to take place at The Rose Bowl on Saturday, July 24th.

And now that the fingers have been properly placed on the pulse of the street food buzz craze phenomenon that continues to see growth and expansion in Los Angeles (and like no other city, mind you) every single day – say good-bye to that ultra low admission price. But what it also means is saying good-bye to those impossibly long lines and 3-hour waits, splitting up with your camarades and changing money in the dead of the hot, summer sun.

You get the entire all-you-can eat food truck and street food vendor experience for $45. Or get VIP parking and access for an extra hour for $65. This time, the staff won’t be constrained by their trucks and food will be served from booths. This event aims to be your one-stop stadium.

There will also be a Cook-Off Competition, judged by a panel of experts led by Top Chef Master Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Ciudad, STREET). Every signature bite at the event will compete for “street cred” in categories like Best Old School, Best Nouveau Street Food, Best in Show and People’s Choice.

Some trucks will be making their debuts at the event, including Whisk LA, The Fox Pizza Bus, The Mighty Boba Truck and The Creole Truck. “Surprise chef” appearances are also promised. Get a mini treatment from the Bliss Spa booth. Wash your street eats down with a cold brew (or two, or three…) at one of two Singha Beer Gardens. Other refreshments include Sailor Jerry rum cocktails, IZZE, Honest Tea and Dry Soda. Snap and grab your event souvenir from the Oh! Snap photo booth, which will be taking free prints. Raffle prizes and giveaways? Check. Free parking for everyone? Check. Attendance capped at 5,000? Check.

Looking for live music? The all-girl LA art rock band Warpaint and all-guy LA indie rock band The Deadly Syndrome will be on hand to sonically stimulate while your tastebuds are beguiled.

There are also two worthy causes that will benefit from the proceeds of ticket sales. St. Vincent Meals on Wheels will be able to feed more homebound seniors & Woolly School Gardens will be able to plant Woolly Pocket gardens at three LAUSD schools.

Alas, none other than the girls who brought you that notoriously packed (as in 20,000 deep) Street Food Fest back in February could’ve learned how to do this right. With attendance capped at 5,000 in one of the most famous American football venues – I have a hard time poking holes in this one. Buy your advance tickets now – VIP, even, for that extra hour - because if last time was any indication, it’ll be sure to sell out.

Photo credit to da90027 on Flickr

This post is a quickie because this event will be sure to sell out soon – the event is tomorrow. Last year marked the celebration of 75 years of the Farmer’s Market at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax – and it proved so successful that they’ve decided to bring it back. Purchase your advance, $50, $30 or $25 ticket for tomorrow night and enjoy a little bit of everything the historic marketplace has to offer.

VIP will get you Express event entrance, unlimited food sampling at all participating merchants, 4 beer/wine tickets, Farmers Market tote bag, Farmers Market coupon book, a complimentary all-day parking pass for use during a future visit and even a signed copy of L.A.’s Original Farmers Market History Book or L.A.’s Original Farmers Market Cookbook - a $22.95 value by itself.

The $30 price point will still let you have unlimited tastes and the coupon book but allot 2 beer/wine tickets and the $25 price point will give you access to the food along with the same coupon book. Seems to me the additional $5 is a steal for two drinks to wash your food down with – but VIP will enjoy the most perks by far.

So don’t delay – get your ticket. And enjoy Loteria!, Mr. Marcel Pain du Fromage, Moishes, Tusquellas Fish & Oyster Bar, Du-Par’s, Banana Leaf, The Gumbo Pot and more. Personally, this will be a farewell to the neighborhood since I’m moving east in about a month – but the Farmer’s Market at 3rd and Fairfax will always be a huge part of my Mid-City West experience!! Don’t miss it.

P.S. – Nancy Silverton and Amy Pressman will be previewing a burger from their upcoming Short Order stand to open at The Farmer’s Market in 2011. Trust me – that’s reason enough!

Margarita | Photo credit to smohundro on Flickr

Tomorrow on Thursday, June 10, 2010, Malo Restaurant in Silver Lake will be hosting the third of Tiny Bandit’s series of sample sales featuring local threads for men & women. Shop lines from Akiko, Saint Grace, I [heart] Juliet, Jessica Elliot and more. Don’t forget to bring cash for your clothing purchases. Let’s face it: Folks are smart when they employ “retail therapy” with alcohol.

This is not one of those shopping events where you get a gift bag at the end that’s comprised of more flyers and trash than actual schwag. Instead, you get to reap the benefits of $1 tacos and happy hour drink prices ($4-7) until 10 PM. Besides, you don’t really even need happy hour to go til close because you’ll probably be broke by then, anyway. So grab a couple Spicy Cucumber Margaritas and spur on the local economy. Don’t forget the $1 tacos, either – besides, any seat inside Malo is a lot more comfortable than any couch in the mall.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

5 – 10 PM
$1 Tacos, Happy Hour drink prices

Flyer (Cash only sale)

Malo
4326 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
323.664.1011
@malorestaurant

Filetto D’Agnello Farcito (Filet of lamb rolled with spinach, baked tomatoes & olives, pan roasted - served with alfalfa sprouts, potato cake and rapini) - Il Moro

This week, I had the privilege of joining other food writers at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills for a very special lunch presentation, courtesy of the Italian Trade Commission in Los Angeles and Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West. That very day was National Italian Day, when the ambassadors of Italian culture presented to us the fruits of their research and labor, hoping to spread love for Italian culture by a critical element: The food, of course. They have taken the task of representing Italian cuisine in major American cities, hand-picking the best Italian restaurants in the area based on authenticity and quality of ingredients.

Pannacotta alle Fave con Insalata di Granchio, Fave, Piselli ed Asparagi (Fava pannacotta, Dungeness Crab, English peas, favas and Sacramento Delta asparagus) - Il Grano

At the lunch, we were honored with the chefs’ presence who were all hard at work in the kitchen while we sampled the dishes – but who also prefaced each dish with an explanation of the heart of what we were about to eat. One dish each from the six chosen premier restaurants were presented and washed down with wine pairings, and the results were simply stunning. Sal Marino from Il Grano served a Fava Panna Cotta topped with Dungeness Crab and English peas. It was refreshing and delicious, had a fun consistency and effectively opened up our palate for the plates to come. The Cecaluccoli (rolled with three fingers, not just two) from Celestino Drago had a tomato sauce that absolutely popped, complimented by dried strips of eggplant and a triangular sliver of delicious, tacky Pecorino.

Risotto al Gorgonzola “Dolce Latte” con Barbabietole Rosse e Gialle (Gorgonzola “Dolce Latte” Risotto with Market Red and Gold Beets) - Locanda Del Lago

A standout was a bright red, and extremely rich, risotto from Locanda Del Lago’s Roberto Maggioni. The flavors in the risotto also had a great vibrancy from the beets which shone through the Gorgonzola’s weight, while the risotto itself had great bite. But the Secondi from Il Moro – the perfectly prepared filet of lamb which had spinach, tomatoes and olives rolled into it – was probably the best lamb I have had in recent memory. It kept its characteristic taste while uncharacteristically avoiding the gamey aftertaste thanks to its freshness. It was tender to the fork, juicy and all the more made perfect by being plated with potatoes and rapini, topped with alfalfa.

Cecaluccoli con Pomodorini di Salina, Melanzane e Pecorino (Homemade pasta, cherry tomatoes, eggplant and Pecorino cheese) - Drago

Valentino’s dessert was also a standout, putting a spin on the archetypical Italian gelato. The Cassata (sponge cake) deliciously lay inside and at the bottom of a ricotta cream with the prickly pear gelato framing the dome. It was plated with pistachio crumbs, chopped strawberries and an additional scoop of raspberry gelato as a counter. Delicious!!

If you have a chance, go to one of these hand-picked restaurants for one of their prix fixe menus, each of which features a dish that was presented at this lunch. Caffé Roma will be serving their Polipo e potato (Grilled octopus with fingerling potatoes) in their prix fixe. But they are all extremely delicious dishes made with top-notch ingredients and are available starting tomorrow (June 5) through June 20. If you’d like to indulge, get the wine pairings. Note all the restaurants’ locations, as well. It looks like the Westside wins this one.

All food and wine were hosted.

Saturday, June 5 – Sunday, June 20, 2010

Lunch and Dinner (see menus)

Caffé Roma – Menu
350 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.274.7834

Drago – Menu
2628 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.828.1585

Il Grano – Menu
11359 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310.477.7886

Il Moro – Menu
11400 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310.575.3530

Locanda del Lago – Menu
231 Arizona Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.3525
@lagosantamonica

Valentino – Menu
3115 Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90405
310.829.4313

The stars of Italian food in Los Angeles

Almond Fleur de Sel Toffees

Six years ago, Valerie Gordon and Stan Wrightman, Jr. decided to found an artisanal confectionery. With the finest and natural ingredients comprising delicious chocolates, toffees, petit fours and even jams – the sophisticated palate is further complimented by Valerie Confections’ minimal and artful signature packaging. I’ve found that a great way to give a part of L.A. is to gift a box of Valerie’s toffees or petit fours (and keep one for yourself). It’s guaranteed to leave your giftees with a much better impression of the city than than they had, previously. Only if that diplomacy tip is your thing. Who needs them?

In celebration of their confectionery’s birthday, Valerie and Stan are doing a very special 50% off discount expressly on their very first product – 12-piece Debut Toffee Assortment. Just use code “HBVAL” upon checkout. This code offer is available only through Monday, May 31st. Shipping & handling are not included.

And if you happen to be local, stop by the boutique (on the border of Koreatown and Downtown). You’ll be treated to special birthday samples of those debut toffee flavors! Trust me – they all taste absolutely heavenly.

Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 6PM
Sat: 12 PM – 4 PM
Sun: Closed

Use code “HBVAL” for 50% off 12-pc Debut Assortment
Through May 31, 2010

Valerie Confections
3360 W. First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90004
213.739.8149

@ValerieConfctns

Mojave Desert: Dawn Drive to Mammoth

Tomorrow, for Earth Day, you may want to change things up a bit. Maybe ride your bike or walk to a neighborhood watering ground when you’d normally drive. Eat lunch at a restaurant that prides itself on sourcing from local farmers. Or pack a trashless lunch.

Fortunately, some local restaurants and businesses are getting involved by hosting events or specials in an effort to celebrate conservation. Here are just a few:

(Added) Veggie Grill – West Hollywood or El Segundo

Are you a Veggie Grill virgin and have always wanted to try (or have a friend who is)? All such virgins need to do is accompany a veteran to their nearest location and cash in on a free entree with purchase of a first.

This goes on all day, so check below for their South Bay and Sunset Blvd. locations (there are also 2 locations in Irvine):

11 AM - 11 PM

Veggie Grill
8000 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
323.822.7575

11 AM – 10 Pm

Veggie Grill
Plaza El Segundo
720 Allied Way
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.535.0025

Church & State: Downtown LA

Church & State will be kicking off their on-site Production Garden on Earth Day with a short afternoon of planned events with the community:

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM – Church & State, Pedal Patch Community and the Heart of Los Angeles Youth will sow seeds in the Production Garden.

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM – Church & State will host a Q & A Reception with the Pedal Patch Community for HOLA Kids.

And if you can’t make the afternoon ceremonies, you can always stop by Church & State anytime during the week (Monday, April 19th – Sunday, April 25th) to try out their hand-crafted cocktails ($12 each) that are all made with fresh herbs from the brand new Production Garden.

• Sorrel-Gin Fizz – Plymouth gin, Garden Sorrel leaves, fresh Lime, Sugar & Soda
• Parsley Mojito – Garden Parsley, Garden fresh Mint, Rum, Lime, Sugar
• The Spice Trade – Dark Rum, St. Germain, Garden Cilantro, Anaheim Chili & Saffron

Come in all week for Earth Week cocktails

Church & State Bistro
1850 Industrial Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
213.405.1434

@churchstatela

Akasha: Culver City

Akasha in Culver City will be celebrating Earth Day in full force – even after what looks to be a crazy night hosting Ludo Lefebvre’s Top Chef Masters viewing party (tonight). They get props from me just for that. All day tomorrow, they’ll be offering the following specials:

Cocktails

• Basil Lemon Drop with TRU Lemon $6
  TRU Vodka will donate one tree per cocktail sold
• Strawberry & Guava Margarita $7
  Casa Noble Organic Tequila, Local Strawberries and Guava, Fresh Lime and Agave

Wine (organic and biodynamic)

• Quivira Sauvignon Blanc $6
• Quivira Grenache $7

Beer

• Samuel Smith Organic $4

11:30 AM – 2:30 AM
5:30 – 9:30 PM

Akasha
9543 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232-2618
310.845.1700

@akashacc

Nic’s Martini Lounge: Beverly Hills

It’s never been a better time to revisit the martini lounge on Canon. They’ll be serving up organic fare for their special Earth Day Happy Hour from 5 – 7 PM. Because sometimes, you just feel like taking a visit to the Vodbox.

Organic Happy Hour Libations: $7 each (bar & lounge only)

• Organic Basil and Organic Persian Cucumber Martini
  Featuring Tru Organic Vodka
• Organic Kumquat and Jasmine Cocktail Served on the rocks
  Featuring Crusoe Organic Spiced Rum and Theia Organic Jasmine Liquor

Happy Hour Vegan Appetizer Menu: $7 (bar & lounge only)

• Steamed Artichoke with Miso Butter
• Grilled Pizza with Zucchini + Cured Olives
• Belgian Pomme Frites with Smoked Tomato Aioli

Nic’s will also be offering a $30 All Organic – 3 Course Prix-fixe Menu, which is available in the bar, lounge & dining room all night (not just during happy hour). Also, if you want to visit the Vodbox, with their awesome faux fur hats and coats, one box will be filled with organic and environmentally friendly vodkas for tasting on Earth Day. Kenneth Gray will be on-hand for Tru Organic demonstrations. DJ Armani will cover the tunes during Happy Hour; Jacob Luttrell takes over on piano for the remainder of the evening.

Happy Hour: 5 – 7 PM

Nic’s Beverly Hills
453 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.550-.707

Happy Earth Day! Hope it’s a good reminder for how we should strive to live the other 364 days of the year…

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler With Tillamook Cheddar at Akasha

You may have heard the Tillamook name being touted around food news lately – more specifically as a result of their recent Love Loaf Tour, which actually wraps up their Metro L.A. leg of good will and free cheddar goodness today. Well, that is with exception to the Grilled Cheese Invitational, which they are the official cheese sponsor of.

Tillamook Baby Loaf (yes, they really are small!)

A couple weeks ago I joined the ranks of a few other food bloggers, writers and all-out cheese lovers at the Baby Loaf’s stop at Akasha Restaurant in Culver City. We enjoyed platters of triangle-sliced Tillamook as well as Chef Akasha Richmond’s creative genius in incorporating the cheddar into her recipes. We garnished toasts with her mango chutney and fig-avocado spreads, enjoyed her baked mac ‘n cheese and gobbled up half-baked fingerling potatoes. My favorite bite, however, was definitely the pulled pork sliders which came encased in biscuits and sandwiched with coleslaw. The hands-down most creative usage of Tillamook was the White Tillamook Cheddar melted atop Chef Akasha’s Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler! It gave the otherwise sweet dessert a nice cheesy tang and made the dish quite savory. Truly, you can do anything with cheese.

Good thing Angelenos can still get their free samples of Tillamook … today, only. Check out the locations below for the Baby Loaves’ stops for today, only. Looks like if you’re in Mid-City, South L.A. and Century City today, you’ve lucked out.

Food at Akasha Restaurant-Tillamook media event was hosted; pictures of Chef Akasha Richmond’s and my cats were shared.

Further reading:

My Life-Long “Loaf” Affair With Tillamook Cheese – Diana Takes a Bite

Akasha Means “Enlightening One’s Tongue With Joy” – My Last Bite

My Tillamook – Charles at 1HundredMiles

Love Loaf Tour LA concludes today (Monday, April 12, 2010) at:

Food 4 Less
1717 S. Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90019
12 – 7 PM

Food 4 Less
1091 S. Hoover Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037
12 – 7 PM

Ralph’s
10309 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
11 AM – 6 PM

@TillamookCheese
@AkashaCC

Photo credit to sebastian.b (altuwa) on Flickr

I’ve been eyeing the St. Patrick’s Day specials going around Twitter all week and have finally decided on one – in Hollywood. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of other options available. Whether you’re looking for a few special Irish menu items, a pub to knock back a couple ales, Irish music or happy hour pricings (or any combination of the aforementioned) – these round-ups got them all:

Alternatives to Green Beer: St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails + 2 Cocktail Recipes – Caroline on Crack for LA Weekly Food

• includes Drago Centro, 8 Oz. Burger Bar, Chaya, Comme Ca, The Edison, Pitfire Pizza, Rush Street, 25 Degrees

Pubs in Los Angeles – Google Maps

Where To Drink Green Beer – Elise Thompson for LAist

• Elise of LAist put together this Google Maps mashup of pubs – because sometimes you just need to know where to get a pint of ale. Also check out her green beer post.

Where To Get Shamrocked – LA Times

• includes Redwood Bar & Grill, Brennan’s, Bigfoot Lodge and even The Standard (er?)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day – The Happy Hour Tour

• includes Blue Palms Brewhouse, Henry’s Hat, Bodega Wine Bar, Liquid Kitty, Saints & Sinners, Cabo Cantina and Tom Bergin’s

Also, don’t forget Pourtal Wine Bar in Santa Monica, serving up $5 Vinho Verde (green wine that is ironically Portuguese) starting at 4PM. Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park is serving up Devil’s Pie late-night; wash it down with a brew on-tap. Hungry Cat in Hollywood - where I’ll be – is offering $4 Murphy’s Irish Stout Irish Slings and $6 Picklebacks (whiskey with a chaser of pickle juice). Also, Allston Yacht Club in Echo Park will be serving up Corned Beef Sandwiches for $6 each and pints of Guinness for $4. All food is $5 as they integrate St. Patty’s with their Wicked Wednesday.

Erin Go Braugh, Los Angeles!!

The Bar at Las Perlas

There may or may not be enough places to eat or drink in the block on 6th Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The problem: Where is the bar in all of Los Angeles specializing in tequila at which the drink menu isn’t automatically reduced to a range of flavored margaritas? Las Perlas – which only last Tuesday has joined the neighborhood of Must Bar, Nickel Diner, The Association Bar, The Varnish and Cole’s – is the answer to all your tequila and mezcal needs. The gag-inducing reputation tequila ill-earned with you during college thanks to all those discounted bottles of Jose Cuervo is light years away.

400 Rabbits (I have no idea)

In this latest Cedd Moses (Seven Grand) venture, the space is comfortable and the atmosphere is casual yet festive. But the most important part – the elaborate drinks are made with utmost precision and the drink menu, written in marker on construction paper, is small but has something for everyone. The green backlit bar is impressive while the colorful plastic covering the tables retains that cantina feel. Pop in a few quarters in the personally-approved, brand new jukebox for the perfect, smoky mezcal-sipping soundtrack. Or play a round of pool on a table as brand new as the bar itself (I’m 2 for 2).

Jalisco

Though I’m unsure how often the drink menu changes (I’m inclined to think hand-written infers somewhat regularly?) – the first installment seems to show Julian T. Cox (Rivera) and Raul Yrastorza (El Carmen) have in mind all the corners of your palate. My Jalisco was made of El Jimador Anejo Tequila, Carpano Antica Vermouth, orange bitters, Liquor 43 – complete with a brandy cherry at the bottom of my coupé glass. It brought me back to my most favorite cocktail I consumed my last trip to New York at Mayahuel. It was delicious and complex – appropriately complimenting the anejo-aged tequila – and contrasted the sweet 400 Rabbits (Antiguo Reposado tequila, blackberries and port wine floated with pinot) that Fiona ordered. Certainly, the cocktail I will order on my second visit will be the Pablano Escobar (Sombra Mescal, muddled poblano chiles, pineapple) – a drink I witnessed being made for my neighbor at the bar and which seemed the most complicated recipe including the most garnishes. A spicy cocktail? I’m in – again and again.

Further reading:

Las Perlas Flickr Set

Las Perlas, Cedd Moses’ Mezcal & Tequila Bar Opens in Downtown LA – LA Weekly Food

Q&A With Bartender Raul Yrastorza – Food GPS

Las Perlas
107 E. Sixth Street
Los Angeles, CA
213.988.8355