Reservation For Three

The 1st LA Food Swap - A New Community

2011-04-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, a small group of Angelenos came together with our handcrafted preserves, herbs, tinctures, cookies, pastas, tomato sauces, cocktail mixers, and more with one mission: to trade our goods. Of course, after everything was said and done, something else emerged: a new community.

We circulated for a while in a mellow frenzy, checking out what everyone else had brought, chatting along the way. And then the swap began. I swapped my brown butter shortbread and lavender, oatmeal, brown sugar scrub for a bounty of treats:

- rosemary tincture
- herb salad
- garlic confit
- clementine margarita marmalade
- satsuma dust
- two lemon curds
- onion marmalade
- blueberry preserves
- strawberry rosemary jam
- rosemary bundle
- blood orange marmalade
- artichoke cheese biscuits
- brown butter muffins
- cherry pistachio cookies
- fig scones

We've continued the party on Twitter and will reconnect at the next LA Food Swap, happening on April 9th at the Good LA's Launch Weekend.

Big thanks to Emily Ho, who was inspired by other food swaps around the country and decided that LA needed one too.

Read more about the 1st LA Food Swap:

LA Food Swap

LAist: An Old Fashioned Good Time: The 1st Ever LA Food Swap

Fudge Ripple

Everything But The...

Roberta Romero

Street – LA’s Most Toddler-Friendly Restaurant?

2011-03-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

We met Valley-based Grandma for Friday night dinner at centrally located Street last night, not sure it would be kid-friendly for our almost-three year old. It quickly became obvious that Street is a restaurant that welcomes everyone, even sometimes crazy toddlers.

Top 8 reasons we'll return to Street often:

1. Reservationist assured me, “kids are welcome!” when making our reservation. Always a good sign. And, she gave us a perfect corner booth, comfy and easy to navigate.

2. “Ugh, there’s a toddler” looks from co-diners quickly ameliorated by warm welcome from everyone from the busser to our server. People, we have an iPhone with toddler apps, it will be ok, promise!

3. Our lovely server assured us there were no pecans, pistachios, or walnuts (our guy’s allergic) in anything, but would make a note for the kitchen just in case. So much better than the annoyed reaction we often get.

4. Kajsa Alger, Street’s Executive Chef and Partner, visited our table with a bowl of strawberries for our guy. She chatted with us about kids (she has a 4 year old) and how they either love or hate Street’s food. Our guy inhaled everything, from the millet rice krispie treat amuse to the carrot & harissa salad, short ribs, Brussels sprouts, and shitake & shrimp fritter.

5. The one bummer, especially on a triple-poop night (sorry, overshare), was the absence of a changing table in either bathroom. Luckily, two big chairs outside the bathrooms were easily dragged into the single-occupancy men’s room for our makeshift changing table. We got an ok from our server before we started moving furniture.

6. On our way to the bathroom for diaper change #3, our server and two others stopped us to say how much they loved having our son there and asked us to come back to Street soon. Non-parents, this is an extremely rare sentiment. Shocked, I told them how much we appreciated their warm welcome and support as we try to raise a well-mannered little diner.

7. Sheparding our guy out the door, we were sent off into the night with sweetly enthusiastic thank-yous and “please come again!” from Kajsa and others.

8. Almost forget to mention, the food was fabulous. Loved it all. Favorites included:
- Black Kale with Refried White Beans
- Braised Short Ribs
- Tatsutage Fried Chicken
- Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
- Kaya Toast
- Shrimp Stuffed Shitake Mushrooms
- Carrot and Harissa Salad

Street
742 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038-3415
(323) 203-0500
www.eatatstreet.com

*Image courtesy of Muy Yum: http://www.flickr.com/photos/muyyum/4395467903/

Echo Park's New Greengrocer: Cookbook

2010-08-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

Cookbook is the corner store Echo Park has been waiting for and it's finally opening up tomorrow. We had a chance to take a sneak peek during tonight's friends and family night, where Echo Park locals, Marta Teegan and Robert Stelzner(below), opened up their beautiful space to share what they've created.

It's a small shop, and you can tell that they thoughtfully edited the store's offerings. Craving ice cream? Only one brand to choose from, but it's cult favorite Dr. Bob's in several luscious flavors. They've worked hard to bring some of the best from the Farmers' Market scene: Weiser's padron peppers, McGrath's haricot verts, Givens' carrots, Kenter Canyon herbs, plus heirlooms, avocados, late summer fruit, and more. Motivating to get to the Sunday market just got a bit harder.

Aside from the lovely selection of organic produce (at reasonable prices, by the way), Cookbook is the gourmet marketplace I honestly never thought I'd see in Echo Park. I need a few more visits to take everything in but some of the items I spotted included: Fermin Jamon Iberico, Sightglass Coffee (ex-Blue Bottle & Four Barrel guys), Cafe Fanny granola, Rustic Bakery sweets, Morning Glory Confections' artisan brittles (disclosure: my husband)and Strauss Family Creamery dairy.

In addition to organic produce, gourmet finds and staples, Cookbook will also offer an ever-changing array of prepared foods, a blessing for the neighborhood's busy parents. Recipes will come from Heirloom L.A., Marta's archives, and the week's featured cookbook. Tonight's dishes included a fatoush salad with cauliflower and eggplant, gazpacho, roasted asparagus and potatoes, a fava bean & pea tendril salad, pesto gnocchi and grilled corn. We devoured every bite and, more importantly, my two-year-old loved it all. That's him with some corn.

Oh, and there's a huge selection of Heirloom L.A.'s lasagna cupcakes, pasta sauces, lasagnas, and fresh pastas.

On our walk back up the hill, we imagined all of the times we'll head to Cookbook: When we're too tired to cook, if we just need a bottle of milk or some herbs for a recipe, if we skip the farmers' market but need some veggies for the week, when we're in need of a hostess gift, or if we just need to indulge in some Dr. Bob's.

Cookbook
1549 Echo Park Avenue
LA, 90026
213-250-1900
Open daily, 8am-8pm

Tater & Mommy: Forage

2010-08-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

OK, so Forage has the basics every parent needs: plenty of high chairs, booster seats, and a changing table. What sets Forage apart is the TLC the staff provides, not as some customer service schtick but because they're all just so darn nice. Can Tater have a side of avocado instead of one of their available sides? Of course! And for $1.50, it's a bargain, trust me. They have little kiddie plates they provide if your kiddo's into his own special plate.

Other than the warm, family vibe they've cultivated, the food keeps us coming back again and again. Succulent Jidori chicken's always a hit with Tater, but so is almost everything else we've ever tried. They always seem to have a pot of Rancho Gordo beans available, another no-brainer for our guy. Today we both gobbled up the watermelon, feta, and arugula salad, the heirloom tomato & ricotta salata salad, and the Jidori. The tomatoes were summer in a bowl...so good. And the classic watermelon dish was juicy, sweet, and salty. I'm still thinking about the fava bean, mint and ricotta crostini and avocado sandwich I had months ago.

Forage is great too if you just don't have time to cook, but you still want your kid to eat whole foods. On our way out, I picked up dinner for him tonight: those heirloom beans, roasted summer vegetables, and navy beans & couscous with cherry tomatoes.

If Tater's losin' it, the crazy good pastries and cookies keep him planted in his seat long enough for mommy to finish chatting with her friend. Forage gets the beauty of thin, buttery cookies - today's oatmeal raisin was perfection. And the cream cheese bundt? Cushiony and creamy with a tender crumb, another winner. Would be perfect with any summer fruit.

Some complain it's expensive. I always end up spending a ton at Forage, though you don't have to. It's just impossible for me to resist the expertly-made food, prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients, much of it from the backyards of local amateur farmers.

We're never the only family there because Forage is a godsend for parents who want the very best for their family in a comfy setting.

In the mood for a little aloha? $50 Roy's Gift Card Giveaway!

2010-07-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

Has it really been almost five years since our honeymoon in Maui? After all the stress of the final weeks of wedding planning and the intensity of the wedding itself, Maui was just what we needed. I remember being there and thinking that the landscape looked a lot like parts of Southern California, but the air, the people, the light, the scents, and the food was unmistakably Hawaii.

Is a dinner at Roy's like going to Hawaii? Well, of course not. But there are hints of the Hawaii in the flavors of the food, the decor, and, forgive me, but I completely fall for the copious use of "Aloha!"

Want a tiny slice of aloha? I have a $50 Roy's gift card for one lucky person! Just leave your memories or idea of Hawaii in one word in the comments and make sure to add your contact info so I can find you. I'll use random.org to randomly pick the winner on August 2nd.

Good luck!

Roy's Ohana Tour Preview

2010-07-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Can I blame parenthood for losing the ability to sit down and crank out a blog post? I sure hope so, because other than that I'm out of excuses. Tater's asleep on his Dad, so I'm going to hurry and finish this darn thing!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting some genuinely charming pr folks and the sweetest couple, The Roaming Belly plus one, at a tasting event at the Downtown Roy's. Strong, herby cocktails and hearty snacks were the perfect way to end my week.

The folks at Roy's were nice enough to include a gift certificate for a dinner on them to be given away or kept for us to use. Sorry, but this cash-starved little lady is saving it for a future date night with my hubby. Thanks Roy's and Kat from Formula PR for a fun night out!

For an actual account of the preview night at Roy's, please head on over to The Roaming Belly. Here's what you need to know about Roy's new Ohana Tour (from The Roaming Belly - my laziness knows no bounds):

An inaugural trip to a participating Roy's restaurant, where guests are awarded an Ohana Tour card to present at the next Roy's location.
On the second visit, guests will receive a complimentary Chocolate Souffle (with purchase of entree).
At the third location, guests will receive a $20 gift card (with purchase of entree) and entry into the Hawaii sweepstakes.
Restaurants participating in the tour include Roy's Anaheim, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Pasadena and Woodland Hills locations.

Calling Moms and Dads: America's Next Great Restaurant

2010-06-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

Finally, an invitation to an event that actually sounds interesting and one where kids are not only accepted but invited! Email your RSVP to ANGRaudience@gmail.com for more details.

AMERICA'S NEXT GREAT RESTAURANT

Bobby Flay, Curtis Stone, Steve Ells & Lorena Garcia

Are Inviting Families with Children Ranging in Ages from 4 - 12
for a very exclusive tasting and taping of a brand new show on NBC
from the production company that brought you “Top Chef.”

This Family Friendly Tasting and Taping will be on
Wednesday, June 9th in downtown Los Angeles.
Please RSVP to ANGRaudience@gmail.com for more information
regarding location and time.

Please include your name, telephone number, number of guests in
your party and the ages of your children.

Tater and the Trash Guys

2010-05-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

We've been waiting for this day for weeks. Garbage trucks, otherwise known as Tater's favorite thing in the world, up close and personal at the Annual Bureau of Sanitation's Open House. I suppose we should have known how scary those enormous trucks would be for him, but we just thought it was a no-brainer.

While Tater was thoroughly freaked out, wanting nothing to do with the trucks, we were having a great time. Now, you should know we have watched way too many garbage truck videos on You Tube so we know our Heil DuraPack Pythons from the Heil DuraPack 7000's. Still, I must admit it was interesting to learn about the current fleet of local trucks.
I'm not sure what the Bureau of Sanitation is doing right, but everyone at the Open House was professional, friendly, and eager to tell us about their trucks and various programs. Really, this event was managed better than many weddings I've attended. Who knew the BOS was so on top of it? Free burgers, dogs, snacks, and drinks and the most charming group of high schoolers guiding visitors around the yard.
Above is Herbert, another friendly BOS staffer, who gave us kitchen oil disposal basics.

A DJ spun old R&B while we strolled around, learning about the recycling program, the best way to dispose of oil, how to compost, and other interesting tidbits. We saw their official electric Mini and learned how the fleet is transitioning to all natural gas trucks.
But the highlight of the event had to be the little recycling can they gave out to "winners" of the recycling game. It's Tater's new lovie.

Way to go, BOS!

Fantasy Morning - Coffee and Doughnuts

2010-03-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's my fantasy *: It's Sunday morning. We all wake up at 7:30am (this is already far-fetched), throw on some clothes, brush our teeth, and head down the hill towards Downtown. Still groggy, we arrive at the Lazy Ox Canteen where we're greeted as warmly as always.
There they are on the bar, luscious doughnuts just out of the fryer. Today's flavor is anyone's guess. Lemon, rosemary, and thyme? Orange blossom & vanilla bean? Simply perfect cinnamon sugar? We take two and they throw in a little doughnut hole for Tater.

Lucky for us, the Lazy Ox serves SF's Four Barrel coffee (they actually do!). As a decaf drinker, I so appreciate roasters like Four Barrel, who are producing decaf that's as yummy as its regular counterpart.

We get Tater settled into his highchair and give him his doughnut hole which keeps him busy for a half hour (ha!). Our doughnuts are heavenly, still warm, fluffy and perfect with our coffees. Tater is happy and content as we savor our doughnuts and coffee.

Will this fantasy come true? God, I hope so.

*Inspired by a recent morning at Oakland's Pizzaiolo, where their morning doughnuts sell out by 10am. Pizzaiolo's loud and bustling at night, but downright serene in the mornings. Coffee and doughnuts (just coffee and doughnuts - not a full breakfast) would be perfect at the Lazy Ox, but I'm sure would work at any number of places: Wurstkuche, Cole's, or....?

"Best Brittle" Says Martha Stewart Living!!

2009-10-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

Other than a few references here and there, I really haven't used this space to write about my husband's labor of love, Morning Glory Confections. It always felt like some sort of weird conflict of interest as I'm a food blogger (or, internet food writer, if you prefer) and he's a confectioner.

But folks, I must say it's time to break the rules because my honey's brittle has just been featured in October's Martha Stewart Living. This is beyond huge for him and I couldn't be prouder.
After grad school, Max worked as a private chef for an LA family, cooking to his heart's content with few limitations. He often made nut brittles for them to snack on, eventually incorporating various herbs, spices, and other ingredients not usually associated with peanut brittle. The family loved the results of his experiments as did I.
In Fall of 2007, Max decided to make it official, creating, refining, and finalizing brittle recipes, using family and friends as focus groups, and basically jumping into this totally new terrain. Our friend Liz, of Department of Graphic Sciences, helped Max realize his vision for the packaging, modern and minimalist.
Fast forward to October 2008, Morning Glory Confections' artisan brittle landed in stores around LA, some of our favorites in fact: Susina Bakery, Lark Cake Shop, Auntie Em's, Cheese Store of Silver Lake, Clementine, and more recently Joan's on Third, Bottega Louie, Cube and others. Pat Saperstein, of Eating LA was the first blogger to take notice of the brittle after tasting a few bites at an Obama bake sale.
A Daily Candy mention in early 2009 was a thrilling indication that Max's brittle was filling a void in the confectionary world. Next came a glowing mention on the LA Times' food blog, the Daily Dish, a Tasting Table post, and other posts from the food blog world.

And now Martha Stewart Living:

BEST BRITTLE
Brittle often has a Goldilocks problem: It's either too hard or too soft, too sweet or not sweet enough. Morning Glory Confections, however, has made its artisinal brittle just right. Produced in small batches in California, the candy has an excellent snap and balanced sweetness, and comes in six delectable flavors. Our favorites: Fleur de Sel & Peanut and the new Thai Curry & Peanut.

I'm constantly impressed with Max for all sorts of reasons, but I had to let you know that, in addition to running almost every aspect of Morning Glory Confections, he's also been a stellar new dad to our precious Tater. Where he gets the energy, I do not know!

Check out his website for brittle descriptions, the full list of retailers, his online store, and to sign up for his mailing list. And if you're around Melrose and La Cienega on Sundays, do stop by Max's booth at the Melrose Place Farmers' Market to sample his six flavors and market exclusives (recently: bacon brittle!).

Morning Glory Confections
http://www.morninggloryconfections.com
MGC on Twitter
MGC on Facebook

Andre Guerrero's Movin' into Glassell Park!

2009-10-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

I love this news because:

1. Echo Park's minutes away from Glassell Park

2. While we're occasionally disappointed by The Oinkster's fries, their always good veggie burgers, pulled pork and pastrami sandwiches make it a reliable favorite. I'm confident Andre will create a similar neighborhood favorite in GP.

3. I know they had their fans, but we found Butter Tart's butter tarts icky. It takes a lot to keep me away from a cute bakery close-by, but it was easy to stay away from Butter Tart after that first visit.

4. The eastside (or whatever you call our side of town) needs more neighborhoody breakfast/lunch joints.

5. Intelligentsia coffee without the wait or parking nightmare of the Silver Lake branch? Yes!

Thanks to Food GPS for breaking the news.

Butter Tart Bakery
4126 Verdugo Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065

We've Got a Winner!

2009-10-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to May, who won two tickets to next weekend's Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon in Pasadena. For the rest of you, there's still time to buy tickets, which are an extremely reasonable $20 ($25 at the door) for a serious chocolate feast. Click here for all of the details. And thanks for entering and sharing your favorite chocolate dessert.

My favorite, by the way? An old-fashioned chocolate layer cake. Just had a great one at Jongewaard's Bake 'N Broil in Long Beach.

Ticket Giveaway: LA Luxury Chocolate Salon 10/11

2009-09-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

Do you love chocolate? No, I mean to you love chocolate...lurve chocolate? If so, do I have a giveaway for you. If you're free on October 11th, enter below for your chance to win two tickets to this year's LA Luxury Chocolate Salon. What is a chocolate salon, you ask? From what I gather, it's non-stop chocolate: chocolate tasting, book signings, chocolate demos, chef/author talks, and more.

I have NO idea how I got so lucky, but I'll be at the Salon as a panelist, tasting and judging more chocolate than I've ever consumed at one time. It's quite a challenge, but I think I'm up for it. Won't you join me?
For a chance to win, just answer this question in the comments below: What's your favorite chocolate dessert? I'll be utilizing the number in a paper bag method to randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, September 30th.

Make sure to either log in using your Blogger ID or provide some sort of contact info. Good luck!

If You Leave, Don't Look Back - Blogger Prom 2009

2009-07-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

When was the last time we had a fabulous night out, just the two of us? Now I'm not talking about the quickie coffee shop dinner with us scarfing down a tuna melt while Grandma patiently waits for us to get back home. I'm talking about heels and sequins and fishnets and an up-do. Yes, my friends, I'm talking about Blogger Prom.

Don't ask me why, but for some reason my mom had saved my prom dress from the 11th grade, and by some crazy miracle, it still fit. My better half initially wanted to go as his alter ego, a mulletted, bandana-wearing, trash-talkin', sleeveless denim shirt clad drunk dude last seen at Cal Arts grad night a few years back. I won the battle this time and he instead went for "Country Club Preppy."

Blogger Prom was held at the Andaz Hotel, more famously known as "Riot House" where bands like Led Zeppelin and The Who rode motorcycles down the halls, threw TVs out of the windows, and performed other forms of sexy mayhem.

Sometimes LA is just so beautiful. As we sipped our tequila cocktails from the rooftop at dusk, we gazed over LA transfixed by the endless sea of twinkling lights. The BP Committee arranged for some pretty substantial snacks, including caprese kabobs, charcuterie, beef & lemongrass skewers. We had rushed around town getting ready for BP, so we were starving.

Barrie Lynn, otherwise known as The Cheese Impresario, treated us to an incredible cheese plate. For dessert, we inhaled cheesecake pops and mini-cupcakes.

All in all, Blogger Prom was awesome. Not only did it give us a much-needed date night, but it was great to meet in person so many of my twitter and food blog buddies I've gotten to know over the past few years.

Sunday Dinner: Wurstkuche

2009-07-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Not sure what we were thinking, but after my brittle man's day at the Melrose Place Farmers' Market and Tater and my day in Santa Monica, we just wanted a no-cook night. So off we went to Wurstkuche. Tater's current bedtime is usually around 6:30pm, so if we have dinner out, we're with the early birders at 5pm or even earlier. Not tonight! We were living like gypsies, as my Mom says, leaving the house at 6:30pm.

Man, Wurstkuche gets crazy busy at night. The room was completely full when we got there, but luckily I spotted a lone table in a corner. The Wurstkuche guy kindly moved it over to a little space against the wall and thankfully the portable high chair fit on the table.
Ok, so by the time we got our food it was around 7:15, now way past Tater's bedtime and the poor little guy was on the edge. As always, we quickly ate our sausages while supplying him with cheerios, barley biscuits, napkins (he likes to rip them up into tiny pieces - yes, bussers hate us), his sippy cup, and little pieces of bun. Wurstkuche was quite loud, so Tater's brief outbursts were completely drowned out by the noise.
The sausages were awesome. We split the duck/bacon, sundried tomato/mozzarella and a small fries. After a string of so-so sausages (why did I even bother with the vegan dog??), I turned a corner and started ordering the right sausages, thanks to Twitter buds, Joshua Lurie (Food GPS) and Sam Kim (LAist). Thanks again, guys! We're huge fans of the near-perfect fries, which have to be some of the best in LA.
Tater was near delirious by the time we got home, falling asleep as soon as we finished Goodnight Moon.

Wurstkuche
800 E 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

A Quickie Lunch for Me and Tater: Porta Via Italian Foods

2009-07-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Tater & I were on our own today, so we decided that a lovely, yet quick lunch at Porta Via was in order. A little shrimp & calamari salad and arugula & beet salad for me, Tater got a jar of yucky organic chicken with pasta stars (Dad's been busy).

We sat outside on their shaded patio and had about as relaxing a lunch as it gets these days. For a dude who eats almost all daddy-prepared food, Tater didn't seem to mind the processed junk, happily devouring the whole jar.

My salads were just right for this scorcher of a day. The seafood salad was crisp and light, with just a hint of heat. The arugula salad was good, though a bit too sweet for my taste and maybe a little overdressed.

After a few minutes, Tater decided our leisurely lunch was over so I quickly devoured the rest of my salads, gulped down my Pellegrino and off we went to do errands in Old Town.

Porta Via Italian Foods
1 W California Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
626-793-9000

Sunday Picnic: Mozza2Go

2009-07-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

Since Tater was feeling better after last week's tummy bug, we decided a picnic in Elysian Park would be a perfect way to celebrate his recovery. Plus, it was a stunning summer day and we were finished with the Hollywood Farmer's Market in the AM. After my first taste of Mozza2Go on Friday with a tuna panini my husband picked up, I was itching to check it out for myself.

Really, is there anything the Mozza team can't do? The Pizzeria is my official happy place, the Osteria is sublime, and the take-out operation rounds out this holy Los Angeles trinity.
Arriving just after noon, we opted for the simple tomato, evoo, and oregano pizza and the Italian Cobb. While we waited for our order, sweet Lucy cooed at Tater and didn't mind us feeding him his lunch. After a short wait, we left with our lunch and headed back to Echo Park.

Why in the world do we not picnic more often? We live a stone's throw from Elysian Park, surely an underappreciated LA treasure, so really we have no excuse.
Tater loved sitting outside and was pretty content with the Pellegrino bottles and my wallet. We were about as relaxed as we get, of course always keeping an eye on Tater who constantly puts everything in his mouth.
Will you please look at this salad? Everything from the gooey gorgonzola dolce, the sweet tiny tomatoes, woodsy grilled chicken and smoky pancetta, buttery avocado, egg and little gem lettuce came together beautifully. We had never had Mozza's simple tomato pizza, but it hit the spot with a tangy and subtly spicy sauce and a sprinkling of oregano.
Even though we've been able to score last-minute tables at P. Mozza in the past, it's usually for that really late lunch or really early dinner. And let's face it, eating out with Tater is often not the most relaxing exercise anymore as he's all over the place and needs snacks/books/toys, etc.

With Mozza2Go, we can get our Mozza fix without having to think about an open table or Tater's mood. Thank you, Mozza team for bringing this perfect solution for hungry parents on the go.

Mozza2Go
6610 Melrose Ave.
323-297-1130

Mozza 2 Go - Menu

2009-07-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

Had the tuna panini today. Amazing, of course. Hubby chatted with Nancy and my big chef crush, Matt Molina, executive chef of the two (or three?) Mozzas. So glad it's not closer as we'd be there every day.

Here's the menu (uploading blue for some reason) for your viewing pleasure. Very similar to the Pizzeria.

The Bonnie Brae Fresh OJ Cart

2009-05-14T18:58:00.000-07:00

I work 4 miles from home, a trip usually taking around 15 minutes and I know that makes me one lucky Angeleno. Road work on Alvarado has made my route increasingly congested though, so I've started taking Bonnie Brae.

Oh, my love for Bonnie Brae has no bounds. Running parallel to Alvarado, it's a traffic-free secret route to Wilshire from Sunset. I usually pass moms strolling with babies, kids on their way to school, and folks waiting for the bus.

But this morning, just before I turned onto Wilshire, I spotted this shopping cart, loaded up with a portable fresh orange juice operation. It was quite lovely, each cup filled to the brim with bright orange oj, a sharp contrast to the grittiness of the neighborhood. I'm no juicing expert, but her juicer looked pretty impressive as well.

With no one behind me, I jumped out, and asked the older woman running the cart if I could take a picture. I think she thought I was going to bust her for her illegal juice bar, but I assured her that I just liked her cart.
I forgot to ask how much the juice was, but I can't imagine it was more than a buck or two. Next time, I'm buying some for the office.

Reservation for Two: Osteria Mozza

2009-04-23T17:24:00.000-07:00

Really, what more is there to say about Osteria Mozza? This was our first time at the Osteria (I'm so ashamed!) and we fell madly in love. I'm not sure why, but we just didn't think we were going to like it as much as the Pizzeria. Oh were we wrong. There were times I thought my husband was going to fly away in ecstasy. Really!

Lucky us, my father and his girlfriend treated the two of us to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversry. Grandma babysat! It was less formal than I had imagined and the food was incredible. The one and only so-so dish was the burrata from Puglia. Surprising, but Gioia's was creamier and richer than what we had at OM, though the bread it came with, soaked in EVO was perfection.

Our waiter was predictably everything Batali's servers always are: real, knew the menu inside and out, really wanted us to LOVE our meal, and a perfect guide to figuring out the dishes we would love (no calf's brain raviolis for me!).

We split the Ribollita "Da Delfina" - amazing. Like a savory french toast/bread pudding. Bread soaked in minestrone that's been reduced, then pan-fried. Ok, that description so does not capture how good it was. After the aforementioned burrata, we moved onto pastas. The orrecchiette with sausage and swiss chard was wonderful but the fresh ricotta and egg raviolo with browned butter was a showstopper.

For our mains, I had the Grilled Beef Tagliata, rucola, and Parmigiano with aceto balsamico and M had the Grilled Quail wrapped in pancetta with sage and honey. Again, perfection.

The bombolini with mountain huckleberry compote and vanilla gelato put the whole meal over the top and we agreed that this was one of our best meals ever.

The icing on the cake was meeting Ms. Silverton herself. What an honor and yes, I did feel like such a dorky groupie. But it was a thrill nonetheless. I just wanted to take a picture of her from a distance, but a server mentioned that she'd be happy to take one with me so now I have a pic of the two of us! That poor woman must get approached constantly by food-obsessed groupies.

Anyhow, here are some highlights from our meal. Entrees and desserts were dark so I'm not including.
Osteria Mozza

6602 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 297-0100
www.mozza-la.com

From an Empty Fridge to an Especially Good Lunch

2009-04-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

Empty fridge...nothing for lunch. Someone's at the kitchen making brittle all day so he got dibs on the leftover Thai. Then suddenly I noticed a bounty:

~ avocado
~ greens
~ pepperoncinis
~ feta
~ red onion
~ yellow bell pepper
~ radish
~ cabbage
~ rosemary
~ whole wheat bread
~ the last drops of dressing Daddy recently made

Bless his heart, Tater sat patiently in his high chair watching me prepare lunch all the while dictating and singing every step to him. He even nibbled on a tiny piece of avocado. This ended up being an exceptional lunch, with the rosemary unexpectedly elevating the salad to greatness.

Woo-hoo, BabyCakes NYC Headed for Downtown LA!

2009-04-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

In a sudden turn of events, BabyCakes NYC, originally headed for Beverly in West Hollywood, is now landing closer to our neck of the woods in the Old Bank district in Downtown. Thanks for the good news tweet, Angelenic!

From their Twitter and blog post, it sounds like there are some folks who are disappointed by this decision. But c'mon Beverly Blvders, you have so many baked goods options to choose from: Joan's on Third, Susina, Milk, La Brea Bakery, Toast, and more. And you can get your vegan cookies at Whole Foods and Real Food Daily. We do have our share with Delilah's, Lark, and Auntie Em's close by, but BabyCakes NYC sounds like a completely different animal, so to speak!

BabyCakes NYC caters to those with sensitive systems with baked goods that are vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free, casein-free, soy-free, egg-free, refined sugar-free, and kosher. Honestly, I have no idea what casein is or why one would need to abstain from it, but I'm glad BabyCakes NYC is there for these intolerant folks.

And let me just say that it took me awhile to come around to the idea of vegan baked goods. I mean, the thought of using anything other than butter and eggs seemed sacrilegious, unnecessary, and downright wrong. But as someone who loves to bake and share the wealth with her coworkers, I started feeling guilty for contributing to an unhealthy work environment with my fat-laden creations. So I started looking into low-fat baking and found Isa Moskowitz's recipe for vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookies on the Post Punk Kitchen website. After some modifications (I couldn't resist throwing in some vegan chocolate chips and used whole wheat pastry flour), I made what turned out to be some of the most deliciously tender and all-around scrumptious cookies. Seriously, my co-workers and skeptical husband raved. But I digress - long story short: I'm no longer opposed to vegan baked goods.

If a cupcake tastes as good, if not better, than the real thing but is a little less unhealthy I'm totally into it. Ok, I do have to say that baking w/o butter and eggs, not to mention refined sugars is a very tricky operation often resulting in cakes that taste like bricks, cookies reminiscent of hockey pucks, and frostings that are gummy. But I say hoorah to those magicians who are able to master the craft.

I've never tried anything from BabyCakes NYC (feel free to send samples or sign me up for a preview tasting, BabyCakes NYC! I have no shame.), but if their positive press (Gourmet, W, In Style and more) is any indication, these folks know what they're doing. They do it all: cookies, cakes, cupcakes, scones, muffins, cookie sandwiches, cinnamon rolls and more. I, for one, welcome the BabyCakes family with open arms!

A few comments to BabyCakes:

~ Yes to the dessert truck in Silver Lake or Echo Park. Park outside the Echo after a show and you'll sell out in no time.

~ Yes to the free parking in Downtown. Parking is such a pain during the week.

~ Please consider accepting cards for any amount. I rarely carry cash but sometimes just want a little something.

~ Look into collaborating with another NY transplant, Two Boots in Echo Park. I seem to recall they have some sort of dessert, but your cupcakes would fit right in.

Thanks for reading!

And The Scary Chinese Restaurant in Silver Lake is now.....

2009-04-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

David - The Restaurant on Sunset!

A little background: I lived a stone's throw away from the Sunset/Silver Lake intersection for years and for the whole time, LA Chinese Restaurant was technically a functioning restaurant, though I'm certain I never saw anyone inside. In fact, it was so scary that Eating LA included it in her "Scariest Restaurant" contest a few months back. (This Losanjealous review (and photo below) is a hilarious must-read, seriously lol funny)

For some time now, LA Chinese Restaurant has been shuttered and appeared to be going through some sort of renovation. I seem to recall a few chowhound posts wondering just what was going in but it seemed like one big mystery. Noticing an open door on a drive-by last week, I stopped by and chatted with two of the guys working inside. They kindly gave me the owner's phone number and after a quick phone call with owner David Sutton, the mystery is solved!

Sutton, who's had his own catering company for 5 years and has been in the restaurant business for 40, is planning a fusion/comfort food hybrid for David - The Restaurant on Sunset. Opening for breakfast and lunch at first, the menu will most likely include homemade breads and muffins, oatmeal brulee, salads & sandwiches, Vietnamese garlic noodles, Korean BBQ (is Korean BBQ going to be the next "ahi tower" that every restaurant puts on the menu?).

Other ideas he's considering include Hawaiian shaved ice with homemade syrups and a stuffed hamburger. He plans to change the menu every two weeks and is hoping to open somewhere around June/July.

Sutton imagines David to be a dog- and baby-friendly restaurant that will have reasonable price points (unlike some recent Silver Lake openings) and a welcoming, neighborhood vibe. Still many unknowns, but it will most certainly be less scary than its previous occupant.

David - The Restaurant on Sunset
2852 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, 90026

Winner of Cupcake Challenge - Polkatots in Pasadena

2009-04-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

While I agreed that $40 was just too much to spend for an afternoon devoted to mini-cupcakes, that doesn't mean I wasn't sad to miss last Sunday's cupcake challenge at the Roosevelt Hotel. Thankfully, the LA Times' Elina Shatkin was twittering from the event and then posted a zillion pictures on the Daily Dish, but I was still bitter. So when the winners were announced, I had to hurry over to try Polkatots shop to try their Dulce de Leche cupcake which won best original and best overall.
The two owners had just found out that morning and were understandably thrilled. Cute, little shop tucked away in a mini-mall on Lake north of the 210. I picked out a bunch of minis and a large Dulce de Leche and had to devour one as soon as we got to the car. While the flavor and texture of each cupcake was spot on, I made a discovery: I hate coarse sugar on cupcakes and all of theirs had a generous amount sprinked on top. But aren't they just the prettiest little guys?

For any upcoming cupcake cravings, I'll stick with Delilah's chocolate chocolate chip cupcakes with orange Jack Daniels frosting which I can get on a five minute walk from home.

Polkatots
720 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, 91104
626-798-3932

Canele in Bon Appetit

2009-04-04T12:07:00.000-07:00

Atwater Village Newbie, one of my favorite local blogs, just noted that Canele, one of our favorite local spots, is mentioned in the new Bon Appetit. Somehow I missed it in my quick flip-through this morning.

Canele totally deserves the attention. Thanks for twittering it, AVN! Now when are we ever going to make it out for brunch?

http://tiny.cc/McYq3

Cough, Cough - Langer's Chicken Soup

2009-03-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

The three of us are finally coming out of an epic cold that lasted way too long. I'd say the one glimmer of light came in the form of Langer's chicken soup, picked up curbside. The reusable Ball jar was a surprise and so eco-friendly. The chicken soup was tasty and the matzoh balls were a nice sinker/floater hybrid, though I would have loved some bagel chips.

Langer's Deli
704 South Alvarado
LA, 90057
213-483-8050

Baby's a Little Closer - Baby Blues BBQ in West Hollywood

2009-03-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Baby Blues BBQ in West Hollywood for a while now. I'd say we get over to the Venice original, oh, maybe a few times a year which is certainly not nearly enough. We love Baby Blues. Most importantly, the bbq is almost always near-perfect. Of course they have their off days, but most often it's smile-inducing stuff. And their apps and sides aren't too shabby either. Mac and cheese, corn on the cob, and the Suicide King (BBQ shrimp on cornbread with a sprinkling of cotija cheese) are great. The Venice branch is tiny and rustic, with loud and sultry blues and rock blaring and many sauce-covered fingers.
We read about Friday's soft opening on the Times' Daily Dish and on Thrillist the day before (Thank you!). On Friday afternoon, M called in our order and Tater and I headed over to the new Baby Blues after our day of shopping at the Grove. They actually didn't open until 6pm, so our 5:15 arrival was premature, but afforded us a slightly sneak preview of what's in store. (As you can see, last minute tweaks were still in progress)
The West Hollywood branch is a totally different beast. The former Cha Cha Cha space, it's huge and the Baby Blues vibe works, though it's so different than the original. Much more glossy and gussied up. Chairs hanging off the beams, a picture of Mick Jagger by the bar, beer bottles lined up above the open kitchen, plenty of tables ready for the crowds.
Baby Blues is known for their cute and sweet servers (I happen to think the owners and cooks are easy on the eyes too! Danny and Rick from behind, below) and they've continued on the tradition here. What I took as a good sign, there were probably around ten front-of-house ladies preparing for the opening. As we walked in they warmly welcomed us and let us stroll around as we waited for our order.
I guess we were pretty inconspicuous as the manager (?) called a front-of-house meeting without realizing we were customers. When someone called this to his attention he celebrated us as the very first customers and we actually got a round of applause! How can you not love these guys? So down-to-earth, genuinely gracious and proud of bringing the simple pleasure of BBQ to the masses.
I asked the cooks where the meats were smoked and they (was that Grill Master Eddie Jimenez?) asked if we wanted to take a peek - um, yes! Making our way back into the kitchen, I made sure to protect my sweetie (I had him in the Ergo so he was nice and close) as we quickly gazed at those smoky beauties, slowly rotating around the smoker.
Soon enough, we got our order and off we went. Back at home we went through our bedtime ritual and as soon as Tater was sound asleep, we tore into our ribs, pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese, and creamed spinach. The ribs were tender and succulent with that familiar smokiness. The pulled pork had a layer of slaw and a complexity that made it our favorite of the night. Mac and cheese, cornbread, and creamed spinach catapulted our meal into total decadence. The only thing missing was the vinegar-based sauce for the pulled pork, maybe to liquidy for take-out?
I'd say pretty wonderful for their very first order! Can't wait to go back and eat there, maybe for lunch as dinners out are now few and far between. And they say that Tater can eat whatever we eat after he turns one (in May!) so perhaps Baby Blues will be his first taste of BBQ (processed through the food mill, of course).

Baby Blues BBQ
7953 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood
323-656-1277
babybluesbarbq.com

The NYT's Frugal Traveler in Venice With Baby Tow

2009-02-28T21:29:00.000-08:00

Just in case you missed it, in yesterday's NYT's the Frugal Traveler detailed the Venice trip he took with his wife and six-week old daughter. Wow, Venice in winter, brilliant! Chilly, yes, but no crowds or hot weather and how did we not know Italians adored babies so much?

It seems crazy to travel with a newborn, but now that our guy is nine months old, we see the wisdom. In those first weeks and months, they're predictable little creatures who sleep an awful lot. Now that he's nine months old, he's all over the place, crawling, babbling, playing, etc. While I can't imagine he's going to mellow out any time soon, life (which, in our world, includes traveling and dining in restaurants) does not stop so we'll learn to travel with him just as we've learned how to dine out with him.

We have trips to Chicago (Tater's first time on a plane!) and Cape Cod (and maybe Paris in 2010!) planned so we're stocking up on helpful hints from traveling families all over the web. If you have any wisdom to impart or any suggestions, do post a comment or email me directly.

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/frugal-venice-family-style/

Scenes from our 2007 trip to Cape Cod, Boston, and New York.

NY Times/Leite's Chocolate Chip Cookies at the Curious Palate?

2009-02-24T22:06:00.000-08:00

As many of you probably recall David Leite of the fabulous site Leite's Culinaria wrote a NY Times article last July about the search for the elusive perfect chocolate chip cookie. The article concluded with a cookie recipe that has been extensively blogged about, tested, modified, and photographed (picture above from the article!). Do a search for "NY Times chocolate chip cookie" for some serious food porn.

Baking these legendary cookies has been on my to-do list for a while now but it's more involved than your standard cookie recipe and only makes six giant cookies per batch so I hadn't yet made them.

Flash-forward to this past Sunday. We were going to my step-mom's for brunch on the Westside and we needed to get her a belated birthday gift so I thought of the Curious Palate which I've wanted to try. Gourmet foodstuffs, farmer's market-driven menu, etc.

As soon as I walked in I was drawn, of course, to the three large glass jars on the counter, each piled high with cookies and bars. They had samples of each on little plates so, even though it was 10am, I had to at least taste them. It was then that I noticed the chocolate chip cookies were glistening. The helpful and awfully sweet woman behind the counter confirmed that the cookies had just come out of the oven.

Well folks, I didn't ask, and I hope I'm not spoiling any sort of secret, but I'm pretty sure that these absolutely incredible cookies are the famous NY Times cookies or very similar adaptations. OK, how to describe them? Salty, buttery, soft with just a hint of crispness, these thin and large babies were warm and the chocolate was still gooey. The cookies were so good that my husband and I agreed the chocolate chips were almost superfluous. Really, the elusive perfect chocolate chip cookie. I took two to go and we almost inhaled both by the time we got to brunch.

Mar Vistans are so lucky to have such a yummy spot in their hood. And I am thankful that it's far enough away to only be an occasional destination, though I already feel those cookies calling me back! A trip to Mar Vista is certainly easier and faster than making these cookies from scratch.

The Curious Palate
12034 Venice Blvd
LA, 90066
310-437-0144p.

Umami - Part 1: Fiasco, Part 2: Much Improved

2009-02-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Umami, Part One

Have you, by chance, heard the This American Life show about fiascos, specifically the part about the school play that devolves into one hilarious fiasco? If not, head over for a listen. As Tater and I were driving down Pico on the way home from lunch at Umami, I was thinking about how unfair it is to review a newly opened restaurant. And I was reminded of this classic This American Life bit.

Now let me pause to just say several trustworthy bloggers have been to and enjoyed meals at Umami, so my first experience may have certainly been an exception. But as Tater and I were sitting there, waiting and waiting for my sliders, I realized I had just witnessed a true fiasco. I'd also just like to say up front that the sliders were pretty darn good, so at least the food is off to an encouraging start. And they carry Cake Monkey's amazing cakewiches and cookies which is always a good thing. And the music was great: the Shins.

It turns out that Heather John, from Foodinista, was also at Umami at the time and caught the second of the two arguments I heard. The first, between the owner and a couple and then one between the couple and another table. There was actually talk of "taking it outside" during the second fight!

Anyhow, in the hour or so that we were there, we witnessed two tables angrily walk out, two confrontations, and the poor cashier/server running around overwhelmed, yet trying to remain calm. It took way too long to order and even longer to finally get the sliders. I'm pretty sure they forgot my order, even though by the time I got my order I was the only table in the place! The sliders turned out to be pretty tasty, though there was just the tiniest bit of blue cheese and just a few onions.

They ran out of food which prompted an early closing. It felt like things were spinning out of control and I left wondering just how this place would fare.

Umami, Part Two
I didn't want to review Umami without trying it one more time, so the three of us went today on the way to shopping for glasses. Good news, Umami was SO much better today in almost all areas. The owner seemed more relaxed, there was a busser and more staff in general, our burger was delicious, and there were no brawls. The fries were pretty good (I prefer shoestrings), even better with the aioli and the buttery bun was perfect. A couple menu changes: the sliders are only for kids now (with blue cheese and onions??) and the order of fries is larger and $3.

While Umami is quite small, there's enough space for the portable high chair and I think loud baby noises would be fine. Tater didn't freak out during both of our visits so I'd say he seems to like it. They must have amazing PR because they're being mentioned everywhere (see here, here, and here). I'm hoping their operation can keep up with the crowds.

Umami Burger
850 South La Brea
Mid-Wilshire
323-931-3000

Chow Balla - How Does She Find The Time?

2009-02-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

I was just exploring Heather John's great foodie/fashion blog, Foodinista, when I noticed "Chow Balla" in her blog roll. Is this a new blog by the indefatigable Lesley Balla, formerly of Eater LA and now with Tasting Table LA?

A quick jump over confirmed it: Lesley's blogging in addition to her Tasting Table gig. This is only good news as she's often one of the most in-the-know food world folks around and always willing to share her latest scoops. Good luck with your new ventures, Lesley. I'm already enjoying Tasting Table and looking forward to reading your blog!

Sweets For The Soul - Atwater Village

2009-02-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

Rich brownies made with high-quality ingredients? Check.
Fawning over Tater? Check.
Extensive chatting about babies in general? Check.
Obama-related sweets? Check.
Down-to-earth staff? Check.
Close to us? Check.

It's a little pricey for brownies especially since I can make some darn good brownies myself. But if we're in Atwater with a chocolate craving, we'll definitely stop by Sweets for the Soul.

Sweets for the Soul
3169 Glendale Blvd.
LA, CA 90039
323-668-9338
http://www.sweetsforthesoul.com/index.html

(Picture from their website)

Fran's Caramels - My Sweetie Knows the Way to My Heart

2009-02-16T19:08:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I've been just the slightest bit obsessed with all things Obama lately and I know I'm not alone because of the difficulty in finding some of his favorite things: Honest Tea's Black Forest Berry and Fran's caramels.

I finally spotted the Honest Tea at our local Whole Foods and it is indeed yummy, though way too sweet for me. But no such luck with the caramels.

Leave it to my sweetie to draw my obsessive search (I was making excuses to go to Whole Foods just to see if maybe they'd have it this time) to a close by ordering a box for Valentine's Day. And even better, he went with a box with both Barack and Michelle's favorites: milk chocolate with smoked sea salt for him, dark chocolate with grey salt for her.

If I didn't adore the Obamas before, this sealed the deal. The caramels are buttery and silky, salty and sweet, excellent.

Though he's up to his ears in brittle and baby, he's still the most thoughtful honey around.

Fran's Chocolates, Ltd.
http://www.franschocolates.com/home.php

Butter Tart Cafe - Sticky, Sweet, and Boring

2009-02-12T19:18:00.001-08:00

So we finally visited Butter Tart in Glassel Park today and I have to say I was quite disappointed. Part of the problem is that I don't think I had a clear understanding of what butter tarts are all about. Knew they were a popular Canadian thing, but didn't realize they'd be so sticky and gooey. I ordered one plain, one with bacon, and a coconut cupcake. Both tarts featured a nice tart shell filled with a boring, sickeningly sweet custardy/pudding filling.

To be fair, there's a lot of good stuff going on at Butter Tart. The ladies who helped me were friendly, helpful, and generous (two scones were on the house - it was the end of the day so they would have wound up in the trash) and the cafe was filled with natural light and a clean design. Loved the cardboard deer (or were they moose?) heads mounted on the walls - a nod to Canada perhaps? And the maple scone was not half bad.

My cousin just married a Canadian, who happens to be lovely, but these things are popular in Canada? Yuck! What are they thinking? And to build a whole cafe around the butter tart? It must be me because a lot of people seem to like them, especially the ones with bacon. My husband thought the plain one was one dimensional so he sprinkled a little fleur de sel on it and declared it improved.

The cupcake was fine, but in a city still cupcake crazy, you have to do better than this. Dense cake, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting, again, just ok.

Butter Tart Cafe
4126 Verdugo Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 258-TART (8278)

Tater's First Visit to the Apple Pan

2009-02-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

As a native Angeleno, I've been eating at the Apple Pan for as long as I can remember. And in all those years, nothing has ever changed. Those perfect California-style burgers, the soda in paper cone cups, the all-business and extremely efficient waiters who have worked there for decades, the u-shaped counter that requires Father's Office-esque hovering have always remained unchanged.

While we rarely cross La Cienega from our neck of the woods, we had to do a little stroller shopping over in Century City so off to the Pan we went. (Isn't this a great shot of the electric Maclaren?!)

We were hoping to use our portable highchair but unfortunately the counter was too thick so Tater had to stay in his stroller next to us. Luckily we finagled a corner seat next to the cash register which had an extra space that was perfect for the stroller.

We tried a tuna sandwich for the first time and a hickory burger with an order of fries. Predictably, our waiter quickly brought over our drinks and our little plate of fries.
He knew we were splitting the sandwich and burger so he had the kitchen cut each in half - so thoughtful. Tuna was great and the Hickory Burger was heaven, as perfect as we had remembered. And as always, we didn't leave room for pie. Someday.

Towards the end of our meal, Tater was a bit upset, so I held him in my arms, introducing him to the Pan and telling him that someday we'll bring him back for his own little Hickory Burger, or maybe just a few bites of mine!

There are a handful of just perfectly classic LA spots that provide visitors with a feeling of the LA of yesteryear. I think the Apple Pan rests comfortably at the top of the list.
For two great write-ups about the Apple Pan, see here and here.

The Apple Pan
10801 Pico Boulevard
LA, CA 90064
(310) 475-3585

Mother's LIttle Helper - Cake Monkey

2009-02-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

I think we can safely say I'm addicted to Cake Monkey's irresistible snack cakes and cookies. While my comfort food cravings usually involve something salty and fried, lately I just cannot get enough of baked goods.

If we're on the Westside near the stroller store, we like Clementine, Auntie Em's in Eagle Rock, Lark in Silver Lake, and Delilah's in EP. Adore the chocolate babka at Diamond's, which freezes beautifully by the way. All are favorites we (really just I) frequent way too often.

Recently, however, I cannot get Cake Monkey out of my head. Perhaps it's the deceivingly simple packaging, a foil wrapping for the cakewiches, reminiscent of Ding Dongs. Or maybe it's the sense that I'm eating the most amazing snack cake from childhood, evoking memories of grandparents long gone. Perhaps it's knowing that as much as I love to bake, there's no way I could ever create such wonders.

When it comes down to it, Elizabeth Belkind is just an incredible baker who uses only the finest ingredients and makes everything with a commitment to perfection. And every bite is really, really good.

I believe you can only find Cake Monkey in a few spots around town (a Cake Monkey storefront is on the horizon) but one of them, lucky for me, is Silver Lake Wine. I never know what Cake Monkey goodies will be there. Last time they had their 'Nuff Said cookies (chocolate crumble cookies with housemade marshmallow, dark chocolate, pecans, caramel and sea salt) and mini-oatmeal cookies. Time before that I think they had a few different flavors of their cakewiches and oatmeal cream pies. I love that there's always that suspense of not knowing what will be there or if, heaven forbid, they're sold out. It also feels slightly subversive making a special trip to the wine store just for a cookie.

Unfortunately, I've never had their little layer cakes, so I can only imagine how wonderful they are. But Tater's first birthday is coming up in May and I think "The Classic" with yellow velvet layer cake and milk chocolate frosting will be a perfect first cake experience for him and a good excuse for us to eat more Cake Monkey!

Cake Monkey Bakery
(877) 640-CAKE or info@cakemonkey.com
www.cakemonkeybakery.com

First Thoughts: Two Boots

2009-02-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

After reading about Two Boots' soft opening tonight in the Daily Dish blog, I couldn't resist heading down the hill to grab a couple slices, even though we had already schlepped to Kogi in Little Tokyo for their yummy Korean BBQ tacos.

The cashier and manager (?) were sweet and clearly excited that they had finally opened their doors. I didn't count but it seemed like all or most of their pizzas were available by the slice. After much deliberating, I chose two slices (one was on the house!): the Cleopatra Jones (sweet Italian sausage, roasted peppers, onions, and mozzarella) and the Bayou Beast (BBQ shrimp, crawfish, andouille, jalapenos, and mozzarella).

Honestly, as excited as I have been about Two Boots coming to town, I wasn't expecting much because of the large number of mixed reviews from NY. But I'm happy to report that Two Boots exceeded my low expectations. My slices had clearly been sitting around for some time, but they were still quite good, with the Cleopatra being our favorite of the two.

Next time, we're going to jump into their non-pizza options, maybe a po' boy or a calzone and we'll definitely have to try the cajun garlic bread. Oh and it's the perfect place for Tater, who I'm sure would be able to cry hysterically without anyone caring!

Two Boots Opening on Friday, 2/6

2009-02-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

Just called over and got the good news: opening Friday at 4pm. More details including menu and hours here.

Progress: Two Boots Web Page and Menu Up!

2009-01-31T19:36:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I first reported on SLB that Two Boots was coming to Echo Park. Finally, after months and months of waiting it seems like it's getting ready to open, though I'll believe it when I see it. For months, the only mention of the EP branch on the site was a holder page with almost no info on it.
But now there's a full web page, with hours of operation, the menu, and the opening month (February!). Can't wait to try the Central Grocery Po' Boy (does that mean they use the olive salad from Central Grocery?!) and the Bayou Beast pizza (BBQ shrimp, crawfish, andouille, jalapenos, and mozzarella). Online ordering and free delivery too.

Two Boots
1818 West Sunset Blvd.
LA, 90026
213-413-2668
http://www.twoboots.com/TW2008/La08/La08.html

Swooning Over Eric Ripert - Hollywood Farmer's Market 12/7

2008-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Having just read a large chunk of Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, I found myself exceptionally motivated to get my tuchas down to the Hollywood farmer's market a couple Sundays ago. Dad was busy with his brittle business, so Tater and I bundled up and headed over.

Sunday mornings at the farmer's market used to be our standard routine, but sadly life is just more chaotic and less regimented these days and trips to the farmer's market are pretty infrequent.

After visiting the McGrath stand for our beets, carrots, pea shoots, spinach and arugula and the Givens stand for some incredible cauliflower, onions, and broccoli we noticed Eric Ripert setting up for his book signing. In addtion to his roles as Le Bernardin chef, Top Chef guest, and cookbook author, Ripert just happens to be a dreamy yet down-to-earth and approachable sweetheart.
I quickly snatched up a copy of his book (shhh, don't tell Dad - it's a xmas present) and stood in line. By the time we reached the front of the line, Tater was in rare form, flailing about and cranky as ever. Ripert was warm and friendly as he signed his book and graciously held Tater for a quick picture.

Little Tokyo Lunch Loop - Spitz and Yogurtland

2008-12-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

The triangle at Central and Second in Little Tokyo has been our go-to spot for a few weeks now as quick and easy are now seriously attractive restaurant attributes. After a quickie drive through Elysian Park, Tater and I head down Alameda to 2nd, park in the Staples lot and unload the stroller.

Steps away from the lot is Spitz, an Eagle Rock favorite now open in downtown. I love the original chicken doner kabab wrapped in lavash and also the doner salad. Both feature Spitz's signature flavors: spicy pepperoncinis, tender chicken (though I've been liking the veggie version lately), bell peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, feta, olives, some sort of hot sauce, and tzatziki.

We've gone to Spitz for years now, but their new location seems closer and more comfy. It's bigger so the stroller can easily fit and there's much more seating inside so we can avoid the smokers. And who doesn't love booths? Usually Tater sleeps throughout the meal, but if he wakes up and starts crying, no one seems to care.

Just noticed that Eater LA mentioned Spitz in a review yesterday. See here for the write-up.
After Spitz, we stroll over to Yogurtland, home to my new addiction: self-serve frozen yogurt. Seriously, why in the world does anyone go to Pinkberry when Yogurtland, Dolci Mango and others exist? What now serves as my creative outlet (I know, so sad!), I grab a cup, and choose from 15 flavors and over 20 toppings. It's always cheaper than a Pinkberry visit and so much more satisfying. This week they introduced their holiday flavors: gingerbread, peppermint stick, and something else I'm forgetting.

Tater wanted lunch as I was eating my yogurt so I proceeded to feed him. When I got some weird looks from the young guy working at the time, my love affair with Yogurtland dipped a bit. Being able to feed my little guy whenever and wherever he wants is important to me and I almost never sense anything but support from restaurants so when I feel uncomfortable, I take note.

Spitz
371 East 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0101

www.eatatspitz.com

Yogurtland
130 S Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 687-0733

www.yogurt-land.com

Breakfast at Akasha - Culver City

2008-10-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

As Nate's not quite sleeping through the night, we are almost always exhausted and particularly slow going most mornings. But somehow we gathered the energy to make it out of the house this morning for breakfast with Grandpa Stan at Akasha in Culver City.

We'd been to Akasha for dinner once pre-baby but this was our first breakfast. Only served on the weekends, breakfast at Akasha is a pretty calm scene. It's served only in the cafe/bakery section so we sat down at the big communal table, checked out the menu, and ordered at the counter. Thankfully, we were able to just park the stroller next to the table as there's plently of space in the bakery.

The food was good, not great. Max and I shared the bacon and tomato frittata which is served with toast and potatoes. It was fine and I appreciated that everything was organic, it just wasn't incredible. The counter staff were sweet and accommodating, though they seemed like they were still getting used to the morning routine (trying to find a knife to cut the coffee cake, not sure which frittata was which, etc.)

Akasha is indeed a beautiful restaurant so it was lovely to be there as the particularly bright morning light filtered in. Towards the end Nathan started to get fussy and cry a bit which is when I really noticed how quiet and serene it was. A few glances were thrown our way, but we just walked him outside for a moment to work out whatever was bothering him. We also received a couple "He's so cute!" comments from some fellow diners and a nice comment about my "Mama for Obama" pin so I didn't feel like everyone loathed our presence.

As we were leaving we got some chocolate coffee cake, a ginger cookie, and a mini-cupcake, all wonderful. Definitely the way to go for future breakfasts at Akasha.

Akasha
9543 Culver Blvd, Culver City
310-845-7300

Fix Coffee - Echo Park

2008-08-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

I love living in Echo Park. We moved here from Silver Lake back in October, a few days before we found out I was pregnant. One of my favorite things about Echo Park is the true collective appreciation you sense when new cafes and restaurants open up in our still up-and-coming neighborhood.

There have been a slew of openings in the past few months with The Park (love it!), Lot 1 (before Josef Centeno left), and the soon-to-be-opened Two Boots. We thought 15, which has received much attention and is just down the street from us, was boring, overrated, and seriously mediocre. Too bad, as it seemed to have much potential.

Fix Coffee just opened this past week and, sure enough, it's already a community hub. Max went for morning coffee yesterday and then the three of us went for afternoon coffee. We weren't sure of their hours as their website is still under construction (c'mon guys, add at least the phone # and hours!) but we decided to head down the hill around 5pm to see if they were still open.

There were local moms and toddlers hanging out on the patio, people working on their laptops, curious locals eager to try the gelato and coffees, and even one of our favorite yoga teachers. It was bustling.

What a great space Marc, the owner, has created in the most odd location up the street on Echo Park Avenue. Modern, with dark woods and bright orange, the space is spare yet warm, probably due to Marc and his manager's enthusiasm. Marc introduced himself to us, said hi to Nate and quickly made our cappuccinos.

What am I most excited about? First of all, they are not messing around with the coffee. Even my decaf, non-fat cappuccino was superb and Max, ever the picky coffee snob, was equally impressed. The pastries, from Susina, are hard to resist but resist we did! The kind folks at Fix will even order Susina stuff for you if you don't want to make the schlep to La Brea.

The paninis offered included brie with pear, tomato and white cheddar, and gypsy salami and provolone. They also have a few salads, which were sold out by the time we were there. The gelato, which Marc insisted we try, was dangerous. Usually the short drive to Pazzo successfully prevents us from indulging but this may be irresistible. He gets it from a friend in Michigan (Palazzolo's?) and is eager to share tastes with his customers.

Most importantly, Fix is very baby-friendly with a big outdoor patio (more landscaping to come) and low-key Echo Park vibe. I'm certain the three of us will be spending many more mornings, afternoons, and evenings at Fix.

Fix Coffee
2100 Echo Park Avenue
www.fixcoffeeco.com

Reservation for Three - Me, You, and Baby

2008-08-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

Our lives changed in countless ways when Tater was born back at the end of May. In addition to sleepless nights, non-stop diaper changes, and every other facet of new parenthood, the way we ate changed dramatically. Our home became "The Land of Cold Dinners" since Tater had an uncanny ability to wake up and cry the moment we sat down to eat.

And eating out? An ever-evolving adventure as Tater continues to change. Back in June, we could eat anywhere, enjoy leisurely meals as he peacefully slept hour after hour. Now that he's almost three months old, our meals have become slightly less peaceful. It's a gamble now. Sometimes he's asleep, dead to the world and we get "what a good baby!" compliments from other diners. Other times though, he is fussy throughout our whole meal, which means we take turns holding him while we quickly finish our meals.

Reservation for Three is going to be a place for me to jot down and share our experiences at LA's restaurants with baby in tow. In addition to general reviews of new and existing places in LA, I'll cover all of those newly desirable restaurant elements:

- Is it loud? Or, if Tater starts screaming will other diners hear him?
- Are babies welcomed? Accommodated? Accepted? Merely tolerated?
- How does the stroller or car seat fit in the available seating arrangement?
- How is breastfeeding handled?
- Did the staff adequately fawn over Tater? Ok, this isn't essential, but always appreciated!
- As he starts eating real food we'll be interested to know how restaurants handle baby/toddler requests.

My hope is that Reservation for Three will be a resource for other parents who are unwilling to stop dining out just because there's a baby in the picture. Join us as we experience LA's dining landscape as a party of three!