Today's Breakfast- Bloody Apple n' Fig French Toastie

Fresh Walnuts from Farmers Market

 

Using whole wheat sourdough bread from the farmer's market that had a surprising aftertaste of honey, I made a twist on classic french toast with orange zest, vanilla and lots of cinnamon. I added a touch of freshly ground nutmeg and ground allspice, one egg and a little milk. It's so easy it took less than 10 minutes to make. The best part of using that bread was the sweet and sour mix of the bread, crispy butter outer layer of the toast and the cinnamon that packs in so much flavor. 

The topping was made with applesauce, blood orange juice and fig jam. YUM! It is very easy to make and with the fruit topping is a healthier version than the traditional recipe. If you're feeling daring, add some walnuts or pecans on the top for that extra crunch and protein. 

I didn't use a recipe, I just poured and added with my gut.

Another Bakery in Less Than 24 hours

BUTTERCAKE Bakery- what a great name. I mean, they do use a ton of butter in their treats, which is why they are so scrumptious....

It was a tiny neighborhood bakery when they first opened their shop on Pico Blvd. Now, they have another location on Sunset Blvd in the trendy restaurant complex beside Le Petit Four, Clafoutis and Chin Chin.

Hands down, they make some of the best banana bread I have ever had. To top it off, they slice you off a very hearty piece for the price. The cake is moist, with the little black swirls you get when you cook banana. It's a double layered with a cream cheese frosting in between that is really the centerpiece of the bread. It's rich and creamy, but not overly sugary. I could have it everyday if I ran 10 miles a day...

Mouthwatering

They also have an amazing chocolate flourless cake, carrot cake and red velvet cupcakes. The chocolate cookies are good, but not the best. They are a bit too crunchy for my taste. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, you can tell they really love working there.

End 2010 with a bang and head to Buttercake bakery. You will go to the gym after the New Year.

No Plain in Hotcakes

Sometimes weird is better...

I have driven past Hotcakes, a tiny bright pink bakery nestled in between a liquor store and Mexican costume shop, a bunch of times and never stopped in. If the exterior wasn't so pink and frilly, I might never have noticed it. The only I reason I even checked it out was because it won Food Networks' 2009 Cupcake Wars for their Tres Leche and Spicy Mango cupcake.

mmmm....cupcakes...dreamy...
Note: when this picture was taken I had already eaten a couple

There were so many good choices, I bought a case of 10 mini-cakes including: chocolate peanut butter, lemon, vanilla sprinkles, chocolate cream cheese, Oreo cookie, english toffee, and red velvet to name a few.

The red velvet cake was disappointing, but the cream cheese frosting was excellent - not too sweet or tart. Honestly, I wasn't impressed by any of the "classic" cupcakes. The more exotic the combination, the better the cupcakes were!

English toffee: too sweet
Vanilla with sprinkle batter: good but not great
Lemon: very good, with a hint of lemon curd. Sweet and tangy.
Chocolate Peanut Butter: my favorite and delicious. Peanut butter isn't overpowering.

There is parking in the back. It's on Washington Blvd and Centinela in Culver City. If you go, don't get anything traditional, go with an 'out-of-the-ordinary- cupcake.
 

I Can't Stand Fishy Fish

I think it's a bad sign when you walk into a small family restaurant, and it's completely empty. Immediately, your stomach rumbles with thoughts of food poisoning, bad tastes and contracting some sort of nasty disease.

My brother said he's eaten there before and it's been good, so we sat down and prayed for a moment.

For $16 each, we had a sushi combo platter that was very disappointing. The salad had a delicious dressing, but it was drowning in it. The spicy tuna hand roll tasted so fishy that I wanted to spit it out. The mayonnaise and spice in "spicy tuna" disguises most of the fish, so to taste it on top of that, it must have been pretty old.

I'm sorry, but it makes me want to vomit. No one likes the taste of fishy fish, so it's imperative sushi restaurants keep their fish FRESH!

We went to Kiriko on Sawtelle in case you wanted to avoid it. I wouldn't go back even though the waiter was attentive.

Classic Disappoints

I heard that people love Kate Mantilini restaurant on Wilshire Blvd, and from the outside it looks sleek and modern. My favorite thing about the restaurant are the place mats! They are very cool. Other than that, I wasn't impressed.

Place Mat

Somewhat private wooden booths line the windows, which makes for a perfect business lunch or meeting. The drip-coffee was good, but the service was terrible. It's amazing how much a server can make or break your experience at a restaurant.

I met a long-time waiter with the company and pointed out my horrible waiter. He sincerely apologized and told me "understood exactly what I meant." Doesn't really change anything though... "Come back and try again. The food is great and I'll take good care of you." I also asked him what dishes the restaurant were famous for, or what his favorite's were. I think ti says something that I can't remember what he said!

Never Give Up

I came across this daily inspirational message on my work's Facebook avatar from a group we must have joined. It's hyper-religious, but true... For everyone that needs a little 'pep' in their step:


If there is a future there is time for mending, Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.

Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow, If you’re looking forward to a new tomorrow.

If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.

Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling If there is time for praying there is time for healing.

So if through your window there is a new day breaking Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching, 

If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.

Good night, God guide and guard you amen

Mar Vistan Gem

People are starting to flock to the Sunday morning Farmer's Market in Mar Vista, and I'm glad to see it. It's a little gem and undervalued farmer's market.  Santa Monica's Wednesday market still is the best, but on the weekend I prefer going to Mar Vista, over Santa Monica (SM). 

I see chefs all the time and even met Raphael Lunetta, owner/chef of Jiraffe in Santa Monica. It was so exciting meeting him! I was a little star struck, I have to admit. 

The quality of produce and selection is pretty great, the vendors are friendly and knowledgeable, and it's much easier to find parking than SM market. The prices are lower on average also. 

Stop by the Barnett stall for fabulous, pomergrantes, persimmons, plums and oranges. They have great logos and wooden baskets too! I also love the apple stand. A cute elderly Jewish couple run it. They are sweet and quite funny at times. They don't really remember me though....

Check it out! Although Ryan Seacrest said on his morning show it is a great place to meet guys, I think SM might be better for that. Most of the guys walking around, chomping on kettle corn or a burrito, are in relationships, gay or married. But, you might spot a few chefs! 

For more info on Mar Vista Farmer's Market

And surprisingly they are on Facebook!

A - Frame Scores an A-

Roy Choi's new restaurant in Culver City A - Frame, well I refer to it as, "you know the place by the Kogi truck guy" has churned up a tornado of rave reviews. After last night's dinner, I have to agree. It's fun, trendy and unpretentious. The menu is a wonderfully innovative mix of Asian-fusion and Hawaiian cuisines, but most importantly- the food is fantastic!

The restaurant is housed in an old IHop, keeping the building's integrity, but modernizing it. A beautiful angled roof, blueish lighting and huge funky, white lamps covering the patio, gave it a fresh new vibe. Inside there are large dark wooden tables with decorative metal picnicware. The restaurant exudes a warm casual atmosphere from the decor, to the waitstaff sitting down with us, to sharing a communal table with strangers, bumping elbows occasionally.

Now for the best part: the food...

Unforgettable Hoisin Chili Glazed  Ribs

Succulent, sweet and spicy baby back ribs came to us in a neatly organized stack. The sauce was filled with flavors of fresh ginger, sesame, cloves and hoisin, with a big kick at the end. The meat was crispy at the edges and moist near the bone. PERFECTION...

Rockin' Beer Can Chicken

Next, the popular Beer Can Chicken came, with two sauces on the side and pickled eggs. Apparently, the secret to the chicken's amazingness is the marinade. It was exploding with rich flavors and the skin had an unparalleled crunch. It wasn't even deep-fried! (Just flash-fried...) It was served Peruvian style: crispy, creamy, smokey and spicy.

We also had freshly made 5-grain bread, that came to us in one small brick and would have preferred it sliced. Oh well...

There is a great outdoor patio with heat lamps and a beautiful roaring fire pit. Could be a fun place to grab a mellow drink with friends or co-workers. I hear they have amazing drinks too.

I give an in A- only because I'm not that crazy about sharing a table and having them invade my personal space.

The Lowdown on Downtown

Staples Center, Lakers, Phillipe's, Santee Alley, high-rise buildings and music --this is how I picture Downtown LA. I didn't go to USC and I don't work there, so Downtown is basically foreign territory. New buildings and restaurants are fitting themselves in nicely.

I spent two nights exploring new places. On Saturday night, my friend and I met at BottleRock, an industrial yet cozy wine bar tucked away under the Met Lofts building. The decor was eco-modern and the waitstaff was welcoming. They have an extensive wine list, but I should really call it a book, with prices ranging from $8 a glass to $500 a bottle.

We sat in the lounge, chatting and our sipping our pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. I was surprised how quiet it was for a Saturday night, expecting it to be filled with local suits or artist that live in neighboring lofts.  They could use better PR, because it is definitely a place to visit. I give an A-.

Then there was Sunday night at Chaya Downtown for happy hour before the theater. I used to work at Chaya Brasserie on Robertson Blvd as a hostess, so I know what the standards should be.  When I walked in, I was coldly greeted by the hostess who then let my friends and I wander around the restaurant in search of our own table. The bartender was great; helpful and funny, but the food was terrible.

I was shocked! The spicy tuna roll tasted old and fishy. The hummus plate had was short at least 5 slices of pita, the four-cheese polenta was overrun by blue cheese and finally, the crispy calamari had no depth flavor or sophistication.  I was thoroughly disappointed.

The Asian-fusion decor is complimented by the great outdoor area with wooden booths, a perfect vibe for a party of six girls gearing up to see Next To Normal at the Ahmanson.

Downtown is turning into quite the hot-spot.

I'm Starting a Food Blog for Real This Time...

Why can't I write? I have so much to say. I read and talk and think about FOOD all day.... I have attempted a blog twice before and failed miserably. Third times' a charm, right? Something keeps me from just buckling down and writing. Too much pressure to be the best? (Possibly) Well, I know I need to do it, not only for myself, but for my future career. I'm working in Social Media Marketing at the moment, and my boss suggested it woudl be a helpful  exercise for me to create my own blog, then use social media to market it. Genius...