Archive
for June, 2010
Food for Thought—Favorite Foodie Posts of the Week
Jun 11 2010Seaweed Ramen from Mr. Ramen in Little Tokyo.
Here’s a rundown of my favorite food blogging this week:
- Bandini talks King Taco on The Great Taco Hunt.
- The Gastronomer gives a lesson on grilling Bison Burgers.
- Pat takes a savory journey at the Lebanese Zaatar Bakery in Burbank on Eating LA. I’m Jealous.
- Sinosoul has some delicious, though slightly too expensive, sandwiches at Food+Lab.
- Daily Dish remembers Al Cassel, originator of one of LA’s best burgers.
Eastside Goes to Paso Robles: Wine-Drenched Tuscan Dinner
Jun 10 2010
On a recent trip to Paso Robles, we were lucky to attend a pretty magical dinner at Venteux Vineyards in nearby Templeton. It was a beautiful, warm summer night made complete by Chef Eric Cioffi’s Tuscan menu. The delicious wine didn’t hurt either, and owners Scott and Bobbi Stetzle made sure it flowed and flowed.
Cioffi took a “locavore” approach to creating the rustic Italian dishes, which were served family style to about 30 guests on the old-timey porch of the vinyard’s b&b. Ninety percent of the ingredients came from farms within 10 or so miles of the winery. “Every time I do a dinner at Venteux, I try to meet a new face, a new farmer, a new friend,” Cioffi told me.
Cioffi is a self-taught amateur chef, but there was nothing amateur about his execution. The freshness, flavor and detail of this meal rivaled some of my most memorable food experiences, even in actual Tuscany. He simply says he prefers food with “soul”. Someone give this guy a restaurant already!
The first course was a Parpadelle with Duck Ragu. So delicious. Made with cherries steeped in Zin Alley port, the ragu was a heavenly mix of sweet and savory. The fresh pasta, which was hand rolled and cut, was as much of a main attraction—the chef credited its silky texture to “lots of yolk.”
3 Good Veggie Tacos: Top Picks in Silverlake & Eagle Rock
Jun 06 2010
I like a good al pastor, but I also love a good veggie taco. Lucky for us, they’re finally showing up on LA menus. What’s exciting is that the newness of the veggie taco’s popularity means there’s wide open terrain for restaurants/taco trucks to experiment.
Here are a few places that seem to be inspired:
Flore Vegan—3818 West Sunset Boulevard
Flore makes a lot of great stuff that even non-vegans are into. I like their Eastsider Taco (pictured above). I don’t always enjoy meat substitutes, but the chopped seiten really works in this taco thanks to it’s smoky flavor and the way it plays off the tangy cilantro cream. The tortilla is cooked to a slight crisp, adding a good crunch. The pico de gallo could use a little more spice, but that’s just a small strike against it.
Scenes from the Farmer’s Market: From Heirlooms to Cake
Jun 06 2010
Photos taken at Alhambra Farmer’s Market, which happens every Sunday. There’s a incredible selection of produce at this relatively small market with a large variety of Asian vegetables. Lots of good food booths, too. It’s one of the most overlooked markets in town.
The soup is from Fressco.
Cakes are by Old Time Baking Co.
-Valentina
Cupcakes Not Politics: Auntie Em's Makes a Good One
Jun 03 2010 Cupcakes are so political. Bring them up to a foodie crowd and watch the sprinkles fly. Everyone has their favorite place, their frosting-to-cake proportion ideals, their moistness demands etc. etc. And some weirdos even contend that cupcakes are tired fad.
Whatever.
In fashion or not, I just like a good cupcake, and I’m pretty flexible as to what “good” means. Of course, I have my favorite—the yellow cake, chocolate frosting at Canter’s—but I can find something to like in almost any cupcake.
And I love, love, love the cupcakes at Autie Em’s in Eagle Rock. I’ve heard the arguments from the detractors, but I find them rich, moist and satisfyingly decadent. Plus, they’re beautiful to look at. Just look at the batch I picked up for a party recently—chocolate, strawberry cream and red velvet. Now, tell me: what’s not to love?
What’s your favorite cupcake in LA?
-Valentina
