Please The Palate |

Beyond the Bar, Eating at Sable Kitchen & Bar

On more than one occasion, when I have traveled to Chicago for work, I have stayed at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel. On numerous occasions, I have had drinks at the bar at Sable where Mike Ryan has crafted a serious cocktail program. But, in all the visits, I have never made it past the bar into the restaurant....until my most recent trip to Chicago.

After a long event during the day, my colleagues and I wandered over to Sable Kitchen & Bar for dinner. We were ready to explore the seasonally inspired menu of social plates meant for sharing. I couldn't have asked for better dining partners - four hungry women with no dietary restrictions and open to everything. We started to review the menu and were on the same page in our choices. We tried to cover every section on the menu and managed to order at least one item from each section (except the "between bread" section). It was hard to choose but in the end, we were very satisfied with our dishes.

20 June, 2014

Meet The New Guard of Napa Valley

Who hasn't thought, for even a brief moment, about owning a winery? And, why not in Napa Valley where there is a 150 year old history of grape growing? At a recent media seminar/lunch in Los Angeles moderated by Patrick Comiskey, four producers who come from different backgrounds discussed what brought them to Napa.

These producers are the “new guard” in Napa. From the original founders to their inheritors to the 3^rd generation and then the vintners and growers, many generations have made their mark on Napa. And now this “new guard” made up of entrepreneurs and innovators are redefining Napa yet again.

18 June, 2014

Sushi for All at Kabuki Japanese Restaurants

Los Angeles is filled with sushi bars and in full disclosure, I am a traditionalist when it comes to sushi. I love little hole-in-the-wall sushi bars that are not about décor or fuss or “Americanized” rolls but rather about the fresh melt-in-your-mouth sushi and sashimi. But, some of my friends like the creative rolls like Philadelphia rolls, Rainbow rolls and more. And, yes, I even have a few friends who are vegetarians or gluten free. So, where can we go that will satisfy all of our likes? Kabuki Japanese Restaurant Named after the traditional Japanese theater which began performing during the Edo Period in the 17th century, Kabuki Japanese Restaurant is perfect for the novice sushi eater and the more experienced. With more than 200 dishes on the menu, it can be quite overwhelming to choose!

16 June, 2014