Food

I guess I have to give thanks to the hoards of paparazzi that were hovering outside Gracias Madre or else I may have driven right by the simple white building with modest signage. Of course, I had to drive around the block a few times as parking is a major challenge on Robertson Blvd. Once I got a parking space and walked past the paparazzi, I entered Gracias Madre.....a spacious, inviting space with high ceilings, great natural light and a large outdoor patio. It actually felt like dining at someone's home; there was a casualness and comfort to the modern Mexican design.
02 March, 2014
Since February is Black History Month what better way to recognize it than with a dinner highlighting some great California wines made by African American Winemakers? Did you know that there are more than 7,000 wineries in the United States but only 20 of them are owned or made by African Americans? According to Roberta Rinaldi of Wine Noir, a meet-up group and broker for wines made by African Americans, history tells us that African Americans first appeared as vineyard workers for Thomas Jefferson, who liked French and Italian wines. But there is a limited amount of history known up until 1997 when Iris Rideau, who is of Creole heritage, started Rideau Vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley, becoming the first African-American female winery owner in the United States.
27 February, 2014
"Chablis is chardonnay, but not every chardonnay is Chablis." - Rosemary George    So many times you hear people say "I don't like Chardonnay" or "ABC - Anything But Chardonnay." Usually this is because when they think of Chardonnay, they think of creamy, unctuous wine that tastes more like a wood chip or buttered popcorn. Now, I am not a fan of this style of wine either, but I always say not to make a generalized blanket statement saying you don't like an entire category. Why? Because not all Chardonnays are butter bombs. Take Chablis. Located in the northern part of Burgundy, France, Chablis is a cool climate that consists of rich limestone soil, producing wines with more acidity and a "flinty" (or "steely" or "mineral") note. Most Chablis is completely unoaked and vinified in stainless steel tanks. There are four classification levels: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru.  
26 February, 2014
Aside from all of the history and beauty of Granada, there is one more thing that makes it unique......FREE Tapas! Granada is one of the last spots in Spain in which tapas are served for free when you order a drink. Tapas come in a variety of sizes and can be hot or cold. And, with each successive drink, the tapas get more elaborate. 'El tapeo' is what the Spanish call going from bar to bar to eat tapas and it is one of the best ways to get to know Granada. It's a great way to try out the specialties while exploring the streets. Tapa crawling is much more than having a beer, it's an art. It's a way to understand the Granadian way of life, to understand the people and their traditions. Tapas Crawls can happen in any area of the city and I started mine on the Campo de Principe in the Realejo, Granada's old Jewish Quarter. Stop 1:
21 February, 2014
How many times do you go to a restaurant so hungry that you can't wait to order and then fill up on the bread basket while waiting for that first dish to come? Well, Church Key on Sunset Blvd. remedies that. While looking at the menu, carts roam around the room with small plates that you can select and enjoy immediately.
13 February, 2014
Birthdays are always a great excuse to eat out. When I was a child, I always picked the same restaurant each year but as an adult, I love to try new places and this year's birthday was no exception. Gathering a group of my foodie friends, we decided to go to Allumette in Echo Park. Located across the street from a supermarket, this fine dining restaurant is rather unassuming.  But, despite the location and the minimal decor, Chef Miles Thompson is serving food that is anything but unassuming. Before we delved into the food, we started with drinks. The bar program at Allumette is lead by Serena Herrick, formerly of Harvard and Stone, who has created an original drink menu using local, artisanal products.
10 February, 2014
The highly anticipated Orsa & Winston, Josef Centeno's return to fine dining, lives up to all expectations. Open only a couple weeks, the simple room, located next door to his bustling restaurant Bar Ama, is quiet and minimally decorated. The ambiance is sophisticated and casual. And the highlight of the room, and where most of the action takes place, is the open kitchen with Chef Centeno standing calmly in the center.   Orsa & Winston offers a tasting-menu format, which Centeno describes as Japanese/Italian omakase. You can chose a 5-course tasting menu, a 9-course tasting menu, 4-course family style or the 20-course tasting menu. Ranging from $50 to $195 per person, depending on the menu you choose, your palates will be in the hands of the chef (the staff will inquire about food allergies).
28 January, 2014
With so much commotion during the holiday season we think its important to take a moment to celebrate each other, and of course, a good meal. This year, Please the Palate had much to celebrate, starting with our first company holiday lunch! For this special outing, we decided to wine and dine at A.O.C. Wine Bar and Restaurant, located in the heart of 3rd street in West Hollywood.
15 January, 2014
Who doesn't love brunch? It's the perfect meal that satisfies both the breakfast crowd and the lunch crowd, that can be enjoyed all morning and into the afternoon. In most cities, brunch is the meal that is saved for weekend days - the days in which we can casually start our days a little later than normal and don't have to rush off to work or appointments. But, in Portland, brunch is so popular that many restaurants offer it every day of the week. In fact, brunch is such a part of life in Portland that the hit TV show Portlandia even titled an episode “Brunch Village” and filmed on location at various local brunch spots. There is also a website and book that serves as more of a fan page for the early morning delight. Breakfast in Bridgetown: The Definitive Guide to Portland’s Favorite Meal, showcases brunch and breakfast reviews, news and everything in between. One of our favorite spots for brunch in Portland is Tasty and Sons, where the menu changes regularly and is designed to feature seasonal, local ingredients.  
01 January, 2014
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