Food

Set in Downtown LA, the Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival (August 22-25, 2013) is a four-day epicurean event showcasing the finest in food and drink culture throughout Los Angeles and culinary personalities from throughout the country.  As we get ready for the third annual event, a preview event was held at Duff’s Cakemix on Melrose Avenue where press and bloggers were invited, along with chefs, to decorate cakes and mingle with some of the participating chefs. As a preview for LA Food and Wine, this event was a great reason to finally go inside Duff’s Cakemix Bakery and DIY cake shop, which I have been wanting to check out. Duff's Cakemix We arrived and were greeted with wine and grilled cheese sandwiches by Chef Eric Greenspan (Owner of The Foundry on Melrose and The Roof on Wilshire), who will soon be opening his much-anticipated Greenspan's Grilled Cheese. Lucky us, we enjoyed Greenspan’s 2008 Grilled Cheese Invitational Gold winning “The Champ” – grilled taleggio cheese and short rib sandwich served on raisin-walnut bread with an apricot caper puree. Yum! Yum!
05 August, 2013

Everyone’s favorite fruit or vegetable (we’re still not sure) has its very own season dedicated to the height of its ripeness. As we are in...

05 August, 2013
Restaurateur David Reiss (Littlefork, Sunny Spot, A-Frame) has opened another hot-spot....a New England seafood shack in Venice Beach....Salt Air. Located on Abbot Kinney, Salt Air is a bright, open beach-y bistro with white brick walls and a glass-enclosed open kitchen. Salt AirSalt Air Bar On the cocktail side, Brian Butler (A-Frame, Sunny Spot) has created a wine and beer based cocktail list. I selected the High Ball made with cardamaro, lime, house ginger beer and forbidden bitters which was spicy and refreshing.
15 July, 2013
On a recent morning, I had a breakfast meeting and was looking for somewhere to meet other than the typical coffee chain. We met at Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop in Century City. Greenleaf is a great spot to grab a healthy lunch (specialty salads and sandwiches or make your own salad) but you can also stop by for a healthy and tasty breakfast. 8816233098_ceaffd2c5b
08 July, 2013
I was so happy to hear that Chez Panisse has reopened this past June after a fire in March shut them down for a few months. Fortunately, I got to eat there just before the fire while in San Francisco last February for my birthday.  And, all the more special to celebrate my birthday there as Chez Panisse and I share a birth year.   Founded by Alice Waters, Chez Panisse opened its doors in 1971 and has been cranking out delicious menu items ever since. For the past 40+ years, Alice Waters and Chez Panisse have offered dishes prepared with organic and locally grown food. The fresh flavors are tasted in every dish and our lunch at Chez Panisse was everything I expected and more.
01 July, 2013
I remember the first time that I went to Bäco Mercat. I was having drinks with a friend Downtown at The Varnish and after a few too many, we realized that we needed to eat something. Cole's wasn't serving anymore and the bartenders suggested we go around the corner to a new place that had just opened that was serving late. I remember how good the flatbread was that we had and vowed to return. Since then I have been back to Bäco Mercat a few times, each time trying new things. A recent evening before heading to the theater, we ate at Bäco Mercat again and I was reminded how consistently reliable and tasty Josef Centeno's restaurant is.
26 June, 2013
After an event at Mission Wines and Spirits in Altadena, a friend who lives in the area suggested that we try a new neighborhood spot that had just opened around the corner. To be honest, I didn't expect much. Given that the area has a few strip malls and very few restaurants, I was just hoping to have a decent meal. But, was I in for a surprise! ALTAeats is a new neighborhood destination. 20130523_213623 ALTAeats is owned by Chef Paul Ragan, who previously worked at Derek's Bistro in Pasadena. Ragan was trained at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and he and his wife and co-owner Angela Visca also used to run a restaurant in Madrid. The classical training, coupled with the years spent in Spain, are reflected in the menu at ALTAeats which offers plates that are meant to be shared. 20130523_215436
28 May, 2013
When I was invited to check out the new restaurant Crossroads, in the old Philippe space on Melrose, I was told two things. First, Beverage Director Jeremy Lake is doing the cocktails (Jeremy worked at Rivera and Playa previously and I was excited to check out his new place). Second, it's a vegan restaurant. 8749340078_9fddbd2bf4 I love my vegetables but I especially love cheese, butter, ice cream.....and of course, meat. So naturally I was a bit hesitant about going out to dinner at a vegan restaurant. Would I be satisfied with the flavors? Well, as a proud omnivore, I must say, if I hadn't been told, I would never have known that Crossroads was a vegan restaurant. The cocktails were excellent as was the food (and very satisfying).
18 May, 2013
Govind Armstrong has come to the west side and brought traditional Southern Country cuisine. I first met Govind when I began working in the wine and spirits industry over a decade ago when he owned Table 8 on Melrose Ave.  Over the years I would ask him when he would open something on the West Side of LA and he would tease me that he was looking into it but couldn't tell me where or when. And now it is time! Willie Jane  
15 May, 2013
While watching tv late one night, I was distracted by a show talking about doughnuts. These were not your average doughnuts.  With names like Maple Bacon Long John, Bar Snack and Banana Cream Cheese, these were unique re-inventions of a classic. The doughnuts came from Glazed and Infused in Chicago.  As I was going to be in Chicago for one day the following month, I quickly wrote it in my calendar and then just as quickly forgot. But, the morning I was in Chicago, an alarm went off in my calendar reminding me about the field trip. So, just before the event started, we ran out to the nearest Glazed and Infused shop and got there just in time to get some of the last doughnuts.....because once the days' doughnuts are sold out, the shop closes. Thankfully we got there because these doughnuts gave me the sugar kick I needed that day! DSC00834
14 May, 2013
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