Food

A short ferry ride from Auckland is the island of Waiheke, an island of 30 growers and 535 planted acres. The second winery on the island, beginning in 1981-82, is Stonyridge. With 6 hectares of vineyard planted to the five grapes of Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec) and organically farmed, Stonyridge is known as a world-renowned Cabernet-blend winegrower, thanks in part to the signature Stonyridge Larose.
03 May, 2012
The dinner of dinners at Mountford Estate was for Winston's Birthday.  Winston, Mountford Estate Winemaker CP Lin's seeing eye dog, turned 5. Each year on his birthday, CP organizes a large dinner party filled with great wines and food and this evening was no exception, from the guest chef to the food to the wines!
17 April, 2012
It’s been a year since the “big” Christchurch earthquake that we all heard about in the US but Christchurch has actually suffered from over 10,000 earthquakes since September 4, 2010 when the first 7.1 quake hit. Then on February 22, 2011, the horrific and shallow 6.3 quake hit in the middle of the day.  But that wasn't the end of it.  There were 191 earthquakes that day alone (yes, 191).  So many buildings collapsed and sadly so many lost their homes and many lost their lives. And, just when everyone started to settle back in and take a deep breath, another 6.0 earthquake hit just a few months ago on December 23, 2011, during the holidays. So many people have been affected, both physically and emotionally.  However, this has not dampened the spirit of the people.  With the continual earthquakes, rebuilding has been very challenging.  But, those who have been more fortunate and not lost as much have made continual efforts to help their community and friends. One story I had been told when I was in Christchurch last year, just two weeks after the February earthquake, was about a friend of the wine community.  On the day of the earthquake, a local woman whose husband is a winemaker in Waipara, was walking in town and doing her normal shopping when the earthquake hit.  An overhang fell on her and she was paralyzed. As cliche as it sounds, this could have happened to anyone and unfortunately, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now a year later, while she is back home, her life and her family's life has changed and she requires constant care, needs her home retro-fitted and requires pain management, all rather costly.
03 April, 2012
Since opening 2 months ago, Tar & Roses has been filling the dining room, which seats about 45 in the main dining room, eight at the bar, and 20 on the patio, every night.  Finally, with a little advance planning, I was able to coordinate my dining partners and get a reservation. Tar & Roses offers a "modern and rustic" menu with small and large plates.
28 March, 2012
I finally have a neighborhood cocktail spot - Plan Check Kitchen + Bar.  As I willingly drive all over Los Angeles for great cocktails, an easy 10 minute walk from my place makes this rather exciting!  The excitement might make me biased but the truth is the food and cocktails live up to the expectation.  One cannot expect anything less as Chef Ernesto Uchimura (Umami Burger) is behind the food and the cocktail program was designed by the powerhouse duo Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix, who are also responsible for La Descarga, Harvard and Stone and Black Market Liquor Bar.
02 March, 2012
Every so often, a leisurely lunch is in order.....the kind that starts at noon and ends when dinner service begins. An ideal setting is Providence Restaurant where a recent Friday afternoon was spent.  Providence, open for lunch only on Fridays, is the embodiment of perfection.....from the atmosphere and service to the food and presentation.  Owner Donato Poto, Chef Michael Chimarusti and Sommelier Drew Langley make sure that every step of the experience is impeccable......it's no wonder lunch lasted 5 hours.
15 February, 2012
It's fun to try the newest restaurants as they open.  But Los Angeles, the vast city that it is, is filled with gems that have been around for years......and rightfully so!  A recent outing took us to Jitlada, Authentic Thai Cuisine, located on Sunset Blvd, between Western and Normandie.  Tucked in a strip mall with a gift/thai massage store next door, this restaurant has been touted by Jonathan Gold, Angeleno Magazine and Zagat, to name a few.
21 January, 2012
As my temporary location to Studio City has lasted a little longer than expected (you know how remodels go), I have continued to try all the new places that have opened in recent months.  There are two great breakfast/brunch/lunch spots in Studio City....each offering diverse selections on their menus.
04 January, 2012
Named after The Society of Six, an influential community of six artists in Northern California during the 1920’s prohibition era, The Six restaurant opening its doors in West La in 2010.  Inspired by the Society of Six who would create art with home-made meals, The Six is a casual, unpretentious restaurant that features six items in each category: Specials, Starters, Pizzas, Small Plates, Sides and Desserts, as well as six each of beer on tap, brew bottles, white wine, red wine and “curiously different wines”. In November, The Six opened up their Studio City location.  It's a great neighborhood place to have a great burger or other flavorful, tasty American-cuisine treats.
20 December, 2011
As a native Los Angeleno who was raised in Studio City, it was “cool” to be a valley girl in the early 80s. But then it passed and by the time I was a teenager, it wasn’t as “cool” anymore.  Fortunately, I grew up in the hills close to Mulholland and had a ‘323’ phone number and was able to deflect any negative valley remarks as I “lived in the Hollywood Hills”. Despite this stigma, Studio City has always been a great area.  It is a community of professionals and artists, singles and families of all ages.  Over the years, boutiques have opened along Ventura Blvd between Laurel Canyon and Whitsett that equal those found on the west side.  And now, great restaurants and bars are opening their doors in the east valley, drawing a thirsty and hungry crowd who are as happy as I am to have tasty local neighborhood spots.
19 December, 2011
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