Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Quinoa Bowl with Miso Salmon at Pikoh

Written by Allison Levine on July 13, 2019

Food

When I met a friend for lunch this week at Pikoh LA on Pico Blvd in West LA, I was very hungry. I was easily tempted by the grass-fed burger, the tonkatsu chicken sandwich and the kimchi fried rice. But, I maintained some control and decided to order the quinoa bowl and added miso salmon. This quinoa bowl at Pikoh LA was not only flavorful but healthy and is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

The quinoa bowl is filled with red and white quinoa, amaranth, picked cucumber, radish, avocado, asparagus and a cilantro huacatay pesto. I added miso glazed salmon which was perfectly cooked to medium rare. There was no shortage of avocado in the bowl and the chopped pieces of asparagus added a nice crunch. The dressing had just a touch of spice and the pickled cucumber added a sour note.

The quinoa bowl with miso salmon was filling, satisfying and above all healthy and that is why it is the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Healthy Modern Mexican Cuisine at Tocaya Organica

Written by Allison Levine on January 29, 2019

Lifestyle Food

If there is one cuisine that is synonymous with California, it is Mexican food. But, one thing you usually don’t hear is healthy Mexican food. That is, until you eat at Tocaya Organica.

I have been passing different Tocaya Organica locations a lot lately. I see them everywhere, which makes sense as they have grown to twelve locations across Los Angeles and into San Diego and Arizona since starting in Venice in 2016. I finally ventured inside the Santa Monica location and was greeted by the welcoming signature fresh, bright, modern decor with teal and gold touches and lots of greenery on the walls and hanging from the ceiling.

Tocaya Organica is a fast-casual concept serving up “modern organic Mexican” food. The menu features locally sourced produce as part of their commitment to serve natural and sustainable ingredients. All meats and fish served are fresh and 100% free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics. Using the highest quality ingredients, Tocaya Organica serves flavorful dishes rooted in traditional Mexican recipes, such as tacos and burritos. And, no matter your dietary restrictions, Tocaya Organica has something for you as many of the dishes are vegan, vegetarian and/or gluten-free. Read More +

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Seedlip Cocktails

Written by Allison Levine on January 26, 2019

Lifestyle Cocktails

My days and nights are filled with wine lunches, tastings and dinners. And one of the biggest challenges is limiting how much is consumed if I am driving home. But this week, I went to lunch on a beautiful, crisp, clear day at the Malibu Beach Inn and spent three hours sipping Seedlip cocktails. And, in the end, I got in my car and drove home. Why? Because all of my cocktails were non-alcoholic! It was such a treat to sip cocktails all day and yet not experience the effects of the alcohol, among other benefits, and that is why Seedlip Cocktails are the Please The Palate pick of the week.

Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirits are the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirits. Made from herbs and botanicals, it is a truly nonalcoholic spirit, as well as sugar-free, allergen-free, sweetener-free and has no artificial flavoring. And Seedlip has no calories or carbs. Read More +