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Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Yeah - let's here it for a Serious Eats LA. Have eaten at both Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza. For a very special treat, go to Osteria Mozza (right next door and run by the same people Nancy Silverton, etc.) All I can say it is amazing and worth it for a special occasion. Have a Hangar 1 Martini and try the burrata cheese from Italy. For a less informal meal, sit at the mozarella bar and order any type of mozarella (but of course the best is the burrata flown in direct from Italy.)
Milk: Way or No Way?
Half-way -- every morning I have my fat free homemade latte. It's mostly steamed milk and less than 1 cup a day. A bit of calcium for the day! Other than that, I only use milk for cooking/baking.
Weekend Book Giveaway: 'American Cheeses'
Cow girl creamery, Mt. Tam - Oh there are so many great ones out there. What a difficult question.
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Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
I read weekly newspaper food sections (San Francisco, NY and Los Angeles) and highly recommend that all you foodies out there check out the LA Times weekly food section. I think they are one of the best.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Yeah - let's here it for a Serious Eats LA. Have eaten at both Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza. For a very special treat, go to Osteria Mozza (right next door and run by the same people Nancy Silverton, etc.) All I can say it is amazing and worth it for a special occasion. Have a Hangar 1 Martini and try the burrata cheese from Italy. For a less informal meal, sit at the mozarella bar and order any type of mozarella (but of course the best is the burrata flown in direct from Italy.)
Milk: Way or No Way?
Half-way -- every morning I have my fat free homemade latte. It's mostly steamed milk and less than 1 cup a day. A bit of calcium for the day! Other than that, I only use milk for cooking/baking.
Weekend Book Giveaway: 'American Cheeses'
Cow girl creamery, Mt. Tam - Oh there are so many great ones out there. What a difficult question.
Girl Scout Cookie Sales Start This Month, Or Make Them At Home
I can't turn down a girl scout cookie even though I know I can make a better cookie at home. I was a girl scout for many years and in my heart I feel the need to support them. The thought of doing away with cookie sales altogether breaks my heart.
Market Scene: 'Cold' Weather in San Francisco
My favorite fall to winter fruit - Persimmons! They are especially good this time of year when they are really ripe. Not only do they make a wonderful fruit, but also make fabulous salads. Bought cauliflower at farmer's market and love roasting this with chopped garlic, s/p, EVOO in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. Yum.
Tips for a beginner?
I'[m with Jerzee - the microplane grater is a must. It is a must have. Buy cookbooks. Shop farmers markets. Don't be afraid to experiment. Cook for people who love food.
Do you send food(ie) gifts?
Peppermint bark I've been making for so many years. A recipe from Epicurious - made with Lindt white chocolate and Valhrona. It's far superior to any store bought or Williams-Sonoma peppermink bark and everyone now expects it from me. Also make a mixed nut spiced bark from Epicurious and is a wonderful compliment to the peppermint bark
Finally, figs!
Bought the most delicious figs from Farmer's Market. Cut figs in half and served with a dab of Rivers Edge Chevre goat cheese, a sprinkle of fresh chopped rosemary and a drizzle of honey. These were yummy and irresistable!
Cook the Book: 'Summer on a Plate'
James Beard - wonderful recipes that inspired me to love cooking.
Favorite Omelete or other Brunch Foods
Favorite omelets include Gruyere with chives and asparagus; spinach, mushroom and cheddar cheese; Tomato, basil and mozzarella. For entertaining larger crowds when blueberries are in season, I love Gourmet's (June 1999) Baked Blueberry-Pecan French Toast with Blueberry Syrup that can be prepared the night before. Oh my, oh my.......the possibilities are endless.
Which Mint to Use?
I would agree that Spearmint is used mostly in Mediterranean cooking and Peppermint used for sweeter foods. I am growing chocolate mint and it works nicely in a fruit salad or with honeydew melon and works great as a garnish with any chocolate dessert.
Hot Weather Food Ideas
My all time favorite summertime meal - heirloom tomatoes with basil, buffulo mozzarella, and olive oil, prosciutto wrapped with orange flesh melon, baguette and vino.
Cheese Recipes?
Am currently reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. She talks about making homemade cheese and makes reference to the Cheese Queen - Ricki Carroll. An internet search for Cheese Queen will give you all the information you need about cheesemaking and supplies. I soon may be making homemade mozzarella to pair with wonderful summer tomatoes and basil.
coffee
My husband makes me a latte every am with Illy medium ground espresso coffee. It's our favorite coffee. When I'm in the mood for regular coffee, I grind my own coffee beans as needed and usually buy the coffee from a local coffee store.
The last meal you cooked for friends?
Had a small dinner party last weekend before we encountered 112 degree temps. Started with Shrimp cocktail with a sauvignon blanc from New Zealand. Dinner consisted of barbequed lamb chops marinated in olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar and basil. Served it with Israeli couscous with greens and mint and balsamic vinegar dressing, roasted sweet potatoes and a nice red Malbec. For dessert we had homemade lemon bars and brownies.
Farmer's Market
My Sunday morning outing is a trip to the local farmer's market in Southern California. Fruits and vegetables are amazing this time of year and I'm enjoying wonderful summer stone fruit, cherries, sweet onions, tomatoes and zucchini, cucumbers, etc. The fish vendor has wonderful wild salmon. Also love the Greek food vendor - olives, Manouri cheese, and olive oil. The last stop is the cheese vendor for some Burrata cheese to enjoy with the heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil.
20 Days and Counting!
I hate summer in Southern California as it is just way too hot for me but I love summer produce. An the other hand I love summers in Lake Tahoe (my second home) and the gorgeous sunsets and the terrific farmers market.
To ring in the first days of summer, Burrata cheese with homegrown tomatoes, fresh grown basil and a great quality olive oil, rustic french baguette, wine and bbq white meat peaches for dessert. Great meal on a 100 degree day.
Cold Cereal Confessions
First choice would be Bob's Red Mill Muesli and 2nd choise would be Kashi Go Lean
Cheese!
Epoisses. It's stinky and expensive, but I promise you no regrets.
Would you eat...People?
I hope I never live to see the day. As a resident of Lake Tahoe, I have seen many brutal winters and have been to the Donner museum several times. The Donner party is a haunting tale of how the pioneers attempted to get to California in 1846 and a tale of death, endurance and survival. Many of them survived and reverted to eating the flesh of other humans. The Donner Party documentary HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Dinner Tonight: Cauliflower Purée
My most favorite recipe for cauliflower is to roast it with chopped garlic and olive oil. If you aren't a cauliflower lover, this will convert you!
Tuna. In a Can. Love it or Hate it?
I go back and forth between Italian tuna in olive oil and tuna in water. I love them both and always have a can in the pantry. For a delicious tuna salad, I add lots of chopped green onions, chopped celery, 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard, mayonaise, lemon juice, chopped capers and dill. Add all ingredients and amounts to your liking. I'm not a big fan of lots of mayonaise so I go light on the mayonaise. On the other hand, if I have a tuna steak, I grill it and use it in a composed salad nicoise.
Fresh whole wasabi root, kaffir limes in NYC?
This is a great website that offer the real plant and real wasabi powder.
www.realwasabi.com
Do you love ripe melons? Which are your favorites?
Orange flesh with imported prosciutto and honeydew with home grown chocolate mint.
Dinner Tonight: Cauliflower Purée
it would have been perfect with about a quarter of the salt content, I was left thirsty and my lips were actually tingling! I will try again though because it is really tasty. My husband actually thought it had potato in! try adding some chopped chives, it gave it a bit of colour and looked a bit more special
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
i might want to check that gyenari place out.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Some of the best Thai food I've had is found at Suriya's, where service is always fast, and food always very delicious. I highly recommend the spicy eggplant. :)
Cold Cereal Confessions
Weirdly enough, I hate most sugary things but LOVE Cinammon Toast Crunch. But I also like plain cheerios.
My college hang out used to be a tiny underground cafe where they had things like endless cups of coffee or cereal for two bucks. You could just keep on getting up and going for more. I had many a late night just eating bowls of Cinammon Toast Crunch while doing school work...
Cold Cereal Confessions
I love cheerios and kix as a child. I like to eat mildly flavoured cold cereals, and not sugary ones.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
god, I love in-n-out.
and gyenari is the place for korean bbq. i love my korean bbq.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
KBBQ is always bomb. How's the galbi? I can eat a platter of that thing for everyday the rest of my life.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
I actually just went to Gyenari the other day. The happy hour was great! $2 Hite beers and the cocktails are very good!
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Best Korean Restaurant is by far Gyenari BBQ & Lounge in Culver City. I love the DJs spinning on the weekend and the appetizers.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Is Kung Pao Kitty still open on Hollywood Blvd? Obviously it was more hip than the places in Monterrey Park (and not as authentic) but I always liked it, in that PF Chang, i know this isn't "good" but it's still good, kind of way. (Know what I mean?)
What about Peruvian? I used to go to Mario's all the time, but I'm sure there are much better places now. Any of you LA serious eaters have suggestions? I'm going for a visit in Feb.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Yay, for the LA content. More, please!
And check out this fun supper club: http://alisoneats.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/underground-supper/
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
Y'all left off Kogi BBQ!!!!!!!!
Girl Scout Cookie Sales Start This Month, Or Make Them At Home
We are cutting back here, but Girl Scout cookies aren't on the chopping block. I just ordered 4 boxes of Samoas. I totally cheated and ordered them on ebay so I don't have deal with kiddos at the grocery store. I know thats mean to say, but its true.
Milk: Way or No Way?
@dd ~ I went to a Catholic grammar school where we ate at our desks, but milk was provided. It was left outside in the middle of the night and brought in at lunchtime. It was either frozen solid or warm and occasionally spoiled. Rarely was it just right. I forged a note saying I was allergic to white milk and could only drink chocolate, and got away with it! That was the only way I could get it down and I pretty much quit drinking milk after 8th grade.
Milk: Way or No Way?
Milk? Plain Milk?! NO WAY! Didn't even like plain milk as a child. I shudder even thinking of that lukewarm milk carton that they would try to make you drink with those gross graham crackers in Kindergarten... After I ralphed, they no longer tried to force that little ritual on me anymore :)
I can now drink Plain Non-Fat Milk with a chocolate dessert. But it has to be ice cold with crushed ice in it.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
LA is a deceptively great burger town. Besides Pie & Burger and Fathers Office, another great local place is Apple Pan.
Agree that Chinois on Main, while a good restaurant, should not show up on any Best Chinese in LA.
Also disappointing that the set format (Best pizza, best chinese, etc.) means that you don't cover LA's specialties -- Mexican, sushi (both high-end and low-end) and local classics such as Langers (pastrami is better than Katz's) and Phillipe's (inventor of the french dip)
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
I second Serious Eats LA. And I would love to write for them too ;)
You can't encapsulate LA's best food into such a small list. "Shelly" left a lot of good, if not better places off the list, but I'm sure it's culled from years of reviews, and not very current.
But IN N OUT is an LA institution CafePhine, more than Pie & Burger. Last time I went to 25 degrees, it wasn't that good. Lucky Devils is better. Wonder if she's ever tried it?
It is troubling that the best Chinese she could come up with it Chinois on Main. I do find myself thinking, more often than not, where to find good Chinese without driving through miles of traffic to the SGV.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
I third or fourth or whatever we're up to the recommendation of Scoops for best ice cream. Pazzo Gelato in Silverlake is not even worth mentioning in comparison. Because of Tai Kim's willingness to experiment and to draw on his Korean background in a community with the largest Korean population after Seoul, Scoops is also a uniquely Angelino experience in a way the other three places named are not.
The recommendation of Mozza as the best pizza joint is, sadly, right. Sad not because Mozza's bad-- it's terrific, if pricey, and not the casual experience that most East Coasters associate with the best pizza-- but because its always seemed weird to me that a city with so many Italians and Italian-Americans should be unable to come up with a first rate, affordable pizza joint. Odd to recommend the Meyer lemon ice cream pie over the salty butterscotch budino, which is what gets the raves.
Not mentioning either Apple Pan or Pie n' Burger, the two usual contenders among locals for one of LA's culinary strong points, also seems odd.
And, I also think something is wrong with picking an Austrian's fusion restaurant over the many, many first rate Chinese contenders as "best Chinese." A search of Jonathan Gold's LA Weekly articles and posts by Jerome on Chowhound's Los Angeles Area message board will turn up a long list. Triumphal Palace deserved to go out of business.
I have a topic to propose for Serious Eats if it's going to get serious about Los Angeles: Pico Boulevard. You can capture much of what's great about the city's food scene in a walk (which a group of us did a couple of years ago) down its entire length, from downtown to the coast.
Milk: Way or No Way?
@dhorst-Heritage is probably one of the one's you've heard about. It's the only one I know of.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
cheers to scoops and pie n burger (BEST burger ever!!)
http://flickr.com/photos/pancakejess/364191010/
http://flickr.com/search/?w=93525156%40N00&q=scoops&m=text
mmmm
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
25 Degrees? Really? Maybe if you like to be served by men wearing Ed Hardy t-shirts. What about Oinkster for their awesome burgers?
And I second Scoops; none of the other ice cream joints in So Cal have anything on this place.
Something is wrong with picking a Wolfgang Puck restaurant for the best Chinese food. Los Angeles has one of the largest Chinese populations in the country; wouldn't you rather go for authenticity than some Hollywood chef?
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
@ mpiedlourde and Hailyn: Thanks! The post has been updated.
Milk: Way or No Way?
@dmcavanagh~I will certainly try the Heritage Cheese shop. There's supposed to be some really good Amish cheese craftsmen in the area. Are you aware of any? I'll be heading up there in February to drop off the kids at my parents for a visit over winter break, so I intend to get my cheese on--asthma be damned.
Serious Eats City Guide: Los Angeles
The Chinese food section of this review appears to have been cribbed from very old reviews. As a previous commentor notes, Triumphal Palace has been closed for some time. Lake Spring hasn't been good for at least a few years. And why pick Chinois on Main and ignore the myriad other regional Chinese restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley?
Milk: Way or No Way?
Exactly! And I keep wanting to reply, way!
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I read weekly newspaper food sections (San Francisco, NY and Los Angeles) and highly recommend that all you foodies out there check out the LA Times weekly food section. I think they are one of the best.