Day 1 (Friday): Dinner at La Parrilla
My yoga gurus had invited me to their infatuating daughter's graduation dinner, don't know if it was because of her actual request but...one could dream. She chose La Parrilla in my neighboring Boyle Heights of all places (Peruvian-German Family living in S.G.V?).
Obviously, like everyone else knows, going out for food that you grew up on is not going be quite like "mom's" cooking. It will be good, but everything just has that trademark subtle, stale grease "restaurant flavor" that I always pick up, no matter where , its not too bad, just...there. Nonetheless, I wouldn't mind recommending this place when asked that ubiquitous "where do you go for Mexican" question though. Can't go wrong with their veggie butter known as Guacamole, since it is of the safe, non-offending kind (highest-fat Hass avocado's, tiny, super-fine palatable minced onion, generously seasoned). Going by the restaurants name ("the grill"), I chose their Molcajete Mary Carmen , a bunch of grilled things tossed together in the infamous Mexican lava rock tool: fresh-shucked scallops, lobster, shrimp, cactus paddles, green onions, oozy Panela cheese--all swimming in this boiling chile broth. I forced myself to share it though, since it cost $40 and well, I didn't want to scare them by being "that one guy" at the dinner.
La Parrilla
2126 E Cesar E Chavez Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 262-3434
Day 2 (Saturday): Deep End Dining under British Rule
After driving all the way to the northern outskirts of Glendale, in the wee A.M hours, to get some sort of Truffle Infused ________ and whatever other one dish wonders at this 50-75% off sale at Ingredients Gourmet Market, only to find out that it was canceled because somebody had bought the whole remaining inventory earlier, I mustered the courage to show up at the Deep End Dining house for my call of duty. The Man Eddie Lin invited me to participate in this "weird food show feast filmed by some British network". "Weird Food" was an understatement, these people were filming for a special called "7 Deadly Sins"...you can only imagine.
Gluttony would of been o.k, but they were portraying us (the few, the proud, the fearless: Rameniac, Oishiieats, Eatdrinknbemarry) like some sort of fetish freaks who ate everything while it was still live and kicking, dwelling deep into the psyche of our "pleasures of eating things that were still crawling down our throats".
Disappointed, but like someone pointed out, "any press, is good press". So, after trying to ingest some unborn duck fetuses (Vietnamese Delicacy known as Balut) and imagining the amniotic liquid to be a just really rich duck broth, chewing on the flesh of a lobster while it was still looking at me eat it, and dismembering shrimp that were "wasted"--or marinated--in rice wine ("Lobster Sashimi off the menu" and "Drunken Shrimp"; not like the Seafood Village I remember)
By the end of the day, we were tired, exhausted and in desperate need of real food, substantial, normal food...not food that will get ratings. So, after our last tender-crisp ligament of "live" eel at The Hump, something needed to be done. 5-6 Chef Sashimi Plates, several pieces of Seared Toro topped with house made ponzu, shaved truffle, pickled Japaneses radish, and 24 KARAT GOLD SHAVINGS, and a large order of Kobe Beef later...maybe the day wasn't so bad after all. I don't know if I can say the same for the producers though (estimated meal cost +$1,500!).
Like another fellow blogger pointed out, "you do not leave a bunch of hungry foodies with an open bill"...
C&C Express (C&C Food Co.) (Balut
9200 Bolsa Ave. #308
Westminster, CA 92683
714-894-7533
Seafood Village (Live Lobster Sashimi and Drunken Shrimp)
1463 Nogales St
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 913-2338
The Hump (Live Eel, everything else)
3rd Floor
3221 Donald Douglas Loop S,
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Day 3 (Sunday): Mumbai Street Food Brunch
One day I'll actually go to Mumbai and eat their famed street foods, until that magnificent day comes though, I will have to settle with this though. Flavor of India was having this special fundraiser brunch for Mumbai featuring a couple of their infamous urban delectables.
Crispy, saggy, sweet, spicy, salty, starchy, pungent Bel Puri's rice that is puffed up in India's sweltering sands. Burrito-like Lamb Franky's with a thick pancake like roti whose chewiness is provided by its yogurt+milk+flour base, bartha (eggplant) done in the street, convenient style of roasting it, slicing it, and used as a carrier for 3-4 different chutneys and yogurt.
The Samādhi inducing experience though was eating two scoops of Nemo's Saffron Silk exotic ice cream from Saffron Spot in Artesia, homemade thick, Indian cream tinted neon orange by the saffron and rose water used to flavor it.
oooohhhhhhmmmmmmmmm........
Flavor of India (food)
9045 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Saffron Spot (exotic ice cream)
18744 Pioneer Boulevard
Artesia, CA 90701
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
Picnic des Chefs: "Rocky" music playing in the Background...
me: "yeah, i'm a food writer"
typical respondee: "oh my god, that is so cool!, I could totally do that"
.........yeah, but can you hang?
Lately, in the midst of of this continual spring/summer food event happening explosion, I have noticed that even with my passion for food, it can get a tad too de trop at times, just a tad though.
And, in these rapidly frequenting instances, of things ending up occurring on or around the same day--this can get downright vicious at times. I still live for these things (food), and look fatally forward to it (eat)--planning my next meal or reminiscing in my last--but recently I have been noticing, even the Glutster, has his limits.
One day people will take me seriously though, invitations from different events and restaurants coming to me left and right, as opposed to...me having to beg and scour my way into stuff. As I had to for the 2008 "Picnic des Chefs" in Griffith Park, where even a denied press pass did not stop me from trying and going, I had to sacrifice one of my beloved few copies of the magazine where I was featured in though.
"Anything...if it is for the sake of food". (my principle in life)
Anyways, on to the event!
Of course, this had to be a picnic celebrating the elite, elegant style of French Cuisine that just has to be the way of doing everything in the "professional" culinary world. Go to most of the culinary schools in the world and you'll see what I mean, mastering a mother sauce or torching a flawless Crème Brûlée , read articles by most "established" food writers and see how many of them are dissing the grittiness of a Bechamel sauce or the nuanced flavor pairing of Foie Gras. I am being brazen, but that is the exact reason why I haven't gone to a Culinary School! What about "the grittiness" of a just as complex Masala sauce? What about steaming a "flawless" 奶皇包 (nai wong bao); a milk and egg steamed bun traditional in Dim Sum? What if I want to know how to master these type of foods and not the other "gourmet" conformist foods?
Sorry, sorry, its just frustrating how everyone else I know is "majoring in ________" and I am..."just doing something", since I can't major in "Ethnic Food Writing" just yet.
Even crème de la crème French chef's need their day off to frolic and treat themselves to a meal prepared by someone else's efforts. In this case, other renowned chefs, such as the admired Neal Fraser of the ever-popular Grace (especially popular for me), treating us to the deathly decadent savor of a Duck Confit and Bacon Salad representing the Burgundy region, richness disguised and made socially acceptable by some bitter Frisee and the crisp, enlightening acidity of a bright Pinot Noir Vinaigrette.
Yup, it was quite the baguette bonanza: preeminent pate's, quintessential Quiche Lorraine's and--of course--the infamous,Wild Snails in Garlic Herb Butter aka as Escargotl, prepared by the one and only Joe Miller of Joe's in Venice that I've never been to. And for my first time trying it, they were not half bad, reminiscent of a chewy, meaty clam or mussel.
Even after my dad's sudden urge to have a Dim Sum Elite breakfast that same morning and ingesting several Durian Pies (its funny how I came to be actually, my dad hates eating out, so, when he gets the urge, you best take it, no matter what), I still managed to to taste a lot, but I am telling you, doing this requires quite an amount fortitude sometimes...
typical respondee: "oh my god, that is so cool!, I could totally do that"
.........yeah, but can you hang?
Lately, in the midst of of this continual spring/summer food event happening explosion, I have noticed that even with my passion for food, it can get a tad too de trop at times, just a tad though.
And, in these rapidly frequenting instances, of things ending up occurring on or around the same day--this can get downright vicious at times. I still live for these things (food), and look fatally forward to it (eat)--planning my next meal or reminiscing in my last--but recently I have been noticing, even the Glutster, has his limits.
One day people will take me seriously though, invitations from different events and restaurants coming to me left and right, as opposed to...me having to beg and scour my way into stuff. As I had to for the 2008 "Picnic des Chefs" in Griffith Park, where even a denied press pass did not stop me from trying and going, I had to sacrifice one of my beloved few copies of the magazine where I was featured in though.
"Anything...if it is for the sake of food". (my principle in life)
Anyways, on to the event!
Of course, this had to be a picnic celebrating the elite, elegant style of French Cuisine that just has to be the way of doing everything in the "professional" culinary world. Go to most of the culinary schools in the world and you'll see what I mean, mastering a mother sauce or torching a flawless Crème Brûlée , read articles by most "established" food writers and see how many of them are dissing the grittiness of a Bechamel sauce or the nuanced flavor pairing of Foie Gras. I am being brazen, but that is the exact reason why I haven't gone to a Culinary School! What about "the grittiness" of a just as complex Masala sauce? What about steaming a "flawless" 奶皇包 (nai wong bao); a milk and egg steamed bun traditional in Dim Sum? What if I want to know how to master these type of foods and not the other "gourmet" conformist foods?
Sorry, sorry, its just frustrating how everyone else I know is "majoring in ________" and I am..."just doing something", since I can't major in "Ethnic Food Writing" just yet.
Even crème de la crème French chef's need their day off to frolic and treat themselves to a meal prepared by someone else's efforts. In this case, other renowned chefs, such as the admired Neal Fraser of the ever-popular Grace (especially popular for me), treating us to the deathly decadent savor of a Duck Confit and Bacon Salad representing the Burgundy region, richness disguised and made socially acceptable by some bitter Frisee and the crisp, enlightening acidity of a bright Pinot Noir Vinaigrette.
Yup, it was quite the baguette bonanza: preeminent pate's, quintessential Quiche Lorraine's and--of course--the infamous,Wild Snails in Garlic Herb Butter aka as Escargotl, prepared by the one and only Joe Miller of Joe's in Venice that I've never been to. And for my first time trying it, they were not half bad, reminiscent of a chewy, meaty clam or mussel.
Even after my dad's sudden urge to have a Dim Sum Elite breakfast that same morning and ingesting several Durian Pies (its funny how I came to be actually, my dad hates eating out, so, when he gets the urge, you best take it, no matter what), I still managed to to taste a lot, but I am telling you, doing this requires quite an amount fortitude sometimes...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The Taste of the Nation, The Taste of Alhambra: A day of Conquest and Passion (not for the sqeamish)
In my goal in life to one day, get paid to eat, today was a milestone.
When people find out how profound my passion for food is, they tend to treat me differently. Most, just brush me off as some sort of weirdo, some reply with the automatic "why are you so skinny!?" and of course, the imminent envious non sequitur of "just wait until you get older..." is sure to follow.
In this case, for the first time ever, it got me on the "comped" list for an event of such massive proportions, The Taste of the Nation.
Can anyone imagine the degree of my anticipation? I almost couldn't sleep, these were all the restaurants I only dream of eating at, the places where the closest I get are the countless hours spent revering over their online menu's.
And...oooh, did I seize the day.
I tasted almost every single thing from every single booth, and still went back for seconds after those appalling feelings of utter disgust occasionally popped up.
From my first encounter with Foie Gras in the form form of a "foie gras nutty buddy" ice cream cone from Sunset Restaurant (flavor reminded me of some distant cast-off cousin of bologna) to the ambrosial richnesses of Melisse's meltingly tender "Liberty Duck Breast" with buttery, creamy polenta and the season's first sweet cherries, I saw just how beautiful life can be.
I can't obviously list all of them, so here are some of my most venerated.
(To make sure I got to sample everything, I tasted whatever was offered by the booth at the time I went to them. So, I would swith radically between "entree" and "dessert", I'm not such a stickler for for that kind of structure yet, but I noticed a lot of people their were):
Simon L.A: An extremely light and refreshing "Jumbo Lump Crab Salad".
Napa Valley Grille: Niman Ranch "Braised Short Ribs" with Polenta.
Ciudad: Vegan "Watermelon and Ca. Avocado Ceviche w/ Agar-Agar Jelly cubes"
M Cafe: Vegan Carrot Cake, Macademia Nut Brownie, Pistachio Macaroon.
Providence: Luscious "Valrhona White Chocolate Saffron Cremeux, Apricots, Black Olive Nougatine", oh my god.
Sona: "Braised Pork Belly, Smoked Eggplant puree, Celery Root-Shiso Salad"
Ford's Filling Station: "Smoked Trout Brandade", silky.
Joes's Restaurant/Bar Pintxo: "Passionfruit Tapioca with Coconut Granita"!
Little Dom's: "Pistachio Cannoli"!
Fraiche: "White Gazpacho with Marcona Almonds and Scallops",mmmmmm.
Angeli Caffe: "Riccota gnocchi", voluptious.
K-ZO: "Spicy Tuna on Brown Rice Cracker", crispy!
AK: "Cognac Salmon Gravlax, Pumpernickel Crostini, Expresso Honey Mustard"
Citrus at Social: "Kit Kat Bar" (Hazelnut Wafer with Dark Chocolate Ganache)
Boa Steakhouse: 12 Hour Smoked Kobe Brisket, dissolving.
These were only SOME of the ones I liked the best, and this was without all the free booze (damn those staunch utopian protestants!)
As you may have noticed, I have still much practice due to merit the art of "pacing myself". Especially since The Taste of Alhambra happened to also be on the same day, and I was not going to let the little fact of both being on the same day ruin either experience for me, so...I went to both. The black hole which is my stomach had trouble accepting that decision, but like my great guru Jonathan Gold enlightened me with at the event, "you get used to it".
Since my self-esteem was at an all time high, I managed to get in to this free as well (just said I was on the "press list" and "walked in like I owned the place") fortunately for me but unfortunate for Alhambra, it was the exact same thing as last year. A corporate, franchise bonanza teeming with dull, bland, pedestrian, flavors biasly aimed for the masses: sickly sweet things from "Tony Toma's", "T.G.I.F Fridays", "Red Brick Pizza"...need I say more.
In fact, the best thing I had was this Phyllo pastry cup filled with whipped goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes, courtesy of the culinary art class at San Gabriel High School, I am serious. Aside from that, the only other thing that really stood out were the Collard Greens from Angelenas Southern Food, just like last year.
If it makes anyone feel better, I enjoyed every single thing I ingested today, oh yeah, and I walked all the way home, to still live to tell the tale (from Alhambra to East L.A: 2 1/2 hrs).
A day full of conquest and fueled with nothing more than cheap, sustainable passion.
When people find out how profound my passion for food is, they tend to treat me differently. Most, just brush me off as some sort of weirdo, some reply with the automatic "why are you so skinny!?" and of course, the imminent envious non sequitur of "just wait until you get older..." is sure to follow.
In this case, for the first time ever, it got me on the "comped" list for an event of such massive proportions, The Taste of the Nation.
Can anyone imagine the degree of my anticipation? I almost couldn't sleep, these were all the restaurants I only dream of eating at, the places where the closest I get are the countless hours spent revering over their online menu's.
And...oooh, did I seize the day.
I tasted almost every single thing from every single booth, and still went back for seconds after those appalling feelings of utter disgust occasionally popped up.
From my first encounter with Foie Gras in the form form of a "foie gras nutty buddy" ice cream cone from Sunset Restaurant (flavor reminded me of some distant cast-off cousin of bologna) to the ambrosial richnesses of Melisse's meltingly tender "Liberty Duck Breast" with buttery, creamy polenta and the season's first sweet cherries, I saw just how beautiful life can be.
I can't obviously list all of them, so here are some of my most venerated.
(To make sure I got to sample everything, I tasted whatever was offered by the booth at the time I went to them. So, I would swith radically between "entree" and "dessert", I'm not such a stickler for for that kind of structure yet, but I noticed a lot of people their were):
Simon L.A: An extremely light and refreshing "Jumbo Lump Crab Salad".
Napa Valley Grille: Niman Ranch "Braised Short Ribs" with Polenta.
Ciudad: Vegan "Watermelon and Ca. Avocado Ceviche w/ Agar-Agar Jelly cubes"
M Cafe: Vegan Carrot Cake, Macademia Nut Brownie, Pistachio Macaroon.
Providence: Luscious "Valrhona White Chocolate Saffron Cremeux, Apricots, Black Olive Nougatine", oh my god.
Sona: "Braised Pork Belly, Smoked Eggplant puree, Celery Root-Shiso Salad"
Ford's Filling Station: "Smoked Trout Brandade", silky.
Joes's Restaurant/Bar Pintxo: "Passionfruit Tapioca with Coconut Granita"!
Little Dom's: "Pistachio Cannoli"!
Fraiche: "White Gazpacho with Marcona Almonds and Scallops",mmmmmm.
Angeli Caffe: "Riccota gnocchi", voluptious.
K-ZO: "Spicy Tuna on Brown Rice Cracker", crispy!
AK: "Cognac Salmon Gravlax, Pumpernickel Crostini, Expresso Honey Mustard"
Citrus at Social: "Kit Kat Bar" (Hazelnut Wafer with Dark Chocolate Ganache)
Boa Steakhouse: 12 Hour Smoked Kobe Brisket, dissolving.
These were only SOME of the ones I liked the best, and this was without all the free booze (damn those staunch utopian protestants!)
As you may have noticed, I have still much practice due to merit the art of "pacing myself". Especially since The Taste of Alhambra happened to also be on the same day, and I was not going to let the little fact of both being on the same day ruin either experience for me, so...I went to both. The black hole which is my stomach had trouble accepting that decision, but like my great guru Jonathan Gold enlightened me with at the event, "you get used to it".
Since my self-esteem was at an all time high, I managed to get in to this free as well (just said I was on the "press list" and "walked in like I owned the place") fortunately for me but unfortunate for Alhambra, it was the exact same thing as last year. A corporate, franchise bonanza teeming with dull, bland, pedestrian, flavors biasly aimed for the masses: sickly sweet things from "Tony Toma's", "T.G.I.F Fridays", "Red Brick Pizza"...need I say more.
In fact, the best thing I had was this Phyllo pastry cup filled with whipped goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes, courtesy of the culinary art class at San Gabriel High School, I am serious. Aside from that, the only other thing that really stood out were the Collard Greens from Angelenas Southern Food, just like last year.
If it makes anyone feel better, I enjoyed every single thing I ingested today, oh yeah, and I walked all the way home, to still live to tell the tale (from Alhambra to East L.A: 2 1/2 hrs).
A day full of conquest and fueled with nothing more than cheap, sustainable passion.
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