La Feria Del Nopal 2010 Tomorrow! (Saturday, Dec. 11 2010 at Juan's Restaurante)

(As seen on my article on LAist)



All Hail Healthy Cacti! La Feria Del Nopal Fest is Saturday


All hail healthy cacti! A festival in honor of Mexico’s green, staple vegetable is set to take place this Saturday at the three-month-old Juan’s Restaurante in Baldwin Park. La Feria Del Nopal will include over fifteen dishes incorporating the tart and tender vegetable, a recipe contest (must be submitted by 3 PM) and even a green carpet!

The chef/owner of the restaurant, Juan Mandragon is the Nopal luminary behind the event. A health conscious chef, he’s had the opportunity to cook for many celebrities like Oprah, Martha Stewart and Ryan Seacrest and Juan’s Restaurant is his first brick and mortar endeavor. His adoration for Nopales grew to its highest point when he used its medicinal qualities to help aid in his sister’s battle against cancer.

The menu for the restaurant is actually a joint effort with Rocio Camacho (Moles La Tia, La Huasteca). The special menu for La Feria includes things like a Nopal enhanced queso fundido ($5.99), an Ensalada Organica made of organic Nopal with a dressing of crimson cactus fruit that grows on its very paddles ($7.99), a Chia Seed Crusted Salmon ($13.99) and of course, a creamy Nopal Mole ($11.99). All these dishes only to aid as a vehicle for the thick, pliable green handmade Nopal tortillas that is on deck daily at the restaurant.

To quench your thirst, there will be quite the selection of Aguas Frescas. Including one made from raw Nopal and naturally sweetened with pineapple juice. There will also be chia seed based versions of Horchata and Agua De Limon that he sweetens with Stevia.

And for dessert? Yup! You all guessed it…a Nopal Flan!

La Feria De Nopal 2010 @Juan's Restaurante
Saturday, December 11, 1 PM -7 PM

My Recap of the "200 Years of Mexican Cuisine" Food Event On LAist

Well, in my attempt to really start making a living out of this one day...I am two pieces in on my latest writing decision to start contributing to LAist. Whatever, I may not get paid but at least I'll get more exposure than I do by just writing for myself here.

It's also pretty awesome because they let me do this!

Double post!





It was a full church as more than 1,000 tortilla-loving Angelenos gathered at St. Vibiana's Cathedral last Saturday night. They were there not to eat a communion wafer but instead to celebrate 200 Years Of Mexican Cuisine, a tasting event put together by The Taste Of Mexico Association benefiting Heal The Bay Foundation. Just in time, as this year marked the bicentennial celebration of Mexican Independence…not to mention "Traditional Mexican Cuisine” making it to the list of UNESCO’s "Intangible World Heritage."





The Taste Of Mexico Association was formed earlier this year by the co-owner of La Monarca Bakery, Ricardo Cervantes. The spicy organization is made up of L.A's top Mexican powers: La Casita Mexicana, Guelaguetza, Frida and course, La Monarca Bakery.

"We have all known each other since we're in the same industry and have worked together on occasion before" says Cervantes, when asked about how the organization was born. "We simply want to promote and redeem authentic Mexican food."

The line to get in to the church party was an hour long and the lines to get food snaked all the way around the altar. "I'm very happy with the turnout, I think it was a great success” says Jaime of La Casita Mexicana. Despite the lengthy waits, people weren't really complaining once they finally got their regional Mexican nibbles. Although, I'm pretty sure the copious amount of line-less booze booths touting Tequila girls and unlimited pours had something to do with that too.





As always, La Casita Mexicana stole the show with masterful renditions of unique regional eats. Their table bared no free space in the least. It was stacked with 7 assorted Mexican cheeses that ranged from crumbly, aged Cotija Adobada to a milky, oil-brined Panela and a kaleidoscope-like selection of elusive Salsas. My favorite was the milky Salsa Blanca from Colima, made from chiles gueros and emulsified with olive oil. Aside from the queso and salsa fest, their paper plates were overflowing with 2 different types of Ceviche, Tamales de Huitlacoche and their Signature sweet Chile en Nogada.









But they weren't the only ones that came prepared; Fernando Lopez Sr. (owner of Guelaguetza) brought out the big tostadas as well, about a thousand of them to be exact. I can still taste the one topped with a crunchy fry-up of chapulines and still craving seconds of the one topped with Tortitas de Camaron (shrimp fritters) in Mole Coloradito.





Aside from the food and booze that flowed until the very end, the altar that day doubled as a colorful stage for Mariachi and traditional folkloric dancers.
 
"We were very happy with the turnout" says Ramiro Arvizu of La Casita Mexicana. The organization is already thinking of ways to better the event for next year and even hosting other Mexican Holiday events in the near future. They are also willing to add other restaurants to the lineup.

A "Magnum Crew" Pop Up To Take Place At Biergarten (Koreatown; December 13 and 14)

I know I've been doing nothing but anticipatory posts these last couple of weeks but you guys will have to excus me as I am in the process of becoming legit! Ha, ha. Meaning contributing to legit publications and working on a legit website finally!

In the meanwhile. I will keep you guys posted with some cool stuff happening around town.





So the homie David Haskell (all around realist/badass who used to work at Bin8945, Le Cirque, Vertical Wine Bistro) is doing a pop up with Chef Joseph Mahon (formerly of Bastide) at the Glutster favorite, Biergarten.

The menu seems to be partly inspired by the Asian flavors with things like Carrot Curry Pudding, Coconut Soup with mussels, tapioca, cilantro, basil and pistou, Wild Mushrooms, White Soy, Sesame Rice Paper, Fried Chicken with bacon, radish, arugula, celery and buttermilk dressing, Confit Pork Cheeks with béarnaise mouse and a waffle surprise!

The 5 courses will be available for $56 per person. If you're a real hedonist, you'll probably upgrade to the 7 course tasting for an extra $10 more.

But the reason I myself will be going is just to see what the David-meister will pair up this time. I swear, the guy could pair a fitting wine with a bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetoes if he had to. He will have quite the tasty artillery on his side with wine, sake and Neil Kwan's (Biergarten Owner) extensive selection of 20+ craft beers on tap.

His drinks will run the bill an extra $54 (He will pair each course, same price for 5 or 7 course dinners).

Reservations can be made by emailing Neil Kwan at Neilskwon@gmail.com or by calling Biergarten after 4:00pm @ 323-466-4860.

After all, 'tis the season for Splurging que no?