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California Cuisine

Rose Café – Venice, CA

November 5, 2018
American, California, California Cuisine, Los Angeles, Venice
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Rose Café – Venice, CA

The Rose Café has been around since 1979 and underwent a nice little facelift three years ago to bring it up to speed.  Chef Jason Neroni takes global influences from his travels and mixes them with the restaurant’s base of Southern California Cuisine.  Not only is the food impressive but the decor and space is so inviting.  With the help of local Venice artist Craig Stecyk, the walls reflect a lot of history from the neighborhood through photography as well as bright eye catching posters.

The standout of the night hands down was the Brentwood sweet corn agnolotti made Mexican street corn style with cotija, tajin and lime.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I can tell you for certain that every time I go back to this place I will be ordering this dish.  It’s perfect!  Everything was wonderful including the cocktails (try the Sea Cucumber – refreshing and not too sweet).   Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner – try it all!

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Black and Golden Figs – red walnut muhammara, sheep cheese, cucumbers, lime, Persian mint

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Grilled Spanish Octopus – sesame eggplant hummus, black beans, hatch chili vinaigrette

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Brentwood Sweet Corn Agnolotti – Mexican street corn style, cotija, tajin, lime

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Workshop Kitchen + Bar – Palm Springs, CA

July 16, 2016
American, California Cuisine, Palm Springs
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Workshop Kitchen + Bar – Palm Springs, CA

One of my favorites in Palm Springs!  This time I was with a group of girlfriends and we sat outside which was so lovely (hence the dark photos sorry).  Because there was a good group of us, we were able to order a lot of plates to share.

Not pictured was the Valrhona Flourless Chocolate Terrine with salted peanut butter ice cream and housemade marshmallow – do I even need to say how good it was?

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Crispy Local Goat Cheese, braised lentils, glazed beet, scallion

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Roasted Heirloom Carrots, Temecula farms avocado honey, avocado oil, black garlic, county line farm baby mustard greens

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Wood-Fired Pizza – daily special

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Shaved Brussels Sprouts, red currants, rising c ranch pomelo pipits, cabernet vinegar, pumpkin seed oil, pecorino romano

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Marinated Baby Market Beets, local arugula, weiser farms carrot, harry’s strawberries, dill créme fraiche, grilled rye

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Market Veggie Enchiladas, poblano roasted peppers, spaghetti squash, kale, grilled tomatillo sauce, cotija cheese, topped with a fried egg

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Grilled Organic Jidori Chicken Diabolo, spicy mustard rub, sage red quinoa, rapini with garlic

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Local Goat Cheesecake, ha’s pear compote

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Fig & Olive – Newport Beach, CA

August 30, 2014
California Cuisine, Newport Beach
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Fig & Olive – Newport Beach, CA

This restaurant is beautiful from the inside out.  If I could live in there I would.  The interior design is so clean and elegant just like the food.  And it never hurts to be surrounded by beautiful people.

I went for lunch and ordered light but would love to go back and explore the menu more.  I started with the Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio which was perfect and followed that with the Salade de Laitue with grilled shrimp added.  Next time I’d love to try the Salmon Tartar, Penne Funghi Tartufo (I’m a glutton for truffles), or the Fig & Olive Chicken Tajine.

Next time you’re in need of a nice leisurely comfortable meal, go here!

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Redd Wood – Yountville, CA

June 8, 2013
American, California Cuisine, Italian, Napa
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Redd Wood – Yountville, CA

Whether you’re spending your day wine tasting or are just looking for a great spot for lunch (or breakfast/dinner), you should definitely stop by Redd Wood in Yountville.  Located next to the boutique hotel North Block Hotel (and not far from French Laundry), it’s the perfect place to have an easy, unpretentious meal that’s satisfying, not super heavy and overall a place that you’ll want to go back to.  This is Michelin-starred chef Richard Reddington’s second Yountville spot, his first being Redd which is equally fabulous but oh so different.  *You’ve got to try that spot if you haven’t already!

The decor is very current/urban and comfortable.  Kind of reminds me of a place you’d find in Soho with a California feel.  There’s outdoor seating which is always a great option, especially for someone like myself who doesn’t get the opportunity to eat outside a ton at home.

I stopped in midday for a bite in between wine tastings and was very happy with my order – the shaved summer vegetable salad which couldn’t be fresher and the proscuitto, arugula and parmesan pizza.  I’d love to go back for dinner to try some pastas and main courses.

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The Good Things – Kitchit

June 4, 2012
California Cuisine, San Francisco, The Good Things
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Not too long ago I got a Daily Candy SF (I still subscribe to be “in the know” of all things San Francisco) advertising a new website/company called Kitchit that acts as a search engine for chefs in the Bay Area that are for hire for private events.  They also cater to Los Angeles and New York…hopefully Seattle in the near future:)  Whether it’s a casual dinner or formal affair, there are chefs and budgets to fit any situation.  The website makes it easy to check out each chefs profile and what they’re capable of not to mention you can read reviews from others that have used them.  Pretty easy!

My good friend Jen hired Chef Anne Olsen for her fiancé’s surprise 40th birthday party and the whole night was amazing!!!  She started us with a gorgeous farmers market crudité platter and then followed it up with an unbelievable first course of burrata with favas, English peas and speck.  Next was oven roasted Halibut with Meyer lemon gremolata, pan fried baby potatoes, spring herbs and créme fraiche.  For dessert…baked Alaska!!!  All in all it was an outstanding night start to finish and I would recommend Chef Olsen and Kitchit to anyone!

Rotisserie & Wine – Napa, CA

May 9, 2012
American, California Cuisine, Napa
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Rotisserie & Wine – Napa, CA

I’m a huge fan of Tyler Florence already but this just confirmed it even more.  Located in the heart of Napa with a patio facing the Napa River, he’s opened another fantastic restaurant that is the perfect spot for any occasion.  A thanks to his wife Tolan, his personal interior decorator, the decor couldn’t be more or a perfect marriage with the food.  Rustic yet refined, it’s a comfortable spot that has managed to still be current.  Whether it’s a casual lunch (like i enjoyed) or a birthday get together, you’ve got to try it!

The best surprise ever was the warm cornbread that came out before our meal.  I seriously could have eaten tons of it but had to remind myself of all the food coming.  My husbands R&W cheeseburger looked incredible.  With the fried egg on top it was a little hard to share so lucky him…he got it all to himself.  My salad was perfect for the middle of the day, especially since we had the deviled eggs as starters.

And don’t forget about his tempting kitchen store next door – Tyler Florence West Coast Kitchen Essentials.  I could spend all day in there:)  Here’s where you can get your hands on the pots and pans Chef Florence uses in his restaurants and at home as well as other top brands.   His spice rubs and marinades make amazing hostess and holiday gifts.  I’d be amazed if you walked out without purchasing anything:)

Complementary cornbread to start your meal with…yum!

Deviled eggs with fried capers, shallots and thyme oil

Chop salad – pulled chicken, bacon, avocado, jack cheese and a garlic vinaigrette

R&W Cheeseburger with an added fried egg

Spencer’s – Palm Springs, CA

April 23, 2012
American, California Cuisine, Palm Springs
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Spencer’s – Palm Springs, CA

This was my first time to Spencer’s but it won’t be my last.  Nestled up again the San Jacinto Mountains, the setting is beautiful and I can only imagine what it would be like at night seeing that we were there to enjoy a late lunch.  Outside on the patio under the trees is by far the best seat in the house – it’s no wonder they won the award for Best Outside Dining:)

The menu is American with hints of Asian and Mediterranean influences.  Being a hot afternoon I chose the Baja Shrimp Salad.  It came with roasted corn, avocado, tomatoes and tortilla strips with a lemon tequila dressing…yum!  I added a squeeze of lemon and a dash of salt…DE-lish!

Porta Via – Beverly Hills, CA

March 9, 2012
California Cuisine, Los Angeles
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Porta Via – Beverly Hills, CA

A new found breakfast spot…and I like it!  I’ll be totally honest, there were probably only 4 tables filled while we were there and they service was painfully slow but the food was excellent and I would definitely go back.  Nothing about the menu (lunch and dinner included) is crazy different but it’s good food, good quality and well done therefore a success in my book.  Definitely worth a try.  It’s much more relaxing than most places I’ve tried in the area for breakfast not to mention the price is definitely right!

Chicken, Spinach & Onion Egg White Omelet – breakfast potatoes (I subbed fruit) & toasted baguette

The Blvd – Beverly Hills, CA

March 2, 2012
California Cuisine, Los Angeles
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The Blvd – Beverly Hills, CA

There’s no better place in Beverly Hills to eat well and have the best people watching right in front of you.  Located in the timeless Beverly Wilshire at the tail end of Rodeo Drive, The Blvd comes with a high price tag but it’s THE quintessential Beverly Hills experience.

Almost every time I’m there I get the Seafood Salad.  It’s changed over the years but is never disappointing to me and comes with the highest quality of seafood one would expect for a $33 salad.  My husband started with the Lobster Salad which was divine.  I especially loved the green apple.  It added such a lovely acidity and made the dish perfectly balanced.  For his entrée he got the Veal Schnitzel…whoa…I had a tinge of order envy but luckily he was nice enough to give me a couple of bites.  The veal was pounded thin and cooked to perfection.  So tender and full of flavor…this was definitely a success.  My only advice is to add a good squeeze of lemon juice on top.  It brightens the dish and makes it not as heavy tasting.

Just to name a few, Bob Green, Mariel Hemingway and André Leon Talley were all dining there the last time I was there for lunch.  Does it get much better than that?!  Go!

Great selection of breads

Maine Lobster Salad – green apple, avocado, jicima, lemon oil vinaigrette

Seafood Salad – pickled butternut squash, octopus, prawns, lobster, scallops, white port and hazelnut oil

Veal Schnitzel – fingerling potato salad, red radishes, lemon butter

Urth Caffé – Beverly Hills, CA

February 29, 2012
American, California Cuisine, Los Angeles
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Urth Caffé – Beverly Hills, CA

A favorite of mine and a must every time I go down to BH, I love Urth Caffé and I always order the same thing for breakfast  – the Urth Parfait.  It’s SO good!  I totally think of Entourage every time I eat there…and keep thinking I’ll run into E or Vince Chase but nope.  Back to the food…everything is so fresh and tasty.  My mom once ordered the quiche and I swear, it may have been one of the best I’ve ever tasted.  They have to use a good amount of cream because the texture and flavor was like none other.  One thing I’m dying to get next time are the Eggs Verde – two soft poached organic eggs over a bed of arugula, roasted corn, baby tomatoes and poached asparagus spears tossed with peppercorn dressing, garnished with cracked pepper and chive oil served with toasted whole wheat bread.  Seriously?!  Sign me up!