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California Cuisine

Blue Barn Gourmet – San Francisco, CA

February 27, 2012
California Cuisine, San Francisco
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Blue Barn Gourmet – San Francisco, CA

I’m not even exaggerating when I say this is one of my favorite salads.  And I miss it everyday.  The Tostada Salad (minus the cheddar cheese) at Blue Barn on Chestnut in San Francisco is perfect.  There’s tons of texture and the dressing is to die for…light, spicy…it perfectly compliments all the fresh ingredients in the bowl.  I always forget to add a protein (I’m too focused on the actual salad) but I’d love to try some grilled garlic shrimp or chopped chicken on it.  The salads are huge so one option is to get it to go undressed, that way you can save half for leftovers.  Once upon a time I used to order sandwiches – Turkey was my go to – but now I’m totally devoted to the salads.  With 8 different types of grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu, you can’t go wrong:)  Prices may seem a little high to some but it’s worth it!  And you won’t leave hungry so that’s a plus.

The Bazaar – Beverly Hills, CA

February 15, 2012
California Cuisine, Los Angeles, Spanish
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The Bazaar – Beverly Hills, CA

WOW! I left this meal a little speechless. The Bazaar honestly blew my mind. José Andrés is truly a molecular gastronomy genius. Located in the swanky SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, The Bazaar is bizarre (no pun intended). I didn’t look up the restaurant before we headed there (very unlike me) and although I didn’t know what to expect I DID know that it would most likely be fabulous based on what I know about Chef Andrés. Oh was it! This place is UNBELIEVABLE!!! It’s kind of like a mad museum…weird artifacts, photos, art, chairs, every turn you take. No two tables are the same. They even have you move to a different location in the restaurant (The Patisserie) for dessert.

We ate ourselves silly at this dinner and I don’t regret it one bit. In fact, I’m DYING to go back and can’t wait to explore the menu even more. Below are my favorites from the night. We ordered a good 20-22 dishes between 4 of us…they recommend 4-5 per person so we were pretty much on track (at least that’s what I’m telling myself:)).

Dessert is a whole other ballgame. Although the menu is significantly smaller it’s just as daunting because everything sounds so interesting and delicious. Aside from your “normal” dessert selections there are cookies, cakes, tarts, candy, pate du fruit, etc…and luckily, you’re able to give yourself a tour of the “others”…photo at the bottom. You’re stuffed and yet you want to try a little of everything. This place is dangerous:)

Market Fish Ceviche and Avocado Roll – jicama, micro cilantro and coconut

King Crab – raspberries, raspberry vinaigrette

Not Your Everyday Caprese – cherry tomatoes and liquid mozzarella

Japanese Taco – grilled eel, shiso, cucumber, wasabi, and chicharron

King Crab Mini-Sandwiches – pickled cucumbers, steamed buns

Smoked Yellowtail and Crispy Rice – yoghurt, grapes, capers, radish

Just Shrimp Cocktail – “Yeah Right”

Ottoman Carrot Fritters – apricots, pistachio sauce

Sautéed Shrimp – garlic, guindilla pepper

Seared Squid – artichokes, chicken escabeche

Lemon Artichokes – black olive tapenade, dandelion

Baby Japanese Peaches – Di Stefano buratta, hazelnuts, arugula

The Patisserie

Chocolate, a cookie and a bonbon that I chose…yum!

Happy Birthday Kathy!

Yes…this is the restaurant. It doubles as a store and you can buy everything from coffee table books to fine jewelry to skull shaped candles. Eclectic one might say.

Spago (lunch) – Beverly Hills, CA

February 13, 2012
American, California Cuisine, Los Angeles
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Spago (lunch) – Beverly Hills, CA

Although this is somewhat of a duplicate I thought it was deserving and different enough seeing that it was lunch this time, not dinner.  Spago is one of my favorite spots in BH that never disappoints.  On a recent trip down to the land of sun and skinny beautiful people who walk like they’re someone but aren’t, we dashed from the airport straight to lunch to celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday.  Wolfgang himself even made an appearance which was warm welcomed.  It should not surprise you that the first thing we ordered was a round of tuna cones.  I really can’t be more enthusiastic about them.  I’ll spare you my thoughts…just order them!

Next we all split the House Smoked Salmon Pizza with shaved onions and dill créme fraiche and salmon pearls (aka salmon roe) – too big for one person and plenty to split amongst five as a starter.  Similar in concept to the Smoked Salmon (and Sturgeon) and Blinis but the pizza itself has more substance to it.  Not a light dish in the slightest but delicious in every bite.

For my main course I was sold on the Japanese BBQ Salmon Salad with cucumber, avocado, pickled vegetables, seaweed, butter lettuce and ponzu.  This was SUCH a good choice!  I will go back and eat this over and over if I can.

Because of the birthday celebration we had to indulge in a little dessert so the birthday girl chose the Candy Apple with honey poached fuji apples, salted pretzel puff pastry, apple cider caramel, and Tahitian vanilla ice cream…whoa…talk about the perfect ending.  This was so much better than I could have imagined it to be.  Well done Sherry Yard!  It’s not wonder she won “Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation.

 

Cook – St. Helena, CA

January 13, 2012
California Cuisine, Italian
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Cook – St. Helena, CA

With so many amazing, credible restaurants in Napa Valley…how do you choose?  I’ve only been to Cook twice (once for lunch, the other for dinner) but both times left me wanting to go back.  Located on Main Street in St. Helena it’s a small, quaint place with great decor inside.  They pride themselves on using local and seasonal ingredients and showcasing simple yet elegant North Italian food.

I highly recommend making reservations for dinner since they get full fast.  Lunch on the other hand I would say you have a much chance of just walking in.

The burger on a ciabatta roll with aged cheddar and grilled onions…yum:)

Scala’s Bistro – San Francisco, CA

January 6, 2012
California Cuisine, San Francisco
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Scala’s Bistro – San Francisco, CA

I definitely have favorite breakfast spots in SF but this one is new to me and a place I would love to go back to…if not for breakfast, for lunch or dinner.  Executive Chef Jen Biesty is a former Top Chef contestant as well as her pastry chef, Tim Nugent.

One of my favorite breakfast items is chilaquiles.  Tortilla chips smothered in tomatillo sauce, ranchero sauce and créme fraiche baked to perfection.  This particular recipe has two poached eggs on top and was exactly what I was hoping for!  Yummmm!

Tacko – San Francisco, CA

December 7, 2011
California Cuisine, Mexican, San Francisco
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Tacko – San Francisco, CA

While on a quick trip to SF my husband and I took some time one afternoon to walk around the Marina, our old neighborhood, and stumbled upon Tacko.  I immediately noticed that the menu mentioned “Nick’s Way” which for those who are familiar with SF know is from Nick’s Crispy Tacos up on Polk Street…an old favorite of ours.

Long story short, it turns out “Nick” and his business partner split ways and this is Nick’s new place.  It’s definitely a nicer environment for a food establishment.  I think anything beats eating inside a nightclub during the day:)  The food was excellent…so much so that we went two days in a row.  On a nice day the front windows slide open and like any place in the Marina, there’s always great people watching.

I recommend the Pollo Taco Nick’s Way and my husband would most definitely tell anyone to get the California Burrito (a burrito with french fries in it).  As a past San Diego resident, this burrito is hard to come by outside of SD so he will eat any one he comes upon and this one passed the test.

Grilled corn and black bean taco salad with chickenThe lobster roll…a little pricey but very tasty!

Wayfare Tavern – San Francisco, CA

November 28, 2011
California Cuisine, San Francisco
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Wayfare Tavern – San Francisco, CA

Earlier this year while my mom and I were visiting San Francisco we had dinner at Tyler Florence’s Wayfare Tavern.  The atmosphere embraces exactly what I miss about SF, the lively energy not to mention a lot of really pretty people to stare at:)  It was bustling on a week night and after eating there I know exactly why.  The food was perfectly executed and delicious!!!  Rather than just your standard bread and butter or oil, you’re treated to a warm freshly baked popover which I could have eaten a dozen of.

My favorite part of the meal was my starter, the Roasted Organic Beets served with winter citrus aioli, goose berries, avocado mousse and quinoa.  YUM!!!

If you live in SF or are going to visit this should definitely be a place you try at least once.  Be sure to get reservations!

Paula LeDuc Fine Catering – Rutherford, CA (our wedding!)

November 21, 2011
California Cuisine, Napa
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Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

Let me start by giving you a little background on when Paula LeDuc first came into my life. It was about 2004 or so. My good friend Lindsey and I were at the Nordstrom’s Fashion Show in San Francisco (I lived there at the time) and after the show the most delicious appetizers were being passed. The one that stood out the most were these things called Beggars Purses…fine thin crepes filled with créme fraiche and caviar and then tied into little bundles with a single chive. Kill me now…I’ve gone to heaven! Seriously…for 7, yes 7!, years I’ve been thinking about these bundles of perfection and I often find my mouth watering just dreaming of them.

Jump ahead 6 years, my fiancé and I are down in Napa a year before our wedding doing a site visit.  We are at Beaulieu Garden in Rutherford and are walking around the property when the topic of food comes up and we’re told the venue has an exclusive caterer. In my head I’m cringing a bit (hoping to God it’s someone decent) and then two magic words were said…Paula LeDuc!!! Another, “I’ve died and gone to heaven” moment.

So now fast forward a year and here we are at our wedding. I’ve been anticipating this day for a while now for so many reasons. But one of the things I was most excited for was the food fully aware of the fact that I wouldn’t be indulging in it as much as I would like to. My one request was that my new husband and I would have a few minutes to ourselves after the ceremony with a plate full of appetizers. Boy was that a good decision! I can’t tell you how thankful I was to have those savory little bites.

If you or anyone you know needs a caterer in the Bay Area, Paula LeDuc is your woman!!! She and her staff come up with the most incredible menus to fit your pallet and preferences. Don’t be a crazy anorexic bride, take advantage of the tasting because that’s probably the most you’ll enjoy the food since the wedding tends to be a little consuming.  I’ll end it by quoting the PLD tagline, “Perfect will be just fine”

*Image credit (for all photos): Geoff Johnson


The Ivy – Los Angeles, CA

November 11, 2011
California Cuisine, Los Angeles
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The Ivy – Los Angeles, CA

While on a recent trip down to LA we stopped in for lunch at the well known celeb spotting restaurant on Robertson – The Ivy.  The food never disappoints here and the people watching is worth the high price tag.  A reservation is highly recommended and a must if you want an outside table.

I chose the Butter Lettuce Salad which was topped with fresh papaya, avocado, cherry tomatoes and grilled shrimp…YUM!  I would definitely order this again and it was nice and satisfying but not too heavy on a warm day.  My husband indulged in the Enchiladas which were delicious!  Honestly, enchiladas are probably the last thing I would have expected on the menu but we weren’t the only ones ordering them because the people next to us did too and they were incredible.  So flavorful!  Another dish I would order again and highly recommend.

Spago – Beverly Hills, CA

November 9, 2011
California Cuisine, Los Angeles
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Spago – Beverly Hills, CA

Whenever we get the chance to pop down to Beverly Hills, Spago is a must!  The tuna cones (not on the menu) are such a highlight.  In fact, I find when I’m home in Seattle that I day dream about them.  They’re amazing so if you get the chance to eat there get at least one!  It’s easy to fill up on them and spoil your dinner but boy are they worth it.  Just beware…they’re not cheap:)

There are so many favorites on the Spago menu but because it’s seasonal things change which makes it even harder to decide.  This time around I started with the Hand-Made Autumn Pumpkin and Mascarpone Agnolotti with Sage, Pine Nuts and Parmesan…wow!  Savory and rich…I could have eaten a LOT of these.  For my entree I went with the Steamed Wild Grouper “Hong Kong” Style which was nice and light but full of so much flavor.  Perfect considering I started with a heavier 1st course.  My husband indulged in the Snake River Farms American Wagyu New York which was served with Pioppini Mushrooms, Baked Bone Marrow, Smokey Shallot Purée and Red Wine Bordelaise Sauce…another wow!  But being a Wagyu steak, that was a rich and filling dish.

However, just like when we were kids, our “dessert compartment” in our stomachs was empty so we chose to go with the Caramilk Chocolate Bar which was delicious.  I normally vote for the signature Kaiserschmarrn but this was a nice change.