The other day I spotted these unibrowed red Angry Birds cookies at the checkout counter of Barnes & Noble's Starbucks at the Grove. These individually wrapped treats unfortunately didn't make those hilariously-addicting sounds like on the wildly popular (understatement) video game, but they are ridiculously cute and I'm sure quite satisfying to take a bite into.
Food Fashionista even got a shout out from Angry Birds on twitter. Sweet!
In the last couple years, La Boulange in San Francisco has become a cherished neighborhood stop. For your morning caffeine, fresh baked pastries, salads, sandwiches, or a box of macarons, this restaurant with 10 (and counting) locations in the city is always a fresh, affordable alternative. The Hayes Valley La Boulange is a particular favorite.
I couldn't help notice the Christmas decor at Izumi-ya as I was strolling through Japantown. For years, I would frequent neighboring shops Kinokuniya bookstore for my latest Japanese fashion mags & Tan Tan for tea and anmitsu.
Corner restaurant Izumi-ya is known for their Okonomiyaki and other Osaka-type casual cuisine. Will definitely post some pics of the food next time I visit.
Hope you are all enjoying the holidays!
On a recent visit, I asked for extra cheese at In-N-Out and got EXTRA cheese (as shown above), but did you know that this insanely popular burger chain has its own secret menu? I'm not talking "animal style" or "grilled cheese", which most regulars already know about. I'm talking about the "Flying Dutchman", "Chopped Chilis", or did you know you could order a Neopolitan shake? Well, now you do. For a full list, visit HERE.
(310) 271-9910
Do Wah Diddy
Pouring rain or blistering shine, on any given day in Westwood, you’ll hear the sounds of Do Wah Diddy Diddy Riese humming around the UCLA campus. Diddy Riese - the build-your-own ice cream sandwich institution, is a cult-favorite among spoiled students, picky parents, camera-toting tourists, and pretty much every fat kid in all of us seeking to satisfy our insatiable sweet tooth.
For only a buck fifty for a hefty ice cream sandwich, even the tight-wad penny-pinchers (you know who you are) can win instant baller credibility by treating five of your friends to a famous Diddy Riese ice cream sandwich -all for under $10.
And although Diddy Riese attracts the fans, it isn't named after an infamous rap star, but rather the owner’s fondly-remembered, beloved grandmother. Ten tempting cookie varietals are baked in-house from scratch daily and include flavors such as sugar (high) cinnamon and double (trouble) chocolate with nuts. Pair these with a scoop of Dreyers Premium Strawberry cheesecake chunk or Butter pecan, and voila…you too are now officially a Diddy Riese addict.
926 Broxton Ave
Westwood, California 90024
(310) 208-0448
Brief Dish Blurb: Not for the faint-hearted. Hot, spicy, scorching…those are just a few words to describe the heat that comes from Mission Chinese Food’s Mapo Tofu. Served with a side of steamed white rice, this bowl of ground Kurobuta (Japanese translation “black pig”), cubes of silky tofu, and blazing red peppers will have you shouting “Fire”!
Continue reading "Ma Po Tofu at Mission Chinese Food - San Francisco " »
Fabio Viviani, Jet Tila, Marcel Vigneron, Sang Yoon, Kajsa Alger and plenty more were in attendance as fellow chef Susan Feniger hosted THE TASTE's Street Eats party at The Studios at Paramount. Food Trucks and booths lined the streets and it was here that I finally got to try the cheesy goodness of the Grilled Cheese Truck. Perhaps tried is an understatement. I probably consumed like five of them with additional fillings including shredded short rib and macaroni and cheese. Coolhaus sweetened up the celebration with their ice cream sandwiches, along with Créme Caramel LA and their, you guessed it...creamy créme caramels.
Short Rib Grilled Cheese from The Grilled Cheese Truck
Everybody wanted a Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwich
Créme Caramel LA's creme caramel
Sommelier Jesse Rodriguez (Addison Restaurant, Grand Del Mar) and Michael Shearin (Drago Centro) gave us useful, professional tips in their "Navigating a Wine List" seminar. While in the same tent prior, a panel discussing "Food City: The New Language of L.A." moderated by Betty Hallock drew a packed crowd curious to hear all that chefs Roy Choi (Kogi), Jet Tila (Wazuzu), Sang Yoon (Father's Office) and Mario Alberto (Chimu) had to share.
Street Eats panel discussion at THE TASTE
Palate Food & Wine's Lamb Flatbread
Mika Takeuchi, Joann Cianciulli, Jet Tila, Sang Yoon, Caryl Chinn
No shortage of carbs at Street Eats
The Chew hosted a food truck-inspired photo booth, which was deliciously entertaining with snaps getting even more incriminating as the night went on (aka more liquor consumed). A favorite find of Street Eats was Pitfire Artisan Pizza who brought their own wood burning oven to the festival. Their pizza was so good, that I've visited their restaurant in NoHo twice since the event. And to think I was going to detox after this four day culinary extravaganza. Umm, not so much.
Marcel Vigneron, Robert Montano, Haru Kishi
Pitfire's Heirloom Tomato Pizza
Food truck photo booth shenanigans
Guelaguetza's Tamales Oaxaquenos w/ black mole & chicken breast in banana leaf
-For more Street Eats and THE TASTE photos, visit our Facebook Page
-Check back for more photos and features of THE TASTE weekend!
Leave it to Kogi's Roy Choi, aka the "godfather of the food truck movement" to host an evening of tacos, tequila, and tunes to create an authentic street party at The Studios at Paramount. From red snapper tacos at Loteria Grill, Baja fish tacos at BajaMar, chicken mole tacos at Pinches, and carnitas tacos from Sofiy's Catering, this was the real Hollywood deal. Hornitos supplied partygoers with "to kill ya", oops, I mean tequila galore and horn-shaped shot glasses. For those craving a "healthier" margarita, Skinny Girl was in the house, or rather on the streets. Musician Diego Garcia wowed the crowd and provided good low-cal eye candy for those ladies too full for dessert. Spotted at THE TASTE's Taco Tequila Tryst festivities were chef Steven Fretz, StreetGourmetLA's Bill Esparza, and Food Network's Alex Guarnaschelli.
Pink Taco's Shrimp Ceviche Tacos
The line at Kogi BBQ Truck
Red Snapper Taco from Loteria Grill
Roy Choi & Food Fashionista
Pinches Colorful Tacos
Diego Rivera photo credit: tiffany rose
Taberna Mexicana's Slow-roasted cochinita pibil taco
photo credit: tiffany rose
Get ready to get tipsy at Hornitos
Tofu Tacos with Sriracha at Kogi BBQ
THE TASTE at The Studios at Paramount
-For more Taco Tequila Tryst and THE TASTE photos, visit our Facebook Page
-Check back for more photos and features of THE TASTE weekend!
Brief Dish Blurb: One bite of the tender, sweet and smoky braised shredded barbecued beef surrounded by a soft, pillowy bun will have you convinced that this isn’t your ordinary sandwich.
The Dish: Shredded BBQ short rib, warm caramelized onions, and creamy mayonnaise on a fresh baked brioche bun is what I’d call a mighty good lunch break. The combination of the rich, succulent meat and generously- sized handfuls of bread topped with black and white sesame seeds will have you licking your lips and most likely your fingers too – mirroring one of those Carl’s Jr. commercials. The bun is slightly sweet, which melds well with the faintly honey-flavored beef short rib. This sandwich can be slightly messy, so grab an extra napkin or two and consider eating with close friends or alone, in your secluded car or cubicle. Daily quantity is limited, and they do sell out often, so best to get there early for guaranteed BBQ goodness.
Key Ingredients: beef short rib, brioche bread, caramelized onions, mayonnaise
The Place : Hard to spot, easy to miss, the Golden West is tucked away in downtown Trinity Alley. A tiny pick-up window with no seats, it’s only open on week days for breakfast and lunch with a closing time of 2pm. The limited, but creative, seasonal menu changes daily, and everything served is made on premise. All salads, sandwiches, beverages and desserts run under $10, so if the wallet is light, stop at the ATM to avoid the $10 credit card minimum. Oh, and be sure to look for the AU sign which stands for the chemical element for gold. That is where you will strike the Golden West.
Other menu musts: Fresh baked pastries in the morning, cornbread
Extra tidbits: In addition to the Golden West, Chef Dennis Leary also runs three other San Francisco spots including The Sentinel, Canteen and the recently acquired House of Shields.
8 Trinity Pl
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 392-3246
Originally featured on HeardAbout.com
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