FOOD FASHIONISTA

Dessert at Playa Rivera - Los Angeles

Edible flowers, coconut and skull dishware made quite the divine combo at Playa Rivera on a recent visit. This gorgeous dessert consisted of a pineapple-coconut bread pudding accompanied with shredded coconut and coconut sorbet. Almost too beautiful to eat...almost.

Food Fashionista - Cold Weather Comforts

On a rainy, cold night in L.A., there's sometimes nothing more nurturing that a steamy hot pot of soup and a re-read of the premier issue of Style.com - which I'm currently already obsessed with.

I prepared enough soup for like ten, but I figure it'll keep me warm for the next couple days. Plus, soup often gets better with some time and it was the perfect remedy to cleanse the body after the decadent weekend eating which included goat belly, lamb leg, Little John's English Toffee, Lette (formerly Paulette) macarons, home-made dark chocolate truffles, and several bottles of some splended red...and that was just one meal. With organic meat from Lindy & Grundy butcher shop and a close-knit, casual dinner for friends prepared by friend, chef Dominique Crenn, it was a comfort food type of weekend.

I think it's time to hit the gym soon...

  
  Dom's Lindy Grundy Goat belly with rosemary & thyme potatoes

           Dominique Crenn on a Chef's Day Off...Still working it!

                                   Sunday Supper with Friends

             Dark chocolate truffles & red wine are divine

Jitlada Thai with Chef Jet Tila & Friends - Hollywood

I've been to Jitlada several times, and after a few not-so-fabulous experiences, I was about to write it off. That was until last weekend when I experienced a really wonderful meal at this Hollywood Thai spot. They say third time's a charm, and it may be true, but I also believe that sometimes it really is best to leave it up to the chef. In this case, it was dining partner, friend and celebrated chef, Jet Tila who himself is of Thai origin and spent time as a child at the Bangkok markets while also growing up around his family's restaurants. 

                                   Crispy Catfish Salad

                                          Oxtail Soup

                                  It's time for some Singha

It's no surprise that Jet knew exactly what to order from the expansive (and slightly intimidating) menu. The table of seven, were happy and relieved to leave the ordering process up to Jet. Each dish was a hit. They often say that it's a good sign when folks from the restaurant's culture are dining at the establishment and I truly believe that. They do, after all, know what is authentic and tasty in their home countries. For instance, if you see a Peruvians at a Peruvian spot, or Japanese at a Japanese restaurant, it's probably a good sign to eat there.

             Coco Mango Salad with Fresh shrimp & Cashews

                                       Caryl is so sweet!

                                            Whole Barramundi

                                      Jet and the Ladies

                              Khao Yam "Songkhla" rice salad

 

From the Coconut Mango Salad to the Mussels in Thai basil and lemongrass, the dinner was made even better, by great company who were all passionate diners. Everyone in the group was not afraid to try extra-spicy cuisine, which is always an admired trait. After eating an entire chili pepper...on accident, I had to order a Thai iced tea, but the rest of the night was all beer, which paired fantastically with each uniquely flavored dish.

Coconut Ice Cream with red bean, yellow bean, & palm seed

                              Mango with Sticky Rice

Thanks, Jet for making me a Jet-lada, oops, I mean a Jitlada believer.  

Jitlada

5233 W Sunset Blvd. 

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 663-3104

 

Learn more about Chef Jet Tila on his website, and if you happen to be in the Las Vegas area, check out Wazuzu Pan Asian Bistro in the Encore Las Vegas where Jet is the Executive Chef.

For all our food pics and more, check out Food Fashionista on Facebook.  

Chef Mourad Lahlou Book Signing at Green Apple Books 11/19 - San Francisco

Last night as I was strolling Clement Street, I had to share one of my favorite San Francisco spots with a dear friend. After some time spent at Inner Richmond gem Green Apple Books, I spotted Chef Mourad Lahlou front and center right on the doorway. The talented Iron Chef winner and Michelin-starred chef just recently released his much-anticipated cookbook, Mourad: New Moroccan and Green Apple Books will be hosting a book signing event this Saturday, November 19th at 1pm.

"Mourad is anything but a dutifully authentic documentation of Moroccan home cooking. While the recipes therein include the great Moroccan classics--the basteeya, the couscous, the preserved lemons, and much more -- Lahlou adapts them in creative ways that take a Moroccan idea to a whole new place." states Green Apple's website.

In addition to a meet and greet with Chef Lahlou himself, samples of Moroccan bites and drinks willl be served. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it since I'll be in Napa that day, but for all of you who are in San Francisco, I highly recommend you attend. And if you can't make it to the signing, check out Mourad's restaurant Aziza which also calls the Richmond District home. 

 

Mourad Lahlou Book Signing

Saturday, November 19th 1pm

Green Apple Books

506 Clement St

San Francisco,California

 

Celebrate Bouchon Beverly Hills' 2 Year Anniversary with $2 Dollar Champagne!

Bouchon Beverly Hills

235 N Canon Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills

(310) 271-9910

Happy Halloween from Food Fashionista

While in New York, I spotted these creatively-carved pumpkins by artist Hugh McMahon in Chelsea Market. In addition to featuring Food Network stars, there were also political pumpkins such as Bush and Obama on display. Keeping with the tradition of Halloween, these impressive pieces of art weren't only frightening and spooky, but colorful and creepy.

 

                            Guy Fieri Carved Pumpkin

                  Carved Pumpkin of Food Network's Sandra Lee

 

Chelsea Market

75 9th Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets),

New York, NY 10011

 

Lexus Presents – They Sing. They Act. They Cook? - Los Angeles Food & Wine

As they say, if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen, and with temperatures already reaching 90-degrees by 10:00 am, the Event Deck at LA Live was hot from the start! Lexus, who sponsored the event, had a little fun pairing actors with celebrity chefs. Cooking up fall favorites for a hungry crowd, Daniel Boulud (Daniel), Michael Chiarello (Bottega) and Christopher Kostow (The Restaurant at Meadowood), were joined by “sous actors” Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) and Vanessa Minnillo (Hawaii Five-O). The heat was quenched with crisp, chilled champagne. Ahhh…

Daniel Boulud and Eric Stonestreet took the stage and it was clear from the start, there would be lots of laughs on deck. Daniel prepared a fall favorite of Spiced Leg of Lamb Terrine with Curry, Cumin and Nutmeg. With his heavy French accent, Chef Daniel explained the complexities of the “Moroccan” flavors. Eric, originally from Kansas City, had a bit of a language barrier as he kept insisting, “This dish doesn’t sound very “American?!” The joke, as well as the dish, were enjoyed by all.

                                   Chef Daniel Boulud

 
Next up, was Michael Chiarello, again with sous Eric working a double shift. Michael gave the crowd a bit of his Napa Style by preparing Sea Urchin Risotto. Eric joked that the prickly urchin looked more like an alien than something he wanted to put in his mouth. He was proven wrong, as he devoured Michael’s rich and creamy risotto within seconds.

Closing the show was Christopher Kostow with the lovely Vanessa Minnillo cooking up another fall favorite of Sweet Potato Soup with Curried Marshmallows. Vanessa proved she had more than just acting skills, as she sliced and diced like a pro!

 

                        Michael Chiarello and Christopher Kostow

                         Daniel Boulud and Joann Cianciuilli
                                

Post and photos by Joann Cianciulli for Food Fashionista

Morimoto Lunch at WP24 - Los Angeles Food and Wine

Kin Medai Snapper w/Geoduck, Papya, Peanuts & Coconut Foam paired with a Grieve Sauvignon Blanc, Napa 2009

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto hosted an exquisite wine-paired luncheon as part of the Lexus-sponsored Los Angeles Food and Wine festival. The event was held at Wolfgang Puck's WP24 located high above the L.A. skyline at the Ritz Carlton. Although there was no sighting of Wolfgang, WP24 Executive Chef Sara Johannes along with pastry chef Cassie Ballard worked seamlessly with Morimoto to create a lunch one will soon not forget.  

Peking Style Duck Breast, Warm Chantrelle Salad, Ten Spiced Confit Figs, Smoked Duck Cracklin' paired with a Recuerdo Malbec Mendoza, Argentina 2010

Washugyu Flat Iron with Veal Cheek Tempura, Compressed Apple and Chili Soy paired with Blackbird Vineyards, "Arise", Napa Valley 2009

Caramel Roasted Apple, Butterscotch Miso, Sesame Crisp, Edamame Ice Cream paired with Ice House, "Vidal", Niagara Peninsula 2006

 

For more photos from the 2011 Los Angeles Food and Wine Lexus Grand Tasting, visit HERE.

Win Ticket to see Ferran Adria live at Castro Theatre 10/10 - San Francisco

Congratulations to our randomly selected winner, Linda who won a sold-out ticket to see Ferran Adria in San Francisco. Thank you to all who entered and please check back for more fabulous giveaways in the near future. Cheers!

 

Ferran Adrià. The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià

"Legendary chef and owner of El Bulli, Ferran Adrià, is coming to San Francisco to talk about his new cookbook,The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià, his storied career as as one of the most innovative chefs in history, and his future as the head of the El Bulli Foundation, a creativity center and think tank for creative cuisine and gastronomy."

The Castro Theatre
San Francisco, CA

7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:15 )

 

FOOD FASHIONISTA is giving away 1 ticket to see Ferran Adria live this Monday, October 10th at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco.

 

For your chance to win, just follow the simple instructions below:

1) Leave a comment on this blog post below.

 

* For an extra entry, follow us on twitter @FoodFashionista or Facebook page at Food Fashionista (one is fine, both are fantastic) and either post a FB comment tagging our page or tweet us using hashtag #FerranAdria. 

 

Example: I'm entering @FoodFashionista's contest for a chance to see #FerranAdria live in San Francisco.

  

 

 

*Contest closes on 10/8 at 10 pm pst. Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted and announced by Sunday 10/9.

 

*Winner will receive one general admission ticket to the Castro Theatre on October 10th. Ticket is non-refundable and may not be sold or issued to a third party.

2012 Michelin Guide New York City Restaurants Announced

 
 

2012 MICHELIN GUIDE NEW YORK CITY STARRED RESTAURANTS

Three Michelin stars mean exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
One always eats here extremely well, sometimes superbly.  Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients.

Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
Daniel
Eleven Madison Park
Jean Georges
Le Bernardin
Masa
Per Se


Two Michelin stars mean excellent cuisine, worth a detour
Skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality

Corton
Gilt
Gordon Ramsay at The London
Kajitsu
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Marea
Momofuku Ko
SHO Shaun Hergatt
Soto

One Michelin star  means a very good restaurant in its category
A place offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard

Adour
Ai Fiori
Aldea
Annisa
Aureole
A Voce Columbus
A Voce Madison
Blue Hill
Bouley
The Breslin
Brushstroke
Cafe Boulud
Casa Mono
Danji
Danny Brown Wine Bar & Kitchen
Dovetail
Dressler
Gotham Bar and Grill
Gramercy Tavern
Heartbreak
Jewel Bako
Junoon
Kyo Ya
Laut
Marc Forgione
Minetta Tavern
The Modern
Oceana
Peter Luger
Picholine
Public
River Cafe
Rosanjin
Rouge Tomate
Saul
Seasonal
Spotted Pig
Sushi Azabu
Sushi of Gari
Tamarind Tribeca
Tori Shin
Tulsi
Veritas
Wallse
WD-50