FOOD FASHIONISTA

Nopalito - Organic Mexican in San Francisco

I am a huge fan of Mexican food and frequently get cravings for it at least twice a week. When I am in San Francisco, I usually head to the taquerias in the Mission District, but now I add a new favorite Mexican spot to my list- Nopalito, and to my delight it is not too far from my SF home. But after living in Los Angeles, you think everything is close in San Francisco, which it is compared to everything in SoCal.

Located in San Francisco's Western Addition, Nopalito opened earlier this year and is the sister restaurant to the bustling Nopa (which I will feature in a future post). The cuisine at this casual hot spot is Mexican and the kitchen's focus is on using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients to serve authentic dishes from the Mexican region.

 

Much of Nopalito's menu is made in house including the chorizo, tortillas, and queso fresco. They also ground their chili masa on site from organic corn. A couple favorites include the popular Gordita de Picadillo -Crispy tortilla, grass fed beef, carrot, refried pinquito housemade queso fresco and salsa de venas and the Quesadilla de Hongos y Huitlacoche - Corn tortilla, oyster mushrooms, corn truffles, jack cheese, queso fresco, epazote and salsa de jitomate molcajeteado.

In addition to serving beer and wine, Nopalito makes refreshingly tasty homemade beverages such as the Mixed citrus, orange-blood orange, meyer lemon thirst quencher which went perfect with the cuisine. If your taste buds call for something sweet and not so citrus flavored, Nopalito makes an Organic Almond Horchata and an Ibarra Chocolate Fizz which is served cold. Dessert offerings include homemade popsicles which I unfortunately had to pass on due to the chilly SF temps. The weather was cool, but the variety of salsas kept things heated up on Nopalito's side patio.

The Mexican wedding cookies brought out complimentary at the end of the meal were a sweet ending and helped temporarily satisfy my sugar hankering. And must mention that our bill for two people was close to $30 and that was including tip. For organic, quality cuisine, that was a bargain. Once you see the menu at Nopalito, you won't be able to decide from all the savory temptations so I recommend ordering a few dishes and sharing them. That way you get a variety of tastes and flavors throughout the meal and everyone's appetites will be extra content.

Nopalito serves Lunch and Dinner Daily & no reservations are accepted - first come/first served.

Nopalito
360 Broderick (at Oak)
San Francisco, CA
415 437 0303

Carte415 - Quick, Organic, Gourmet & Budget Friendly Lunch in San Francisco

 

Who says gourmet is limited to a pricey, sit down meal over a course of several hours. Not the Food Fashionista. Now you can indulge your gourmet fix and satisfy your sophisticated palate with Carte415, the creation of highly regarded chef Josh Skenes which offers grab and go salads, sandwiches, snacks and beverages for those on the go. Did we mention that the highest priced item on the menu is $9...Yes $9! That is right. Affordable, sustainable, and fine dining quality food for busy people like myself. Love it!

Menu samplings have us drooling. There are the salads ranging from $6-$8 including the Vegetable crudites, bagna cauda & creme fraiche salad which sounds absolutely delectable. Sandwich samplings ($8-$9) include the Bacon jam blt, mozzarella burrata and heirloom tomato ($9), the Roasted lamb, vadouvan spices, chicories, yogurt dressing ($9) and the Farm egg salad with celery and chives ($8). The varietal and tempting snacks ($3-$5) include the Our yogurt with rhubarb jam ($5), Bbq vegetable chips ($3) and the Carrot cupcake ($3). Mmmm fresh carrot cupcakes!!! All beverages are $3 and include iced tea with mint, meyer lemonade, iced blue bottle coffee and organic sodas.

Being Green is an important element for chef Skenes. Carte415 is inspired by his desire to provide convenient meals made with sustainable, high quality products and innovative cooking methods. In addition, Carte415 will only use 100% compostable and recyclable packaging, made from potato starches and corn plastic. The cart that chef Skenes and his team will use requires no electricity, using only alternative methods to keep the food hot or cold.

The first Carte415 opens Monday, May 4th. The location is 101 2nd Street in a sleek, modern office building in the SOMA district. Carte415 will offer lunch and snacks from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.. Carte415 will be opening additional locations in San Francisco in the future.

This all sounds so wonderful chef Skenes, but my only question is what are all of us who are not in the 415 (San Francisco) going to do today when we are day dreaming about the above menu items? Hopefully we'll see the likings of Carte310 (Los Angeles) or Carte212 (New York) and so on opening up very soon! In the mean time, a visit to Carte415 when in the 415 is a must do.

Carte415

101 2nd St

San Francisco, CA 94105

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M Café de Chaya - Mika's MICHELIN Guide Discovery

 

Being a woman on the go, and a proponent of fresh and healthy cuisine, I knew that M Café de Chaya and I were going to become fast friends. It also didn’t hurt that in vast and spacious Los Angeles where everything is a bit of a drive, it was nice to see that M Café de Chaya, according to the MICHELIN Guide was in close proximity to my home and office.

When I first heard macrobiotic, I thought you’ll have to sacrifice taste and variety, but when I read in the MICHELIN guide that M Café de Chaya serves not only salads and wraps, but a selection of both hot and cold sandwiches, and rice bowls, it definitely piqued my interest. M Café de Chaya focuses on a macrobiotic diet and deters from serving anything with refined sugar, dairy, or red meat and poultry. Instead, M Café de Chaya only serves items prepared by the most natural, and organic ingredients. How pleasantly surprised I was when I arrived and found an abundant variety of healthy goodies including M Café de Chaya’s version of sushi, soups, burgers, fresh squeezed juices, and a vast selection of desserts including pastries, cookies, cakes, and chocolate truffles. .

At Café M de Chaya, you order at the counter, and with so many choices, I was honestly at first a bit overwhelmed. I quickly pulled it together and decided on a very interesting combo of a Korean style Bi-Bim Bop for an entrée, a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, and fresh squeezed lemonade to quench my thirst. The Bi-Bim Bop included a base of brown rice, an assortment of veggies, grilled tofu, and the chili pepper paste to mix it all together. Familiar with the traditional preparation of the dish from Korean restaurants, I must say, the macrobiotic version was a satisfying hit. The pumpkin cheesecake’s texture was less a cheesecake and more of a pumpkin pie. It was dense, filling and quite delicious. I didn’t feel as if I was missing out on taste and satisfaction by eating something that was prepared with all natural ingredients and no eggs, dairy or sugar.

M Café de Chaya is a bustling lunch spot. There are 8 small tables and 1 large communal table inside. In addition, they have an outdoor covered seating area. This casual spot on Melrose is a great place for take out and as the MICHELIN Guide suggests, a great place for a meal under $25. They also serve breakfast and dinner seven days of the week.

Given my busy schedule, it’s deliciously satisfying to have discovered a neighborhood spot where even on my most hectic days – I can grab a fairly quick, healthy meal made with top quality ingredients.

Le Pain Quotidien - Ricotta Fig Tartine Recipe

 

Like many West Hollywood residents on a warm and sunny afternoon, my friend Carrie was craving brunch at Urth Cafe. I too like Urth, but today I wasn't much in the mood to stand in line, order my food at a counter, then rush to find an empty table. Today I was in the mood to be greeted, sat at a nice table, followed by time browsing a menu, order being taken, and food served to me, all while sitting at my nice lovely outdoor table.

So fitting it was that I suggested Le Pain Quotidien which was just a block away. Since Carrie had never been there before, it was perfect! Le Pain Quotidien has a variety of tartines on their menu, so today I am going to share this lovely, and delicious Ricotta Fig Tartine Recipe with you.

LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN - RICOTTA FIG TARTINE RECIPE

Spread the ricotta cheese on the slice of buttered w.hole wheat bread. Runa fork through the ricotta. forming ridges. Drizzle honey over the ricotta before sprinkling with the diced tomatoes and the fig pieces. Finish with three cracks of black pepper. Cut into five equal triangles and plate. Add garnish.

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup ricotta cheese

1 silce of buttered Le Pain Quotidiean Organic Whole Wheat Bread

2 tsp. Le Pain Quotidien Organic Honey

1/4 Plum Tomato, diced

3 figs cut into quarters

3 cracks fresh pepper

For Garnish (optional)

3 radish Slices

3 cucumber Slices

1 tomato wedge

1 cantaloupe wedge

3 mesclun leaves

1 parsley sprig

Paul Newman- Rest in Peace

Today as I woke up to find out about Paul Newman's passing, I thought about how much he touched so many different generations with his generosity and multitude of talents. My mother was a huge Paul Newman fan and she was the one who first introduced his name to me. I was born after Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Cool Hand Luke were out in theatres, so my first memory of Paul Newman wasn't as a movie star, but rather as a face on a salad dressing bottle. I still remember being at Safeway with my mother and seeing her so excited that Paul Newman had a salad dressing. She of course stocked up on it, and from then on, Paul Newman's face became a staple in our refridgerator and our pantry with his salad dressings, pasta sauces, lemonade, and other all natural products.

In 1982, Paul Newman and his friend A.E. Hotchner started their food company, Newman's Own. Listening to his daughter Nell's requests, Paul Newman added organic food to it's line up which became so popular, that in 2002, Newman's Own Organics branched out in to it's own company. What initially started off as making salad dressing as gift's for friends, became Newman's Own, which now offers over 150 varieties of all natural food and beverage products. The company donates all of their proceeds and royalties to charitable functions, and have donated over 250 million dollars since it's inception.

Paul Newman's love of the food industry did not stop with the Newman's Own company. In 2006, he opened a restaurant with chef Michel Nischan, who is "an avid proponent of healthy, sustainable, and culturally significant food. Their restaurant, The Dressing Room, is " A Home Grown Restaurant, located on the grounds of the Westport Country Playhouse". Menu items include a Pancetta- Wrapped Day Boat Monkfish with braised red cabbage, pan-roasted peanut potatoes, and parsnip sage puree and the popular Chicken and Dumplings with brussel leaves, celery root, baby carrots, and sunchokes.

Today as we pay our respects to Paul Newman, he will be remembered not only as a huge screen legend, and film director, but as a man whose life touched so many others as a great philanthropist and food entrepreneur. Paul Newman introduced natural food in to the main stream, and his generosity with Newman's Own and Newman's Own Organics will continue to live on and positively touch many generations to come.

For More Information on Paul Newman's Food Company, visit Newman's Own

For More Information on Paul Newman's Restaurant, visit The Dressing Room
 

Eat Your Daily Super Foods RX

The Book Super Foods RX

Although I am one to indulge in the finer and often decadent things in life, I also indulge daily in the healthier and "good for you" things in life. I live a well balanced life and enjoy a well balanced diet. That is why today I am going to recommend that in addition to the occasional creme brulee, foie gras, and chocolate souffle you may enjoy, that you also include in your daily diet some of the 14 super foods listed below. 

• Apples
• Avocados
• Beans
• Blueberries
• Brocolli
• Cinnamon
• Dark Chocolate
• Dried Superfruits
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Honey
• Kiwi
• Low Fat Yogurt
• Oats
• Onions
• Oranges
• Pomegranates
• Pumpkin
• Soy
• Spinach
• Tea
• Tomatoes
• Turkey
• Walnuts
• Salmon

According to Super Foods RX, " these nutritional powerhouse foods are loaded with nutrients crucial to a healthy, long life. " It is even mentioned how "dark chocolate is the most potent pharmacalogic substance for controlling high blood pressure." Keep in mind though, each of these foods above relates to each individual uniquely, so if you are lactose intolerant, or sensitive to soy, don't choose those two options. Also, don't eat salmon five days a week for high mercury, and don't eat the whole case of dark chocolate if you are trying to maintain a healthy weight... you get the drift. I've personally found that including super foods in my daily diet has been a win win. Not only do I have added healthy options to my daily diet - i.e., my pomegranate, blueberry, apple soy smoothie, but I also feel full of energy and fit right in to my Dior gowns and Missoni dresses from a decade ago. Wow...what more can a food fashionista want or need!

For more information on Super Foods RX, visit Super Foods

To purchase the book Super Foods RX, visit Super Foods Book

Gourmet Burgers in Las Vegas

Long gone are the days of Mickey D’s or In N’ Out to fulfill your burger desires in Sin City. This Summer, famed chef Laurent Tourondel took burgers to a whole new level at his recently opened BLT Burger in the Mirage Hotel. BLT Burger is a casual atomosphere with flat screen TVs and rock music playing in the background. Still expect nothing casual about the burgers being served at BLT Burger. They are all 100% beef, with all the fixings on fresh soft buns. You will also pleasantly find an extensive wine list, signature cocktails, and 35 beers on hand to pair with your gourmet burger of choice. Now we’re talking!

Burger Bar in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, by chef Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys also serves up juicy mouth watering gourmet burgers in a sleek setting. A particular favorite of many is the Build Your Own Burger where you can create your own gourmet burger masterpiece. Save room for desert for the Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger or the Creamy Cheesecake Burger. Burger Bar also offers options for Vegetarians and Vegans.

If your taste buds are craving something a bit more extravagant, head over to Joel Robuchon’s  one star Michelin restaurant, L’ATELIER at the MGM Grand where you can enjoy a decadent Le Burger made of foie gras, aged beef and carmelized bell peppers on a sesame bun.

BLT Burger at the Mirage Hotel

Burger Bar at the Mandalay Bay Hotel

L’ATELIER at the MGM Grand

Le Pain Quotidien- Your Daily Bread

Tuna and Olive Tapenade

What started off as a single bread shop in Brussels, has grown into an international chain of over 70 locations in hip locales such as New York, Dubai, Paris, Los Angeles, and Moscow. Although a chain, Le Pain Quotidien, which translates to "Your Daily Bread" in French is a delightful place to meet friends for breakfast, or lunch and enjoy a variety of always fresh artisinal breads which are made only with the highest organic ingredients. From the time Alain Coumont baked his first bread back in the 1980's, all the bread at Le Pain Quotidien is still to this very day kneaded by hand and timely baked in a stone oven which is why the breads always have that soft fluffy interior with a just right crunchy crust.

My friend Kim w/ the Mediterranean Plate

 

The Le Pain Quotidien on Melrose in West Hollywood is one of my favorites since I love the people watching on the outdoor patio while I sip my fresh squeezed lemonade with fresh mint. The mediterranean plate is a perfect choice to share with friends and offers a selection of breads with sides including babaganoush, hummus, and tabouleh to dip in to. I particularly like the tuna and olive tapenade (see above). I add the sliced avocado, but it is is served with fresh veggies including slices of radish and tomato. It is just the right amount of food to fill you up during the day. Le Pain Quotidien is also a great place for Vegetarians and Health Conscious Eaters.

For more information on Le Pain Quotidien:  Le Pain Quotidien
For Store Locations of Le Pain Quotidien:    Le Pain Quotidien Locations

Fiji Water for Billion Dollar Babes

Billion Dollar Babes, the "World Premier Designer Sale" which hosts shopping events in London, New York, Los Angeles, Dublin, Chicago, and San Francisco is a must attend for all you fashionistas out there. It is a primo spot to find super bargains from fab designer such as Catherine Malandrino, Trina Turk, James Perse and many more. These events always have sponsored bars on hand which help refuel the mad dash of bargain hunters and regular shoppers alike.

Now they are helping us quench our thirst for H20 on a budget with a two for one home delivery discount at Fiji Water, the first carbon negative water product on the market. Fiji is doing all they can to protect the rain forests, reduce packaging, and promote recycling, so this is a win win. So everyone, Go Green with Fiji and get some of the best artesian drinking water around at a discount. 

Use code BDBUB at 888-426-4602 or go to www.SHOPFIJIWATER.com