FOOD FASHIONISTA

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

 

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.

THE TASTE - Street Eats, Hollywood

 

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!

FENDI Fashion Feast Gala Bellagio - Vegas Uncork'd

 

The FENDI Fashion and Feast Gala at the Bellagio was an enchanting evening that blended my passions for haute cuisine and haute couture in one. You can say it was a sort of utopian, heart-fluttering occurrence for a Food Fashionista like myself. With red-carpet interviews with hosts Olympic Ice Skater Johnny Weir and Chef Cat Cora decked in Chanel and Fendi respectively, the night was off to an extremely chic start.

 

 

 

 
 
The event started off with a “Bubbles and Baubles” cocktail hour with free-flowing champagne and appetizers presented by Chef Todd English. This was followed by entry into a transformed ballroom which housed an elaborate dining space with mutliple fashion runways. Guests were treated to a “Chic and Savory” FENDI runway show along with an equally visually stimulating feast prepared by Bellagio Chefs Julian Serrano, Michael Mina, Marc St. Jacques, Sean Griffin and David Werly. The well-dressed, stylish set of guests, including Chef Joel Robuchon completed the event's festivities with an expansive edible dessert display by Pastry Chef Jean-Marie Auboine.

 

  

 

For more information on Vegas Uncork'd visit HERE

Check back on our Facebook page for all photos of this event & more.

 

#NYCWFF New York City Wine & Food Festival 2010 - Fave Pics

                Alton Brown at Chelsea Market after Dark

    Iron Chef Morimoto & Ming Tsai at Sushi/Karaoke Soiree

       Lee Schrager & Giada De Laurentiis at Meatball Madness

                                  Meatballs at Meatball Madness

                   Chef Todd English singing at Bacon & Blues

             Stag's Leap at Red - Presented by Allen Brothers

            Rachael Ray & Hubby at Blue Moon Burger Bash

     Chef Michael White at Decadent White Truffle Dine-around

               Just a sampling inside the Grand Tasting Tents

             Chef Marcus Samuelsson at Rock & Roll w/Morimoto

          Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival 2010

SF Chefs - Oh So Sweet...SUGAR Party at Westin St. Francis

Here is a feature we did on a delectably-sweet soiree at SF Chefs 2010. Lucky for you, SF Chefs 2011 event tickets just recently went on sale and this year's events are looking even tastier than ever (is that really possible). Don't miss out on San Francisco's premier food festival and celebration- SF Chefs 2011.

Saturday afternoon at SF Chefs 2010 was all about satisfying sweet temptations at the Westin St. Francis. A collection of the most impressive pastry chefs in San Francisco collaborated with local ice cream makers Bi-Rite Creamery, Humphry Slocombe, Smitten, and San Francisco's legendary Ghiradelli Chocolate for a sugar-high only your dentist would warn you about.

 

           Corn Textures & Foie Gras (Dominique Crenn)

Peach Split w/Creme Fraiche Ice Cream, Butterscotch & Rasberries (Emily Luchetti, Farallon)

 

Humphry Slocombe

Grilled Sourdough Ice Cream Sundae w/Concord Grape Syrup, Salted Brazil Nuts, Spanish peanuts & Chantilley (Elizabeth Falkner, Orson)

Smoked Vanilla Bean Parfait, with Cashew butter, fudge & marshmallows (Catherine Schimenti, Michael Mina)

The desserts were far from your standard old fashioned sundae or apple pie a la mode. In fact, the medley of chosen ingredients created a distinct individuality to each chef's personality and approach to cooking. The crowd, of seventy-five percent women (no surprise) were gleaming with joy while juggling cocktails or caffeinated beverages in one hand and confections in the other. There were also many in the crowd thrilled to have photo opps with these pastry star chefs who are usually hidden back of the house or untouchable on their television sets.

Blue Bottle Coffee Milk Shake w/Maple Whoopee Pie (Christine Law, Anchor & Hope)

Sugar Party chefs included Emily Luchetti (Farallon, Waterbar), Elizabeth Falkner (Orson, Citizen Cake), Luis Villavelazquez (Absinthe), Ethan Howard (Cavallo Point), Larissa Friesen (Ghirardelli), Dominique Crenn, Catherine Schimenti (Michael Mina), Nick Flores (RN74), Jean Francois Houdre (Westin St. Francis), Christine Law (Anchor & Hope), and William Werner.

FOR ALL PHOTOS OF SF CHEFS SUGAR PARTY, VISIT OUR ALBUM ON FOOD FASHIONISTA'S  FACEBOOK 

Edited by Mika Takeuchi

Photos by Kara E. Murphy for Food Fashionista

SF Chefs - Wine & Dine - Hog in the Fog Opening Night 2010

SF Chefs 2010 -San Francisco's premier food, wine and spirits festival officially kicked off last night with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a sabering of a bottle of local winery Domaine Chandon's Blanc de Noir's. Mayor Gavin Newsom and Chef Tyler Florence were absent for this year's ribbon cutting, but Chef Dominique Crenn (above) sliced the red ribbon and shared a personal poem she wrote about her amour of San Francisco. This culinary star studded event in Union Square, celebrating the second year of SF Chefs was attended by many Bay Area food and wine luminaries including Hubert Keller, Karl Wente Michael Mina, Charles Phan, Mourad Lahlou, Chris Consentino, Hoss Zare, Drew Nieporent, Rolland Passot, David Lawrence, David Burke and Emily Luchetti.

The opening celebration was followed by a packed house Hog in the Fog soiree held under a sprawling white tent surrounded by many of San Franciscos' most luxurious and glityzy downtown boutiques. Once inside, guests were treated to back to back stations of both sweet and savory delicacies from top local restaurants and chefs. No time for dehydration with the multitude of vintners and mixologists on hand serving premium wines and libations.

Here are some pics from opening night. We will be sharing MANY MORE at Food Fashionista on Facebook.

Frances SF

  

Dennis Lee (Namu)

The Bon Vivants

 

Le Colonial

Jason Rocheleau, Mika, Michael Mina

CIty Club's Sweet Corn Creme Brulee, Candied Bacon, Heirloom Tomato Gelato

Chris Consentino stuffing his Chicharrones

 

FOR ALL PHOTOS OF SF CHEFS OPENING NIGHT, VISIT OUR ALBUM ON FOOD FASHIONISTA'S  FACEBOOK 

  

 

Edited by Mika Takeuchi

 

Photos: Kara E. Murphy  for Food Fashionista  

 

 
  

Cat Cora Interview -Fashion Feast Gala Bellagio Vegas Uncork'd

You can also watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/user/MikaTakeuchi#p/a/u/0/je_ZOfbVNlo

You may know Cat Cora as the sole female Iron Chef on The Food Network, but did you also know that Cat is Bon Appetit Magazine's Executive Chef and the Chef Council president for Macy's Culinary Council? In addition, Cat is a humanitarian who serves as a spokesperson for UNICEF and founded Chefs for Humanity. Well now you can add Food Fashionista to that list with this past Saturday's appearance as the absolutely stunning head to toe FENDI clad MC of Bellagio Hotel's Fashion Feast Gala for the Vegas Uncork'd weekend. I had the pleasure of sharing a red carpet moment with Cat and must say, that she is a true culinary class act. She also made an ideal master of ceremonies for the stylish and chic gala with her warm, magnetic personality and perfectly styled couture ensemble.

Stay tuned for all highlights of Bellagio's Fashion Feast Gala on Food Fashionista in a future upcoming post and in the meantime, hear Chef Cat Cora discuss the fusion of food and fashion in my interview with her above.

For more info on Chef Cat Cora, visit HERE

For more info on Chefs for Humanity visit HERE

For more info on Bon Appetit's Vegas Uncork'd visit HERE