FOOD FASHIONISTA

Missoni for Target - Get Ready!

 

I've always been a fan of Missoni's zig zag knits and colorful prints, even wearing one of their mulit-colored couture dresses for a Fashionbliss' launch party in '05. Little did I know back then, that six years later, this family-run fashion power house from Italy would be showcasing a 400+ piece collection at the local Target. Well, times have changed, and yes, like many, I am very excited. Home decor, swimsuits, men's wear, make-up brushes, computer gear, kids clothing, luggage, stationary, rain boots, and even a Missoni bicycle are all available for purchase very soon.

“Working with Target to create a mass collection that reflects the spirit of Missoni has been extremely energizing,” said Angela Missoni. “Each piece is special to me because so much thought and care went into every aspect of the design. I can’t wait to introduce the collection to Target’s guests across the United States.”

The big day is September 13th. Hope the folks at Target scheduled extra staff for their brick and mortar and online store because it's going to be a mad-Missoni shopping frenzy!

 
                              Missoni for Target Dishware

 
            Missoni for Target Bicycle - Grocery Shopping Chic

 
                        For the Hostess with the Missoni-ostest

New York Cooks for Tohoku, Japan - Big Chefs with Big Hearts

 

On a daily basis, my inbox is jammed with quite a number of press releases, pitches... and like most emails, there are many (not all, folks relax) that classify as spam-box worthy, and others which I don't immediately have time to get to (sorry, the truth). And then there are those, that truly make you stop, put aside the blackberry, close the facebook window and digest with 100% focus knowing that this is something that must be shared. This was one of those times. Yes, I am originally from Japan, so this may touch a part of me in a slightly personal way, but the reality is that as a human, how can it not strike a chord when you see selfless goodwill shared. I decided to share the whole press release since every detail and every person deserves to be mentioned in this post.

 

“Our goal is to provide some comfort, encouragement and a little something special,” explains Daniel Boulud, with the understanding of just how meaningful a special meal can be.

 

 

NY Cooks for Tohoku
Goodwill Lunch by NY Chefs in Kamaishi, Japan
July 3, 2011

 

Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit's Grand Tasting 5/6 - FEW TICKETS Still Available

 

A few tickets are still left for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit’s Garden of the Gods Grand Tasting—Las Vegas’ premier citywide culinary extravaganza—on Friday, May 6, at Caesars Palace. Just added to the already impressive 2011 line up of chefs, mixologists and wineries are Michel Richard of Central 24/7 and Nobu Matsuhisa of Nobu—both of newly announced but yet-to-open restaurants at Caesars Palace—and Scott Conant (Scarpetta & D.O.C.G.), Bruce and Eric Bromberg (Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill), Stephen Hopcraft (STK) and David Myers (Comme Ça) of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. They will be joining Vegas Uncork'd veterans Paul Bartolotta, Hubert Keller, Joël Robuchon, Charlie Palmer, Michael Mina, Shawn McClain, Mary Sue Milliken, Rick Moonen, Francois Payard, Guy Savoy, Julian Serrano and Jet Tila.

     RM Seafood - Marinated Octopus w/sweet peppers, basil, chorizo oil

 

"The Grand Tasting offers an unmatched opportunity to mingle with the world’s top culinary talent from resorts such as Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Wynn|Encore, ARIA, The Venetian|The Palazzo and, for the first time, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Guests indulge in an incomparably festive atmosphere while sampling a staggering variety of signature dishes prepared by the city’s roster of award-winning chefs."

 

                         Chocoholics Rejoice...at the Grand Tasting

 

               We were thrilled to see Lotus of Siam at the Grand Tasting

 

 
           Craftsteak - Scallop Crudo, Sea Urchin, Morel & Ramps

“Each year’s Grand Tasting lineup manages to be more exciting than the last,” said Rob O’Keefe, executive director, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit.  “What makes this event so special is not only the chance it offers guests to sample such an enormous variety of elite culinary creations, but also the opportunity it provides them to get up-close-and-personal with their most beloved chefs.”

Purchase your Grand Tasting tickets HERE

A Day or Week at Chateau Marmont - Hollywood

 
 

An exquisite getaway in the middle of West Hollywood, Chateau Marmont is the epitome of understated movie-star glamour. The serene grounds are a favorite celebrity hideout to lodge and dine under the Southern California sun. In the evening, lounge on your own private terrace with the evening's twinkling stars. Chateau Marmont's outdoor restaurant is a perfect spot for that power lunch or relaxed catch-up meal with a chic and dear friend. You won't go wrong with their Damn Good Burger with homemade ketchup, crispy fries and assorted fixins. Pair that with a Classic Sidecar, glass of Champagne, or an Aperol Spritz and you are ready for your tinseltown close up...

 
                            Chateau Marmont Restaurant

            No shortage of Hollywood Glamour in the Bungalows

 

                             Kitchenettes in the Bungalows

          because even Movie Stars enjoy a Damn Good Burger

 

 

      No stay is complete without your own private terrace

 

                  Dinner Time at Chateau Marmont

  
                Friends waiting to greet you with the room's mini bar

 
                     Bottle of Red & Bouquet of White 

 

For more info on Chateau Marmont, visit HERE

S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2011

Congratulations to Rene Redzepi and team at NOMA in Copenhagen, Denmark which claimed the coveted repeat spot at Number 1 for S. Pellegrino's World's Best Restaurants. If you were surprised to see El Bulli omitted from this year's list, it's due to the scheduled closing of the famed restaurant in future months for a rebirth into a foundation. Even sans a 2011 award, El Bulli will remain a top restaurant in the hearts and appetites of the many who were fortunate enough to have dined there.

Here are S. Pellegrino's World's 50 Best Restaurants for 2011: 

 

Las Vegas for Dining, Shopping & Pretty Much Everything...

 

                   Salmon at  L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Love world-class dining, drinking, shopping, accomodations and nightlife? Well, Las Vegas is definitely the place for you. With an endless supply of restaurants by the world's most renowned chefs, Las Vegas is a food-seeker's paradise. As for wine, Sin City sells more of it per capita than any other destination and no surprise, since it also houses more Master Sommeliers than any other city in the world. Well-respected food-glossy, Bon Appetit Magazine even declared Las Vegas one of the nation's top five restaurant cities.  

  

                                    Shops at Via Bellagio

In addition to the celebrated dining scene, shopping in Vegas is the ultimate best of the best. Luxury fashion houses Chanel, Emilio Pucci, Hermes, Lanvin and Kiton's current collections are always fresh, on hand, and available for purchase. Las Vegas is one of those destinations unnecessary to even pack a suit case (if you have the dough to splurge) because the clothes waiting for you at the boutiques are better than the ones you'll probably be packing. ha!

 

                          Lobby Entrance at Cosmopolitan

With the recently opened Cosmopolitan resort in the heart of the Vegas Strip, you can rest and recuperate in high style, or better yet, on your own private terrace. After a night out at their uber hot-spot Marquee, you will need some r & r the following day. Lounging poolside is always a smart way to spend the sunlit hours...but only after a French-inspired breakfast at Payard's at Caesar's Palace (detailed post and photos to come soon).

                                 Jellyfish at Shark Reef

Las Vegas is no longer limited to all-you-can-eat buffets and glitzy showgirls, although there is always that option if you want to go that route. Basically, I'm just saying, this is a city that has something for everyone. Vegas is known as an adult's playground, but there are also options for the little ones. Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay or the CSI Experience at MGM Grand for the budding young investigators are fun for both curious kids and adults.

 

             Your choice of drinks at Hubert Keller's Fleur

When making a trip to Vegas, dinner at one of the many fabulous restaurants, followed by one of their many shows is ideal. And once again, I must say there is a show for everyone. The various Cirque de Soleil shows  (Ka, La Reve, Love, O) are always winning options, but Celene Dion is quite the hot ticket these days too. If you need a little pep in your step, Jabbawockeez at Monte Carlo is the show for you.

 
                    with Mr. Las Vegas, John Curtas of Eating LV

As you can see, we at Food Fashionista are big fans of Las Vegas. It is a city that never sleeps and one which can never be accused of being a bore. The bright-lights city gains major bonus points for the ability to delight in world-class cuisine, shopping, nightlife, spas, libations and so on at most every hour of the day, right at the very edge of your fingertips.

 

 

Vegas Uncork'd 2011 Countdown!

 
Sometimes less is more. That is the case with Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit - the premier culinary event in the United States. With less attendees than some of the larger food festivals, Vegas Uncork'd targets the discriminating epicurean enthusiast for an intimate, unforgettable, VIP gourmet experience like no other. It brings you face to face with these "celebrity chefs" in a luxurious setting like only Vegas can. This year's sought-after event will be held during the weekend of May 5th through the 8th. Several of the events, just like in previous years sell out quickly, so plan ahead and grab your tickets now.

    Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, Bradley Ogden, Francois Payard

Each year, Vegas Uncork'd attracts the cream of the crop chefs from around the world such as French chefs Joel Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, Pierre Gagnaire and Guy Savoy. This year will be no different. In fact, expect more at this year's fete with several inaugural festivities including a Toques off to Paul Bocuse Gala which will feature all of the acclaimed stars mentioned above in addition to master chefs Julian Serrano, Bradley Ogden, Michel Richard, Michael Mina, Shawn McClain and Jean-Philippe Maury.

 
                    Sweets from Payard at Caesar's Palace

With more Master Sommeliers than any other state, Vegas Uncork'd will be sure to feature premier wine events including the Great Makers of Pinot Noir at the Bellagio with Master Sommelier Jason Smith. The popular Friday night Grand Tasting will also showcase a number of premium wines and spirits with the many samplings of gourmet food dishes.

 

Wynn Chef Kimberly Valdez & I at Interactive Luncheon 

  
       Fresh Seafood from Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare 

 
           Cocktails with Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim

For those who believe Vegas only begins when the sun has set, Late Night with Hubert at Mandalay Bay will be right up your alley. In addition to serving up tempting treats for revelers, Chef Keller will help party-goers burn off the weekend's extra calories with his intoxicating beats at the DJ turntables. Another late-night crowd favorite is the Celebrity Chef Blackjack Tournament followed by a night of dancing at Encore's French Riviera style XS Nightclub.

 

For more info on Vegas Uncork'd, visit HERE               

Bakudan-Yaki - Japanese Street Food is the BOMB!

As Japanese food becomes more and more popular around the world, it's interesting to witness the foreign influence on Japanese cuisine. With Costco food courts and mammoth sized burgers readily available, the proportion size of the food and people in Japan are quite literally beefing up. One example of this is the popular Osaka/Kansai originated street food Takoyaki.

                                Fried Takoyaki in San Francisco

This warm and savory snack was always a favorite of mine at Japanese street festivals or in our home kitchen growing up. They are usually served in a set of six and casually eaten with a toothpick skewer. Takoyaki consists of a batter of flour, eggs and dashi with fillings of chopped octopus (tako), red ginger and green onions. They are topped with katsuobushi (fish flakes), green seaweed powder (aonori) and Japanese mayonnaise with a drizzle of Worcestershire or Takoyaki sauce for added zest and flavor. Though I believe the best way to experience Takoyaki in it's purest form is street style, all the above ingredients are available at your local Nijiya or Japanese grocery store, if you choose to create the Takoyaki at home.

                            Bakudan-Yaki  in Tokyo, Japan

So, on a recent trip to Japan, I was a bit stunned or maybe even mesmerized to find my favorite little Takoyaki balls turned in to one gargantuan takoyaki on steroids. Appropriately no longer titled a "takoyaki", it was now a "Bakudan-Yaki" which translates to "Grilled or Fried BOMB". Since these are much larger, a meal in itself, they have more filling options than the bite-size original. Ingredients such as shrimp, corn, onions, cabbage, ham and even "ki-mu-chi-zu" a.k.a. kimchi (written in Japanese above) are yours for the choosing.

Back when I lived in Japan, I wouldn't have ever imagined a Takoyaki the size of a small bomb. Well, times have definitely changed and the world has really gotten much smaller or in this case a WHOLE LOT BIGGER.

 

Christmas in Italy - Buon Natale from Food Fashionista

Here's a holiday post from last year that never gets old! Enjoy...

 
 

For most, this definitely has to be one of the busiest weeks of the year. With traveling, last minute shopping, gift wrapping and Christmas festivity prepping, it's kind of crazy to digest that when this week is over, it will already be a new year. Time just flies by, so it is best to enjoy it while you can. If you haven't been to Italy, I highly recommend Rome during the holidays. Although very chilly, it is so romantic and captivating. You can even attend mass in Vatican City with the Pope, instead of watching it on television. Italy is truly one of my favorite countries. It represents the best of fashion, food, and a myriad of art history. Most of these photos were taken in Rome, with a few shots in Umbria. Wherever you are spending this last week of 2010, I'm wishing you all peace, joy, love and blessings this holiday season and always.

                             a Sassicaia kind of Christmas

 

                     In layers with the Spanish Steps behind me

 

                                     Merry Caviar -mas

 

 

                          A lot of Porking out on Christmas

 

Eiffel Tower Salt & Pepper Shakers - Ooh La La

If you can't make a trip to the Champ de Mars in Paris to see the Eiffel Tower this holiday season, bring a pair of petite Eiffel Towers back home. Whether it's a sprinkle of pepper on your Bouilllabaisse or a touch of sea salt on your Cassoulet, these salt and pepper shakers add just the right touch of French flair to your dining room table. For only $28, you will receive a silver-plated salt and pepper shaker from the luxurious downtown San Francisco establishment, Gumps. A perfect gift for the Francophiles in your life. Oui Oui.

 

Available for purchase online at Gump's HERE