January 2012
32 posts
GO: AnQi (Costa Mesa, CA)
Don’t Miss: Champagne & Caviar…
‘Rather than get caught up in using molecular techniques for their own sake, Chefs Carson and Rossi thoughtfully construct a slate of dishes that dazzle and amaze; each and every dish offering a symphony of sensation without compromising flavor or integrity of the food.’ - http://tangbro1.blogspot.com/2011/01/anqi-01292011.html
...
GO: Your Place (multiple locations, PA)
Don’t Miss: the Stromboli. This is the ONLY stromboli worth eating :)
http://www.yourplace.biz/index.html
MAKE: Salty & Sweet Chocolate Butter Toffee
So Addictive!
http://nestleusa.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/happy-english-toffee-day-salty-sweet-chocolate-butter-toffee/
GO: Bianca (NYC, NY)
Don’t miss: Lasagnette di Verdure, Gorgonzola Gnocchi…
An amazing, cash-only Italian find.
http://www.biancanyc.com/menu2.html
MAKE: Milk tapioca cookies (Kue bangket)
These really melt in the mouth, are made from tapioca flour and are from Riau-Indonesia… they deserve to be exposed worldwide.
http://beelittlefood.blogspot.com/2012/01/milk-tapioca-cookies-kue-bangket.html
MAKE: Tipsy Maple Corn
Tipsy Maple Corn: popcorn with butter, maple syrup, bacon…and bourbon.
http://www.food52.com/recipes/7133_tipsy_maple_corn
MAKE: Birthday Cake Martini
Sweet and lots of vanilla flavor with a hint of almond. Garnish with colorful nonpareils, because who doesn’t love sprinkles on their Birthday cake?
http://fragrantvanillacake.blogspot.com/2011/07/birthday-cake-martini.html
GO: The Bazaar by JOSÉ ANDRÉ (SLS Hotel - LA, CA)
Don’t Miss: Foie Gras Cotton Candy, Olive Oil bon bons, Coconut in a half shell…
http://www.thebazaar.com/
‘José Andrés is a culinary legend in Spain and the United States.
The menu is split into two sections: Traditional Tapas and Modern Tapas. The traditional is a solid run-through of traditional Catalonian tapas, while the modern is the experimental— the magic of...
FIND: Opera Fudge
Peanut Butter and Vanilla are the best!
Opera fudge is not a fudge at all. It is a deliciously rich, creamy fondant made with heavy cream from our local dairy, delicately flavored with vanilla and coated in pure chocolate liquor. This wonderful confection can be found in the vicinity of Lebanon, PA! In Lebanon County, two well-known family companies make opera fudge: Wertz Candies on Cumberland...
MAKE: Swedish Fish jello shots
http://www.ericasweettooth.com/2012/01/swedish-fish-jello-shots.html
MAKE: Dessert Degustation!
This post is more for inspiration! This girl is an artist.
Tropical Harvest: a dessert she started creating using colors - dehydrated starfruit / pineapple caviar / salted crumble / black sesame ice cream / passionfruit cheesecake foam / black sesame powder.
http://awalkingdream.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011-dollys-dessert-party-dessert.html
MAKE: Sage Goat Cheese Ebelskivers
A beloved treat in their native Denmark, ebelskivers are light, puffy pancakes that can be filled with fruit, chocolate, jam or cheese and served for breakfast or as an hors d’oeuvre, dessert or light supper
http://foodbabbles.com/2012/01/12/ebelskivers-two-ways/
The special pan and flipping tools can be found at William Sonoma.
FIND: Citrus Sorbet Topped Conch Ceviche
Created by Chef Robert Irvine, this Citrus Sorbet Topped Conch Ceviche redefines the dish!
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/best-bites-from-acs-food-and-wine-festival/pictures/index.html
MAKE:Custard-Filled Baklava (Baklava Muhalabiyya)
Hard to find, here’s a recipe for this decadent version of Baklava
http://desertcandy.blogspot.com/2007/10/baklava-worth-searching-for.html
GO: Animal (LA, CA)
Don’t miss: Bacon Chocolate Crunch Bar
http://www.animalrestaurant.com/
‘Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo are the duo behind the Los Angeles restaurant Animal, which opened in 2008. The chefs became nationally known for their surprising—shocking, even—menu items, which include pig ears, pig tails, crispy pig’s head, veal brains and a bacon-chocolate bar. ’ - Great review on...
GO: Son of a Gun (LA, CA)
Don’t Miss: Shrimp Toast, King Crab leg in Tabasco butter, Santa Barbara Spot Prawns (when in season)
http://www.sonofagunrestaurant.com/
A New American Seafood spot that draws, locals, gourmands and other chefs.
FIND: Indian Fry Bread
I first enjoyed this Native American treat at a Pow Wow!
Served warm, crispy on the outside and doughy on the inside, you can top it with anything… savory or sweet. My two favorites are mixed berry compote or honey… just plain honey. Soooo yummy.
Hard to find, I recently spotted this as a sandwich bread at The Cheesecake Factory. I requested to pay for it plain with honey to...
FIND: Exotic Fruits
Morro Bay Finger Limes
These are so cool, kind of a cross between caviar and citrus. The taste is more like a light lemon, but the fruit pops out in these tiny “caviar-like” beads.
Grown at Shanley Farms
Buddha’s Hand
is in the citron family and is one of the oldest members. It is entirely rind based and has an extremely low number of calories and has health benefits similar...
GO: True Food Kitchen (CA & AZ)
Don’t Miss: Spaghetti Squash Casserole & if it’s in season, their Watermelon/Cashew Salad is amazing too!
The entire delicious menu is centered on the principals of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Food Pyramid.
http://www.truefoodkitchen.com/locations-menus/california/fashion-island.php
FIND: Turkish Cotton Candy
Nothing like it! Pismaniye, or Turkish Cotton Candy is like nothing I’ve EVER tasted before. So light and fluffy, just don’t inhale while eating it :)
This Turkish sweet is made by blending flour roasted in butter into pulled sugar.
http://www.buyarabic.com/storeitem.asp?ic=FB249204JI997
GO: Joe's Stone Crab (Miami, FL)
Don’t Miss: Stone Crab Claws with Joe’s signature Mustard Sauce (Stone crab season in Florida runs from October 15th to May 15) & “Grilled Tomatoes” are a must.
http://www.joesstonecrab.com/yourdoor/package.html?pid=celebration
GO: Momofuku Milk Bar (East Village, NYC, NY)
Don’t Miss: Cake Truffles (enough said)
http://media1.milkbarstore.com/menu/nov-ev-menu-back-copy2.jpg
GO: Black Market Liquor Bar (Studio City, CA)
http://blackmarketliquorbar.com/
Don’t Miss: the Deviled Quail Eggs :) Yum!
FIND: Gourmet Gummies
These are the most divine, natural gummy “pandas” ever; so delish!
http://www.bissingers.com/category/browse-new.php?cat=101
MAKE: Pudding Cakes with Chantilly Cream and...
Just so decadent :)
http://www.oprah.com/food/Pudding-Cakes-with-Chantilly-Cream-and-Berries
MAKE: Butter Cake (Butter Kuchen)
Never knew this was so unique till I moved to NYC & LA and couldn’t find it!
http://www.food.com/recipe/gooey-philadelphia-german-butter-cake-butterkuchen-24308
FIND: European Sipping Chocolate in the US!
Though Ciobar (not yet exported from Italy) is still my absolute favorite, I recently found something very similar at Trader Joe’s! Yay!
GO: Geoffrey's (Malibu, CA)
Don’t Miss: The Baked Brie
MAKE: Most unique jello shots ever!
GO: Montage - Mosaic Bar & Grille (Laguna Beach,...
Don’t Miss: everything :) We really loved the (lunch) Calamari appetizer and Grilled Lobster Sandwich.
FIND: Mouthwatering Forvm (Forum) Red Wine Vinegar
Aged in barrels of chestnut and oak, these prized vinegars have a smooth and delicate flavor. Use this Cabernet wherever a red wine vinegar is called for and achieve astonishing results. Clean, crisp, smooth and sweet.
http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=762
FIND: Best Olive Oil
Laudemio Frescobaldi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
http://www.deandeluca.com/ProductImg/300/421120.jpg