Birthday awesomeness

Saturday, March 31, 2012
An Eastern Standard martini and Picante de la casa
Giggles in the cab ride up the twisty hills
The bar
View from Orson Welles' home
French toast at the Griddle the the next morning

I have to say this was the funnest birthday I've had in a while.  It was just such a fun filled day hilarious evening.  We checked in to our room at the SLS at 11 and headed to Rodeo to poke around Barney's.  I wanted to show hubs the old-school-ness that was The Grill on the Alley, so we moseyed in for a bloody & mimosa.  We attempted lunch at the Eveleigh but I kinda hate all day brunch menus and that's all they had.  So back to the Grill with us for crab claws, salmon, chardonnay and a Manhattan.  I like to think I can still operate after a glass or 2 of wine with lunch but alas I'm getting old so the best remedy for my grogginess was a nap by the pool.  These days always fly when you're having fun.  I rushed to get makeup done shortly after, get into my "cougar nightlife" ensemble and meet friends for drinks at Cecconi's.  I am obsessed with that bar.  Beautiful marble top, studded leather stools, mod acrylic chandeliers, its just cool.  Then dinner at Nobu, which is always amaze.  We ate tuna tartar tacos, scallops sashimi, yellowtail with jalapeno, crab rolls, Baby Artichoke Salad with Inaniwa, yummy.  Oh and we went through 2 large bottles of sake.  

After dinner, we had a choice: Lexington Social House or Hollywood Hills party?  Duh.  Hollywood Hills party.  We didn't know anyone there and that was the fun.  Practically got the cab driver lost trying to find the place and got out knowing we would likely not find a cab to bring us home.  Who cares.  I had to take a pic of the bar because it was like a frat party.  Empty bottles everywhere and no rhyme or reason.  The party was a Orson Welles old home and the view from the property could not be done justice by the pic above.  It was truly stunning.  All of LA, glittering lights and spacious city for miles.  We started a dance party in a cold empty room and waited over an hour (past my bedtime) for a cab.  It was well worth it.

Deceptive cooking for kids

Thursday, March 22, 2012
Pumpkin mac with brown rice pasta
Quinoa instead of breadcrumbs in the meatballs
Spinach brownies a la Deceptively delicious

I took a cooking class last week which turned out to be a wonderful little gift because I had forgotten what I had signed up for.  I knew it was something about cooking for your family, and them enthusiastically eating it and everyone loving it and world peace and all that.  It ended being cooking for your family, taught by a holistic-health-coach-nutritionist extravaganza lady who was so darling and charming.  She was newly prego and very nausious around food so I commended her for even being there and not on the couch with saltines and chicken n' stars.  

I love this type of class, obvi.  80% gluten-free, veggies galore, smoothies, coconut milk, quinoa, brownies, duh, awesome! I love sneaking nutrients into otherwise "normal" dishes.  I love healthy substitutions.  I love a health counselor's take on it.

My kind of class.


PavLOVEa

Sunday, March 18, 2012
I've made this recipe before, and probably posted about it but its just so damn good and looks so pretty it deserves a second mention.  

Its Nigella's recipe and the fun part comes from the lazy mistakes.  She calls for dark chocolate chopped FINE.  I am lazy and dont like to sit there chopping so I just chopped it roughly and it came out tasting like a giant chocolate chip meringue cookie.  It was pretty awesome.  I topped the finished product with fresh whipped cream and raspberries.  Its so light and fluffy it could easily make 4 servings.  Die.

Dinner for one

Friday, March 16, 2012

I love it when my dude goes out of town because I get to make my fave dinner: eggs.  Its just easy, you get your protein, and he never wants breakfast for dinner so its like my special treat.  Sometimes I even pour myself a bowl of cereal which is so unlike me but also an indulgence just because of that!

So a group of gals and I have been exchanging recipes lately and this one came along with poached eggs over herbed lentils with truffle oil and parmesan and I just had to go for it.  I could've thrown it together for breakfast had I prepared lentils but it seems so simple and elegant and French to have for dinner for some reason. 

I pared it up with a simple avocado, tomato and cuke salad and a glass of Albarino and I was happy as a damn clam.

Abigaile

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Pix from here

we ate

shaved brussel sprouts  | almond brown butter, meyer lemon, parmesan
burrata  | roasted mushroom duxelle, white truffle oil, spiced honey, walnut toast, sea salt
fried slab bacon & rogue creamery smokey blue cheese  | red wine glazed onion, watercress
crispy pork belly confit  | bacon-green lentil ragout, poached farm egg, chives

cocktail: honey badger [sweet + flavorful] buffalo trace, barenjager, fresh lemon juice, chai simple, soda

too stuffed for dessert but behold the menu!



i'm sorry but that's just creative.  a friend did have the chili oil and said it kinda burnt her mouth off but kudos for originality.

It was so good.  I love that some good restaurants are finally popping up in the old South bay.


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