Movie Trailer: 'Foodies'

Sage: Braised Veal Cheeks

Braised Veal Cheeks with Blue Corn Hominy Succotash, Pickled Sweet Corn and Black Garlic Glaze 

Starbucks Bearista Photo 9: Happy Halloween!!

 Happy Halloween everyone!

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'The Walking Fed': A Week of Decadence -Day 1 Dinner

For the evening of my first day in Denver, the evening repast was relatively light; which would be the only one of the entire trip.  This was just fine with me, as long as there's dessert, I'm a happy camper.   

The dish prepared this evening was Clams Thai style.  For me, throw 'Thai' in front of anything and I'm good to go..   Apparently, I thought taking pictures of Clams boiling in a pot of water was 'artistic'....clearly there was wine involved.

The broth was made with Crab Oil, Lemongrass, Thai Basil and whole lotta other lumpy things that I couldn't for the life of me, be able to identify to you other than the taste was fabulous! There was Palm Sugar for sure for sweetness, Fish Sauce for tanginess and Chili Peppers for nuclearness.

'The Walking Fed': A Week of Decadence -Day 1 Lunch

I spent a week in Denver with my college friend Pi, who is a renown Chef in the Denver/Boulder area. His restaurant was called The Elephant Hut; currently, he is in the midst of building a new restaurant in the heart of Denver. In the meantime, he had invited me to come over and had planned a truly glorious (gluttonous) feast of which I am still recovering from to this day.  I'm posting the highlights of this culinary journey (*burp*) with the hope of conveying to you my most memorable foodie trip of the year.

As I arrived just in time for a light Lunch, Pi had prepared a Green and Red Papaya Salad...with only one Chili, (just for me cuz seriously, in Thai Cuisine the prevailing preference is 'nuclear'...please pronounce it a la former President Bush - 'newkular').  Normally I shy away from this dish; it just does't come in 'mild'.  But with Pi at the helm, this Chef is spoiling me to the point of no return. 

With the crunch of thinly shaved Papaya, the citrus acid notes, the sweetness of Palm Sugar and the sharp bite of Bird Pepper Chili, this salad incorporates every taste sensation in each bite.  Full of refreshing yet almost hearty flavors, it was at that moment that I decided that I would build my tolerance for the spicier foods in order to open the door to wider range of dishes.  Which also means I'll bringing a towel with me wherever I eat...whatever, who said you had to look pretty while you eat (*belch*). Yeah...definitely not me.

Bu I've gotten ahead of myself as the Papaya Salad was only one of three highlights; a beautifully seared Black Pepper Ahi Tuna Steak, sliced and arranged in a rosebud was served as the protein for the trio dish and the finish, a Micro Green Salad.

I would have eaten several of these dishes in a second, the Tuna was the perfect ratio of sear to raw, (as good quality Tuna should always be served Sashimi style) and the sauce paired perfectly with its protein; a light Soy Citrus blend that adds a robustness to the dish rather than trying to mask its 'piscine' essence.

It was a melodic foray into what would be five days of non-stop foodie madness.  Oddly, I have never consumed so much Seafood in such a short time period, (in Denver no less)  but leave it to Pi to have the best in town.  There's a lot of Meat too so look out for the series, 'The Walking Fed'!

F&B Documentary: 'Spinning Plates'

Fried Chicken with Caviar: an animation odyssey from David Chang of Momofuku

Do you think they're allowed to watch this, much less eat Fried Chicken at Vogue?

Video: Ice Cream Sandwich Pie Machine by El Celler de Can Roca

Reason No.72 why I don't have abs: Smashburger @ 9460 S. Eastern Ave

Sin City Big Smashburger: Fried Egg + Applewood Smoked Bacon + American Cheese + Grilled Onions + Haystack Onions + Smash Sauce on an Egg Bun.  (With 1.2 lbs. Meat Patty)

Sweet Potato Fries seasoned with Sea Salt (I asked to remove the Salt, because that's going overboard....)

little fork @ 1600 Wilcox Ave, Hollywood

It was a Hollywood Sunday afternoon; the sunny haze drenches the low rise buildings with a 70's sunshine cellophane like film.  I pass by a partially opened door and peek into what I gather is a congregation of sorts, latin music comes through as does the sounds of fans furiously expunging the body heat emanating from the bodies squished inside a brick & mortar sardine can.

Parking at a street meter, (forgetting that there's always valet in LA) I get a pedestrian view of the restaurant and it's arrival; amidst a diverse neighborhood (both in architecture and use) little fork's exterior seems rather sparse, even nondescript to the glancing eye.

But walking towards the monolithic structure, with a discerning eye, you can see the subtle nuances of small yet deliberate details that defines minimal theory; the light grey concrete facade in a smooth, honed finish is a shade lighter than your average dull, cellblock variety, a line of vertical windows serving as the only architectural fenestration into the main dining room define a visual language, albeit a nominal one.  With the only ornamentation being it's name: electrified luminous neon tubing of 'little fork' in lower case  script ... minimal monolith juxtaposed with 'bodega deli' signage hints as to the mangeables you'll find inside..

Starbucks Mug Collection: Florida 'You Are Here'

FOOD PIC WARS!!!!

Starbucks Mug Collection: Orlando 'You Are Here'

Starbucks Mug Collection: New York City 'You Are Here'

A Special Presentation Featuring Photographer Christopher G Moy

Manga Burger @ Bachi Burger

Cute Bears from Ermenegildo Zegna

White Cashmere from Agnona

Jaleo by Jose Andres @ Cosmopolitan Casino & Hotel

Jaleo has is my favorite dining experience on the Strip; apart form the most excellent food, I love the ambience of the restaurant and service is impeccable.  Chef Jose Andres has a magical take on Tapas, a direct influence from his mentor, Ferran Adria of El Bulli.  His restaurant in LA, The Bazaar, has more of an avant garde conceptual Tapas line-up, while Jaleo has both traditional and contemporary dishes in a stylish casual environment that promotes a convivial dining experience.  It's a great place to take friends and special enough for that romantic evening.

A Tale of Two Dips...

Kit Kat for Adults.....

Green Tea Kit Kat: 'Sweetness for an Adult Palate' because Chocolate is so puerile....

(emphasis on the only other english word....they're tiny!!!)

Some Barbeque Porn to jump start your day!!!!

I wish Vegas had a good BBQ place....

Random Photo: Otoro @ Kabuto Edomae Sushi

Random Photo: Oxtail Chili Cheese Fries W/ Fried Egg @ Bachi Burger

Monta Chaya @ 9310 S Eastern, Las Vegas

Finally, Monta has opened up on my side of town; no longer do I have to traverse the I-15 and hazard Desert Inn Road with all the wonky crazies that can't drive for squat, all just to gamble on whether I'll be seated immediately (22 seats) or get to wait outside with the throng of addicts like I'm outside a methadone clinic in the Tenderloin...




And to be quite frank, with ALL the Ramen joints popping up like hedgehogs in town, I'm almost over it....almost.  My first love is Monta, and I have a sweet spot for the food and the people who have been terribly authentic and hospitable. I have never had a bad experience there, and the food is on point!

And it's is soo damn close, I could stop by here almost everyday which is all too tempting.  It's right beside my Japanese food store, Japan Creek, (same owners) which happens to be right next to my gym!  Talk about pure evilness...

As of right now, there's no signage, so you'll just have to remember that it's next to Japan Creek; the most awesome Japanese food store in Vegas.  Albeit compact, they have the best produce for Japanese dishes, as well as Sushi grade fish, Pork and Beef sliced for Sukiyaki or Shabu Shabu.  All just another way to sidetrack me off my clean diet, but really, I only really workout so that I can eat the things I love....it's a build/destroy existential quagmire that I secretly believe adds an insensible depth of character...or I'm just difficult and stupid-whatevs...

How Many Cookbooks Are Too Many?

Chef Kantor's Homage to Toronto's 'The Cookbook' Bookstor 30th Anniversary

Possibly the Best Butter Commercial Ever!!!!

Random Photo: My Next Bedroom!!!

I want everything: the American Flag Quilt and LOL Metal Letters above the Headboard! (jk)

Random Photo: Waffle Sandwich @ Bread & Butter

Usually I add no captions, but it's been a while since I had my favorite Breakfast treat: the Waffle Sandwich: two crispy Waffles with Egg, Cheddar Cheese and selection of Meat drenched with a thick Béchamel Sauce on top.  Today tho, instead of the usual Ham that I get, Chef Chris Herrin tantalized me with off menu meats, such as Bacon, (Bacon?!?!) SAUSAGE (WHAT?!?!?!) and BEEF BRISKET (WHAAAAAA?!?!?!) My head literally exploded with this combination of two seemingly different worlds joining together in one dish....needless to say to was a winner to an already champion dish!!!

....I would also like to suggest fried chicken; the kind Chef Herrin served at Meat & Three!!!

Starbucks Mug Collection: California 'You Are Here'

Burgers vs. Ramen? They're both sooo Japanese: Bachi Burger and Shoku Ramen-ya

VS.

It's a culinary BATTLE ROYALE!!!!

So I dunno if you've ever been in a situation where you're really hungry and you're thinkin, 'Do I want a Burger, or do I feel like a hot bowl of Noodles?'  So typical..... I've been there on numerous occasions and let me tell you, I could ponder that fork in the road for hours...if only there was a place that served both..... Tadaaaa!
Well, it's not exactly one place, more like two places adjacent to each other by chef/owner Lorin Watada; whose fusion burger fame, 'Bachi Burger' has propelled her into Ramen game - the current 'it' food in Vegas.  Not that there can be enough Japanese fare in my opinion!

Restaurant Vido: Alinea - New Menu Introduction

Retail Explorer: Furniture!!!

My new fav area in LA: Culver City!!!

Mouthwash for Vegans....

Random Photo: Little Fork, Hollywood

Pickled Green Tomato

Starbucks Mug Collection: Los Angeles 'You Are Here'

Red (+ Blue) Velvet Pancakes @ Larchmont Bungalow, Hancock Park

Tacos de Camaron @ Loteria Grill, Farmers Market

Random Photo: Umami Madness!!! @ Umami Burger, Pasadena

Maple Eggs @ Little Fork, Hollywood

Crispy Oyster Sliders @ Little Fork, Hollywood

Random Photo: Crispy Lamb Arancini @ Father's Office, Culver City

Random Photo: Conchinita Pibil @ Loteria Grill, Farmers Market