Kitchen Queen's Profile
Cleo on Vine
First, I have to say we just returned from the PNW (PDX, Astoria, SEA). Had dinner one night at Toro Brava in PDX. Fabulous meal. Basque tapas. So, I have Tapas on the brain.
Tonight had tx for Billy Elliott. My friend and I went to Cleo before show.
Again, tapas. Mediterranean style. DELICIOUS! Kind attentive staff. Go early. Place fills up fast. We arrived just before 6P when they open.
Ordered the babaganoush, roasted cauliflower, artichoke and olives. He had the garlic shrimp and I had the mussels tagine w/chickpeas/capers/tomato . What an incredibly fine meal.
CLEO it's the place to be!
Next on my list: Tinto in PSP - Jose Garces new place. Tapas of course.
Drive trip from Portland to Astoria............
Thank you all for your help. We ended up taking the 30 into Astoria but, not before we cruised Portland eats. Food Carts on 11th are always fun. Had Viet Pumpkin Soup, Ethiopian and Thai Pad See ewe all in one meal! Then off to Saint Cupcakes and Leonides chocolates for his treats.
For dinner one night we endulged in Toro Brava -near the Convention Center. OMG! FABULOUS meal. And, our server was a gem. I asked for a bit more roasted nuts for our road trip the next day, she brought me a box full! We were in Astoria on Mon and Tue. :( Sad for a foodie. Nothing was open. Did have fried oysters from Clementes and I was so pleased. They made them Gluten Free for me. And, they were really good.
Shelton again, was the bomb. I told Xinh that we travel special to her place and she brought us a complimentary bowl of fresh steamed clams!
If've ya not been to Toro Brava-do go. Next trip, it's Tasty and Sons for me.
Thx again!
Shari
Drive trip from Portland to Astoria............
Thank you all for the great suggestions!
From Astoria, we drive along the 101 up to Seattle just so we can eat at Xinh's in Shelton. Woo Hoo!
I'll let ya'll know where we stop in between. Flt departs L.A. tomorrow.
Cheers,
Shari (aka Kitchen Queen)
Best places for Oysters on Olympic Peninsula
I live in L.A. and frequent the PNW. Learned about Xinh's on this site. Went last August. Been craving this place ever since. Will be in the PNW again at the end of the month. Making a special trip from Astoria on my way back to Seattle just to go to Xinh's. Best darn oysters ever. Had the Fresh Pac. oysters with ginger, garlic in Hoisin Sauce. OMG!!!
Drive trip from Portland to Astoria............
Hi there fellow Chow Pals....
I'll be visiting the PNW at the end of the month staying in Portland and Astoria. We'll drive along Hwy 26 to Seaside then take a leisuely drive to Astoria. Looking for YOUR help and INSPIRATION to eateries, snack shacks and such along the way.
If you know the area and like a better route from A to B, please do share. Also hoping for a good "hike" stop along the way too.
TIA,
Kichen Queen
chocolate mousse cake where?
Portos HAS a chocolate mousse cake. Served as a slice. Layers of mousse and cake x 3 or so. topped w/chocolate shavings. Bought it last week. Light, flavorful, delectable. I think its called Paris cake.
Asian Night Market in Pasadena.
Hi there fellow Chowers.......
Are you aware of this event? Sounds like fun. AND IT'S FREE!
Saturday, April 14, from 5 to 11:30 p.m. on Oakland Ave. between Colorado Blvd. and Union St.
Dubbed the “626 Night Market,” in reference to the area code of the San Gabriel Valley, the event will feature an authentic Asian street fair experience, which is a fixture of Asian communities. The 626 Night Market will feature more than 70 local restaurants and businesses. Mouth-watering food selections range from Hong Kong Egg Waffles and Taiwanese Crepes to Chinese Teas and Dragon Whiskers Candy, not to mention stinky tofu.
For a full list of public transit options and more information about the event please visit the event website at www.626nightmarket.com or call 626-765-5066.
Cheers,
KQ
Please Help This New Valley Boy
Japanese: I enjoy Daichan - Japanese pub like place in a small strip mall South side of the Blvd. Studio City @ Vineland
Be mindful of the street signs if no pkg in the lot is available, tickets are really expensive!
Really good food! Casual.
Try stuffed lotus root, stuffed pumpkin, sashimi/sushi bowls.
For a real taste of tradition: Natto with ? I like it w/avocado
http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurants/daichan/
:)
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Nothing fancy but, I've seen them at Whole Foods Valencia (Salad Bar) Check with the one in W.L.A. (Sawtelle/National is it?)
Looking for fresh pecans in the shell in LA.
Saw them today along with other nuts in the shell, in buckets - center store @ my local Sprouts.
11-11-11 and 50!
Where would you go?
He LOVES steak. I don't
Seafood works for both of us.
Alcohol not necessary
Fancy not necessary
Just REALLY delish food
Prefer Hollywood, WEHO, or near areas.
Prefer nothing along the 405
TIA :)
Btween Pasadena and the El Cap theatre
Thanks again
We ended up taking the metro from Universal and, arrived much later than we hoped. Went to BoHo. Nothing special and glad I didn't have to pay the bill. Nice atmosphere tho for a beer and fries. The El Cap experience was the best. I bought my friend a Coke at the Disney cafe "ToGo" aisle (he doesn't like Pepsi from the consession) and, I asked for a decaf. He made it fresh and brought it to my seat in the theater! What service. Fun movie too. Next time would LOVE to try Cleo.
:) KQ
Btween Pasadena and the El Cap theatre
Thanks..These are all great suggestions! I'm off to the circus now. Let ya'll know what we decide!
Tata!
KQ
Btween Pasadena and the El Cap theatre
Thanks ipse - You always have good suggestions! And, I like both of these.
We've been to Tropicalia on Hillhurst. Liked it very much.
I'll give him these options.
Cleo menu is right what I was looking for...Different from the average bear! Nice wine list too.
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Tropicalia
1966 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Btween Pasadena and the El Cap theatre
Yeah big village...
My friend likes to take the 110 into Hollywood (south side?)
We'll have the afternoon to be leisurely. I think he wants to mesh a little w/the Halloween crowd but, we can do that along the Blvd. after dinner and before/after the movie.
I love Golden State but, we've been a few times already. Not too keen on Animal.
Ethiopian is an option and know that area. I was looking for some inspiration. Doesn't have to be fancy just really good food. He's not big on veges and I am Gluten and Dairy free. No chains. And, prefer NO 3rd/ Fairfax Market place resto's. Nearby that is ok tho. Love casual bistro syle best. And, has to be wheelchair accessible.
Hope this helps.
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The Golden State
426 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Btween Pasadena and the El Cap theatre
Going to the El Cap Monday to see Nightmare Before Xmas in 3 D -fun thing to do for Halloween eh?
So where should my friend and I go for dinner prior to? We'll be starting out from Pasadena.
Open to almost anything xcept a burger/meat only shop. Nothing in Pasadena please. Prefer around the Hollywood Area.
And, nothing more than $20 per person for dinner.
TIA
KQ :)
Trader Joe's Ginger and the FDA
I asked about this way back in July....No one seemed to have any answers. The FDA thing is news to me. Too bad 'cuz I LOVED it. I was going to buy some for my friend going through chemo. Too too bad!
Anything good at Outback?
My mother thinks their hot fudge is the "cat's meow". It is delish but, I'm not a big fan of chocolate.. She has bought it and taken it home!
Affordable Sushi In Tokyo
When I lived in Japan, many years ago, I would shop in one place that reduced their sashimi 50 - 75 % at the end of the each day. Gave me the opportunity to buy and take home for dinner. I even cooked the next day what I didn' eat raw. Food for thought.....
I also found a couple of shops that made inexpensive "take out". Each sushi piece was individually wraped and priced based on a little colored dot placed on the bottom. Another way that made sushi more affordable. This shop also made "dessert sushi".
Enjoy your time there. How fortunate for you!
KQ
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 4th quarter 2011 [OLD]
dbl yeah - pumpkin spice coffee!
yeah-hazelnut coffee creamer
yeah-cherry/pomegranate FAGE yogurt
Orange groves on Rte 126
Lombardi Ranch is ONLY open in the fall - now w/ a pumpkin patch and is about 3 miles up Bouquet. www.lombardiranch.com Should you go, stop @ La Cocina for a delish Mex. meal. Corner of Bouquet/Plum Cyn. No other stands that I am aware of unless you go into Leona Valley where you might find apple, pumpkins and other fall fruits/veges.
There's plenty along HWY 126. My favorite - choices and friendly, honest staff- is the closest stand to Santa Clarita. Don't remember the name. There's also a winery and bee/honey farm in the Fillmore area you might try.
In Old Town Newhall each week, there's a nifty little F.M. you can peruse...The website calendar will have this and other info: http://www.oldtownnewhallassociation.org/calendar.php
Please also stop by Heritage Junction for a bit of local history. www.scvhs.org
:) KQ
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Lombardi Ranch
29527 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA
Palm Springs Family Friendly
Across the street from the Marriott is a Ralphs Supermarket, just in case.. However here's a couple of options near by. Gourmet market take out is down the street in the Monterey Shopping Plaza. There you'll find Bristol Farms. They even have decent take-out sushi. Sherman's Deli is there too. Decent deli, family friendly for sure. Then @ the end of the mall across from the gas station is a burger place that's fam. friendly and decent. On Monterey@ Country Club (Albertson's shopping plaza) is a Mediterranean/Israeli place called Garbanzo Bar and Grill - yum! 40101 Monterey Ave Rancho Mirage (760) 340-0006 - On YELP
And, one of my favorite's Fisherman's Market and Grill www.fishermans.com - Town Center Way, next to Trader Joe's.
Also, the restaurant downstairs in the Marriott isn't bad..Lakeview. I think they have a decent priced wknd buffet. You can walk down the stairs BUT TAKE the Gondola to get there.
And, for a sweet treat...Brandini Toffee. You'll be glad you went.
Enjoy P.D. :)
Too Many Eggs - What to bake or cook to freeze?
Homemade mayo! There's nothing better.....
Game Meats...............
Found at Sprouts Granada Hills @ Chatsworth and Zelzah (opened 2 weeks ago)
ground elk, venison, wild boar, antelope, and bison 3 ways: ground, steak and patties.
In the frozen bins next to the meat/fish dept.
Not my cup o' tea but, maybe yours...
Also sashimi grade tuna @ a very reasonable price. I bought a nice chunk for 2.90$
(The Sprouts near me in Valencia doesn't have these)
:) KQ
Party Planning Help!
How about getting a big bucket and filling it w/peel n eat shrimp. Dipping sauces/ savory mustards and the traditional horseradish sauce to go ... Costco has pre-sliced cheeses which goes well with your fav. cracker. Deviled eggs...kitchy but, always a popular one in parties I have..I take the yolks and mix w/a little mayo, plain yogurt, mustard, salt and dill weed to taste. I put the yolk mixture in a plastic ziplock and pipe back into white "boats" then top with a piece of smoked salmon, trout or caviar... (smoked trout can be found at Trader Joes). At my local Costco this week, I bought "Pita Pal" Mediterranean bean salad and their roasted eggplant dip. YUM! great for the vegetarians. Went really well with the BBQ I had on the weekend. Take the crock pot and fill w/fondue chocolate and melt. Skewer fruits, marshmallow and frozen pound cake cubes.....:)
IHOP - What to order and what to skip?
Went to an IHOP last week. Wasn't bad. I NEVER order the omelettes as on the menu 'cuz they put pancake batter in them but, eggs straight up w/hash browns. Good and crispy outside light inside. When I want an omelette, I ALWAYS make sure they too are straight up eggs.
TJ's Lemon Ginger Snap ice Cream, Anyone Tried?
Sorry to hear you don't like it....But, don't trash it. Take it back to T.J's. They'll refund it w/no problem.
Yogurtland.... :)
Just discovered this place. YUM! Traveled special to go to the two in the SFV (V.N. Blvd and Reseda/Tampa). Was never a fan of Froyo (except @ Farm Boys) but, wow this is delish.
My fav combo is Taro, Pistachio and Kona Coffee but, just finished Dutch Chocolate/New York Cheesecake which was delish too.
Have you been? What your favorite flavors/combos?
ISO Saturday brunch spot - Valencia
Glad to hear you enjoyed a local favorite. :( about the coffee. Usually the outside is really good!
