rere99's Profile
Spanish Chorizo recipe needed
Whichever recipe/method you use, you want to make sure to flavor it with Spanish smoked paprika, and a fair amount of garlic, to give it that uniquely Spanish flavor.
Taste of Santa Monica - - Go or No Go?
Food Faire at the SM Civic Center. I think it's in March. It's a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood, and is more expensive, but the event is great. Most of the city's top restaurants (with the chefs actually in attendance), lots of wine. Highly recommended.
Whole Foods Venice - Impressed!!
I'm sure their Mexican food is not worth it, but I actually like their sandwiches, when you get them made fresh at the counter and ask for them extra toasted. They have tapenade as a condiment, which makes me very happy. I also like the Indian food, but it's all vegetarian and very heavy on the garbanzos and lentils (in fact 4 out of 5 selections featured garbanzos), which I happen to like, but might not be everyone's bag.
Comme Ca - Disappointing
I have to concur that I was disappointed in dinner the other night. This is definitely a lunch only place for me, or for when I crave a cocktail. Our service was very good and the noise level in the back room wasn't bad, but the flavor profiles just aren't there, especially in the entrees. The skate was one note and slightly over cooked, coq au vin was tepid and lacked salt, duck confit was dry and the bouillabaisse was good, but missing depth, even the rouille couldn't give it what it needed. And the wine list was very disappointing. Not a lot of selection and several errors/replacements on the list, which is a bit unforgivable when you have a wine director and 2 sommeliers on staff, with a small list to boot. The consensus from the out of town guests - not at all worth it.
Lemonade on Beverly - Anyone Been?
The blueberry mint lemonade is great - all of the lemonade flavors are quite sweet, but the mint helps cut that sweetness. I had an ahi tuna salad, which had nice flavors, but it was way too salty (and I am a saltaholic). I impluse-bought what I thought was a lemon macaroon (I specifically asked the sweet but completely clueless server if it was lemon, with lemon curd in the center, and he said yes - it was not). I'm guessing it was vanilla - ok texture, but too sweet and a little boring, and not lemon, which was what I wanted and specifically asked for. I want to like this place, and it is convenient to me, but it just doesn't hold a candle to Joan's on Third (crowds be damned!).
Chateau Marmont - how's the restaurant?
Just went to the Bar last night, early (7:00), got street parking (!) sat at the bar, only one other couple there. Great cocktails (capirihna with fresh grapes), artichoke salad with goat cheese and olives (a little salty, but spot-on flavors), oxtail bruschetta (rich and tasty), and a divine burger (fabulous briochy bun). They had the pistachio crumble, which is definitely worth a cross town trip. It is pricey, but very good, and I'm shocked that more foodies don't go there for the food. And if you go before the bar crowd hits, it's not too sceney at all.
Anisette is open (for breakfast)
I went on the first day for breakfast and it was fantastic. Decor is divine and very comfortable. Many servers/managers swarming around - all friendly and competent and clearly excited to work there. Coffee - just the standard drip - was excellent. Had the savory croissant sandwich with turkey, scrambled eggs, spinach, tomatoes and gruyere. The croissant is made in house with just enough flour to keep all that butter in place. Haven't had it's equal since my last trip Paris. Can't wait to try lunch and dinner - and they will be open for continuous service all day. Very dangerous for me as I work nearby and already see my waistline expanding and my wallet thinning due to too many afternoon wine/snack interludes. I could sit in that space and stare at that zinc bar all day. And it sure is cheaper than a trip to France.
where to buy lobster or shellfish stock
I don't have enough shells to make it and I didn't see any at Surfas to go with my Bomba rice (my new favorite thing - heinously expensive, but worth it). I know that Santa Monica Seafood doesn't have it. Any ideas?
Santa Barbara waterfront dining
Brophy's in the marina. Locals fave, great view and food, not as crazy at dinner as it is at lunch. East and west coast style seafood - great steamers, chowder, cioppino, ceviche and the best baked clams in the world. They have two menus - the larger, expensive catch-of-the-day one is good too, if that's what you're looking for.
ISO: Fresh Piquillo Peppers
The piquillo! It is a type a of sweet pepper grown only in Northern Spain.
Sandwich Contest - News and Reviews
Great thread! I'd have to say my go to sammie at the moment is the Venetian coppa salame with provolone & olive paste (on a baguette) at Joan's on Third, or just the classic ficelle with butter, brie and ham (cheaper than a flight to Paris). And, when stuck in Chainsville, I have to say I really like the curried chicken salad tartine at Le Pain Quotidien. Be sure to get extra cranberry chutney, as this is what elevates it to a great sandwich, imo.
Can't wait to go to Van Nuys and try the Cemitas!
ISO: Fresh Piquillo Peppers
Actually, piquillos only come fire roasted and jarred. Even in Spain, which is where they come from and the only place they're grown as far as I know, you can't find them fresh. They are never dried, as they are not hot chile peppers, but I variety of sweet pepper. All recipes will call for the jarred variety. I like the Bajamar brand the best, if you can find it.
In defense of sunday tapas at Ciudad
I have tried Pintxo, and I wanted to like it much more than I did. It is certainly more authentic, and I thought the croquetas were quite good. The jamon was good as well, (and hand cut!), but I wished they would serve it with pan tomate. I wish they would just toast the bread, period. I will try it again though, and get the tortilla, when I'm too lazy to make it myself.
In defense of sunday tapas at Ciudad
I like Ciudad, especially for their happy hour, ceviche, promotions and shuttle to the Music Center, and although I have been underwhelmed by their full dinner service, I must highly recommend their special, only on Sundays, tapas menu. Now before you all get your knickers in a twist, these are NOT authentic Spanish tapas (and in my opinion, nothing in the US qualifies as authentic - a by-product of my having lived in Spain for 3 years), but they are tasty and present great value for your money. In this country, tapas is mainly code for small servings, big prices (and this was illustrated in glowing form last week at Violet on Pico - don't get me started...) but the portions at Ciudad were generous, the perfect amount for 2/3 people to share. Tapas dining is never going to be a bargain, but I never felt gouged. In fact, some of the dishes were downright cheap, including my favorite of the evening, the bunelos (jamon sandwiches with manchego cheese buns). Two small but not tiny sandwiches come to a $4 order, and mine had plenty of good quality ham. Sure the lamb chops are $18, but there are 3 of them, and they were delicious. At Violet, the lamb sugo is also $18, and, I kid you not, the dish consisted of 1 oz of braised lamb in a flavorless sauce on top of 6 oz of dried rigatoni. No wonder the waiter pushed it, it has a 1% food cost! But I digress. If you find yourself downtown on a sunday, I highly recommend Ciudad.
