I appreciate that. I don't eat gluten and dairy because I am intolerant to both, not because it's a fad. I am also intolerant of potatoes. I try to stay away from heavy usage of grains because I find they don't make me feel very good in general. Meat, fruit, veggies is what I focus on. I know most people don't eat like I do (actually, I know no one who does) but it's what works for me to feel healthy and well.

I really, really need to start doing this! I eat so many vegetables and it does seem silly just to be composting the scraps. Thank you for the inspiration!

I'll have to start hitting the farmer's market later I think! There are a ton near me but I like mine the best and most of the others are at hours when I work. The one I go to is on Sundays.
I will never understand people buying a bunch of beets and having the farmer take the tops. What a waste! I always look for the beets with the nicest greens.

Focusing on cheaper veggies like zucchini is probably a good idea. Zucchini pancakes sound great and I have quinoa flour already so I'll give that a shot. Thanks for the suggestion. I don't eat a lot of legumes as I'm a little sensitive but I could up my rice intake to make things cheaper.

I do have some waste I think, but not a lot. I try to plan meals but maybe I need to write it down and be more formal about it. I eat leftovers for lunch everyday and rarely go out for lunch. I cook almost all my meals. But yeah, the farmer's market is so enticing! I've been thinking about a CSA just as a way to control what I spend - I have to eat what they give me and wouldn't have the temptation. But I *love* going to the farmer's market every week and I think I'd be really sad to give that up. Probably more chicken and least beef would be a good idea too. I've yet to make a whole chicken as I'm a little intimidated by it but I like the idea of using the bones for broth so I should give it a shot. Thanks!

I never thought of going to the 99 cent store for organic produce but I will check it out. We do have one close to here. Thanks for the suggestion! So for two you spend about $200/month. That's amazing! I have my work cut out for me.

I used to have a big vegetable garden but where I live now I just have one box. I'm growing tomatoes in plants and kale in the box because I'm a kale addict and it can be expensive. It's such a great money saver though, you're right! I wish I could grow more.

I recently have realized that I am spending *way* too much money on groceries every month. Is anyone willing to share what their budget is for one person? I need guidelines!

I am gluten and dairy free and focus on vegetables, high quality meats and fruit. I eat very little packaged foods and I cook a ton! I'm guessing I spend a lot of money on meat because I am picky about making sure it's local/free range blah blah, so I get most of it at the farmer's market. I also get most of my produce there with occasional Trader Joe's and Whole Foods side trips. I live in Southern California which is probably more expensive as well, although I am not sure about that.

If anyone has any tips as to how to cut down on what I spend, such as recipes, cheaper options for fruits/veggies, or is willing to share your monthly food budget I would be so appreciative! I need to get this under control!

Thanks in advance for any help!

I just had a great meal at Truck Norris but I have no idea where they frequent. You might want to check food trucks on Twitter to find locations.

So I had a special request to try and recreate a dish that was on Iron Chef America's Thanksgiving special recently, the one with Bobby Flay and Michael Symon against Garces and someone.
Apparently Flay and Symon created some kind of a baked sweet potato dish with a cream sauce (perhaps similar to bechamel) infused with cinnamon/nutmeg and maybe maple syrup.

I agreed to try figuring I'd be able to find similar recipes online and perhaps even have the chance to watch a rerun of this episode. I was sadly mistaken.

So, did anyone see this episode? If so, can you give more more details as to what it was, ingredients, etc. I'm planning on winging it here but would love a little more direction. The person who requested it has already forgotten specifics but would be super impressed if I could get close.

Thanks in advance for any help. I know this is a long shot. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to thank you all for the suggestions. We ended up going to Lilly's and had a great time - it was perfect. We got there on the early side (maybe around 7 after wandering around the neighborhood for a bit) and had no problem getting a table in the back. We split a few things, had a glass of wine each, and just caught up for a couple of hours. The service was great (definitely one problem Portland has) - they didn't rush us at all, even after it took us half an hour to decide not to have dessert.
We then went to Intelligentsia for coffee and a cookie and sat in their cute front patio area.
It was great, so thank you all for the recs. I now have a list of places to try!

The food in Portland is truly wonderful for such a small city. Now I'm stuck in Ventura County, which I really do love, but it's sort of a lacking in the food area, especially the focus on locally grown meats and produce. I do get in to LA once in a while so like to make the best of it.
Thanks for the recs. Zengo looks like a fun menu and a good area, but possibly too hip and scene-y for us tonight. I'm gonna guess my friend will be more in the mood for mellow after working at LAX all day.
Lily's looks perfect with that back patio for drinks and relaxing dinner. I'm a little scared off now by the parking and such at Abbott Kinney but I will definitely suggest French and see what she says. I'd love to go and have a dirty mojito there!
Regardless, you all have been so helpful and now I have so many places I'd like to try on my infrequent trips to "the city." Thanks so much!

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Zengo
395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Thanks New Trial!

Looks great and I've eaten at Clarklewis in Portland a few times over the years and it was always good. How is the atmosphere?
I also like the Abbott Kinney suggestion. I've never been there and it might be fun for us to just choose a restaurant while walking around. Guess it'll depend on how tired my friend is after working all weekend. Mellow or a little sceney.
Thanks!

I don't know about delivery and where your mom will be located, but some good dessert places, or restaurants with good desserts in Oxnard, include Fresh and Fabulous, Casapueblo, The Kitchen, La Dolce Vita and Yankee Doodle Bakery.

Oh wow, I think you just swayed me. I didn't realize they had a lounge area. That's perfect. Probably what I'll do is give my friend a choice of types of food and environment and go from there, but this is now at the top of my list. Thank you!

Tripel looks great but that's exactly what I was thinking, westsidegal. Looks small and crowded (read: loud) and with communal tables it might be great for a different time.

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Tripel
333 Culver Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90293

Lol thanks Servorg. And thanks winermobile. That really is a fabulous menu.

Where do you see the MB Post menu? I haven't found it.

Interesting suggestions. Have you been to either?

I hadn't even thought of Manhattan Beach because I'm not familiar with the town at all. At least Santa Monica/Venice I know a little bit (just moved to Ventura from Oregon) so the chances of getting crazy lost are a bit slimmer, although still possible of course.

Thanks!

PS That menu at The Strand House looks amazing.

Thanks for the recs westsidegal! Cafe Del Rey looks fantastic but perhaps a bit stuffy for what we want. I don't need exotic but relaxed, even like a pub style with good food or a tapas bar or something like Casablanca even but with a better walking neightborhood.
What about Lula Mexican Restaurant in Santa Monica/Venice area? I went there once years ago and seems like maybe it would fit the bill?

I hope this is making sense. :)
Thanks again!

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Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

No, she's working at the airport for the weekend and not visiting or traveling at all and staying at an airport hotel.
I'll look in to Vito - thanks madcao.

I have a friend flying in from Portland, OR and we just have the one night, Saturday, to catch up after not seeing each other for a year. So I'm looking for somewhere easy driving from LAX (Venice, Santa Monica...) where we can have some great food (does not need to be fancy) and where it's relaxed enough that we can have a drink and talk for a while without feeling rushed. If it's in an area good for walking after dinner or near a mellower bar (safe, people watching) even better.
Type of food doesn't matter too much. Portland has such good food (seriously!) but may be light on Mexican, Latin American/Cuban, if that helps. We are not picky but love good food.
Thanks in advance!

The Crowne Plaza has a great happy hour! The prices are right on and the food that I've tried all was excellent. If you can score a seat outside during happy hour you get a nice view of the ocean and they have a couple of fire pits. I think it's one of the best happy hours in Ventura, especially on nice days.

Wow, that looks beautiful. Might make a dairy foray worth it some day.
I've never tried soy cream cheese but I suppose I can give it a shot. I don't know why I'm so hesitant about it.

I am so going to make these. I love this idea. I'm a huge fan of crab cakes and this is similar and can easily be made in to a meal. I guess I didn't make really clear in the original post that I was hoping for meal ideas more than just a snack or appetizer. Hence the eggs and pasta mentions.

A couple more questions on these lexpatti, if you don't mind: do they freeze and thaw well (and how to thaw, if you've done it), and how long would they keep for unfrozen and reheated? Thanks again!

I'm loving all these inventive ideas and combinations. Smoked salmon with cantaloupe - sounds great!

lexpatti, do you have a recipe for either of the salmon cakes or salmon loaf using smoked salmon? They both sound very good and interesting. I can do a search but if you have a tried-n-true I'd love to give it a shot. Thanks in advance!

Wow, zzDan, this sounds fantastic. I also like the cucumber sandwich idea above from epabella. Makes it more meal like for some reason. Never would have thought of ham and smoked salmon together. Very nice.

Wish I could "like" this like on Facebook. Yes, no Zabar's. Although I now live closer to LA and could probably find some fabulous deli like Brent's for my Jewish deli needs.
However, I am generally referring to smoked salmon that's not the cold-smoked style like lox, but rather the hot-smoked style. I hope I have that difference correct.