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the food pervert
January 4, 2012
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Burger and Beer Pairing Tasting, The
Counter
Notes: This was amazing; the beer perfect.
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I’ve had a mad love affair with cheese nearly my entire life. Grilled cheese sandwiches were a favorite as a child. Any cheese would do. Yellow Cheddar, White Cheddar, Provolone, Jack, Swiss…those were the classics. Then, when I was seven I discovered Kasseri.
Kasseri is a very sharp Greek cheese and has a very potent odor that most people cannot stand. I, on the other hand thought it was the greatest cheese ever made. My parents could not figure out why I loved it so much, they bought it once to try and didn’t like it, but me? I would eat it by the wedge…gnawing on it like a little mouse.
Every time we took a trip to our favorite gourmet deli in Portland, Elephants Delicatessen, I would go straight to the cheese section and locate my Kasseri. “Tara, this is the stinkiest cheese! Are you sure you don’t want something else?” My dad would say. I didn’t want anything else. I couldn’t wait to gnaw away at the greatest cheese I had ever had!
As an adult Food Pervert, my love for cheese has only grown and matured over the years. Cheese plates and wine are by far my favorite snack. I love my cheese all ways: soft, hard, creamy, crumbly, sharp, flavored, mild, goat’s milk, cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, anything except for Blue Cheese. Blue is the one I don’t do.
The day before my birthday, my friend Brooke offered to take me out to lunch as a present. The location was my choice. I thought about what I really wanted: a cheese sandwich! I did my research and found Say Cheese, a gourmet cheese shop and cafe. They specialized in sandwiches and the online menu had gotten me very excited.
Say Cheese, is on Hyperion Way in Silverlake. The minute we walked through the door I was in Food Pervert Heaven. The shop was small, but well stocked with cheese of all kinds (including a blueberry stilton) and other gourmet goodies like almond cookies, truffle oil and chocolate covered potato chips! We made our way to the other side of the building where the cafe lived. It was small and cozy, the absolute perfect setting for a rainy Monday lunch.
I immediately ordered a cup of coffee. I had a feeling these people knew how to brew. My cup never made it to empty the entire course of lunch and dessert; a very good sign.
The menu consisted of two columns; vegetarian and non-vegetarian sandwiches, both with a large variety of cold or oven toasted options. I went with the Ortolano; a classic Italian combination of roasted eggplant, sun-dried tomato tapenade, fresh mozzarella and parmesan on toasted ciabattina. It was served on a white plate with a mixed green salad. The Ortlano was huge, I could only eat one half! I always judge a sandwich by the bread quality, and this ciabattina met my standards. It wasn’t too dry or too soft. It pocketed the warm inside fillings just as it should have, with crispness and uncluttered flavor.
For dessert, I couldn’t resist the macaroons. I love coconut, especially in desserts and can’t say no to any opportunity to try a new macaroon. The plate with two cookies were brought to the table in a shockingly elegant display. They were dressed to the nines in vibrant strawberries and swirls of chocolate sauce. I approved their quality after my first taste. Macaroons must have the perfect amount of moisture locked into their hearts and these certainly did.
Say Cheese impressed me with it’s merchandise and it’s Parisian Cafe charm. The coffee was rich, the food was flavorful and well prepared and the atmosphere was comfortable. I am a fan of the quaint and unassuming. Now, where did I put that Kasseri?!
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Holiday, 2011
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Pecan Pie and a Latte, Sparrow Bakery
Notes: best in Bend.
Holiday, 2011
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Breakfast Burrito, Toast Bakery Cafe
Sparrow Bakery, 50 SE Scott St # 22 Bend, OR 97702-1596, (541) 330-6321.
Notes: one of my favorites.
Early December, 2011
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Manly Burger, Umami Burger
Umami Burger, 1520 N Cahuenga Blvd Los Angeles, California 90028, (323) 469.3100.
Notes: what can I say...epic.
New Year's, 2012
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Strawberries and Burrata, Blu Jam Cafe
Blu Jam Cafe, 7371 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046, (323) 951-9191.
Notes: fabulous.
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I Said Cheese
My first boyfriend was Belgian, but I never got to experience his cuisine aside from a chocolate bar he gave me once. Now, twelve years later, living in Los Angeles, myself and other food lovers can have the Belgian experience at Little Bear. Andre Guerrero and Ryan Sweeney bring their new downtown gastropub out of hibernation this evening. I had the chance to sample some of the menu earlier this week with fellow restaurant friends, thanks to chef Vidal Martinez.
Roar! The menu is impressively detailed. There is a wide selection of appetizers in particular, then salads, sandwiches and main courses. Ultimately there is something for everyone.
For starters, we tried the Krokets of roasted butternut squash, parmesan cheese, balsamic emulsion and the Gougeres (Sliders) with fried oysters, crispy bacon, tartar sauce and arugula. Both were free of my complaints. The flavors and textures were well balanced.
Next, we experienced the Farro Burger with mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers, red beans, roasted carrots served with bibb lettuce, roasted pepper tofu aioli and avocado; the Smoked Wild Boar Sausage with roasted sweet potatoes, black kale, pearl onions and mustard sauce; the Roast Chicken, a boneless half chicken with braised brussels, fingerling potatoes and salsa verde and lastly, the Potato Ravioli with braised endive, mushroom, leeks, brown butter and mint. Missing from our order, however, was the Waterzooi. This is a chicken stew with light cream and mushroom quenelles a traditional classic in Belgium that the entire table was eager to try. Unfortunately, it never arrived.
The Roast Chicken and Wild Boar Sausage were my favorites. The chicken was perfectly succulent and the salsa verde was a surprising, but well matched addition. The smokey taste of the sausage was pleasing because it existed. It wasn’t just a descriptive word on the menu, it was real and weaved effortlessly through the rich flavor of the meat. The roasted sweet potatoes that carpeted the plate, were the perfect contrast as their light and creamy flavor dissolved the smoke with each alternating bite. You alternate your meat and potatoes right?
Though we never saw a dessert menu, three different treats and a cheese board bowed to us just when we thought the show was over. We gladly greeted rice pudding, chocolate mousse, chocolate waffles with cream and the long wooden board decorated with cheese, nuts, fruit, and chocolate pieces. You’re not doing a Belgian place right if there’s no chocolate!
The dining space is expansive with high warehouse ceilings; quite a large cave for a “Little Bear.” The setting is pleasant. Exaggerated gold beer labels add life to the white walls. The food is very good and takes risks. There are interesting flavor combinations, yet the plates stay within the Belgian theme. I commend the executers of this. As a diner, you understand where you are meant to be transported to, even if you are just in downtown LA. Cheers and growls Little Bear, I wish you much success and I promise I will be back to try the Waterzooi.
Little Bear Roars
January 29, 2012
The Bazaar
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Olives. The Bazaar.
Sweet Potato Chips and Yogurt. The Bazaar.
Tuna Ceviche and Avocado Roll. The Bazaar.
Brussel Sprouts. The Bazaar.
Garlic Shrimp. The Bazaar.
Liquid Nitrogen Caipirinhas! The Bazaar.
Tortilla de Patatas (Potato Foam). The Bazaar.
Capreses. The Bazaar.
At The Bazaar By Jose Andres. The Bazaar.
Seared Mary's Farm Chicken and Dates. The Bazaar.
Philly Cheesesteak. The Bazaar.
Nitro Coconut Floating Island with Banana. The Bazaar.
Notes: Mute.
February 12, 2012
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Me and my Okay Go! Cupcake from last night's #grammyparty at the Hollywood Roosevelt - a Thompson Hotel! XO
And now....... the moment LA’s taco heads have been waiting for since last April… The 4th Annual Taco Madness bracket is here! Also, make sure to add us on Facebook to help spread the word about LA’s original Taco Tournament. Come celebrate the taco lifestyle with us at: La Guelaguetza on Taco Tuesday, March 27th.
March 23, 2012
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Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant
Caipirinha. — at Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant.
Grilled Chicken and Fried Plantains. — at Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant.
Grilled Chicken. — at Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant.
Steak and Grilled Vegetables. — at Bossa Nova Brazilian Restaurant.
Notes: Grilled to perfection.
