Manhattan Beach Post

Last night Brent and I went to Manhattan Beach Post for dinner. This is one of Marta's favorite LA spots, so it feels appropriate to be blogging about it on her 25th birthday. My baby sister has good taste! Chef David LeFevre's Manhattan Beach Post is on the infamous Jonathan Gold's 101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles list. Apparently Jonathan Gold ate at MB Post last night too! It's really hard to get a reservation here as most of their seating is communal and reserved for walk-ins. We made our reservation about two weeks ago, and it was worth it to guarantee an available table.

Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits with Maple Butter

Our server was knowledgable, friendly, and after reviewing the menu concept Brent and I were already planning our trip back. The gastropub has a small plates concept, recommending between two and three dishes per person. The menu has its regular items, but changes daily based on what is in season. It is divided by breads, charcuterie, cheese, vegetable dishes, seafood and meat dishes.  We went with the wildly popular Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits first. The biscuits even have their own Facebook page! After my first bite of the cheesy, flaky, and buttery biscuits I understood why. We then sampled the chef's selection of breads, meats and cheese, followed by skirt steak, lamb belly and roasted brussel sprouts. Everything was beautifully crafted, but I especially enjoyed the super tender lamb belly. The pacing of the meal was perfect, and the experience was not rushed. I can't wait to come back and try more menu items. David LeFevre clearly knows what he is doing.

Chef's Selection of Cured Meats and Cheeses

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Emmental, Hazelnuts and Sage

Grilled Skirt Steak with Broccolini and Red Chimichurri

BBQ Moroccan Lamb Belly with Caramelized Onions and Japanese Eggplant

The Elvis with Pudding, Peanut Butter Mouse and Bacon Brittle

Puerto Rico + Family Wedding + Mofongo

This past weekend Brent and I flew the red eye to New York and down to San Juan, Puerto Rico to celebrate my cousin Lucille's wedding. I did not realize how far Puerto Rico is from California! In my mind Puerto Rico is close. California is close to Mexico. They speak Spanish in Mexico and they speak Spanish in Puerto Rico, so they must be close, right? Our total flying time was nine hours one-way, longer than it takes to get from Michigan to London! It was a quick Friday-Monday trip, but it was totally worth it to see my party in a box cousin get married and to spend time with the crazy Chenhalls. Below are a few pictures from our trip. Keep scrolling for food pictures!

The wedding ceremony was at the Castillo de San Cristóbal, a Spanish fort in San Juan. It was such a unique ceremony location. Brent and I, of course, teared up when we saw Lucille in her gorgeous dress walking down the aisle. The reception was then at Hotel El Convento. We ate yummy food and danced for hours, to be expected from a Lucille wedding.



The next day Brent drove Marta, Brooke, Alicia Ann and I to Yunque rainforest. We had fun visiting waterfalls, going on mini-hikes and we had plenty of laughs. On our way back to San Juan we were determined to find some authentic Puerto Rican food. We stopped along the side of the road for some mofongo. Mofongo is made from fried plantain mashed with broth, garlic, and pork cracklings. It is typically served in a mound and filled with meat. We ordered a creole steak mofongo and a garlic chicken mofongo. I also had to order fried plantains and we got some chorizo too. We loved the mofongo so much that we had mofongo again for dinner back in San Juan. This time we had ropa vieja mofongo topped with shredded beef. When I got back to Los Angeles I bought a few plantains from the grocery store today, and I'm gonna play around with frying them and mashing them, but I am sure I will not be able to top what I had on this trip. It was such a unique dish, and had such a variety of textures and flavors. Delicious!



If you ever have the chance to visit Puerto Rico, do it! Flights are fairly inexpensive, San Juan is a beautiful, surprisingly big colonial city with great nightlife, food and sightseeing. The rainforest gives the off the beaten path experience, and the beaches are beautiful. Thank you Lucille for choosing such a great location to get married. Congratulations to you and Anthony!

Picadillo Potato Stew

Brent is in London for the next week for work. I wish I was there with him, but it makes me happy to know he is spending time with Jackie, Alex and Lindsey. While Brent is away I have spent a lot of time with run club and school friends. Friday night Archana and I hosted a new to KAO happy hour at AFrame. Saturday morning Kathy and I had a great run through Brentwood and Santa Monica. That afternoon Ma'ayan and I were in the mood to explore so we went to Mochica in Downtown LA for a late lunch. Ma'ayan has spent a lot of time in Peru, so she was able to help with dish recommendations. We had the Papa a la Huancaina, Ceviche Carretillero, and the Lomo Saltado. Check out the photos from our meal below! Today after run club I was craving picadillo. I had most of the ingredients in my fridge but was missing the meat and tortillas. I had a bunch of potatoes from my farm box this past week, so I chopped up some onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots and peppers and made a stew spiced with my taco seasoning, the seasoning I use for my picadillo. I topped the stew with avocado, plopped myself on the couch and started watching episodes of New Girl (Alaina suggested catching up while Brent is away). I am enjoying my lazy Sunday afternoon, but it would be better with Brent!

Ingredients:

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large russet potatoes, rustically chopped (that means not perfect!)

1 large carrot, rustically chopped

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 avocado, sliced

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

Hot Sauce!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 cup water

Directions:

In a large stock pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Saute garlic and onion until onions are transparent. Add the chopped potatoes, carrot, taco seasoning, and water to the pot. Give the stew a good stir, then allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Last, add the green peppers and simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve the stew in bowls topped with hot sauce and avocado slices.

Mochica Downtown Los Angeles

Border Grill Las Vegas

My baby sister got engaged this weekend! Marta and Brooke are driving across the country to their new home in Chicago. Brooke popped the question off the Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur before they embarked on their journey. Brent and I were in on the secret and part of the engagement surprise involved us joining them in Las Vegas to celebrate for a weekend. It is crazy to think that exactly a year ago Marta and I were in Las Vegas with friends for a girls weekend, and this time we were back to celebrate her engagement. Last year Marta suggested Border Grill for brunch and we instantly fell in love. A trip to Vegas is incomplete without its all you can eat small plates and bottomless mimosas. 

We are big fans of the Santa Monica Border Grill happy hour, and the Vegas Border Grill brunch is on my top three list of best brunch spots (Cheeky's in Palm Springs and Angelos in Ann Arbor are on there too). The brunch served tapas style, and you order as much as you want from the menu for one fixed price. It is great for a group because you can sample a few bites of everything. We tried pretty much the entire menu. My favorites were the Skirt Steak and Eggs, Machaca Chilaquiles, Peruvian Shrimp and Grits and the Churro Tots. Ahh those doughy cinnamony churro tots. I was so full, but could not say no. The bottomless mimosas go beyond the regular orange juice and sparkling wine and include flavors like passionfruit, strawberry, watermelon and cucumber.

 If you time your meal well this meal can serve as your breakfast, lunch and dinner. With most all you can eat food options you really sacrifice quality for quantity, but not here. Every single dish is creative, celebrates Mexican flavors, and is carefully prepared. Our skirt steak was cooked medium rare at our request. I would drive to Vegas for this brunch. I used my new favorite app, Fuzel (thanks Alaina) to collage the many menu items we sampled. If you are planning a trip to Vegas, plan on visiting Border Grill at the Mandalay Bay. Congratulations Marta and Brooke! We love you!

Biscuits & Gravy,  Bacon Jalapeño PBJ, Frittata Tart, Skirt Steak & Eggs, Chilaquiles and Lobster Pancake

Breakfast Enchilada, Peruvian Shrimp and Grits, Pork Belly Waffle, Churro Tots and Banana Bread Pudding

New York Markets

This is my final week in New York City! It has been a summer of case studies, self-reflection, group work, New School Design Presentations and very little sleep. Outside of class I have found time to meet up with old ACS friends, hang out with family and make new friends. I have been on planes, trains and automobiles shuffling from Morningside Height to Brooklyn, Southampton, Washington DC and Westchester so that I could make the most of my time here. Of course I have missed Brent while I have been away, but I have also missed my kitchen! I love eating out, and New York offers some of the best dining, but it gets old fast. My Columbia dorm room microwave and I have become good friends, but I won't be sad to say goodbye. Carmen and Jim have let me take over their kitchen once or twice a week, and with all the markets New York City has to offer, there has been no lack of cooking inspiration.

Here are a few of my favorites:

The Fairway Market really is like no other market. My closest location is right on the Hudson River in Harlem. During our first two weeks at Columbia, Meredith and I frequented the market for post-run gatorade and to buy ingredients for dinner. They specialize in unique, hard to find imported ingredients. I especially like their olive oil selection, coffee from around the world, fresh ravioli, olive bar and the cheese samples. Oh, and don't forget to bring a sweater! Much of their food is in the huge refrigerated section of the store, so don't plan on browsing too much. My favorite meal from Fairway was sweet pea ravioli with primavera marinara.

The Columbia Farmer's Market makes Thursday's happy. Yes, you're paying way more than you would at the grocery store for fruit, sweet treats, yogurt and pickles, but it's right outside our program building and there is something so nice about meeting the people producing your food. Plus, buying a fresh apple raspberry crumble pie and eating it with classmates during conflict resolution is always a good idea.

Milano Market is on the pricier side, but it is Italian food lover's dream. I've stolen ideas from their deli, like the fusilli with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes and grape tomatoes I made tonight at Carmen and Jim's. What I like most about Milano Market is their tossed salad bar. For $8.50 you can enjoy unlimited toppings, which sounds expensive but it you get all your veggies in, and you could pack in enough to make it last two meals. Unlike many New York tossed salad bars, the ingredients are fresh and they have a wide variety like pesto chicken, roasted bell peppers, artichokes and kalamata olives, along with all the regulars.

Westside Market is the most "grocery store" of the four, but it's still worth blogging. Their deli has been especially comforting when I want a home cooked meal but don't have access to a kitchen. I've enjoyed their grilled vegetables, risotto and quinoa salad. They also have a huge selection of fresh breads, cheeses, spreads and desserts. I stopped by here before yogaing with Shannon in Central Park to pick up some post-yoga picnic items. Their olive focaccia with their sun-dried tomato tapenade was heavenly. 

One more week in the city and it's back to LA. I'll be back next summer for part two, and I'll know exactly where to shop for yummy food :)

The Tripel: Part 2

On Friday morning I'm flying to New York for the summer. I'll be working on my masters at Columbia, and my program consists of two five-week summer sessions and 450 hour internship during the school year. I've been reading like crazy for the past month, getting ready for what will feel like Teach For America institute. I'm excited to see more of Carmen and Jim, and take weekend trips to Washington DC to see the Backous', but I'm really going to miss Los Angeles. Of course I'll miss Brent and Marta the most (Brent is coming to NY twice!), but I'm also going to miss the evening walks to the beach, Sunday morning run club in Bev Hills, yoga with Jackie at Art of Pilates, First Friday on Abbot Kinney and driving around with Alaina. I'm also really going to miss The Tripel.

Chicken Sausage Stuffed Dates, Red Curry Biscuits, and Hudson House Brown Sugar Ribs.

I start to go a little crazy if I go a few weeks without a good pretzel burger and tots. A few weeks ago after the marathon we rushed back from San Diego because I was craving The Cure (pretzel burger with egg and avocado). I've already blogged The Tripel, but the menu has so much to offer! And, since my last post The  Tripel's executive chef was runner-up on the Bravo show Top Chef. This collection of photos is devoted to Brooke Williamson's non-burger deliciousness, including some of her brunch items. I needed one last Tripel fix before heading out for the summer, so last night we took our celebrity friend, Lindsey Anderson (on ABC's Whodunnit?) before watching her series premiere, and I'm certain the week I'm back from NY will involve a visit to my favorite Playa Del Rey spot.

Sweet Carrot Farro with Egg and Sausage, Duck Hash, and Balsamic Onion Rings.

Calamari Po'Boy and the Blue Cheese Turkey Pastrami Melt.

Sunny Spot Venice

Roy Choi, Food & Wine's "Best New Chef" in 2010, is Kogi Korean BBQ food truck's founding chef. Kogi was also recognized as one of the Top 5 Food Trucks in the U.S. by gayot.com, and their short rib sliders would be #1 on the Cristina Lowry episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate. This is no exaggeration. The short rib, sesame mayo, cheese, salsa roja and a chili soy slaw on fluffy toasted buns highlight Choi's culinary genius. His food really does live up to the hype. Our First Friday crew has had Roy Choi food dozens of times, and every time we take our first bite we stand in awe, giving each other that look of, "Is this real life? How can food taste this good?"

Choi has been branching out in LA with A Frame, Chego and Caribbean themed Sunny Spot. Marta, Brooke, Alaina, Jared, Brent and I decided to spend our Saturday afternoon at Sunny Spot on Abbott Kinney and Washington. We loved the fried plantains, torta, burger, mofongo, jerk potatoes, yucca fries, and especially the bottomless mimosa/bloody mary/rum punches. The atmosphere was great too, with a sunny courtyard with a bright, summery feel. We'll definitely be back.  Roy Choi, you can do no wrong.

Zingerman's Deli

This post is less about food, and more about family. What a joyful weekend celebrating the marriage of Carmen and Jim! Friends and family reunited in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the city where Carmen and Jim met and fell in love. Carmen and Jim are beautiful, and their enthusiasm for life and sense of humor is contagious. The day was filled tears of joy, laughter, and of course, lots of dancing. (I had at least three people compliment me on my Papa's dance moves. He's good!) It sounds cliche, but the weekend was a strong reminder of what is most important in life. Through frolicking across the diag, rubbing Alicia's baby belly, invading the Michigan Daily newsroom for photographs, improvising when aisle runners break, slow dancing with Grandpa Johnson, and spending the next morning recounting the reception with in-laws, I was reminded that there is nothing better in life than family. I don't think it is possible to love a family more than I love mine.

“Ahh Zingerman’s… my temple of deliciousness…a national treasure. It is the center of my gastro-deli universe” – Mario Batali


On to the food. An Ann Arbor wedding weekend would not be complete without a visit to Zingerman's Deli, “The coolest small company in America,” according to Inc. Magazine. I was lucky to enjoy the foodie heaven as catered lunch on Saturday while we got our hair done and brunch on Sunday morning. Carmen was also generous to treat guests with magic brownies in our hotel gift bags! You'd think a deli market selling bread, meat, cheese, gelato, cakes, pies and truffles would be mediocre at best. They might seem scatterbrained, with no real focus, but they are able to perfect anything they create. You will not be disappointed with any food item from this deli.

I'll leave you with three closing words of advice.
1. You have not lived until you've eaten the classic reuben and a slice of pecan pie.
2. If you live in this hippy haven, hang out here late night. Zingerman's prides itself on the freshest ingredients, meaning you might leave with a dozen bagels that would have otherwise been tossed.
3. Bring your family along for the ride.

“One of the top 25 food markets in the world.”- Food & Wine Magazine

The Tripel

When Brent and I found out we were moving back to Los Angeles, we were set on living west of the 405, ideally in Venice, Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach. Brent had just 24 hours to find an apartment before he had to fly back to DC. He found countless bungalows that were just steps from the beach, but they all lacked basic amenities. A few hours into the search, Brent called me telling me he found a great option in Playa del Rey. I was hesitant, never having spent any time there, but ultimately trusted his instincts and signed the lease to our new apartment. We have lived her almost a year, and I absolutely love it! Playa del Rey, tucked away between the Ballona Wetlands, is the epitome of a chill beach community in Los Angeles. 

Playa del Rey is a dive bar lover's dream, but sandwiched between The Shack and Prince O'Wales is this gem. The Tripel has become my new favorite gastropub in LA. It's walking distance from my apartment, which is unheard of in Los Angeles. Their snobby menu includes addictive sweet potato tots, the genius caramelized onion and slaw pretzel burger, and garlic fries you'll dream of. For the adventurous, they serve crispy frog legs and charred baby octopus. Last weekend Brent and I spent a few hours reading on the beach, and on the way home we stopped by The Tripel for brunch. We had "The Cure," the pretzel burger topped with a fried egg and avocado, banana bread french toast, and pear beer cocktails. The Tripel takes pride in their food, and has an incredibly vast beer selection. Perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner. 

Culver Blvd, Playa del Rey

Wurstküche Venice

When I moved back to Los Angeles in June the hot new restaurant I constantly heard about was Wurstküche. Being a Westside snob rarely crossing the 405 on the weekend, I kept putting off the drive to downtown Los Angeles for exotic sausages, Belgian fries and beer. 

A few months ago while driving on Lincoln Blvd, my least favorite street in LA, I saw the Wurstküche logo on a warehouse. Yes! They're bringing Wurstküche to Venice Beach! (And a reason to feel OK about driving on ugly, trafficy Lincoln.)

Wurstküche is worth the hype, serving rattlesnake, alligator and duck sausages for the adventurous, as well as your more traditional bratwurst and hot italian for those wanting to keep it simple. All sausages are served on a yummy fresh roll, and topped with your choice of sweet peppers, caramelized onions, spicy peppers, or sauerkraut. In my three visits I have sampled the Mango Jalapeño, Sun Dried Tomato and Mozzarella, Alligator and Pork Andouille, and my favorite, the buttery, spicy, delicious Rattlesnake and Rabbit with Jalapeño. 

Not only are the sausages super tasty, the fries are ahhhhh AMAZING! Double dipped Belgian fries are served with your choice of tasty dipping sauces (our favorite is the Chipotle Aioli). The fries are thick and crunchy, but soft on the inside.

Wurstküche also offers a huge variety of beer, and their bar tenders have the expertise to find you something to suit your individual beer requests. Last night while celebrating Alaina's 26th birthday I tried the Franziskaner, which was both fun to say and sip!

If you live in LA and you have not been to Wurstküche yet, go now! If you visiting from out of town, add it to your agenda. You won't be disappointed.

Kogi BBQ Food Truck

Food trucks are the hip new foodie trend in Los Angeles. I was ambivalent about exploring this aspect of the food world because I love the experience of a sit down restaurant meal. The thought of driving to a parked truck and standing around eating food seemed to lack ambiance. Kogi BBQ, ranked one of the top ten gourmet food trucks in Los Angeles, proved me wrong.  Not only do they serve delicious Korean/Mexican dishes, but I actually loved the atmosphere and community feel of standing around eating high quality food. There are no strings attached, the focus really is on the food, and the experience feels so LA. Kogi BBQ has become my post-long run tradition. There is nothing more satisfying than sliders, quesadillas and tacos after logging miles on the beach. Below are a few photos of our recent visit on Abbot Kinney Drive.

BLACKJACK QUESADILLA

 PINEAPPLE CHICKEN TORTA

SHORT RIB, CHICKEN AND SPICY PORK TACOS

KOGI SLIDERS