Discovering A City Through Its Food: The Long Beach Food Festival.

How do you experience the true essence of a city? Is it through the nightlife? The activities? The people? Well, though it’s a sum of all those parts, I can tell you that the best place to start is by experiencing the food that the city has to offer. The food experience transcends just taste and matters of the palate; the experience itself facilitates an enlightening exchange between you and the identity; social and economic dynamics; and communities of the city.

Long Beach, California (LBC) is the seventh largest city in California and according to a recent study, is ranked the 10th most diverse city in America. This diversity gives Long Beach a unique vibe unparalleled by its Los Angeles or Orange County neighbors. In particular, cultural influences have a significant impact on the burgeoning food scene.

To showcase the beauty of the cultural and culinary influences of the LBC food scene, the local organization Long Beach Fresh has developed the first-ever Foodways Summit in the city. From June 1 through the 7th attendees can purchase tickets to a series of food events hosted by locals ranging from neighborhood farms to hidden gardens, famous chefs to food equity. The events series consist of talks, tastes, and tours of good food practices and topics range from reducing food waste and chef culture to urban gardening. 

The summit kicked off with the first event: an exploration of the plant-based food revolution in the Afrocentric community hosted at the lovely Organic Harvest Garden farm in North Long Beach, a true oasis in the city. Attendees enjoyed tastes from a plant-based buffet with offerings from a variety of local chefs.

Num Kom, traditional Cambodian coconut and rice dessert

The second event was a walking tour of Cambodiatown. Located at the heart of the city, this community is the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia and supports one of the most “vibrant local food systems in Southern California” according to Long Beach Fresh. The array of bustling markets, gardens and farms, community healing centers, and authentic cultural eateries are all run by local residents.

Vegan Food at Nor.

As a native of this city, the Foodways Summit exposed me to the hidden gems I never knew existed in my community: such as the local community gardens and diverse group of chefs that advocate on behalf of good food practices. The most illuminating piece was the education I received about cultural, social, food, and agriculture dynamics that exist within the borders of the city. There is one thing about Long Beach: if you come here with an open mind, you’ll leave here with a fuller heart. 

The Foodways Summit continues through June 7. For more information, visit www.foodwayssummit.org.

The writer’s adorable son Jackson, enjoying the Garden Event.

Article originally posted HERE

The LA Food Bowl: Come Hungry.

When the month of May rolls around, foodies from all over descend on the City of Angeles for thirty-one days of culinary brilliance. If you have never experienced the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, it is something to behold. Food lovers, visionaries and innovators from all areas of the gastronomic industry unite to bring the public an unforgettable food experience – and they do it every year.

Of the month-long schedule of events, one, if not the, most popular event is the Night Market: an outdoor celebration of Los Angeles’ diverse dining scene held over the course of five nights in downtown Los Angeles. Each night features a variety of restaurants serving up their specialty dishes among a backdrop of art installations and music.

This year, I had the pleasure of attending the fourth day of the event: L.A.’s Best Burger. Now, whether you’re a hamburger traditionalist or welcome the culinary interpretations of “America’s favorite dish,” this is the event where you’ll experience a bit of both.

The overall winner of our tasting rendezvous was the Oui burger from Banh Oui restaurant. Served on a Kaiser Roll with a perfectly prepared beef patty, caramelized onion, shredded lettuce, mint, cilantro, white cheddar cheese, pickled Fresno chili, sriracha mayo and chicken liver paté. With this explosion of flavors, it’s no surprise that this chosen as the Judges pick of the event.

Bahn Oui Burger

The second runner up on our list, and winner of the people’s pick for L.A.’s best burger, was the HiHo Cheeseburger. As a bit of a traditionalist myself, I am all about the four basic components of my perfect burger: high-quality beef prepared medium rare; a high-quality cheddar cheese; a soft, durable and slightly crispy bun; and mustard. And I must say, this burger exceeded expectations and more. 

But it wouldn’t be an LA event without the food trucks! A variety of trucks lined Broadway and joined other vendors in the general area such as Cheezus LA, Secret Lasagna, and Tacos 1986.

Now, if you haven’t had a chance to make it to any of the exceptional events hosted to date, don’t fret. You’ll be able to get your fill through the end of the month, with the final events taking place on May 31. For a full schedule of events, visit www.lafoodbowl.com and get your tickets while they are still available. But be sure to come hungry—for both food and culinary enlightenment.

Article originally posted HERE

Global Street Foods Unite at Mambo International Kitchen.

When you combine some of the best street food dishes from around the globe and a shabby chic farmhouse atmosphere, you get Mambo International Restaurant in Northridge, California. The menu is a collection of Filipino, Mediterranean, Korean and Indian favorites: Deep fried Lumpia, Tapsilog, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Falafel, just to name a few.

If you aren’t familiar with the neighborhood, the restaurant can be a little hard to find. It is located on the corner of a busy intersection in an elaborate building that looks to have been transplanted from a Swedish village and stands out among the surrounding fast food joints and strip malls. But once you’ve found it, you’ll be sure not to forget it.

Upon entering Mambo, you are greeted with a warm and welcoming ambiance. The décor is colorful, without being too overbearing and has just the right amount of ‘Instagrammable’ vibes, without being obnoxious. Being first-timers, the ordering process was a bit confusing. With such a robust menu, that offers premade dishes as well as ‘build your own’ bowls, it can be tough to decide where to start. But, with a little help, we were soon able to figure it out.

Mambo’s specialty is Filipino cuisine, so we kicked off our international feast with a couple traditional Filipino favorites: Tapsilog, a popular breakfast dish which consists of thinly sliced pieces of cured, seasoned beef, garlic rice topped with a sunny side up egg; and Pork Adobo, which included braised pork with a salted egg salsa and finished off with fried garlic pieces. For the next round, we opted for an array of globally inspired tacos: beef bulgogi topped with Asian pickles (Korea); chicken tikka masala with cilantro (India); and a Vietnamese inspired taco with sweet pork, hoisin, chicharron and Asian pickles. We concluded our lunch with a couple of Mediterranean staple dishes: Falafel and what is on the menu as ‘Vito’s Pita Wrap’ which is a spiced beef kabob wrapped in a warm soft pita topped with tomato, onion, lettuce and white sauce.

Now, someone who visits Mambo for the first time may be overwhelmed, and somewhat confused, by the diverse menu selections – as I was too at first. As a lover of all of the cuisines featured on the menu, I was slightly wary about how well each dish would compare to their ‘authentic’ counterpart. After each introduction to Mambo’s interpretation of some of my favorite dishes, I was pleasantly surprised. The flavor profiles were consistent and the quality of ingredients and presentation was on point. 

See, what makes Mambo unique is that the chef prepares the food that he genuinely loves, and that is obvious with every bite.

Mambo International Kitchen is located at 8300 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324. They are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the restaurant visit www.mamboresto.com or follow them on Instagram at @mamboresto.

Article originally posted HERE

Pork Takes Center Stage at E!GHT Korean BBQ.

Did you know that pork is the most consumed meat worldwide? 

When you think of all the various ways in which it can be consumed – from bacon to charcuterie –  it is easy to understand why.

At E!GHT Korean BBQ in Los Angeles, pork is taken so seriously that the name of the restaurant is derived from their specialty: eight different colorful flavors of pork belly, blending a combination of aromatic ingredients aimed at enticing the customer’s appreciation for swine.

We visited E!GHT on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The plaza where it is located was packed for the lunch rush, but we were able to find a spot close to the entrance. Before we even stepped through the restaurant doors, we were allured by the aroma of grilled meat and kimchi wafting into the parking lot. We grabbed a table near the back of the restaurant and eagerly awaited our meal. Sleek and modern, the place has an energetic and comfortable ambiance.

Almost immediately we were brought the banchan, a collection of savory and flavorful side dishes served in Korean cuisine and a bowl of kimchi noodle stew that was set upon an open flame to cook at our table. We knew going in that this was going to be a fulfilling meal, so my husband and I opted to skip out on breakfast and arrived very hungry. Needless to say, the banchan didn’t last very long.

To experience a diverse selection of their pork and beef, we ordered combo C, which included Prime Beef Brisket, Thinly Sliced Pork Belly, Pork Jowl, Flower Pork Belly, and Marinated Galbi Bulgogi. Our server placed the first two items on the grill and we were instructed to wait until he let us know when the food was ready. Unfortunately, the thinly sliced meat was left longer on the grill than needed causing it to overcook and diminish the flavors. But, nonetheless, we were anxious to try the next round. As expected, the pork jowl and flower pork belly did not disappoint – delicious and rich, the pork was grilled to perfection. We ended our meal with the garlic and soy marinated bulgogi and mushrooms and kimchi stew, riding out on a wave of robust flavors.

E!GHT is the place to be if you are looking for a fun, delicious and immersive food experience to share with friends; but be prepared and come hungry, because you can very quickly consume your weight in meat! 

E!GHT Korean BBQ is located in Los Angeles and Buena Park, California. They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, and until 1:00 am Friday through Saturday. For more information or to book a reservation visit www.eightkoreanbbq.com.

Article originally posted HERE

A ‘Killer’ Meal At A Marina Del Rey Hotspot.

For more than twenty years, ‘Killer Shrimp‘ has been an iconic dish in the Marina del Rey community of Los Angeles. The secret recipe, developed by 1970’s rock musician Lee Michaels, pays homage to West Coast surfer culture and has all of the components of a quintessential Southern California dish: something from the sea, a little spice, and a touch of rock-and-roll.

The dish, which Michael’s would prepare for his son and friends as they came in from a day of riding the waves, consists of large, plump prawns steeped in a rich sauce that is slow cooked for ten hours and seasoned  Michael’s secret spice mix. The dish, aptly dubbed ‘Killer shrimp’, quickly transformed into a celebrity of its own.

From what started as a family recipe, turned into a small restaurant with only one item on the menu – Killer Shrimp. Since then, the restaurant has grown into a 240-seat establishment with a full bar and a waterfront view. The menu still features the signature dish, but has evolved to include a diverse selection of fresh seafood items, steak, salads, desserts, and crafted cocktails.

My family visited the restaurant on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff and seated inside near a big glass window which allowed us to enjoy the waterfront view.

We started the meal off with the Scallop Sashimi appetizer. Each scallop was slightly seared, swimming in melted butter and served with roasted, skinned cherry tomatoes. My little one couldn’t keep his hands off this dish.

Paella

Next up were the main courses. With so many delicious options to choose from, we all opted to try what they are known best for – seafood of course! The Lobster Roll was as delightful to eat as it was to look at. The sweet lobster salad was placed on a warm roll, served with a handful of crispy sweet potato fries and coleslaw, providing a nice combination of sweet and savory.

The Killer Paella, which is one of their best-selling dishes and understandably so, included many of the ingredients of the traditional version of the dish: saffron rice, andouille sausage, chicken, clams, mussels, calamari, and shrimp. But, like all things ‘Killer’, this paella has the signature kick of their blend of herbs and spices.

We were pleased to see that the kid’s menu featured a variety of dishes, including options for the more adventurous eaters like my own.  The fried shrimp – dusted in Killer’s spice blend that was toned down for the younger palates, but didn’t skimp on flavor – is served on a skewer, and my toddler had fun devouring it.

The final dish arrived at the table amidst much anticipation. The waiter brought a basket of warm, soft French bread along with a piping hot bowl of the ‘Killer Shrimp.’ Now, since the original, there are different varieties to choose from: “pasta,” “shelled,” and “rice,” but we elected to go for the one that started it all. This version only includes two ingredients: the spicy, herbaceous sauce, which is actually more like a rich broth, and a few large prawns. But, in the midst of the euphoria, don’t forget to dip that French bread! After the first bite, you immediately understand why this dish is as popular as it is. And after you’re done, you’re already anticipating the next time you get to experience it. 

Killer Shrimp also includes a full bar and a ‘Killer’ craft cocktail menu. Stop by for happy hour and have one of their signature drinks, such as the ‘Pieces of Eight,’ which is a revamp of the traditional tiki drink of the 1960s that originated in Marina del Rey.

The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and located at 4211 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey, CA. The 5,000-square foot restaurant includes a full-service catering department and 275-person event space with a harbor view available for rental. To make reservations or inquire about an event email info@killershrimp.com or call 310-578-2293.

Article originally posted HERE

New Age Diner In The Beverly Center: Easy’s.

Pork Belly Benedict

Self-described as “the twisted lovechild of Tupac and The Fonz,” the J. Fall Group’s newest concept, Easy’s, is a mix of contemporary Americana cuisine and iconic west coast swag – a millennial dream. 

Located at the sixth-floor entrance of the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, California, this fresh, fast-casual restaurant features a playful twist on traditional diner fare and classic cocktails. The walls are painted with graffiti-inspired art, and each table is equipped with a vintage View-Master® loaded with enticing images of menu items for your viewing pleasure. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a friendly, energetic staff, stylishly dressed in leather moto jackets and all black ensembles.

Author’s child entertained by ‘View Master.’

The diverse menu offers something for everyone, including kids. Easy’s signature burger is made with a grass-fed ground beef patty, red onion, Easy’s secret sauce and American cheese on a brioche bun. The English Reuben melt is made with tender corned beef, large slices of dill pickles, black garlic, thousand island dressing and Swiss cheese on an English muffin. 

One of the most popular dishes on the menu – and understandably so, is the pork belly benedict (pictured above.) This dish re-interprets the classic eggs Benedict with an explosion of flavors, which includes mouthwatering maple braised pork belly perched on top of a soft English muffin topped with a perfectly poached egg and enhanced with pesto and BBQ hollandaise sauce. This dish is brimming with decadence.

Other menu items include elevated versions of salads, sandwiches and all-day breakfast dishes. They also have vegetarian options and marquee menu items which include Duck Parmesan and Fried Chicken N’ Funnel Cake.

Easy’s Doodle Wall

And being that this is Los Angeles, Easy’s features a fully stocked bar and creative cocktail menu. Drinks include boozy spiked milkshakes, and a Kimchi Bloody Mary made with Easy’s house-made bloody Mary mix, Chinese five-spice, kimchi and shiso leaves – it’s almost too pretty to drink.

Easy’s is family friendly and located on the sixth floor of the Beverly Center at 8500 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Article originally posted HERE

A Foodie’s Dream : LA Times Foodbowl’s Night Market

As part of the second annual Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, a month-long food extravaganza, the Night Market showcased some of Los Angeles’ most popular restaurants, food trucks, bars and pop-ups. Attendees got the chance to experience LA’s renowned and eclectic food scene. 

With over 50 vendors offering a wide variety of food items from pizza to pupusas and uni to oysters, there was a little something for everyone.

Ranked one of the top vendors at Smorgasburg, a weekly food market in Downtown LA, Lobsterdamus was crackin’ with their picture-perfect dish, the Lobster Nest – a perfectly open flame grilled, butter and garlic marinated whole or half lobster laid on a bed of yaki soba noodles seasoned with soy, sesame, lemon, roasted garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This dish had me going back for seconds!

Cheezus, another Smorgasburg fave, featured their Insta-worthy raclette, a traditional Swiss dish that includes a sensual scrape of perfectly melted raclette cheese on top of roasted potatoes, pickled vegetables, garlic sea salt and black pepper. If you aren’t part of this raclette revival…you’re missing out!

Now, you can’t have a Los Angeles food market without traditional Latin fare. Delmy’s Pupusas offered guests a Central American staple, a handmade corn tortilla stuffed with chicken or steak and served with salsa, cilantro and onions. But, it’s not complete unless you have a side of black beans and dollop of crema.

For the adventurous foodie and seafood lover, Broad Street Oyster Co. served fresh (and yes, still alive) Santa Barbara Uni (sea urchin) and sweet, freshly shucked Dutch Island, Rhode Island oysters on a bed of sea salt.

The LA Food Bowl Night Market concluded on Monday, May 20, but events are still scheduled throughout the end of the month. To check out a calendar of events, visit www.lafoodbowl.com.

Article originally posted HERE

The ‘Julia Child of Mexico’ Holds Court at LA Times Foodbowl Event

Chef and author, Diana Kennedy, is one of the leading authorities on Mexican cuisine, and she won’t let you forget it.

She has been described as the “Julia Child of Mexico” and an “ethno-gastronomer”, and at 95 years young, Kennedy is still as fervent and sentimental as ever when discussing her love of Mexico and its native fare. 

On Saturday, May 5, at the historic Million Dollar Theatre in Los Angeles, Kennedy took the stage to reflect on her life and path to becoming a renowned expert on the history and art of Mexican cooking, authoring nine cookbooks on the subject and being honored with an Order of the Aztec Eagle by the Mexican government for advocating on behalf of the cuisine and tourism of Mexico. 

Passion ran high among panel participants which included, Latin chefs and restaurateurs Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza; Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria and Gabriela Càmara of Contramar and Cala, when the discussion turned to sustainability, economics and food politics. Kennedy stressed the importance of honoring Mexico’s traditional cuisine and preserving its abundance of natural resources for future generations.

As of 2010, Los Angeles is home to over 2.5 million residents of Mexican heritage. However, Mexican culture and cuisine has been woven into the fabric of Los Angeles since its founding over two centuries ago and now second and third generation Mexican American chefs are continuing to honor the cuisine and traditions of their lineage.

The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl pays tribute to the diversity that the city has to offer by hosting a month-long series of events throughout the month of May.

To check out the schedule of Los Angeles Times Food Bowl events visit www.lafoodbowl.com/.

Article originally posted HERE

Chef Jose Andres Kicks Off LA Foodbowl

Waste is Wrong: that was Chef Jose Andres main message at the iconic Wiltern Theatre Monday night, in a spectacular event which kicked off the LA Times  Food Bowl, 31 days of great food, fascinating chef dialogues and more events than we can count.  

In the United States, it is estimated that between 30-40% of the food supply ends up in landfills instead of on dinner tables. In Los Angeles alone, more than half a million households live 300 percent below poverty level and often have to choose between putting food on their table or paying the rent. And according to renowned chef and philanthropist Chef Jose Andres, that is absolutely unacceptable.

Chef Andres along with L.A. Kitchen founder Robert Egger, Los Angeles restaurant critic Jonathan Gold and other prominent names in the Los Angeles food scene, took to the stage to raise awareness about the importance of food security and the Power of Food. Other guests included New Girl actress and The Farm Project co-founder Zooey Deschanel and Border Grill co-founder Susan Feniger.

The event featured a panel discussion on the topics of food sustainability and accessibility and a sous chef cook-off, where the challenge was to create a dish of limited ingredients that can be distributed to thousands of people during a post-disaster relief effort.

This event launched the Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, a month-long food extravaganza, in partnerships with LA’s best bars, cafes, hotels, markets, restaurants and top chefs, to raise awareness and funds to combat food waste, hunger, food insecurity and promote sustainability.

Food at the event was prepared and served by L.A. Food Kitchen students and Los Angeles restaurant Todo Verde and Everytable.

The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl runs the entire month of May at various locations around Los Angeles. To check out the schedule of events visit www.lafoodbowl.com/.

Article originally posted HERE

You Don’t Have to be a “Hardcore” Vegan to enjoy the Vegan Street Fair

For the carnivores out there, the term may incite images of bland, weirdly textured food items made from pulverized vegetables and nuts. But for the staunch herbivores or adventurous omnivores, we know that menu options have vastly expanded (beyond just tofu) and that some of the most beloved animal protein based dishes have been “veganized” and taste so close to the original recipe you find yourself asking “Are you SURE there is no meat in this?” 

Established for vegans and non-vegans alike, the Vegan Street Fair has something for everyone and is a great opportunity to venture out and experience all things vegan in your city! The fair brings together local vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, vendors, and products in one place. Guests are able to sample a plethora of food options, either in full or bite-size portions, as well as a variety of vegan-friendly products.

Ceviche de Palmitas

The first fair to kick off the series took place in Los Angeles on March 25th and featured over 200 vendors from the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Though it was virtually impossible to eat my way through the entire event (but not without the lack of trying), I was able to experience some amazing plant-based dishes! 

Food Art by Lauren’s beautifully plated “Popcorn Chik-In” is made with tender cauliflower florets breaded and fried to a golden brown served with a tangy buffalo sauce. The savory Mac and Cheese bites from the Word of Mouth food truck was fried to crunchy perfection and served with a delicious cashew ranch. The mouthwatering shitake dumplings from Bling Bling Dumplings were so tasty and tender, that I went back for seconds.  And, Todo Verde’s fresh and vibrantly flavored Ceviche de Palmitas, a vegan twist on traditional seafood ceviche, was made with hearts of palm, tomato, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, and lime juice. The vegan dessert options were plentiful as well. My favorite, and my toddler concurs, was the gluten free Karma Cakes from Karma Baker. It looks like the Hostess Cupcake you ate as a kid, but a lot healthier and without sacrificing the taste!

Author’s son Jackson with ‘Karma Cake’

The Vegan Street Fair will be back in Los Angeles for a LA Nights event on September 1 and 2. They will also host events in New York, San Diego, Las Vegas and Seattle. Visit www.veganstreetfair.com for more information.

Article originally posted HERE

Mangia Mangia! April 6 is Carbonara Day and Casa Barilla Restaurants are Where You Want to Celebrate

Did you know April 6 is Carbonara Day? Now that you know, we have the perfect place for you to indulge in this Italian favorite —  Casa Barilla Restaurants (located in South Coast Plaza and USC Village.)

Carbonara Day was established in 2017 by the International Pasta Organization (think of it as the UN of pasta) as a means of honoring the iconic dish and garnered a robust online response from pasta lovers around the world. This year, Casa Barilla expects #CarbonaraDay to exceed last year’s enthusiastic response.

Historically referred to as “coal miner’s spaghetti”, Pasta Alla Carbonara transcends this moniker as one of Italy’s most iconic dishes. Originating in Rome during the mid-20th century as a dish for Italian charcoal workers, the recipe has not been fixed and varies from chef to chef. However, Italian traditionalists consider true carbonara to consist of only five ingredients: bacon, Parmigiano and/or Pecorino Cheese, cream, egg yolk and black pepper. Regardless of your position, whether you are an innovator or a traditionalist at heart, it cannot be denied that the essence of Italian cuisine is to unify and satisfy – and this dish does just that.

In celebration of the second annual virtual Carbonara Day event on April 6, 2018, Casa Barilla Restaurants will feature Italian Chef Alfonso Sanna’s mouthwatering twist of the dish for an entire month starting April 6 through May 6. 

Born and raised in Sardegna, Italy, Chef Alfonso’s interpretation of the classic dish is tough to compete with. Made with perfectly prepared al dente Barilla thick spaghetti; crispy smoky pancetta; pasteurized egg yolk; freshly grated Parmigiano and Pecorino Cheese; a touch of cream; and finished off with freshly crushed black pepper, this dish is an impeccable balance of rich and piquant flavors. 

Buon appetito!

Casa Barilla restaurants are located in the South Coast Plaza and USC Village and offer wholesome Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Chef Alfonso’s pasta alla carbonara will be available April 6 through May 6. Visit www.barillarestaurants.com for more information.

Article originally posted HERE