Unrivaledkitch

03/01/2012

YBR February

Nancy from Spiciefoodie.com has been doing this amazing event each month called Your Best Recipe. She has a wonderful heart to host this very special food event for all of us foodies to come together with our best recipes for the month. I thought that it …

YBR

by unrivaledkitch

02/23/2012

Why Write Recipes When You Can Just Cook?

I cook often. If I could blog as easily as it seems for me to whip something up to eat in the kitchen, I’m sure I could fill another four blogs with my recipes. But as most of you know, I cook with more intuition …

Chef plates, chef theory, family food, Food Photos, Recipes, salads, Side dishes

by unrivaledkitch

02/22/2012

Follow Your Heart

A delicious grocery and dining establishment, Follow Your Heart adorns the streets of Canoga Park on Sherman Way. Amongst the dollar stores, small antiques marts and other dining establishments is a valley landmark for Vegans and Vegetarians alike. A store unlike many, it’s a one-stop for all types of delicious vegetarian goodness. I’ve loved and frequented this place many times since I found out about it in high school, and it’s still one of my favorite places to go.

The store is set up like any shop with isles of whole grains, cultured enzymes, supplements, and every other type of veggie and health friendly items. Some of my favorite things to pick up there are their bulk items like Nutritional Brewer’s Yeast, interesting tofu products, organic produce and interesting grain flours. If you’re in search of something crazy for a vegan recipe, you’re more than likely to find it here.

Also, besides the great options for taking home and cooking, there is a small diner-style eatery available for dining in and taking out delicious vegan and vegetarian foods. A worldly menu of different styles of food, there is something for everyone here—meat eater or not.

I took my friend Stephanie here one weekend afternoon for a little shopping and beautiful patio dining. It was a gorgeous day for a late afternoon lunch and we indulged in the most delicious of options. I ordered the Spanakopita, which is a Greek pie filled with spinach and cheese and then wrapped in light and flaky wheat phyllo dough. I have to say, it was quite memorable—ever so decadent and cheesy, with delicious ricotta and feta running through the piping hot spinach. The dough was so delicate and delicious and for using wheat dough, you wouldn’t be able to detect the difference. It was served with a side-salad of Greek-style vegetables, topped with cheese, as well as a mixed green side-salad with tahini-tofu dressing that was fabulously creamy, with no oil in it whatsoever.

I love the different ideas that vegan and vegetarian food can offer; it something I’ve always loved. Stephanie ordered the Nut Burger, a specially prepared vegan burger made in-house and served on wheat bread with a side-salad, carrot chips and a tea, all for about 10 bucks—such a steal. The two of us chatted over new upcoming projects and what inspires us, then headed back in the store for a couple of fun treats. Follow Your Heart is an interesting and honestly delicious and inspiration view of vegetarian and vegan food in the San Fernando Valley.

Cheers

-Unrivaledkitch

Uncategorized

by unrivaledkitch

02/18/2012

Valentines Day Dinner

I guess I never really understood all the hoopla about Valentine’s Day. Maybe the romantic memo missed me somewhere along the lines. My childhood memories of Valentine’s Day involved receiving some kind of yummy red cupcake from my mom and a card with a box of …

Chef plates, chef theory

by unrivaledkitch

02/11/2012

Eastern Sierra Eats: Bar B-Q Bill’s

When it’s time to head home, we have our rituals as well: we pack up the condo, have a breakfast of whatever is left in the fridge that can’t travel back with us, and make our way into Bishop for a couple of shopping bits …

Uncategorized

by unrivaledkitch

02/08/2012

Mammoth Eats: Roberto’s

Hidden amongst eateries of all sorts, though not known for its culinary successes, Mammoth plays host to a few gems along the way; one of these fine places is Roberto’s Cafe. I’ve written about this Mexican food before, but I figured a couple more pictures for good measure wouldn’t hurt. Roberto’s is a staple that we tend to indulge in every trip to Mammoth. There’s nothing like a nice burrito or taco after a long day on the lake, but the margaritas make it even better.

On this trip we decided to get out of the snow and make our away from a very disappointing experience to something we knew was going to be good. My brother, Kyle, and sister-in-law, Viet-Linh, were most inclined to find a good meal and something to quench our thirst. We decided on a pitcher of margaritas, which was called La Bamba, while watching the football game in the cantina. The margaritas were wonderfully potent with just the right mixing to make you feel warm and toasty inside, despite the blizzard outside. A delightful scent and flavor of Grand Marnier finished the pleasantness of the overall drink.

After we indulged in chips and salsa and our margaritas, we found ourselves looking over the menu. Kyle and Viet-Linh shared the El Jefe burrito, consisting of shredded chicken, potatoes, cheese and beans, all rolled in a flour tortilla and topped with more of the burrito stuffing. The burrito was huge, delicious and very juicy from all the tender chicken. I ordered a combination plate consisting of a pork tamale and beef taco. The tamale was perfectly moist and topped with a delicious red colorado sauce and some cheese. The beans and rice were tasty and the taco was fried well. Overall, a very delicious and hearty meal for the long winter afternoon.

There’s nothing like tequila and tortillas to brighten up any blizzard.

-cheers

Unrivaledkitch

dining out, Mammoth Lakes, Travel Eats

by unrivaledkitch

02/07/2012

Mammoth Eats: Giovanni’s

As we entered town after the long drive from Los Angeles, we decided we needed to kill a little bit of time before we were able to get into the condo and unload all of our things. So we made our way up to Twin …

dining out, Mammoth Lakes, Nature

by unrivaledkitch

01/31/2012

Snowy Trip to the Eastern Sierras; Mammoth Mountain and Hawaiian Bread French Toast

I recently took a four day trip to the beautiful Eastern Sierras, wherein lies Mammoth Mountain. Normally my family and I have a traditional summer vacation to this area around my birthday; we enjoy eachother’s company in the breathtaking surroundings of fresh clean air, high …

breakfast, family food, Food Photos, Mammoth Lakes, Recipes

by unrivaledkitch

01/28/2012

Las Vegas: TOOL, Va Bene Caffe and Estiatorio Milos

I don’t know how to explain the magic that is TOOL live. It’s a complete experience that transcends me beyond what I think is honest and real, into the purest sense of reality without hesitation. My best friend, Virginia, and I traveled from the center of downtown Los Angeles to Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas, NV 1/15 Sunday afternoon, just in time to see our 8:00 p.m. show. Pressing our luck with time, nothing would stop us from getting to our destination to have our souls shattered open by the vast depths of the music that is TOOL. I’ve been listening to TOOL for a huge portion of my life and have seen them in concert once before in ’07 in Los Angeles. I was completely open and in the whole experience for those precious moments that never fail to show me something I’ve never felt before. There’s no way I could tell you how much this meant to me and what it’s done for my mental sanity.

Set List

Hooker With A Penis

Jambi

Stinkfist

Ticks & Leeches

Pushit

Schism (Extended Intro)

Intension

Forty-Six & 2

Lateralus

The Pot

Ænema

While in Vegas, of course we had to partake in at least one amazing meal or else it would have been a loss of a great culinary experience. I love Vegas; not for the other sin city attractions, but for the food. My first after 21 Vegas experience was the most amazing time filled with lots of brilliant food and great menu scouting all up and down the strip. My favorite part of Las Vegas is the food and the amazing ideas that come along with it. Virginia and I roamed the strip looking at all the gorgeous attractions that make up Vegas. All the glamour and glitter worked up quite an appetite.

As we walked through the Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan, and Aria, we found ourselves taking extra time in The Cosmopolitan looking at the beautiful chandelier bar and in between window shopping we decided to stop over to Va Bene Caffe for a coffee and a sweet snack. I had a cannoli and Aranciata, which is an Italian orange beverage that I’ve loved for years now. The cannoli was a little sweeter than I normally like, but the texture of the ricotta and the slight citrus flavor in the creamy center, with a perfectly crunchy shell and chocolate dipped sides with pistachios made my mouth water–a delicious decadent snack. After walking around taking in the vast and lavish sights that are sin city, we decided to finally stop for lunch.

Virginia found a teleprompter, which gave us listings for restaurants in The Cosmopolitan and we decided to check out Estiatorio Milos. Milos is a stylish and classically chic restaurant with a beautiful color palate of woodsy browns and beige tones. The architecture of the restaurant is something to be seen; the center dining room overlooks the main focal point, the open kitchen in the corner, which has a large display of fresh vegetables and fruits, then on large piles of crushed ice, is the freshest fish that you could ask for, all decoratively placed with precision. The style of food that Milos offers is the freshest fare possible, with Greek influences and Mediterranean flavors. My passion for Mediterranean flavors is an ever expanding bank of culinary knowledge. I find it fascinating, elegant, truthful and pure in so many of its forms. This was probably the highest form of elegant Greek food I’ve ever had and that in itself was an amazing experience.

We eagerly perused the menu, which was in the set of a 3-course prix fixe, where you have the choice of one, amongst a wide variety of each: appetizer, entree and dessert. Virginia is a pescatarian and there were plenty of amazing options for her to eat. She chose the Greek Meze Plate for her appetizer, which came with three varieties of spreads, pita, kalamata olives, and cherry tomatoes. All the spreads were topped extra virgin olive oil from Greece and were very fresh and delicious.

Htipiti: Red pepper spread – a chunkier, fire-roasted red pepper flavor with bold notes of garlic and lemon

Tzatziki: cucumber and herb infused white cream spread – completely smooth and pure white, which tasted just of cucumber and perfect seasoning

Tarama: Fish roe with caper spread – slightly fish fragrant flavor spread with salty capers

Seared scallop with a salad of orange, fennel, red onions and Greek olive oil

The scallop was seared to perfection–that still opaque center with perfect grill marks and the best seafood flavor and texture possible. A slight seasoning highlights the true flavors of the scallop in a perfect way. This dish was a simple and to the point scallop preparation with scrumptious results.

Entrée

Tuna Burger with fried zucchini and aioli

The tuna burger was not your run-of-the-mill option. The tuna was high quality and masterfully seasoned with Asian flavors such as soy sauce, ginger, and orange. The burger was topped with small ribbons of red onion and fennel with a toasted sesame seed bun. A wonderful run of textures concluded on your pallet when biting into this whole concoction.

Lavraki: Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass

This bass was a flawlessly prepared whole fish. The seasoning was a triumph and the expertly cooked flesh of the bright flavorful fish was beyond explanation. One bite and that kind of sigh of happiness comes over your body as you realize you have a whole plate to go. There’s something about whole fish that just makes sense; it takes the simplest idea and perfects it with capers, olive oil, and the brightness of lemon. I thought to myself, ” I could eat this my whole life”, as I finished the body of the fish, combing over the crunchy collar pieces and plucking out the succulent cheek flesh for the last bites as a savage carnivore. I found myself in the presence of collective genius.

Dessert

Walnut cake with mint sorbet

A moist brown cake with lots of walnuts, seemingly light and dense both at the same time, was placed in front of us for our enjoyment. The mint sorbet cleaned the pallet and added a refreshing element to the cake.

Yogurt Martini

Sweet, creamy yogurt topped with passion fruit preserves, offering a mouth-watering and luscious way to end a fantastic meal.

Throughout our meal, we shared sentiment and quiet moments with delicious food, not to mention phenomenal service from wait staff and kitchen staff at the top of their game at a moment’s notice. Though we were in for a late lunch, we were taken care of as if we were the first guests to arrive–with precision and grace. I’m so glad that we were able to experience this incredible meal together. Virginia is a gift in my life and I’m so blessed to be able to share these phenomenal moments with her.

attractions, dining out, Food Photos, Las Vegas, Travel Eats

by unrivaledkitch

01/20/2012

Sunday Brunch; Chez Nous and Priscilla’s

Something about Toluca Lake is charming, witty and quaint. For those of you who have yet to be lucky enough to visit this small community, it lies on the borders of North Hollywood and Burbank and befitting of the city is a place called Chez Nous. This …

dining out, Los Angeles Eats, valley

by unrivaledkitch

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