Potential Gold

XLB - the eating guide & Mei Long Village

One of my favorite foods in the whole wide world is Xiao Long Bao aka XLB.  XLB is a dumpling which literally translates to "little basket bun". 

These are commonly found in the areas of Shanghai and Wuxi, China.  Here in the US, XLB are also referred to as Soup Dumplings. 

These little pockets of love are worldly.  A thin, slightly translucent, unleavened dough surrounds meat which has been steamed.  In preparation, the meat includes a good amount of gelatin that once steamed, turns into soup within the wrapper of the dumpling. 

Most commonly served with vinegar and slivers of ginger, I love to eat my XLB in the following way:

Summerland, Gainey and Santa Barbara

So the other week some friends and I went wine tasting up in the Santa Barbara area.  We started with a nice tasting at Summerland Winery's tasting room in Summerland, CA, just south of Montecito on the 101 freeway.

We tasted a great Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, some great Petite Sirah and I really also enjoyed the Trio from Summerland.  The staff there was knowledgeable, friendly and warm. 

Friday Night Bites

Friday nights are always fun.  Often times it is spent with my family and friends.  The food is always great and there is always a great mood to the evening. 

On this particular Friday night, Limor & I decided to host.  We haven't hosted yet and it was a good challenge.  There were fourteen guests confirmed and by the time it was over, I think a few more trickled in.

We started to prep on Wednesday for a Friday night meal.  The menu consisted of:

• Tuna Carpaccio alla CIA for anyone who's been to Caterina...
• Arugula & Mixed Green Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
• Ossobuco served with Risotto alla Milanese
• Chicken Cacciatore served with Roasted Pearl Barley
• Grilled Vegetables
• Misc. Cakes, Fruit Salad and other sweets

Overall I thought the dinner was a success.  Both the proteins came out very well.  The risotto had a few 'al dente' spots to it which I blame on the availability of proper cooking tools (I didn't use the right pot - too lazy to clean it). 

Everyone loved everything and the shocker for me was that almost everyone loved and ate the tuna.  Even Limor's grandfather enjoyed it and I wouldn't expect him to eat raw tuna!

Some didn't eat it though, but their portions were scarfed down by my mom...

Le Pain Quotidien

This gem sits on the busy Ventura Blvd. just a few steps from Il Tramezzino.  With eleven franchises in the Los Angeles area and fifteen in New York, this little shop is on the move.  Although the company is large, with franchises all over the world, the feel inside is that of a well run, privately held cafe. 

On my first visit the cheese plate was disappointing but what I really loved is the coffee.  Served similar to the fashion that Cafe Fanny serves their coffee, in a bowl, the rich cream and great brew just lit up my face.  Add a touch of sweet agave nectar (instead of sugar) and I'm a happy 'yamper'. 

Il Tramezzino

Il Tramezzino - a place I first went to in Beverly Hills is now opening in Tarzana.  The photos above were taken at the location in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Boulevard just west of Coldwater Canyon.

"Il Tram," as everyone calls it, is well known for its light and quick bites and also as a place to see and be seen.  For some reason unclear to me, this place is very IN at the moment.  I remember going there late one night and enjoying a hot croissant filled with Nutella and sliced Bananas. 

Pahlmeyer 2002

Not a bad bottle of wine.  This photo was taken at a friends house.

Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles

(Please excuse the "red" pictures - you'll understand if you've been to Roscoe's before)

Roscoe's is a legendary establishment.  Being around for many years, they are obviously doing something right!

Yes, this was my first visit to Roscoe's in my 18+ years living in Los Angeles.  I will definitely return and I actually look forward to the next visit. 

What I really crave is the waffle.  I thought the waffle was made very well.  There was a good spiceiness to the batter made with cinnamon and a few other ingredients for sure.  The syrup seemed standard issue Sysco but that was good too. 

The chicken was fried very well and the seasoning of the fry was great.  The meat was nice and moist.  I ordered a dark meat plate with two waffles.  It was a good choice.  Omer and Limor both ordered the classic Breast and Waffle plate. 

Sevan Chicken Rotisserie

This is definitely not an advertisement for this establishment, but merely a public announcement.  If you ingest the garlic sauce...beware of the side effects which may include horrible breath and unpleasant "burps".

I did try this place on one of the first weeks of its existence at the new location off of Lassen and Mason in Chatsworth, CA.  This location was previously a KFC so the fitting for a chicken restaurant was perfect but I gave to ask myself why KFC left the area - maybe the demographic was off?

Linkin Park Live @ Staples Center

You know how it is...through friends of friends of friends we got some amazing tickets and VIP access to the Linkin Park show the other night in Los Angeles.

I've never been to the Staples Center so it was a really great way to see the ins and outs of such an amazing building. 

Likewise, I also was never at a Linkin Park concert so the two together were just great.

The music was very good and the lighting was outstanding.  I had the pleasure of meeting a few of the band members previously and they are all really humble and down to earth. 

The drummer of Linkin Park played a very amazing solo which I thought was world class. 

The Best Baguettes in Paris (2008)

The verdict is in...

The two bakeshops below scored highest in a blind tasting at the Chambre Professionnelle des Artisans Boulangers-Pâtissiers, located on Quai d’Anjou (on Île Saint-Louis), in Paris, France.  On February 12th, 143 artisans brought their freshly baked baguette to the contest.

A few were automatically rejected due to size and weight conflicts between what was allowed and what wasn't.

The winner this year, from a Tunisian background, is Anis Bouabsa, 28, who won the Grand Prix de la Meilleure Baguette de Paris 2008.

He can be found at:
Au Duc de la Chapelle

32, rue Tristan Tzara

75018 Paris

Tel: 01 40 38 18 98

In second place this year was Fabrice Pottier; another young baker who supplies Alain Passard's restaurant, L’Arpège - daily!