On my short visit to Eugene, this was one of the most
memorable spots I stopped in at.The PRI
is truly a one-of-a-kind establishment.The person I was in contact with whom I assumed is the owner, was
wearing flip-flops and a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and an apron - happier
then hell about making and selling great pizza.
I went in just to take a quick taste and the stay lasted
about an hour.From the handwritten menu
on the wall I had a choice of about four or five pizzas available that day.
On a recent trip to Eugene, one of the most memorable dishes I enjoyed was the Seared Scallops with Miso and Cucumber Salad prepared by the chefs over at Jo Federigo's Restaurant and Jazz Club in Eugene, Oregon.
The scallops were sweet and buttery and the miso with cucumber was fresh and appetizing - I would have stayed for more but the Lakers were playing and I had to go watch the game...
We were recently given a chance to work with a new 'Compose' screen on the TypePad blogging system. I am using this post to test it out.
I plan on placing pictures below this section of text. I want the pictures to be evenly spaced at maybe three or four pictures per row, with three columns and then more text below. Let's see how it goes.
Well - in the editor it doesn't look like the pictures above will be side to side - it shows them one under the other.
This post is all about having fun in the San Fernando Valley. Psychedelic Trance is a genre of music which I really enjoy listening to and dancing to and Green Sector along with PsyTribe put on a great show at the Woodley Park on Sundays.
My family and friends have been enjoying the productions of Green Sector and PsyTribe since New Years of 2001 (I think) and we've been to many memorable parties - especially the parties on the beach and in the forest / desert.
For the park parties, it's always fun to bring a snack - this time we stopped at Aroma Bakery on Ventura Blvd. between Lindley and Newcastle. One of our favorite things there is a menu item called "the Ziva" which is just amazing - pastry rolled around cheese and green olives, served with a hard boiled egg and tomato sauce for dipping - or try the "Sabich" which is fried eggplant served with pita bread, Israeli salad, hummus, olives and pickles and red onion - a do it yourself activity which is sooo tasty.
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:
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 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...
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 - 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.
Recent Comments