Hey Los Angeles Times – you're looking thinner these days

Los Angeles Times, it’s like I don’t even know you anymore.

My hometown paper is going through yet another change. Pretty soon I won’t be able to recognize it – I fear it won’t be long before it’s reduced to a Post-It stuck on to a stack of coupon circulars.

In another move that can most likely be attributed to cost-cutting, the Los Angeles Times is closing its stand-alone Thursday Food section (which would be 50-years-old in a month), combining it with the Home and Health sections into a new “lifestyle” section that will be published on Saturdays. The name of the new section is ‘Saturday,’ which leads me to believe they’ve also fired the guy who names the new newspaper sections.

Food section editor Russ Parsons told LA Weekly via email, “Of course we will miss having our stand-alone section. But this new Saturday section will incorporate the best of our food and dining coverage, including recipes, restaurant reviews, wine recommendations and everything else, and it will deliver it on a day when most of our readers are actually thinking about going out to eat, visiting farmers markets and throwing dinner parties. And, of course, our website will continue as it always has.”

So, hey, goodbye beloved Los Angeles Times Food section – it’s been fun, and I’ll see you on Saturday. I’d tell you to “Don’t go changin’” but it’s too late for that.

Los Angeles Times
202 W. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 237-5000

When she’s not reading what’s left of the newspaper, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com

Photo: Stock.xchng | lusi

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS & ROMESCO at Arugula's in Boulder, Colorado

Open since 2009, Arugula Bar e Ristorante is a hidden strip mall gem. Whether you’re enjoying their frequent wine dinners, happy hours, or a night out on the town, Chef/Proprietor Alec Schuler will make your experience, well, an unforgettable experience in a zen-Boulder, but not-intimidating kind of way.

The staff doesn’t condescend when visiting your table. No, they step to the table ready to make your Arugula experience the very best.

Don’t know much about wines? No problem – the staff will offer to pair your wines with your dinner, and they even are conscious of your budget.  Guests can certainly enjoy their dining experience and be conscious of their budget.  (Thank you Denver Restaurant Week!)

Specialty of the house, Northern Italian dishes at Arugula's in Boulder

On our visit, we were fortunate enough to get a preview of their amazing Northern Italian dishes, courtesy of Chef Alec.  I can only tell you how simply divine all the dishes tasted…take a look and see for yourself.

Arugula Bar e Ristorante dishes up an amazing menu featuring Northern Italian and Mediterranean dining, a welcome addition to the Boulder restaurant experience.

The perfect – and affordable — way to experience Arugula is via their frequently offered wine dinners.

Whether you choose the traditional dining experience, or opt for one of their specialty dinners, Arugula Bar e Ristorante is a Northern Italian dining experience not to miss in Boulder, Colorado.

Arugula Bar e Ristorante

Grilled Hanger steak atop vegetables in light Northern Italian style sauce t Arugula's in Boulder

2785 Iris Ave.
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone: 303-443-5100
Open 6 days a week, Closed Sundays

Wine with a view: The Napa Valley Wine Train

I’m not sure if there’s anything better than a nice glass of wine and a lovely meal. Oh wait, there is – having that wine and meal while on the Napa Valley Wine Train traveling through the gorgeous wine country. I have only read about the famous food and wine tour of Argentina. Better than that? Yes, and having Ryan Gosling as your sommelier, but let’s not get carried away.

Recently I was lucky enough to be a guest on the Napa Valley Wine Train. For any of you unfamiliar with this iconic attraction, it’s a three-hour trip – via gorgeously restored vintage rail cars – through the beautiful Napa Valley. While traveling you’re served a gourmet lunch (or dinner) and wine from the local wineries. If you’re fortunate like we were, your wait person will have extensive knowledge of the surrounding region and can give you a quick education on the various vintages – this was pretty helpful for a wine novice like me.

You would think that with everything going on – The train! The scenery! The wine! – the food would take a backseat, but you would be mistaken. Their menu is first-rate, and I was impressed to learn that they are committed to using sustainable foods in all their dishes. I had their excellent Coriander Breast of Chicken with Baby Arugula that was in a light peppercorn sauce – a very generous portion that I could barely finish (especially since I wanted to save some room for the desserts that I’d heard everyone buzzing about.) For my wine choice, I went with their suggested pairing, a 2008 Romililly Pinot Noir that was the perfect accompaniment to my meal.

(I should note that wine is not included in the price of your meal, but their prices are fairly reasonable. The wines in their suggested pairings that day were priced from $9 to $15 per glass.)

Dessert on the Napa Valley Wine Train is an experience in itself – you change cars for the return trip, where you’re given a choice of a few very tempting and unbelievably rich-sounding dessert dishes. In spite of it being one of the safer and more predictable choices, I ordered the Crème Brulée since I’d been craving it for days. I’m glad I did – deliciously caramelized and topped with a few fresh blueberries, it was the absolute best way to end our journey on the Wine Train.

I’ve been to Napa only a handful of times, and this time was the first with my teenage daughters. I wasn’t quite sure if the Wine Train would be an appropriate activity for them, but they enjoyed it and I was glad to find something we could do as a family. My older daughter’s favorite part? Getting an entire teapot to herself on the dessert train. Although she did mention she would have loved it even more if Ryan Gosling had served it to her.

Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa, CA 94559
800.427.4124

When she’s not riding the rails with a nice pinot noir, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com

Photos: Marsha Takeda-Morrison

A mellow vibe at the Gramercy Park Tavern.

“We need to go celebrate,” she said.  “This is such an exciting time for you!”

I was in New York City for my book launch.  My first book launch, such that it was.  DIRTY MINDS: HOW OUR BRAINS INFLUENCE LOVE, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS had come out a few days before.  And I was definitely in the mood to celebrate.

So why not hit the Gramercy Tavern–a place that has been consistently rated as one of the city’s best restaurants?  I was all for it.

We were seated in the Front Room, the place to see and be seen for lunch.  I arrived 15 minutes early.  At first, I was the only patron, quietly sipping on iced tea and staring out the window.  I took the opportunity to snap a photo.  But by 12:30pm, the joint had filled up.  It seemed to happen in the blink of an eye–folks just appearing until there was not an open seat in the room.

The food was fantastic–I went with the soup special of the day, an old-fashioned, hearty chicken and matzo ball soup.  And you have to know that the service was impeccable.  I couldn’t turn around without having my iced tea glass refilled. They were thorough without being pushy.  You have to appreciate that.

But I enjoyed the ambiance just as much.  I’ll admit eavesdropped a bit.  One pair to my left was talking about a recent private Lenny Kravitz concert (apparently, he is as dreamy as you’d think in a small, intimate venue).  Another table was discussing their upcoming trip to Sundance Film Festival (new Uggs were in order).  I ‘d like to think that maybe they were listening in on me talking about my book.  You never know.

But next time I want a celebratory lunch, I’m going to remember the Gramercy Tavern–especially if I want to see and be seen.  I can’t think of a more perfect place to do it.

———-

Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th Street
New York, NY 10003
Tel.:  212.477.0777

———-

Photo courtesy of Kayt Sukel.

Palace Resort Mignon's Crab Cakes

There’s always a party in Biloxi, Mississippi

Planning to visit Mississippi’s Gulf Coast? It seems there’s always a party or some type of celebration happening in Biloxi, Mississippi and with parties comes food – lots of food. For my dining dollar, I vote for Mignon’s Steaks and Seafood restaurant inside the Palace Casino Resort.

Mignon appetizers

When on the Gulf Coast, eat like the locals. The locals like crab cakes. The Crab Cake Mignon is full of jumbo lump crab meat, shallots and herbs, served with a pool of remoulade sauce and priced at $14 for two sweet tasting crab cakes.

Palace Resort Mignon's Lobster Bisque

Mignon soups

While the salads on the menu looked appealing, this was my last meal in the South and I was going big AND going home.  In fact, after days of eating beignets, fried green tomatoes, fried shrimp and King Cake, I was going home big. So why not keep the dining momentum going with a lovely, creamy, rich Lobster Bisque? Priced at $10, I could have bathed in this bowl of lobster, fennel, sherry and heavy cream goodness.

Mignon moment

Grab your steak knife and get your motor going, we are headed for the gravy train and it is not chicken and grits. Tonight, I have my eye on Mignon’s Bone-In Filet. Listed at $52, this 14 oz. signature steak is cooked to order. You’ll need to shell out more money for the a la carte vegetables and side orders, and while the loaded baked potato is huge, I don’t think it merits the $7 price tag. Instead, I’d go with the Hash Brown Potato Pancake $7, or the Lobster Mac and Cheese for $12.

Palace Resort Mignon's Bone-in Filet and baked potato

Mignon desserts

When I asked about the Chocolate Praline Indulgence Cake, our server confessed that this was a new item to the Mignon dessert menu that he had not yet tasted. Described as a chocolate molten cake baked with pralines, topped with vanilla ice cream and a bourbon pecan sauce, I was not bowled over. However, the service was first class, as was the rest of my meal. Wine aficionados and Wine Spectator magazine readers will appreciate the wide selection of choices on the wine list. In case you are a dessert lover like I am, all the items on the dessert menu range from $7-$8.

If You Go:

Palace Casino Resort (228) 432-8888 or (800) 725-2239

154 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

I was a guest of Palace Casino Resort

Related Post:

Palace Casino Resort, Biloxi, MS

Zankou Chicken: Yet another reason to move to L.A.

I posted two short sentences on Twitter the other day, and got the following responses: “You suck.” “I hate you.” “JUST STOP IT.”

What could I have tweeted that would elicit such vitriol? Here’s what I said:

“Zankou Chicken, extra garlic sauce, pickled turnips. Don’t be jealous.”

Because if you are a Zankou Chicken lover, you know this: One of the most painful things to hear is that someone else is sinking their teeth into that crispy chicken slathered in garlic sauce, and you’re not.

What is it that makes Zankou’s rotisserie chicken so special, that has charmed the finicky palates over at the Zagat Guide to name its chicken dinner “the single best takeout dish in town?” That made one of my Northern California friends say that Zankou Chicken was the only reason he’d move to Los Angeles?

First you have the chicken – the crispy skin surrounding the perfectly cooked chicken inside – so deliciously moist, never dry, and never undercooked. Then you have the side dishes – the aforementioned pickled turnips (bright pink, and looking like they should be bad but they’re so, so good), the fresh, slightly tangy hummus served with lots of soft pita. And then – the garlic sauce. What is this irresistible, addictive, unbelievably tasty paste that makes every bite of chicken seem like the best chicken you’ve ever eaten in your life? That will have you licking the inside of the little plastic cup so that you can get every last morsel of it into your belly?

I’ve heard for awhile that the secret to the sauce is potatoes, and after a little internet searching I’m finding that, along with copious amounts of garlic, the potatoes are the key ingredient to the palate-pleasing, pasty consistency. Here’s a recipe for a knockoff of their famous sauce, for all of you that don’t have the benefit of a Zankou around the corner. Buy a rotisserie chicken, a tub of hummus and a package of pita, and serve up with this homemade magic elixir. That should stop the hostile tweets for awhile.

Zankou Chicken Garlic Sauce (copycat recipe)

Ingredients

3 small russet potatoes
1 head garlic (12-14 cloves)
1/3 cup, fresh lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon, salt
1/2 cup, canola oil

Peel the potatoes and boil in water until potatoes are very soft. Mash the potatoes and allow them to cool.

Crush and peel a whole head of garlic. Cut the garlic cloves into thirds or quarters. Place the raw garlic in a blender with the salt and lemon  juice. Pour a light layer of oil onto the garlic. Puree the garlic mixture on “high” ” and, with the blender running, begin pouring a slow, steady stream of the remaining oil through the blender’s top opening until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

NOTE:  At this point, you’ll have an extremely garlic-y sauce which can be used as is. But to mellow the flavors and create the trademark pasty texture of Zankou’s sauce, you’ll need to add the potatoes.

Add the mashed potatoes, about 2-3 tablespoons at a time to incorporate evenly.  Continue adding potatoes to the blender until the sauce is mixed well.

Transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and allow it to chill completely in the refrigerator. After about an hour, the flavors will blend together nicely and the texture will take on that thick, pasty consistency like Zankou’s sauce.

Zankou Chicken
See website for locations (Only in Southern California)

When she’s not tweeting about what she’s eating, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com

Photo: ZankouChicken.com

Old World dining at Il Ferazzo inside The Phoenician in Scottsdale.

I had already enjoyed the on-site Relish Burger Bistro with my daughter and son-in-law the day before, so on a quiet February Sunday night, we stopped by Il Terrazzo and the service was almost as yummy as the meal.

Of course, when in Scottsdale, take advantage of the amazing weather by requesting an al fresco Italiano dining on the patio.

Unfortunately, my visit was on a brisk February evening, so we opted for the inside dining at Il Terazzo, featuring Old-World dark wood tables and chairs with the bar in the corner.

Complimentary house-made bread service at Il Terazzo

Our first highlight was served with our water: complimentary hand-crafted bread service. The Phoenician bakes their breads each day, and ours was served warm and soft, perfect to lather butter.

Il Terazzo’s menu includes the traditional Sunday Brunch with a twist. Order the contemporary American buffet, or choose from a varied three-course menu.

The dinner menu offered a wide variety, including traditional house made pastas, Black Angus Steaks, Lobster Tails, Scallops and even an interesting seared Foie Gras.

The wine list is quite extensive, with plenty of extraordinary vintages and boutique wines, in addition to a full bar.

I couldn’t resist starting with their Antipasti appetizer, and it was absolutely delightful to look at – and even better to taste. The perfect portion to share amongst the three of us included cured Italian Meats, Parmigiano, Marinated Olives (to die for!), and house made Pickles.

Enough for 3 -- Il Terrazzo's antipasti plate.

I opted for the Gnocchi as my main course, and unfortunately it fell a little short.  It wasn’t the creamiest, but it was seared on one side, the sauce was good, not overly drenching the pasta.  However, the gnocchi was a bit too “floury” for me (possibly undercooked?).

New York Strip topped with garlic butter at Il Terrazzo.

My daughter and son-in-law both ordered from the Black Angus steaks menu. She choose the 8 oz Filet Mignon with Béarnaise sauce, and his was the 16-oz Bone-In Rib eye presented with a dollop of Garlic Herb Butter.

But the proof was in the taste, perfectly cooked to medium and slightly smoked but great flavor.

I was disappointed that I didn’t order the Steak, but of course, I did beg enough to get a couple samples from both of them.

The bonus for dining with two or more is that you can share a dessert without feeling guilt. We ordered two, but the crème Brule was hands down my favorite. Perfectly crunchy on the top and creamy vanilla flavor in the middle.

Creme Brulee served with cookies at Il Terrazzo.

Scottsdale is filled with restaurant options, and Il Terazzo at The Phoenician is worth a visit if only for the Marinated Olives and Black Angus Steak options.

Il-Terazzao
The Phoenician
6000 E. Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Ph:480-941-8200

FREE pancakes, for a good cause.

In case you’re looking for another holiday to celebrate, Tuesday, February 28th is National Pancake Day at IHOP. The best thing about this holiday is that it requires no gifts, cards or expensive bouquets of flowers. All it requires is an appetite for pancakes. FREE pancakes. And the icing on the (pan)cake – it’s all for charity. What’s not to like? Here’s how it works: On February 28, 2012, guests from around the country are invited to enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes at participating IHOP restaurants. In return, pancake lovers are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities. Did I mention FREE PANCAKES? I confess – pancakes don’t do much for me (I know, I know) – I tend to be more of a bacon and eggs kind of person. But my teenagers love pancakes, so we make it to this event every year, usually dropping in for an after-school, not-quite-dinner meal. Apparently true pancake fanatics can eat pancakes at any time of day, and the lines at this annual event prove it – there is no ‘good’ time to go to avoid the crowds, just wait patiently with everyone else and keep repeating your mantra, “Free pancakes, free pancakes…”

For details, see the IHOP National Pancake Day website. For an IHOP location near you, see the IHOP home website.

When she’s not watching her teenagers eat free pancakes, Marsha can be found at Sweatpantsmom.com Photo: IHOP.com

Beers in Dublin

O’Neill’s is a well known establishment in downtown Dublin. We weren’t planning on going there, but were waiting for a tour to being at Trinity College and decided to pop over to O’Neill’s for lunch.

A bar and a restaurant, O’Neill’s is especially crowded when football is on. It was when we were there and we had a hard time finding a seat until the game ended. You can get food a O’Neill’s but in order to do so you need to be proactive. Servers will not come to you, so don’t wait (like we did). There is a sandwich bar where you can get made-to-order sandwiches, chips (or crisps, rather) and coffee or tea. Then there is another section where large hot lunches are served buffet style, and you must make a separate trip there if that’s the sort of meal you’re after.

If you just want a beer then you’ll have to go get that in the bar. All in all, you could be making quite a few trips back and forth to your table. In general, O’Neill’s feels like some sort of labyrinth. It’s hard to find the WC, and we didn’t even explore the upper levels of the place. Dark and cozy, it’s easy to understand why O’Neill’s is as famous as it is.

A couple sandwiches and beers will cost you about €23.00.

More:
O’Neill’s
Suffolk St, Dublin 2
http://www.oneillsbar.com/

Photos and post by Regina Winkle-Bryan, see more at http://www.thespainscoop.com/

Lakeview seating at the Hotel Bar, The Broadmoor

The Hotel Bar offers the best seat in the house – a view of Cheyenne Lake.  The entrance to The Hotel Bar is a tribute to the history at The Broadmoor.

Murals, photographs and original letters illustrate hotel founder Spencer Penrose and the Hundred Million Dollar Hotel Clubs’ 1920 visit to Colorado Springs.

Several TVs allow guests to watch their favorite sports channel, such as our latest visit when the Hotel Bar was filled with patrons enjoying the Super Bowl game. Locals tend to gather here too.

Located near the Lake Terrace Dining Room, the Hotel Bar is always our first stop, primarily because the staff always remembers us. A Broadmoor visit includes saying hello to our bartender friend Lynn at The Hotel Bar and catching up with her and her busy family.

The Hotel Bar inside The Broadmoor

Even when our visits are more than a year apart, Lynn remembers our names and what we drink.

Order microbrew beers on tap, wine by the glass and all libations – including martinis, a healthy pour including a portion iced in mini-silver “bucket.”

Peanuts and crackers are complimentary. The Hotel Bar also offers an appetizer menu, and our go-to-appetizers are the shrimp cocktail and sliders.

The Broadmoor dining experience is made better with a visit to the elegantly casual Hotel Bar, a perfect setting for an afternoon or a pre- or post-dinner drink.

Shrimp Cocktail at the Hotel Bar, The Broadmoor

The Hotel Bar
The Broadmoor Main – Mezzanine Level
1 Lake Ave
Colorado Springs, CO, 80901
Tel: (719) 577-5775 or 866.381.8432
Hours: 11:30am – 1:30am

Blog & Photo © Diana Rowe & The Broadmoor