11.11.2011

Falling for Frank

In preparation for any trip to Toronto, I always research the latest hot spots of deliciousness. Toronto is teaming with incredible restos and I must indulge at least once or twice on my yearly trip. This trip was just me and my Dad so knowing our savory meats and potatoes kind of taste, I honed in on Frank’s Kitchen for our first night out.

My parents started the family trend of sitting at the bar as it’s always fun to talk to the bartenders and meet people at the bar. Especially when on vaca. I loved the ambiance of Frank’s Kitchen. Pristine, polished and sophisticated. As we nuzzled up to the small bar, our eyes grew big as we eyed the plates to our left. Yes, we had selected the right place.


We ordered a bottle of wine and were greeted with fresh baked bread. Chef/owner Frank Parhizgar spends four hours every morning baking fresh bread for the evening. I could taste all the work that went into each piece. Delicious! The bread was and served with two tantalizing smears of roasted sun-dried tomatoes and olive tapenade. Wow. That would have been a meal in and of itself!

The Chef sent out an incredible amuse bouche! What a surprise! Very classy, Chef Parhizgar, keep 'em coming!!!


While not terrible hungry, the milk-fed Ontario lamb - rack, loin, braised shoulder & grilled sausage in a Syrah reduction with ratatouille & white bean puree kept winking at me. F*ck it. I had to have it. When the dish arrived, I was taken aback and speechless, as this work of art took my breath away. This picture does not do this dish any form of justice. Each element was gingerly placed on the plate to create this masterpiece and there was intense flavor in every bite.



My Dad ordered a charctuterie plate. Shocker. Loved the colorful pickled vegetables and the pate served alongside it with more fresh baked bread! We asked for more bread to finish off the plate, and at first the waitress said they only make a certain amount of bread daily and that if everyone were to have more, Chef Parhizgar would have to bake for six hours a day. Seriously? Don’t make me feel bad for asking for more bread. I want to respect the Chef as he spent four hours slaving over this impeccable bread, but, come on! I want more bread!!! I'm sure someone else didn't eat their fair share :) She did find us two more pieces so we were thrilled.



While stuffed, I was not leaving without trying a dessert. The trio dessert special sounded sensational. There was a chocolate lava cake, homemade cherry sorbet and a milkshake!


The night would have been perfect if our waitress was a bit more friendly. She had a bit of an attitude, which I could have done without, and her way of handling our ask for more bread was a turnoff. Other than her, I highly highly recommend indulging at Frank’s Kitchen if you ever get to Toronto!

Franks' Kitchen. Toronto, Canada.

11.09.2011

Toronto's Corned Beef Emporium

I went to Toronto with my Dad to visit my Grandpa (his Dad), who is 89-years-old and my last living grandparent. We arrived early evening and wanted to grab a quick snack before heading to the nursing home to see my Grandpa. What happens to be down the block? Katz’s Deli and corned beef emporium! We entered the cafeteria-style resto and I was a bit confused on where to go/what to do, but I followed my nose, which directed me towards the meat slicer! There were dishes of pickles, coleslaw and peppers to pick up along the way. The meat man was super friendly as he sliced smoked meat for our sammy on rye.


While the establishment wasn't too glamorous, the smoked meat sandwich was delicious and HUGE! I don't need a fancy shmancy place to enjoy a legit sammy. My Dad and I split the sandwich, but truth be told, I could have polished it all myself ;)


10.17.2011

3rd Annual LA Beer Float Showdown

Root beer float grew up over the years and I was lucky enough to indulge in the 3rd Annual LA Beer Flat Showdown this weekend at Eagle Rock Brewery! Wow. What a haven of creativity and tasty concoctions! Cheers to all the chefs and breweries for their inventiveness and flavorful combinations! 

Thi and Nguyen Tran & Ladyface Ale Companie
Salted Plum Habanero with Plum Pop Rocks



Ilan Hall & Tustin Brewery/Smog City Brewing Co.



CJ Jacobson & Firestone Walker



Laurent Quenioux & Beachwood BBQ & Brewing Co.



Andre Guerrero & Jan Purdy & Eagle Rock Brewery The Winner!
Vanilla Bean Solidarity Dark Ale with Chocolate Bourbon Ice Cream, Caramelized Cocoa Nibs and PIG Candy



10.16.2011

Melting Over Mozza

Ever since dining at, and falling in love with, Pizzeria Mozza when it first opened, I’d been dying to get to Osteria Mozza, the sister brainchild of Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich. Already a huge fan of Silverton’s as I grew up on the luscious La Brea Bakery bread and an even bigger fan of Mario Batali’s, how did it take me so long to get here?!?!



It was the meal before this year’s Yom Kippur fast, and as foodies, I had to take my parents to a hot spot for this last meal. When we walked in, I felt as if I was walking into a Restoration Hardware catalogue spread. The dark wood ensconced the restaurant and a warmth exuded from the marble bar to the perfectly placed chairs. I immediately fell in love.

When the sommelier, who helped us pick out an incredible bottle of red, brought the wine glasses out, I noticed there was a few drops of wine at the bottom. What?!?! Did Mozza just give me a wine glass with leftover wine in it? Oh, such the novice I would immediately become. This in fact was no leftover wine, at Mozza, they season the wine glasses before serving the wine. This is to remove anything that may have tainted the glass during/after the washing and polishing process so as to not disturb the taste of the wine! Impressive.

Each dish that was paraded out looked like a work of art. I stopped for a moment to take it all in before devouring.

We started out with Butter Lettuces with hazelnuts, bacon, gorgonzola dolce & egg.




Grilled Octopus with potatoes, celery & lemon.


Red Endive, Fennel & Parmigiano Reggiano with anchovy date dressing.


Pan Roasted Pork Loin, fagioli alla Castelluciana. Could this be any more beautiful?!?!



Sweetbreads Picatta with artichokes.



Linguine with clams, pancetta & spicy Fresno chiles.



Every bite was succulent. No detail was left unturned. The experience was perfect.

Osteria Mozza. Los Angeles, CA.