Friday, January 7, 2011

Purrrfect

I have dined at Hungry Cat (in Santa Barbara...there is one in LA) more times than I can remember. Each time I eat a creative combination of ingredients and leave feeling completely content. This time was no different. The copper counters and dark wood furniture create a bistro-like feel reminiscent of Paris eateries. Usually I would have ordered a cocktail right away, but we jumped right into the wine. They make the most amazing, fresh cocktails using fresh squeezed/cut/pressed/sliced everything. The Greyhound is amazing, especially during grapefruit's high season and the Luke's Lemonade cocktail with vodka, mint, and lemon is addictive. But this time, wine. We ordered a lovely Italian Soave which hit the spot. Their wine list changes all the time and always has a nice selection of local wines as well as Greek, Italian, or French and more. I enjoyed the salad special as my starter - fresh crab mixed with frisee, endive, cashews, grapefruit, and a light vinaigrette. The combination of crab and cashews was surprising and delicious. Who would have thought?
Delicious crab salad polished off, enter speck wrapped rainbow trout served with spatzle, sauteed apples, mustard greens, and a mustard creme fraiche sauce. Wow.
I have to admit that presentation-wise, the wrapped trout looked kind of silly, but flavor-wise it was quite delectable. I am constantly amazed by their pairings.
I will always recommend this restaurant. Make sure you are not in a hurry though. Everything is made fresh so things take a bit, especially when they are busy. In my opinion, it's worth the wait...have another cocktail in the meantime!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Holiday madness and good times

It always seems like the holidays arrive too fast and disappear just as fast as they came. One gets whirled up into the madness of it all.

Since my last photo post I have eaten many delightful things and traveled to Tahoe to get in some quality snow time. Jeff and I snowshoed our way around the forest behind the condo we were staying at with his family. I had never snowshoed before and it turns out to be quite a workout, especially in so much freshly fallen snow!



In Tahoe, near Truckee actually, we ate at a great Japanese restaurant called The Drunken Monkey (how's that for a fun name?). The food was delightful. Very fresh fish and soul-warming udon and soba soups. As well as an extensive Sake list.