Santa Monica in a jiffy

There is always something nice about getting out of town and yesterday, Caroline and I got out of town. Caroline accompanied me to the French consulate where I picked up my new passport and ID card. This was the goal of the LA visit, but so as to make a day of it we decided to stay for lunch and a bit of window-shopping.
A friend recommended the restaurant Locanda del Lago located on the 3rd Street Promenade and Arizona Street. Much to our enjoyment we were seated at a table outside in full sunlight. As we soaked in the rays and vitamin D, we sipped our iced teas trying to decide what to order.
We both ordered the cabbage soup to begin with. It was smooth and very cabbagy!

 For the main course I enjoyed a dish of house made spinach tagliolini in a porcnini, cherry tomato white wine sauce with shrimp. Isn't the presentation beautiful! The dish was quite good, but became a little bland by the end of my plate. The fresh pasta had a lovely chewy consistency.

 Of course a delicious espresso to finish off the meal and get a kick in the rear to walk along the promenade. Overall, Locanda del Lago is a quite enjoyable restaurant. Though I have to say that I think I prefer Trastevere just a block down on the promenade. The atmosphere is better and the menu is more interesting. But I certainly would not disregard this restaurant...it's in the Michelin guide afterall!

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!

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.

Mushroom Miso

Mushroom miso for the soul at Arigato in Santa Barbara.

Cabbage soup a la Eve. Great for a chilly day.

Fall Produce in Abundance

 

I love the farmer's market in the fall with the cool, crisp air and the new produce that hits the stands. Parsnips. Cabbage. Persimmons. There's also the oyster guy who sells a dozen for $13! They are delicious and what a deal when you think about how much you pay in a restaurant.

My patio is slowing filling with red-brown leaves, aided by the winds we have been having the last few days. Fall has been a time for change in my life for many years now. Once again, things are changing and I don't know where it will all lead me. In the meantime, I'll make soup.

 

Clams at the Wine Cask. Stuffed with garlic in a fennel tomato broth. Quite delicious.