Duplex on Third - Restaurant Review

Atmosphere is perfect.  The porch overlooking third street is romantic with rustic wooden benches and marble top tables.  

The inside is a bit more trendy and posh, while the upstairs level feels more sophisticated and classy. To hold a high power business meeting you can't beat the bar upstairs, to grab drinks with friends the downstairs bar is great, and for a romantic date night chose the outdoor patio or a back corner of the downstairs dining area. 

They have an expansive wine menu and drink list.  The food menu is comprised of a bunch of small sharing plates and some main entrees.  

We opted for a handful of appetizers.  The food wasn't necessarily spectacular, but it was enjoyable and worth trying for a second time. 

Menu stand outs:

Crab cakes - mostly crab with little to no filler, just the way my waistline likes it! 

Beets

truffle fries

caramelized brussel sprouts

Everything else we sampled was tasty aside from the tuna tar tar which lacked flavor and substance. 

www.duplexonthird.com 

Madeo Restaurant

BUCCATINI MATRICIANA tops my favorites list for Italian delicacies.  And in my personal opinion, there are only two people that have perfected this scrumptious dish.

1. The head chef at Madeo

2. My boyfriend Matt Breliant (who adapted the restaurant from his straight off the Italian boat mom)

For dining out, MADEO in West Hollywood is absolute perfection.  You can never go wrong with their pastas, carpaccios, fresh dover sole.. but if you're looking for a melt in your mouth pasta that will send your taste buds into elation - then you are going to have to go off-menu. Just ask for the Buccatini Matriciana and make sure you do that cute shake of your hand with your fingers pierced together and they are sure to take care of you.  (sidenote: A great menu choice is the salmon and bowtie pasta in vodka cream sauce).

If you're looking to wow guests who aren't vegan, gluten free, or counting carbs (so if you're looking to entertain a dinner party NOT in Los Angeles), this is the ultimate crowd pleaser.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1.  Bucatini - a thicker spaghetti perfect for a flavorful thick sauce. Find them at high end supermarkets or specialty shops. Just a box will do.

2. Pomi tomato sauce (or any tomato paste, but I like one with some added sugar)

3. Red cooking wine

4. Heavy Cream

5. chopped and cooked Pancetta (can sub prosciutto, but pancetta gives the pasta a nice bacon flavor & crunch)

6. Olive Oil

7. Onions

9. Garlic Cloves

10. Fresh Herbs (I like oregano and parsley, but really whatever you have)

11. Pecorino 

12. Parmesan 

Optional add ins:  Mushrooms, chopped red peppers, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, salsa, brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. If the pancetta is uncooked, grill in skillet with olive oil, chopped garlic, and one chopped onion until meat is cooked and onions are browned

2. In a separate pot over medium heat a carton of the tomato paste, half cup of cream, splash of red wine (up to 1/4 cup), 1/4 cup pecorino, 1/4 cup parmesan, herbs, 1/4 cup olive oil

3. Slowly stir in the cooked pancetta and onions

4. In a separate pot cook pasta until firm (a tad more firm then you normally like it, as it will continue to cook in the sauce)

5. Drain water from pasta and pour half of the sauce mixture into pasta pot. Stir well.

6. Serve a generous portion of pasta on a plate and top with a spoonful of both cheeses (mixed).  Put the rest of the cheese on the table for guests to help themselves to more.

7. Great Sides:  Last time we made this dish we served it with fresh baked baguettes, a fresh lemon and herb dressing salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and avocados over spring greens and corn on the cob. For appetizers: a truffle dip with crackers and mozzarella, tomato and prosciutto.  Dessert was bright macaroons and fresh fruit!

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

This pasta is AMAZING the next day.  My favorite is to pan fry left overs in a skillet and serve with the extra sauce you saved from the night before.

In my perfect world I would crack two fried eggs over this pasta and serve with french bread for a delightful breakfast feast.

The Next Day - Frying pan delight! 

Le Pain Quotidien, A review

Don't get me wrong.  I enjoy Urth Cafe just as much as the next socialite, but that doesn't mean we should disregard Urth's less crowded (and less pompous) neighbor, Le Pain Quotidien. 

What to order:  I come here for their bread baskets, which are served with signature raspberry and apricot jams and (drum roll) white chocolate, dark and regular hazelnut spreads.  Other signature dishes include the baked goods (with an asterisk on the chocolate croissant), the tartines and the Mediterranean plate. 

Location: the Beverly Hills location is fine.. but the outdoor seating leads much to be desired if you've ever visited the Melrose location.   At Melrose you feel like you're in a bed and breakfast, sitting on a large wrap around porch it's a perfect spot to relax over a latte. The outback patio offers a little more privacy for someone hoping to coop up with their computer or a good read.  Oh and bring fido.  The outdoor seating is very dog friendly. 

Truffle Hunting

On my relentless quest for truffle satisfaction in Los Angeles I have had the pleasure of enjoying quite an eclectic array of truffled dishes.  Here's my short list of favorites thus far. 

PACE: four cheese truffle pizza. swoon.  Only a special so call ahead!

KOI: Salmon carpaccio with black truffles and citrus glaze.

BOUCHON: Truffle popcorn (happy hour special)

UMAMI: Truffle Burger.

BEVERLY HILLS CHEESE STORE:  Truffle infused cheese. literally heaven. 

BLT: Truffle Fries

MAESTROS: Truffle and Crab Gnocchi 

And I'm still on the search for the best truffle mac n cheese.  

Bouchon Bistro: A Review

French fare in the perfect location?  Before I could even drool over the macaroons on display, I knew Bouchon had my heart. 

The location is unsurpassed.  Overlooking a beautiful shared courtyard with the Montage hotel, the day seems to lazily drift by as you enjoy one of their signature cocktails, or better a happy hour priced beer or glass of wine. 

Don't go without getting the truffled popcorn and the pate, but you can't go wrong with their generous raw bar platters, croque madams and steak frites. 

Round out the meal with a salted caramel macaroon and you've just had yourself quite the satisfying and relaxing meal. 

www.bouchonbistro.com

Little Next Door: A Taste of France in LA

So.. I absolutely adore French food.  Maybe even more-so than my obsession with cute animals and Elvis.  And by 'I adore French food' I mean stand between me and a good croque madame and I will unleash my new founded kickboxing skills on you and everyone that has the misfortune of keeping your company.

Anyways, lucky for me, Los Angeles is scattered with delightful little brassieres.. and lucky for you I've eaten at each one of them a dozen times and can accurately recite every single menu highlight to you.  While it's difficult for me to walk away from any French cuisine unsatisfied, there's one restaurant in particular that has no competition in my book.  The Little Next Door.

    I can't explain my affection for a good ol' crock of french onion, a gruyere and ham sandwich, salted caramel macaroon and nutella croissant, but The Little Next Door does it for me.  If I could give up sex for food (and not get fat) I'd sign my soul to LND in a heartbeat.  And here's why.

     The atmosphere is unsurpassed.  A fabulous little bakery with homemade delicatessens, delectable wines, and a quaint outdoor, yet private, seating; LND could easily be stowed away in Nice.  So lets just entertain the dreadful idea that you're only visiting and can only eat here one time.  YOU MUST GET: a lychee mimosa, an order of blackberry jam with your toast, the french onion soup, croque madam, a side of balsamic kale and apple, a salted caramel macaroon, and a chocolat (purposely leaving out the e for effect) croissant.  Throw in a side of the potato gratin, roasted red beets and baked goat cheese salad with orange ginger dressing too.  I have enjoyed every single other thing on the menu.  and this is the best.  Oh, and don't forget to take a gruyere and ham croissant, heated of course, for the road. You'll thank me later.

Pace Restaurant: A true Hidden Gem!

Maybe it’s the suppressed hipster in me, but I love an unassuming hidden gem.  Nothing makes me cringe worse than the glow of Olive Garden’s offensive interpretation of Tuscany.   You couldn’t drag me kicking and screaming into any chain restaurant systematically cranking out dishes drenched in butter and swimming in grease.  Enjoy yourself, I’ll be at the locally sustained restaurant, the hidden gem with an always changing menu, the mom and pop bakery.  Heck, I’ll take a roach coach selling dollar tacos over Olive Garden.

Tangent aside, living in Los Angeles, I’m blessed with an endless array of exquisite restaurants.  And I’m not shy about trying any and all that are suggested to me.  Which brings me to my latest, and most fabulous, discovery to date: Pace Restaurant on Laurel Canyon.  

 Located underneath an unattractive, and dare I say unkempt and shabby, convenience store, Pace takes unassuming to a whole new level.  It’s easy to miss the side entrance to what appears to be a storage area for the shop above.  Sure, the restaurant name is scribbled in a classy graffiti on the brick façade, but there’s not even a streetlight illuminating its existence. 

 The entrance descends to a small foyer with floor to ceiling wine storage and a cramped host stand.  After choosing to sit indoors, we were escorted into the dining area where we nestled into a roomy table with a cushioned bench.  The dim lighting and simplistic decorations created a comfortably warm atmosphere reminiscent of ducking off 5th avenue in January to escape the cold.

  I ordered a glass of organic pinot noir ($16) while our sweet and knowledgeable waitress rattled off the long list of specials then walked us through the house favorites.  Being a truffle enthusiast, I couldn't refuse the special four cheese and white truffle pizza as an appetizer ($30).  Being someone who is also a diehard for the known specialities, I ordered the cedar wood grilled salmon as my entree ($26).  My boyfriend chose the house made tagliatelle with vodka cream sauce and sausage (18).

 True, truffles on anything is delicious, but this pizza was life changing.  The chef was not shy with the tuffles, covering every inch of the rich cheeses blended atop the light crispy crust.  I could have left after the pizza and still had one of my better restaurant experiences in quite some time.  But the salmon, and the apple crisp dessert ($8) that followed, secured Pace a spot on my 'favorite restaurants of all time list'.  Not to mention, the produce is all organic and the meats hormone free.

It's easy to see why their regulars list is comprised of A list celebrities and entertainment professionals. The restaurant could have been located on a bustling street of NYC or overlooking a quiet street in Tuscany.. but it wouldn't have made a difference.  Pace indulges and satisfies your palate while offering a comfortable escape from whatever your reality may entail.

http://peaceinthecanyon.com/

Le Fooding Festival at MOCA

It's difficult to get a West Hollywood socialite to head downtown for any reason other than when the Lakers are going to lose to the Celtics, but being a diehard foodie and an art enthusiast can drag even the most reluctant west-sider inland.

I had heard rave reviews for Le Fooding Festivals in the past but never had the opportunity to attend. This year I tried my luck at tweeting for a chance to score two tickets to the Friday night event.  Winning free admittance brings any venue up a few stars in my book, but it became quickly apparent that Le Fooding Festival at MOCA really didn't need the bonus points.

The event was magical.  MOCA in itself is a architectural gem with a gorgeous front courtyard grounds overlooking the cityscape. Add the top chefs from LA and Paris dishing out their most prized fares and Veuve Clicquot champagne and you've got a 5 star rating from me.

After being stamped the coveted FOODING across our hands we were given a handful of tickets redeemable at each of the sponsored vendors food tents.  The food and drink stations were scattered around the perimeters while the Veuve Clicquot bar and a section of long picnic tables took center stage on the grassy grounds.

We headed straight inside to check out the claymation exhibit but got sidetracked at the photobooth.  This was something a little out of the ordinary.  You take the picture yourself then upload it to instagram and hashtag #fooding and it will automatically print out at the kiosk with the Le Fooding Festival border.  Being able to choose which photo, and more importantly which filter, for a printed photo keepsake? Ingenious!

The exhibit was down right draw dropping.   Urs Fischer transformed the museum wing into a physical clay depiction of his imagination, leaving no whim unmolded.  From skulls to cats to entire villages, this was the most expansive and intricate clay exhbit I've ever seen.

Back outside for our glass of Veuve then off to sample each of the dainty yet exquisitely flavorful cuisines.  If I had to chose a favorite, I'd have to give the award to Nancy Silverston from Mozza.  But truthfully each dish was enjoyable.  From lamb shoulder sliders to drinkable pizza paired with french cheeses to an array of rich desserts from Lemonade, the chefs pulled out no stops in bringing decadence and rich flavor to the fanciest picnic I've ever attended.

Aside from the food, the picnic tables and moseying across the lawn created a comfortable opportunity to network with like minded foodies, designers, and art lovers.  A complimentary cup of coffee and one last bite of the salted caramel and fudge sandwich and we left full, happy and a little more cultured.

Thank you Le Fooding, not only for the tickets, but for seamlessly integrating the best of Paris and LA for a night I wont soon forget.

Best Cupcakes in Los Angeles !

   With lines so long at Sprinkles that they actually installed a cupcake dispensing machine outdoors (which STILL has a line 15-20 deep, even at 11pm on a Friday!), it is apparent that the designer cupcake craze is here to stay. 

  To justify the absurd amount of money I have wasted getting chunky off cupcakes, I have decided to post about the LA top spots and what you must try at each one. 

Sprinkles - Beverly Hills: 

1. Hit up sprinkles in the morning, before the little devils get out of school (and before the Beverly Hills housewives have ventured out for their manicures).  The staff will be pleasant no matter when you go...and it is rare that they would ever run out of a featured flavor, but the AM is the best time to avoid the never ending lines that snake down Little Santa Monica and block me from getting my daily Menchies frozen yogurt fix. 

2. Wait in the line, don't go for the dispenser machine.  Yes they are just as fresh, and taste delectable out of the vending machine, but I don't feel as satisfied with my purchase unless I see them delicately place my selections in the famous brown boxes.  

Silly right? The infamous cupcake dispenser... circa 3 AM

3. Check the flavor calendar before you go.  My favorite cupcake is the lemon blueberry, but it is only available in July!  Some of my other favorites, like chocolate peanut butter cup and carrot cake are only available certain days a week.  Don't worry, I have the schedule bookmarked for your convenience: http://www.sprinkles.com/gourmet-cupcake-flavors/menu/

4. Get the red velvet cupcake, its the best seller and so scrumptious. 

5. Get a doggy cupcake for your furry friend.  

6. Give the doggy cupcake to your pup asap, or you may forget that the meticulously decorated morsel is for your pooch.  (Truthfully, it probably still tastes delicious)

7. Get a little carton of milk with your cupcake order, you'll need it.

8. Wait until you get home.. or to a park.. or anywhere other than scoffing them into your mouth in the car, parked right next to the 30 person line waiting for their taste of heaven. 

Heavenly Couture Cupcakes - Manhattan Beach:

1. Yes, there are a lot of flavors.  No you don't need to try all of them.  

2. Admire the absolutely gorgeous cakes on display and the behind the scenes glimpse you can catch of their creation.

3. Get a latte to help slow the scoffing of the cupcakes. 

4. The white cake is dry, don't bother with it. 

5. Must get: Dulce de leche, strawberry cheesecake, mini reeces peanut butter cup 

6.  Check their website for the rotating cupcake schedule as well 

7. Be prepared to drop some serious cash on these cupcakes.  These are not as tasty as Sprinkles, but you are still paying for the designer name - and their recent success on Cupcake Wars. 

8. If its a nice day, take your cupcakes outside to the beach or pier.  If not, eat 'em right in the shop - its too cute! 

Crumbs Cupcakes - Beverly Hills: 

1.  Be wary of how filling these treats are.  Think of it as going to an ice cream window planning on ordering a twist in a waffle cone and walking away with a 7 scoop banana split sundae. 

2. There are too many flavors - but thankfully they all coincide with actual candies or treats that we are familiar with.  Take a look at their website to prepare yourself for sensory overload before you walk into their cramped space. 

3. My favorites: Caramel Apple and Margarita 

4. Dont waste anytime ordering a staple like red velvet, they are no comparison to the quality of Sprinkles. 

5. Please dont buy into the gimmick of the colossal cupcake.  Turning a 1000 calorie cupcake into a 6.5 inch high monstrosity is just obnoxious.  Moreover, you are at Crumbs for the frosting and unique flavors, not for their less than impressive cake. 

Diddy Riese - Westwood:  

1. Okay I get it, they're not actually cupcakes.. but they are ingenious, and absolutely delicious.  You choose two cookies and an ice cream and wah-lah ice cream sandwich heaven. 

2. Expect a line similar to sprinkles.  It's worth it.

3. Go hungry.  You're going to panic and end up getting two -- and well it's ice cream so you have to eat it right away!

4. Step out of the box and shake it up a little.  Get a different cookie on the top than the bottom! 

Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, By Category

I'm constantly on the hunt for 'the best of LA' ...but I've quite exasperated the internet with my quest.  My searches for "best steakhouse" "most romantic"  "bottomless mimosas" etc. elicit a 'top 10' list from the generic conglomerate websites like Yelp, Gayot and Urbanspoon.  And while I don't necessarily think their lists would lead you astray from enjoying a delectable meal in Los Angeles... I also don't trust their motives behind rankings.  I mean, lets get real.  If someone wanted to throw me some cash - or heck a few free meals - I would have nothing but nice things to say regardless of my dining experience.

So, without further adieu, here are my very favorite LA spots, by category.  Over the next few weeks I'll dedicate separate posts to each place and give you a proper review.  But this should give you a good starting point:

Overall:

Spago - duck breast

Litte Door - 

Pace - cedar plank salmon

Bottega Louie 

Steak:

Maestros -petite filet & butter cake dessert

Lawrys -prime rib, creamed spinach

Cut - pork belly app, sirloin tasting menu (or just the wagyu)

Capital Grille - ribeye sandwich with havarti and caramelized onions

Runners Up: The Palms, Grille on the Alley, Mortons (peppered rib eye), Boa, Stk

View:

Moonshadows - go for oysters and hawaiian spicy tar tar for lunch

Experience:

The Bazaar - Cotton Candy Martinis

Seafood:

Crustacean - garlic noodles & roasted crab app

Santa Monica Seafood Company - candied salmon

Italian:

Madeo

Runners Up: Angelini Osteria, Il Pastaio, La Dolce Vita (ceaser salad)

Sushi:

Koi

Runner Up: Katana (atmosphere), 

Breakfast:

Little Next Door - Croque Madam

Greengrass atop Barneys

Brunch:

Montage

Wine Bar:

A.O.C. - bacon wrapped dates

Tapas:

Tinto

Hotel Bar:

Four Seasons Beverly Hills

Parq at the Montage

Polo Lounge

Pizza:

Tomato Pie 

Slice Truck

Froyo:

Toppings

Cup Cakes:

Sprinkles

Food Truck:

Kogi

Japanese Grill:

Gykaku

Brazlian:

Fogo de Chao

Bosa nova 

Burger:

Apple Pan

Umami Burger - truffle burger, cheesey tatter tots

Mexican:

El Compadre - guacamole

French:

Little Door

Morels

Le Petit Four

Fast Food:

In and out - ask for grilled onions and get 'animal style' fries

Dessert:

Maestros.  Butter cake, pecan pie and cheesecake are all to die for

Late Night:

Bossa Nova - plantains, Chicken in gorgonzola sauce app

Il Tremezzino - Chicken Special, nutella croissant dessert

Coffee:

Urth Cafe - Honey Vanilla Spanish Latte & almond croissant

Deli:

Canters - Pastrami on rye

Mediterranean:

Sunin - garlic hummus with carne asada

B.Y.O.B.:

Frito Misto - raviolis

Brunch at Scarpetta

Now this is living.  Or rather this is eating. The Montage Beverly Hills Brunch Buffet can be summed up in one word: lavish. 

 A brisk walk through the elegant (ok it's a little Venetian Vegas Tacky, but I'm trying to build suspense for the best brunch you will ever experience .. yes experience), you pass by a quaint lounge where a petite women lazily strings a harp.  Taking a left along the veranda takes you to the hostess stand at Scarpetta. 

The outdoor speakers broadcasting the performance indoors was reason enough for me to request an outdoor table overlooking the fountain on a perfect 75 degree day.

Once I ordered my $17 bottomless mimosa and $10 flat water, it was off to explore the spread.

What makes this place out of this world amazing to me is that there is a representative from the Beverly Hills Cheese Store (- the most coveted of all food stores -- the cheese Mecca, heaven on earth -- carrying the rarest and loveliest of cheeses, truffles olives and more -- they're so incredible, they don't even need a formal name -- they are THE cheese store). So while Matt went to scope out the shmorgasboard, I stopped at the cheese station to chat up the lovely connoisseur.  I told her to surprise me with a plate, and she promised to deliver the decadent cheeses and accompaniments table side within the next 15 minutes.

So off to the kitchen, where you walk through the actual prep stations to begin piling your plate higher and higher.   Overwhelmed and anxious, you'll first stumble upon a pastry station with scones, muffins, croissants and baguettes served aside fresh preserve spreads.  Choose wisely and don't fill up here, the croissants are enormous! 

Next on to the raw bar, with succulent crab, jumbo shrimps, seared ahi tuna, seaweed salads, raw salmon and an assortment of sushis.  Go ahead! Get your money's worth!  These are the items that turn this brunch into a $68/person affair. The salmon has a lovely citrus flavor and the tuna was tasty, but the sushi was nothing special. 

Back to the kitchen for a slice of the meats and all of the vegetable side dishes, which are light but packed with flavor and absolutely scrumptious.  The prime rib is served with a variety of reductions and glazes, all of which looked delectable, but rather heavy.  I tried just a bite of the meats with horse radish and a red wine glaze.  I put a bit of pasta on my plate as well, but wasn't exceptionally impressed.  I would skip the pasta next time around.

When the cheese plate finally come I already felt as if I was pregnant and close to birthing a food baby, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the creamy sheeps milk cheese, rich goat cheese, powerful blue and sweet brie.  With honey comb, figs, pistachios and a cracker assortment, I was in absolute heaven. 

A brief 20 minute break to sip my mimosa and enjoy the thanksgiving meal lull one suffers after eating 3 times one's body weight in a single sitting.   The desserts are located in a the bar area, which is perfect - because it's dark and hidden so you can avoid being seriously judged for taking one of all 20+ desserts offered.  You can't go wrong with the mini cookies, little custard filled doughnuts, and mousse cups.

Lessons Learned:

1.  Go to the cheese station first, as it can take some time to have your plate made and brought tableside.

2.  Sit outdoors, there's the most beautiful and relaxing fountain, the tables are expansive, and the heat lamps are a blazin'.

3. survey the scene before you start piling up.   Think strategically and don't waste calories on the non-exotics (i.e. california roll or sliders)

4. Get the french toast with the Nutella and Ricotta spread first with some bacon or other breakfast essentials.  The syrup is vermont fresh and the french toast is absolutely out of this world.  Come back up for the raw bar and the carved meats, try a little of each of the vegetable side dishes, they're so flavorful and pair nicely with the meats.

4.B.  No really, get the french toast.  I have never, not at the Griddle, not even in France, seen french toast done so impeccably.  Soft gooey middle with a flakey cinnamon sugar encrusted crust, it basically begs you to drench it in dar k grade A maple syrup.  But the real zinger is the nutella ricotta spread - it's simply ingenious.

5. Don't get hung up on the croissants and pastries.  They're good, but the ones you'll get tomorrow at Urth Cafe are just as -if not more- delicious.

6. Have everyone in your party chose two or three desserts so you can reach some sort of dessert consensus on what everyone just can't leave without taking a spoonful. I know your full, but the desserts are not to be overlooked!  My favorite was this fabulous tapioca-like caramel pudding and the peanut butter cookies.  But you really can't go wrong with the poached pairs or little chocolate lava cakes either.

7. Take your time and enjoy yourself!  This is an expensive meal! Plan on spending 2 hours at brunch and really soaking up the experience. 

8.  And for god's sake spring for the mimosas.  I know, I know, you just spent so much on food and it's not even noon, but $17 for bottomless mimosas at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills?  That's not a bad deal now is it.

9.  Oh and this should go without saying, but wear lose fitting clothing. And go with your cousin Eddie or equally daft so you can totally pig out with abandon in front of your company.