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Food & Drinks

Southern California Must Eat & Drink: We curate a list of the best food, restaurants, chefs, farmers markets, and where to find them in Southern California. If you are a foodie, this section will keep you in the loop on the best of the best in food news, restaurants reviews, upcoming food events and so much more. The latest news on spirits, bubbles and brews, lounges, cocktails, beers, wines, wineries, juices, smoothies, coffees, teas, and more will also be featured here. We highlight everything from old staples to new additions in the juice, alcohol, and coffee fields. We talk with mixologists about new inventions and twists on old staples.

in Food & Drinks, SoCal Trends

Post-Thanksgiving Tips & Tricks

December 3, 2019

We all know that Thanksgiving comes with all the yummy family-favorite recipes that include lots of sugar and carbohydrates. For some, this is more calories than you eat in a week you will consume in one day. While one day of overindulgence isn’t too disruptive if you get back on track the following day, but it can cause some digestion issues the night of and the morning after. Here are some tips and tricks that I often recommend following just prior to going to bed and first thing in the morning. 1.    Thanksgiving evening you might feel a little thirsty. This is due to the salt that is added to the food. In addition, it could also be related to any alcohol that you consumed. Your body is reacting to dehydration. So, drink some water before you go to bed. I would suggest lemon water. Lemon water has a natural acidity to it which helps remove fatty acids in the system and create balance during digestion. Also, continuing to drink water throughout the day, and reducing drinks that create dehydration (coffee, tea, or other energy drinks) will help. This brings us to my second tip.  2.    Let’s talk about why you might be…

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in Food & Drinks

Healthier Green Beans Almondine Recipe

November 27, 2019

Green Beans Almondine is simply green beans dressed in butter, almonds, and a squeeze of lemon. Sometimes I add garlic or shallots to the beans, but it’s also good without. This is a side dish at most Thanksgiving tables. Its quick and easy and I have a bit of a twist to keep it healthier and use the calories elsewhere. With Thanksgiving being one of the biggest meals of the year with lots of carbs and sweet treats, green beans are the perfect low carb side because, not only are they are low in carbohydrates, they are high in fiber. In fact, 1 cup of raw green beans (4 ounces) has 8 grams total carbs and 4 grams fiber for a net carb count of 4 grams. Prep Work Line a sheet pan with foil and spray with avocado oil.  Preheat oven to 400 F  Ingredients 1 pound trimmed green beans 2 tablespoons oil  1/2 cup flaked or slivered almonds (reserve half for just before serving)  1 tbsp lemon juice cracked pepper to taste sea salt to taste Optional (either, not both) 1 tbsp shallots, minced 1 clove garlic, minced Instructions Wash and trim the green beans, cutting on an angle for a cleaner look. If using garlic or shallots, mince. Roll the lemon…

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in Destinations & Landmarks, Food & Drinks, Things To Do

48 Hours of Attractions, Fun, Food and Wine in Lompoc

November 25, 2019

Fall is prime time to slate a 48-hour get-away to Lompoc. Located on the California Central Coast, it’s a visitor destination that satisfies all of the senses for stunning vistas, outdoor adventure, comfortable lodgings, easy access to attractions and activities, a taste for fine wines, and distinctive art. Wine tasting is a centerpiece of a Lompoc getaway – a journey through the winemaking processes, small tasting rooms, and superior products that spark a natural desire to spend an afternoon with friends discussing the finer points of wine. History, here, is a journey back in time to California mission life of the 1800s at La Purisima Mission; a small path leading from the Mission is especially evocative as an early segment of the El Camino Real, a 600-mile road connecting the 21 Spanish missions in California. The Mission’s recreated living and working spaces place visitors at the epicenter of daily life and commerce. Forty-eight hours in Lompoc is barely enough time to savor and partake of the area’s most entertaining attractions, but there’s always next time. Day One: Morning Mural Tour Begin with a self-guided tour of the Murals of Lompoc, many of which are located in Old Town Lompoc, on street…

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in Food & Drinks, Things To Do

Momentous Chef Collaboration Dinner Experience

November 25, 2019

In honor of National Seafood Month, Chef Masa Shimakawa of ONYX, the Japanese sushi bar located inside Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California, teamed up with Bay Area-based Ken Tominaga for a 3-night chef collaboration dinner. Chef Ken Tominaga, owner of Hana Japanese Restaurant in Sonoma County, California is a renowned authority on Japanese cuisine. A Tokyo native, his dishes feature the highest quality, freshest fish and the finest local produce. The 3-day collaboration took place Thursday, October 3 – Saturday, October 5, 2019, as the chefs created a three course omakase. The menu consisted of the following: Hassun – Appetisers Happy Spoon  – kumamoto oyster, ikura, uni, ponzu crème fraiche Kobujime hirame temarisushi  – kelp-infused fluke, sushi rice Shira ae spinach carrot  – tofu dressing King crab sunomono – cucumber and seaweed salad Second Course Wagyu short rib miso ni – miso braised short rib, red wine reduction Or Crispy ankou with kinoko an – tempura battered monkfish, simmered mushrooms Third Course Zuke maguro and onsen tamago donburi with Half Moon Bay wasabi – marinated bigeye tuna, soft boiled egg, sushi rice Dessert Roasted pear with mascarpone and shiso – mirin balsamic reduction About Chef Masa Shimakawa – ONYX Hakodate, Japan may be an ocean from Los Angeles, but it’s just a dinner seating away at ONYX at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California,…

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in Food & Drinks, Things To Do

Weho’s New Gelateria/Lab/Classroom

November 25, 2019

The world’s premier (and only) event dedicated to artisanal gelato, Gelato Festival, has opened its permanent flagship store at 8906 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. More than simply a scoop shop, the 3,000 square foot gelato wonderland houses:  a ROTATING MENU of award-winning, taste bud-tingling artisan gelato flavors (15 flavors total). 10 of the flavors are from recipes created by 10 different, master gelato chefs from around the globe that have won awards at Gelato Festival’s worldwide championships, including Strawberry & Red Pepper and Pecorino Cheese with Caramelized Pear & Honey; 5 additional flavors are from recipes created by the store’s in-house gelato chef. The menu will be rounded out by gelato cakes, gelato popsicles, and Italian coffee from the country’s oldest roaster (including the option for affogatos).  an open-concept LAB equipped with state-of-the-art machinery,where customers can view the mesmerizing process of gelato being made fresh daily. a CLASSROOM that will host unforgettably fun, weekly interactive gelato and coffee workshops open to the public (and be available for private events). a MUSEUM area highlighting the history of gelato and its milestones starting from its founding in the 16th century, complete with artifacts such as an antique Florentine gelato maker. a calendar of lively COMMUNITY EVENTS, including special visits by award-winning gelato chefs, kids’ juries,…

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in Featured, Food & Drinks, Things To Do

Fall for Each Other This Fall

October 10, 2019

By Maria del Cisne Vital Pumpkin spice, fall foliage, and cozy sweaters— these are a few of our favorite fall things! With summer coming to an end, now is the perfect time to take your significant other out for a fun fall date. Check below for some ideas that will surely get your date to cozy up to you: Apple Picking at Oak Glen Apple picking is a great way to bond with your date because it’s just you, them and a whole bunch of apples. Work as a team to pick that one apple that is out of reach! By the end of the date, you’ll have a basket full of apples and a heart full of love.  Oak Glen is a five-mile loop of farms, orchards and shops where you can pick apples, berries and more. If you’re of age, stop by the Oak Glen Cider Company for a hard cider to end your night. oakglen.net Oak Glen, CA 92399 The Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch Picking a pumpkin with your main squeeze is peak fall date cuteness. Starting in September, the Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch will be open for the public to peruse the acres of pumpkins— from…

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