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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

So Cal’s Fab Coffee Bars

January 28, 2020

When you got to have it, you must have the best. Those who love coffee know exactly what that means. A cup from the thermal carafe at the gas station just won’t cut it. Lucky for us, Southern California has a solid group of coffee aficionados and an impressive collection of independent coffee houses to meet their strict standards of caffeinated excellence. There are so many from which to choose, but we thought we’d share a few of our favorites:   Urth Caffè A popular choice for many Santa Monica locals, Urth Caffe carries its own brand of premium, fresh roasted whole bean organic coffee. Besides delicious coffees and unique coffee drinks, Urth Café serves salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. Everything here is locally sourced and farm fresh. 2327 Main St Santa Monica, CA 90405 www.urthcaffe.com (310) 314-7040     Stumptown Coffee Roasters Stumptown sources the best coffees in the world and they strive for transparent, quality-based relationships with both coffee growers and customers. They maintain quality control in their cupping labs, meticulous roasting profiles and extensive barista education. And their coffee’s pretty darn yummy too! 806 S Santa Fe Los Angeles wwww.stumptowncoffee.com 213-337-0936     Café Virtuoso Cafe Virtuoso entered…

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in Food & Drinks

Not Your Average Apple Pie

December 14, 2019

When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of Apple Pie!!! What I found I like about the pie is the apples – so one year, an idea popped in my head.  What if I made extra apples for me and ate them separately?  I could still have some whip cream on top and by eliminating the crust, I would save the calories. That was nine years ago, and it’s still the way I prefer to eat my apple pie – without the crust!  So, if you want a healthy yet sweet way to use apples and if you don’t want to make an apple pie or applesauce… how about this Healthy Cinnamon Apple recipe!  I found this recipe years ago but have changed it over the years because I like more nutmeg and clove flavoring and I reduce the allspice. Ingredients 4-5 pounds apples cored and sliced (not too thin, or they will break up.  I like to cut each apple into 8 wedges) 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice 1/4 cup sugar-free sweetener or honey 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon clove (optional) 2-3 teaspoons arrowroot or organic cornstarch or…

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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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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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