Where Foodies Meet Fundraising: No Kid Hungry Taste Of The Nation LA in Culver City

Posted on June 8, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

This tree could just have easily have read, “DM hearts NKH”

Today, I’m feeling miiiiiiiighty grateful, because yesterday, I got to eat so that kids can be fed.

I know. This sounds like a dichotomy. How can eating actually feed others?

Well, if I know anything from my collaborations with No Kid Hungry, it’s that with these guys, anything is possible.

Linds & I at Taste Of The Nation LA, benefitting my beloved No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation events do just that. Food-loving patrons pay for a ticket to get the opportunity to try bites from a bevy of the best chefs in their city, and 100% of the profits earned go to No Kid Hungry programs. That certainly fills me up more than any pizza could.

So, yesterday, I headed to Media Park in Culver City for Taste of The Nation LA, with my friend, Lindsey, and we ate and drank to our hearts’ content.

Gearing ourselves up to be stuffed silly!

Among the hundreds of options, there were…

Delicious scallops…

Scallops and ravioli goodness from Maru in the VIP lounge

and peach tarts from Maru in the VIP lounge.

Peach tarts, served with ice cream from Maru. This is what you get when bread pudding and peach cobbler have a baby.

Deconstructed Philly cheese rolls with the melted cheese INSIDE from The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS.

All I can say is…YUMMMMMM.

One of my favorite lunch spots, Mainland Poke, served up some fresh goodness to balance out the decadence.

Mainland Poke is one of my favorite lunch spots!

Chile Con Corny from Dog Haus: Masa-Battered Smoked Queso Sausage, Haus-Made Pepper Jack Sauce & Crushed Corn Chips. Holy heck.

Chile Con Corny, from Dog Haus

Plan Check burgers with cheese crostini, sunnyside up egg, bacon two ways (why yes, there WAS bacon jam), melted cheddar and dehydrated ketchup (think fruit leather). Amazeballs, y’all.

These divine little Plan Check burgers had the longest line by far: too much, and just enough all at the same time. Just decadent.

As for dessert? Oh, a little Moët Chandon bubbly certainly never hurt anything.

Champagne, anyone?

And did I mention SNOW CONE cocktails from Davey Wayne’s? Oh, I didn’t. Well, I did now. Summer in a basket, my friends.

Nothin’ says summer like snow cone cocktails!

So, whatever city you’re in, do your darndest to get yourself to a Taste Of The Nation this year. I’ve been to two now, and it’s just one of the best – and most rewarding – culinary experiences you’ll ever have.

Upcoming No Kid Hungry events: The No Kid Hungry Chef’s Cycle is coming up THIS WEEKEND! (http://chefscycle.org/) Nearly 50 chefs and restaurant industry professionals are riding bikes 300 miles to raise funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry. The East Coast ride takes place June 7-9 and the West Coast ride happens June 14-16.

Roll me away…

xoxo,
Dawn

Eat To Feed Others: Taste of The Nation Laguna Beach, Benefitting No Kid Hungry

Posted on May 22, 2015 by BeautyFrosting

At the Montage Laguna, for No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation Laguna, wearing WAYF

Well, I figure the best way to get y’all excited about No Kid Hungry’s Taste Of The Nation in Culver City (coming up on Sunday, June 7th) is to show you what a fun time I had at Taste of The Nation in Laguna Beach this past weekend at The Montage Laguna Beach.

Yep. Pretty much me in a nutshell the whole night. No date? No problem. Delicious food. Wine. Friends. Good cause. And best yet? All for @NoKidHungry at @montagelaguna . Bite I’m eating right now? @FordsFillingStation Ben Ford’s Seared Sea Scallop with Pea Sprout Salad, Preserved Lemon & Toasted Hazelnuts. Holy yum.

Details are at the bottom on how you can buy your tickets to have your own foodie dreams come true, all while helping our nation’s kids get fed! But, for now, here’s my Taste of The Nation Laguna story.

As a Team No Kid Hungry member & influencer, I arrived, with a hungry belly – and a full heart – ready to eat, drink, and raise money and awareness for No Kid Hungry.

On the carpet for No Kid Hungry Laguna Beach

First up? Delicious Riverain Cabernet and cheeses and charcuterie from The Cellar and Center Street Cheese Shop.

The perfect first course to kick off my tastebuds! Riverain Cabernet and delicious cheeses and charcuterie from The Cellar and Center Street Cheese Shop.

Next up? The vegetarian portion of the evening. And it was surprisingly downright delicious to this Texas girl!

Beefsteak’s Marcel Vigneron’s Smoked Bowl with Brown Rice, Quinoa, Veggies, Spicy Sauce, Avocado and Crispies

Then, it was time for the flavors of the sea with the plentiful ocean-fresh seafood options! After all, our view was all ocean, there at the beautiful Montage.

The Montage’s Craig Strong’s Grilled Octopus and some Sauv Blanc

Twenty Eight’s Shirley Chung’s Chilled Noodle with Uni

My 3 favorites of the evening? THESE GUYS.

Faith & Flower’s Chef Michael Hung’s Yellowfin Tuna Poke, Soy Braised Konbu, and Foie Gras Panna Cotta

The Filling Station’s Chef Ben Ford’s Seared Scallops with Pea Sprout Salad, Preserved Lemon and Toasted Hazelnuts

Gastropub’s heavenly Venus Clams with Tabasco Butter and Reyes Blue Mousse…and beer!! The beer would be Noble Ale Works Spicoli

And, lastly, the meat options!
I started out light with Alma’s Chef Ari Taymor’s Beef Tartare with Fermented Walnuts and Blackberries. It was a divine balance of savory, nutty and sweet!

Alma’s Chef Ari Taymor’s Beef Tartare with Fermented Walnuts and Blackberries

The line was out of control for this one:

Chianina’s Steakhouse’s Chef David Coleman’s Spit Roasted Whole Chianina Beef Leg Trio, California Style BBQ Sliders, House Made Corn Tortillas, and Grilled Flatbread with Pickled Ramps

And, the eating & drinking didn’t end when the event did!

With new friends, s’moresing it up around the fire pit at the VIP reception

I stayed on for the special VIP reception, where I got to enjoy more of what the Montage chefs had to offer, got to meet the chefs, and eat s’mores!

Clearly excited to meet Chef Ben Ford (fun fact? He’s also Harrison Ford’s son)

The VIP reception eats, courtesy of The Montage:

Fried Mac & cheese balls

Fried Lobster

Grilled Cheese & Sweet Tomato Bisque

My FAVE!!

Foie Gras Cones

S’mores!!!

Late night antics in the photobooth with new friends:

Why yes, there WERE cigars

So, NOW, it’s your chance. Tickets for the LA Taste of The Nation event at Media Park in Culver City are on sale now! General admission tickets are $110 and VIP tickets are $160. I say, go ahead and spend that extra $50 because it’s for my FAVORITE cause, and you get all that VIP access you’re gonna want. And talk about a romantic date!! Be sure to bring your sweetheart, because what’s better than eating, drinking and being with the one you adore?

Feed the kiddos by tasting to your heart’s content!

I’ll see YOU there!

xoxo,

Dawn

McCoy’s Me-Cations: A Taste of Texas – Fall ’14

Posted on October 21, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Gosh, Texas was fun.

It's been too long, my homestate!

My trip home to Dallas consisted mostly of family time, catching up with friends, hanging out by the pool, napping, eating…and more eating.
Hence, the 5-lbs that decided to come back to LA with me – and I’m not talking about in my carry-on – but I digress.

Here is just a taste of the Texas I know and love. I am dedicating the next 3 days to my 15-day Texas fall experience.

The first thing I see when I come home is THIS. The cutest. That’s mine – Miss Ellie – in front and her brother (my mom’s) in the oh-so-festive bandana. His name is Reagan.

Meet Reagan (in back, my mom's pup & Miss Ellie's big brother). That's Miss Ellie in front, of course.

Here are a few of the highlights of the trip. And did I mention the delicious food?

First stop? Mi Cocina. And I can assure you, it won’t be the last.

Our second family home: Mi Cocina Preston Forest

I spent many an afternoon, laying out by the family pool. Mom would bring me delicious snacks when I’d been out there a while! More details (and pics) on Thursday.

Fall in Texas looks a little different.

A Dallas autumn (almost) citywide blackout calls for marshmallow soup, soufflé and wine at Rise Soufflé. Obviously.

A blackout calls for one of my favorite Dallas restaurants.

There’s Breakfast and then there’s Texfast. This is the latter at The Original Pancake House on Midway and Northwest Highway. Banana Nut crepes with coffee caramel sauce. Delish.

Almost every morning, we eat at our neighborhood's The Original Pancake House. We've been coming here for 23 years.

Next up? Lots of visits with friends.

All my exes live in Texas. Well, not all of em. But this one’ll do. We checked out some live music at Poor David’s Pub with a few other friends. I have always been in awe of the Dallas music scene.

One of my exes, who - yep! - lives in Texas.

We used to play hooky during our high school days to hit Bubba’s for lunch. Now, hooky is no longer necessary. Known this girl for over 18 years and so thankful for that…and for Bubba’s mashed potatoes that we demolished over our ladies’ lunch.

No more need to play hooky!

Sunday ladies’ brunch in full effect at The Grape on Greenville.

Mimosas & muffins to start at The Grape on Greenville in Dallas

Warning: Brunch and mimosas at The Grape may cause intense laughter and inappropriate conversation. Love the chance that I had the opportunity to introduce two of my friends, KellyAnn and Lori to one another on this trip home!

Warning: The Grape's mimosas may lead to intense laughter and inappropriate conversation. Um, sorry to the table sitting next to us.

Laughter never ages. Love these two – Tadd and Jenna . One of my favorite traditions every time I’m home – Hendrix alums & dear friends unite at Mi Cocina! (Yes, again, with the Mi Cocina).

Hendrix '00 friends at Mi Cocina!

And I love that I timed my trip perfectly so I could attend my college friend Camille’s wedding party in Texarkana with our other college best friends, Jenna and Cathleen!

Hendrix '00 in Texarkana for Camille's wedding party

You knew this was coming. RED MEAT ALERT.

When you’re raised in Dallas, good steak and lobster only means one thing…Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. I spent almost every birthday dining here, from age 10 onward, with my family, which totally spoiled me for life. Even though the Lemmon location is gone, the deliciousness lives on on Spring Valley. My taste buds experienced a bit of nostalgic heaven that night and I am still thankful. (Thanks, Mom!)

Why, yes! As a matter of fact, we did have steak AND lobster!

A lighter night. Girls’ night at Cafe Istanbul with Mom.

Cafe Istanbul girls' night with Mom.

And the, ahem, family “food tour” continues. Sharing a fiesta omelet and French strawberry crepe with Mom at Original Pancake House, before we hit the mothership, Neiman Marcus Northpark.

The best Dallas breakfast spot..and it's right in our 'hood.

One piece of advice for y’all before I wrap this up: When in Texas, there is only one beer you can drink, in my opinion: Shiner Bock.

Sippin' on a Shiner Bock in Texarkana, Texas on a Friday night. Life's pretty good.

Yep. Texas Forever.

**
Tomorrow? The man I always fall in love with every fall in Texas. He’s the dreamiest.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What are your favorite Dallas restaurants?