Foodie Friday: Paleta Catering – A Marriage between Healthy & Sinful

Posted on May 2, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Here’s the conundrum.

Picture it. My BeautyFrosting 2nd Bloggiversary. April 16th, 2014.

Just a few of the 70 fab-fashionista-fit-foodie bloggers at the shindig. What-oh what- to do? Photo by Drunken Pixel

You have 70 bloggers as guests. Fashionistas – who are foodies – who are fit – who are fabulous…who also have to be photograph-ready at all times. And you also have cocktails. And, um, cake.

So corndogs and pizza are definitely out of the question. But what you do when you have a houseful of nutritionally-minded mavens who are hungry but don’t want to blow their diets and want to be healthy but don’t want to sacrifice taste?

Well, there’s only one way to turn – my godsend – Paleta.

The Paleta spread: When Healthy Meets Sinful. Pacific Rim Chicken & Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce, Local & Imported Cheese Board, Crudite with Assorted Hummus and Greek Yogurt Dip and Paleta Power-Up Chewy Bites *Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

I’ve been a fan of Paleta for a while now – ever since I met Chef Kelly and learned about her passion for pleasing the palate while promoting health through healing. What sort of healing? The kind of healing that comes from eating farm-to-table fresh and filling your body with whole foods.

Paleta Crudité with Lemon Hummus, Sundried Hummus and Greek Yogurt Dip. Um, You know, "Taste the rainbow?" Well, this truly IS tasting the rainbow - but of farm fresh veggies rather than high fructose corn syrup. Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

My guests couldn’t stop gushing about the eats. I was shocked at how much these girls could put back. Sorry, y’all, just speaking the truth here. It was refreshing to see my fashionista friends ACTUALLY EATING at a party. It’s a rarity – like seeing Bigfoot or something. But, yep, that’s how good it was.

Paleta Pacific Rim Thai Chicken & Tofu Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce *Photo by Takahiro Watanabe

I did have one complaint though. My guests ate ALL the satay and I never got a taste!!! I was craving it so much after hearing everyone rave about it that I actually just ate a spoonful of the spicy peanut sauce. Oh, don’t you judge.

Next up for me? After a month of Coachella, trips to Palm Springs and events galore (see aforementioned cake and cocktails), I’m gonna give Paleta Home Meal Delivery a try. At the very least, I’ll be giving myself the gift of health and at best, I may lose a few pounds so I can be a swimmie siren this summer. Lofty goals, I know, but I really do think Paleta can help me get there!

Thanks so much, Chef Kelly and Paleta for being a BIG part of my very special day!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which Paleta delicacy are you most craving now?

Foodie Friday: Yellow Dot Hot Sauce

Posted on January 24, 2014 by BeautyFrosting

Sunshine in a bottle that makes every meal bright?!

Okay, I was seriously on the fence on this guy. Not because I didn’t like it but because I loved it SOOOOO much that I couldn’t decide if it should be a Foodie Friday post or a My Current Crush post.

Seriously, y’all. This stuff is liquid gold- or, as they call it – sunshine in a bottle.

I would argue that it’s Florida sunshine in a bottle but who am I to get caught up with semantics?

How could I not love Yellow Dot Small Batch Hot Sauce?

Foodie Friday: Yellow Dot Hot Sauce

I mean, you wanna know what the first ingredient listed is? Um, LOVE. Yep, love. And you know what I always say, “Cooking or baking without love is like sex without love.” Well, that’s my first time saying that but I’ve thought it before so there.

So I was introduced to this fierce, fiery sauce by a friend and, to be honest, my expectations were low. “Hot sauce, you say? Honey, I’m from Texas. I’ll be the judge of this alleged ‘hot’ sauce.”
Well, pardon me, honey because it is HOT as in HAWWWWWT. It is delicious. It is tangy. It is healthy. And I dare say that it changed my life.

Yep, it was love at first taste. I put some on my omelette and I was a goner. I’ve never tasted another sauce like it – and I mean NO sauce like it not just hot sauce. It could be because it’s made with love but I think the other unorthodox ingredients also play a part. Among them? Carrots (!!!!!!whaaaa???????!!!), onions, habanero peppers, lime juice (one reason I adore it), vinegar (another), shallots (how fancy!), and a dash of grapeseed oil (oh, what’s that? an antioxidant, you say? I look younger already).

Yep, it’s love. Know how I know? Because I’ve gone through a whole bottle in less than 2 weeks and have been eating a homemade omelette every day for lunch just so I can taste that tangy sauce. So not only is it tantalizing for my tastebuds but it’s encouraging me to eat more healthfully and saving me money on lunch to boot.
It’s the godsend of sauces, I tell you.
And, NO, I am not being dramatic.

The LA girl in me also loves that they support the environment and economy by using sustainable business practices by supporting local growers and farmers. And, um – did I mention that it’s organic and all natural? And for you uber-healthy folks out there – you’re gonna loooove this – they don’t use any frustrating fillers like salt, sugar, flour, corn syrup, fructose, xantham gum, pepper mash or any coloring or artificial flavors or preservatives.

All natural and addictively delicious? This is addiction I could live with.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What delicious product are you addicted to this week?

Recipe Box: Dawn’s Comforting Egg Custard

Posted on September 20, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Comfort Food. It’s the food from our childhood that soothed us, nurtured us, healed the hurt, made us well when we were sick, mended our broken hearts and made us happy when we were sad. These heart-and-tummy-filling foods are the ones we’ll turn to for the rest of our lives.

My ultimate comfort food: Dawn's Comforting Egg Custard

One of these for me is my mom’s egg custard that she used to make for me. I got chronic sore throats growing up and this was both tasty and soothing going down. It felt like a hug for my throat. I know, I know. That sounded, um, weird.

Nevertheless, it’s the oh-so-comforting dessert recipe I always go to when a friend has their wisdom teeth taken out, has a baby or just needs a little pick-me-up.
I hope you – and your loved ones – find as much comfort in it as me and mine have.

p.s. Serving the custards in cute-shaped dishes, such as hearts, is totally optional but I highly suggest it!

The Chantal heart dishes are optional...but highly recommended

Dawn’s Comforting Egg Custard

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

*Makes approximately 6 individual servings

6 Slightly beaten eggs

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 c Scalded whole milk

2 c Scalded Heaving Whipping Cream

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Heat the milk and cream just until scalded (very hot) – not boiling. Take off stove and let cool.

Combine eggs, sugar and salt.

Slowly stir in milk and vanilla.

Fill six-ounce oven-safe custard cups, ramekins or bowls. Set in shallow baking pan on oven rack.

Pour hot water into pan 1 inch deep.

Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Serve warm (for a creamy crème brulee-taste) or chilled for a straight-up, comforting custard.

*Note: If you’d like to make one large custard, bake in a 2-quart casserole dish or standard cake pan for 60 minutes.

You know how I love a good bath? Well, even my desserts sometimes love taking a long, hot bath.

Daily Delights: What’s Delighting Me Right Now 7/14/13

Posted on July 14, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

So what are daily delights? Daily delights are the little things that make life worth living. Things that inspire. Encourage. Make Me Smile. Make Me Laugh. Make Things Rosier.

The happy little things, people, events, products, places and pieces of art that make the world a happier place to live in.

Are these things mind-blowing? Earth-shattering? Life-changing. Not usually. But they’re things that make me smile and, thus, make me want to share with you.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed them.

(These are usually pictures I post on Instagram of things that I’m loving at that exact moment. So if you want to get my daily delights on a daily, moment-by-moment basis, follow me on Instagram at @beautyfrosting)

1. Be Your Best Self. While house-hunting, I saw this written on the resident’s door by the peephole. Nice reminder as you walk out into the world every day, huh?

Good to remember as you're heading out into the world every day - Be Your Best Self.

2. Baskin Robbins Clown Cones. The only clowns that don’t scare me. Pure nostalgia in a cup. Just the sight of these delight me so!

Bask Robbins Clown Cones - the only clowns that don't (really) scare me!

3. And speaking of nostalgia…a 70s Skate Night with Sydne Summer and Hello Glendale at Moonlight Rollerway. Fab fashionistas dressed in vintage 70s, free skate and an open snack bar. Ummm, heaven.

Can you say Rollergirl? 70s Skate Night hosted by Sydne Summer and Hello Glendale at Moonlight Rollerway

I got suuuuper into it! I felt a little like a hybrid of Janet AND Chrissy on Three’s Company. In fact, I couldn’t get the song out of my head!

Someone was enjoying the costume immensely...especially the shiny Solid Gold-dancer-style tights!

4. My neighbor-friends brought this back from Texas for me. Fancy, indeed. Whataburger Fancy Ketchup is the BEST ketchup on the planet.

Whataburger Fancy Ketchup. Fancy, indeed.

5. PioneerBaby!! Jennifer picked up this precious hat for Hope’s daughter, Isla and I am obsessed. Soooo Little House on The Prairie.

Pioneer Baby!!!

6. Nothin’ better post-spin class than Clover Juices. Best juices I’ve tasted! And reasonable to boot! I’m enjoying these so much that I’m gonna need a juicer at home!

Clover Juices - I'm a convert

7. Mid-week Wine Tasting with a bestie. Learn About Wine events are great for some quality friend time because they’re fun, casual, informative and…DELICIOUS! Lucky I got to spend Wednesday night with one of my besties, Vanessa York of Shindig Shoppe – who is responsible for all BeautyFrosting design elements!

At Learn About Wine tasting Marsatta chocolate and RiverBench wines

Why, yes, we will have another glass!

8. Saw this One Good Deed A Day Journal at Anthropologie and I was sold. Definitely on my wish list! Couldn’t we all use this happy little reminder to create daily delights for others?

On my Wish List? One Good Deed A Day Journal

That’s it for this week’s Daily Delights. May there be many more delights – for both you and me – in the week ahead!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What were your Daily Delights this week?

Daily Delights: What’s Delighting Me Right Now, 7/8/13 edition

Posted on July 8, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Oh yes! Another new column! How often? Who knows? I’m aiming for weekly as Daily Delights come into my life, um… well, daily.

So what are daily delights? Daily delights are the little things that make life worth living. Things that inspire. Encourage. Make Me Smile. Make Me Laugh. Make Things Rosier.

The happy little things, people, events, products, places and pieces of art that make the world a happier place to live in.

Are these things mind-blowing? Earth-shattering? Life-changing. Not usually. But they’re things that make me smile and, thus, make me want to share with you.

So here is my first Daily Delights column. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed them.

They’re usually pictures I post on Instagram of things that I’m loving at that exact moment.
So if you want to get my daily delights on a daily, moment-by-moment basis, follow me on Instagram at @beautyfrosting.

1. Cherry Pie at my neighborhood coffee shop-haunt, Paper or Plastik. I didn’t eat it. But I have heard it’s as good as it looks.

Heavenly cherry pie at Paper or Plastik

2. Gosh golly, I love this Nalukai necklace. I layer it with my sideways cross necklace that I never take off. Maybe it’s just me but I feel like it gives me an – ahem – edge and yet also has a message that I need to remember daily: BALANCE. I love the entire Nalukai collection as it incorporates elements of Hawaiian culture and philosophy. Plus, and it’s all about embracing our journey, healing and prevailing. What a lovely daily reminder!

Nalukai "Balance" Dogtag necklace

3. This delicious, little Harmless Harvest coconut water satisifies my sweet cravings while giving me vital nutrients and antioxidants. Best coconut water I have found! I buy mine at Erewhon or Whole Foods. And I love that it’s the perfect, single serving size! Perfect when you’re trying to be healthy and light!

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water

4. Is there any food more comforting than creamy tomato soup? I think not. That’s why I love Chado Tea Room‘s vegetarian tomato soup! And I’m not even vegetarian!! I love going to their afternoon tea with my talented friend, Nami M. Scott – but I always have to have that magical soup!

Tomato Soup at Chado Tea Room with my friend, Nami

5. Right before going on a walk with my friend, Amy, I spotted this bracelet on her bathroom counter. Such a sweet bracelet and it really gives a whole new meaning to wearing your heart on your sleeve!

Love my friend Amy's sweet heart bracelet!

That’s it for this week’s Daily Delights. May there be many more delights in the week ahead!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What were your daily delights this week?

Magical Monday: The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Posted on July 1, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

If you have kids or just are a kid at heart like me, have I got a summer treat for you!

The London West Hollywood is celebrating the DVD release of The Great & Powerful Oz with an afternoon tea that’s sure to delight and excite even the grumpiest munchkin or most wicked of witches!

Feeling magical and fantastical at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Starting just over a week ago and running through every weekend over the next 6 weeks of summer, the tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm – 4pm at Gordon Ramsay at The London.

Tabletop fun! At The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

With staff dressed in Glinda-style tiaras and munchkin-style bowler hats, hot air balloon and magic star wand-centerpieces and the film’s soundtrack playing throughout the tea, you’ll feel less like you’re in Los Angeles and more like you’re in Oz for the entire afternoon.
Nerd that I am, I of course, dressed in Oz-theme with a blue and white polka dot dress and red patent leather heels. With all of the magic around me, I truly felt like Dorothy! And with my friend – and fellow blogger, Whitney Lader from hoopLA – there as my date, the afternoon was even more magical and memorable!

Teatime with my friend - and fellow blogger - Whitney Lader of hoopLA at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Whitney enjoys Bubbletime at The Great & Powerful Oz tea! I love the little girl at the table behind us looking like she either thinks we might be crazy or that we're good witches! I'm going with the second option, of course!

Whitney and I opted to share two pots of tea so we could fully appreciate all of the delicious Oz options. We chose the Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves and the Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean teas.

Selection of Teas

And adults can enjoy Glinda’s bubble champagne to feel a little “extra” magical.

Indulging in Glinda's Bubble Champagne

With courses including Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches and Canapes, Flying Monkey Bites and Evanora and Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats, you’re sure to leave feeling full and treated like the Wizard of Oz!

The tea tray at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

My favorite Oz bites? The mini peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich straight from Kansas and the Roast Beef with onion marmalade finger sandwiches.

Fantastical Finger Sandwiches

The scones were utterly decadent…

Sinfully delicious scones with jam, cream and butter

and the Ruby Red Apple Crumble was scrumptious!

Wickedly delicious desserts: Opera cake, apple crumble and lemon meringue bars!

Make your reservation now for a day your whole family is sure to remember for a lifetime!

The Great & Powerful Oz Tea Menu

$28 for adults

$14 for children

Selection of Teas

Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean

Mandarin, Brilliant Breakfast, Single Estate Oolong, Earl Grey ,

Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves

Wicked Witch Brew

100% Juice

Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches & Canapes

Mini Tuna Fish Sandwiches

Mini Turkey Sandwiches

Mini Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey Sandwiches Straight from Kansas

Hummus with Crisp Shallot

Curried Chicken-Golden Raisins

Roast Beef-Red Onion Marmalade

Flying Monkey Bites

Blackcurrant Scones with Devonshire Cream & Lemon Curd

Peanut Butter Scones with Strawberry jam

Evanora & Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats

The Dark Forest Chocolate Opera Cake

Ruby Red Apple Crumble

Yellow Brick Road Lemon Meringue Bar

Sides for Munchkins

Sliced Carrots & Celery with Hummus

Fresh Fruit Cups

*Glinda’s Bubble Champagne Available Upon Request (Not for Munchkins!)

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Are you a fan of teatime like I am?

FOODIE FRIDAY: TAR & ROSES, TASTES LIKE SUCCESS!

Posted on May 24, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Tar & Roses - exterior

Dear Tar & Roses Team:

You are the latest stamp in my culinary passport. Who knew Santa Monica was as far as I’d need to go for this amazing culinary adventure.

We were a mix of new acquaintances and old friends, so I initially thought it might be a challenge to find items on the menu that we would all agree on to share and enjoy. However, we quickly realized that THIS was going to be a no-brainer as whatever we ordered was going to be delicious. Still with our overflowing enthusiasm for your food, we were in need of our very knowledgeable server Joe’s confirmation that we had chosen wisely.

We were intrigued by the “X-Large” section of the menu so we started by ordering the whole fried snapper with cold soba noodles. WOO-HOO! Next in the “Large” section, the Kurobuta pork loin with creamed corn and black kale was the winner. From the “small” section, we chose the beet salad and the ricotta gnocchi with asparagus. Finally, the wood roasted cauliflower from the “veggies” section and the bone marrow with onion marmalade from “snacks.” The presentation of the food was fun and adventurous. We were so excited to watch the different dishes being delivered to each table and the anticipation built until it was finally our turn.

Tar & Roses temptresses...

Bone marrow($11) onion marmalade, sea salt, and sourdough. This was sooo rich and delicious with a light smoky taste.

Beet salad($11) avocado, blood orange, fennel, frisee, and walnuts. Incredibly fresh!

Wood roasted cauliflower($8) anchovy pesto, pinenut, lemon.

Ricotta gnocchi($11) asparagus and fava bean tendrils.

Kurobuta pork loin($24) creamed corn, black kale parmesan. The pork was so tender, juicy and perfectly cooked. Perfectly placed on a bed of creamed corn and black kale seasoned with tarragon, so sweet and creamy, PERFECTION!

***Whole fried snapper($52) cold soba noodles, and dipping sauce. Adult finger food, MY FAVORITE! This was definitely enough for the whole table. An amazing presentation and so much fun to eat and share. We were pulling it apart with our fingers!

Strawberry Ricotta Crostata($9) with honeycomb ice cream. The buttery crust with the creamy Ricotta was over the top good!

Described as modern American rustic, the menu had a variety of influences, such as Italian, Mediterranean and Asian, that seemed to be at play. Chef Kirschner seems to know exactly what we like to eat and is extraordinary at executing it perfectly! There was an enviable simplicity to the food. I’ve had Snapper before but never like this. I’ve had creamed corn before but not this creamy and flavorful, and the strawberry Crostata? Off-the-charts good!

It’s as if I’ve been hypnotized! Every time someone says the word FOOD you will talk endlessly about the delicious whole fried snapper at Tar & Roses, and I DO!!

Listed at the top of the menu is your offering of Peace and Love to all the local farmers who believe in sustainable, organic agriculture and your menu reads like your thank you letter to them. You’ve created the perfect combinations of flavors to enhance but never hide, the quality ingredients that have been cultivated for your use and our consumption. To Chef Andrew Kirschner, locally grown yourself, you’ve beautifully guided each ingredient to its potential, let them shine and shared it with us. Thank you for your generosity and creativity.

Interior of Tar & Roses...

With love and respect,

Rebecca Meyer, www.BeautyFrosting.com Foodie Friday reviewer and food lover

TAR & ROSES

602 Santa Monica Boulevard

Santa Monica,CA

310-587-0700

www.tarandroses.com

$$$

BF Asks: What restaurant or bar should we review next? If you own – or work at – a restaurant or have a suggestion on where we should get our Foodie Friday on next, reply below or send us a message!

Foodie Friday: Pedalers Fork in Calabasas

Posted on April 26, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Pedalers Fork in Calabasas

Dawn's Faves from Pedalers Fork

Dear Pedalers Fork Team,

BeautyFrosting editor, Dawn McCoy, and I had the delicious opportunity to experience a sneak preview of Calabasas’s newest epicurean jewel, Pedalers Fork. Whoever says you can’t have it all hasn’t been to Pedalers Fork! This is destination dining at its best! You’ve created a beautiful oasis for us to gather with friends and escape the hectic day-to-day, without having to pack a bag or board a plane!

A perfect balance of location and design, the stunning interior was inspirational.

Every window strategically placed inviting nature inside to co-mingle with the rustic reclaimed wood accents, and antique light fixtures. The vintage bikes perched in the rafters overhead are a reminder of the inspiration for this sanctuary you’ve created.

Pedalers Fork interior & patio

I was in heaven when I stepped out on the patio. Worthy of the “dream home” sketches I walk around with in my head, it felt like a cool tree house for adults, dining amongst the trees, watching the ducks, and listening to the choir of frogs singing the praises of Pedalers Fork. A truly tranquil feeling that reminded me to breathe, slow down and appreciate the moment. I felt the love that went in to every detail!

Your dream project is a bona fide triple threat. You truly have something for everyone. A coffee shop that brews fresh-roasted 10 Speed Coffee from Oregon for the early risers, a cycling boutique catering to the active enthusiasts, and a beautiful restaurant with a menu focused toward a health conscious lifestyle. You’ve really thought of everything! The use of ingredients from the best organic and sustainable local farms has created standout dishes that feed our souls as well as nourish our bodies, and allowed me to leave the table without feeling guilty. Ok, maybe a LITTLE guilty after devouring both the Berry Cobbler AND the delicious Flourless Chocolate Cake for dessert, but well worth it! Chef Dan’s extensive menu has a little something for everyone.

Pedalers Fork dinner menu, cocktail menu & beer menu

Pealers Fork, Calabasas, California, restaurant, restaurant review, foodie friday, food, cyclists, family-friendly, family restaurant

Steamed PEI Mussels – Coconut green curry, crostini.

Baby Kale Caesar – Almesan, potato croutons, almond tofu caesar dressing.

Roasted Beets – Hemp seed crusted Soledad goat cheese, heirloom citrus, asparagus, baby lettuces, herb vinaigrette.

Kabocha Squash Lasagna – Broccoli, sweet pea, ricotta, mozzarella, tomato sauce. (Note From BeautyFrosting herself, Dawn McCoy: “I died when I ate this. Literally died for about 2 minutes. Which might explain why I kept calling the dish “my boyfriend” as in “Please leave my boyfriend and I alone in peace.” Yep, it’s that killer.)

Kabocha Squash Lasagna: A cheesy, tomatoey, veggie orgasm of a dish! (that's another quote from Dawn)

Pan Roasted Skoona Bay Salmon – Roasted cauliflower, kohlrabi, sweet peas, spring onions, kale pistou.

Braised DeyDey’s Grass Fed Beef – Celeriac, roasted asian pear, jalapeno, natural reduction.

Girmaud Farms Duck Breast – Red frill mustard, roasted beet, red quinoa, dried cherry, pistachio.

Flatbread – Wild mushrooms, montecito gouda, shaved parmesan, arugula salad, truffle vinaigrette.

Devils on Horseback – Black dates, Pt. Reyes bleu, applewood bacon

Greek Yogurt Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta – Spring berry citrus compote.

Bittersweet Gluten Free Chocolate Flourless Cake – Cocoa nib and roasted pistachio milk chocolate crust.

Apple Berry Cobbler – Almond milk sorbet.
WOW, this is go BIG or go home at its best! Congratulations to owners Robbie Schaeffer and Time Rettele! Your dream to develop a place where people can enjoy life and celebrate community is realized. Thank you for having the passion to create an environment where we can meet to share a cup of coffee, a cocktail and a meal, but stay to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and friends. Pedalers Fork is inspired by the cycling culture, but I’ll tell everyone the mode of transportation is secondary. Run, walk, cycle or drive. Just get there!

Just get there! if you do, you might be smiling as widely as these bloggers - Dawn McCoy, of BeautyFrosting, and Whitney Lader of hoopLA

With Love and respect,

Rebecca Meyer

PEDALERS FORK

23504 Calabasas Road

Calabasas, CA 91302

818-225-8231

http://www.pedalersfork.com/

*We at BeautyFrosting want to extend a special THANK YOU to our friends at Pedalers Fork and Nicole Myden Public Relations for giving us the opportunity to experience such a delicious dining experience before the general public gets to delight in the healthy decadence of Pedalers Fork! Also, we want to mention that there are a number of scrumptious VEGAN, VEGETARIAN & GLUTEN-FREE options at Pedalers Fork, as well.

Foodie Friday: Danke BierBeisl!

Posted on April 12, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Welcome to BierBeisl!

Dear BierBeisl,

Heading out on Saturday night with a couple of friends for a fancy dinner in Beverly Hills, I had no idea what we were in for. Thanks to you we had the best time! A night out with the girls for beers and sausage in Beverly Hills, who knew! I’ve never been a beer drinker but three little words from your bartender changed all that, StieglAdlerGrapefruit: half beer half organic grapefruit soda. How have I never had this before? I loved it! So thirst-quenching and the perfect suggestion for this lightweight.

Forgetting momentarily that I hadn’t come just for the beer, your amazing staff warmly navigated us through your authentic Austrian menu. Next destination? The perfect food companion to our beer – Kasekrainer! WOW, this Swiss cheese infused sausage was AMAZING! So juicy and delicious, the pretzel bread accompaniment took it over the top and we gladly devoured every bite! I kept thinking it doesn’t get better than this but you managed to changed my mind with the arrival of each dish. Our Austrian feast was both refined and comforting.

Home Cured Char ($15) with heirloom beets, pickled red onion, cucumbers, horseradish crème fraiche, tossed herb salad.

Marinated Duck Breast ($19) with white asparagus, kumquat compote and wild arugula, toasted pine nuts, broken balsamic vinegar. Beautiful dish!

Kasekrainer Sausage ($11) swiss cheese infused, light peppery, similar to “polish.” Tarragon mustard and fresh horseradish. My FAVORITE! So juicy every bite was a burst of flavor.

Original Vienna Schnitzel ($29) garnished with lemon and lingon berries, with potato salad. Razor thin with a light breading. Perfect with the sweet lingon berries and tart potato salad.

Asparagus Risotto ($28) with sauteed veal sweetbreads, meyer lemon, Parmesan, veal jus and tossed herb salad.

Creamy Veal Gulasch ($32) with homemade spatzle. sour cream, chives. The veal couldn’t have been more tender. This was SO RICH, I loved it.

Apfelstrudel ($9) with homemade vanilla ice cream. Flaky and delicious, not too sweet.

Stiegl Radler Grapefruit ($8) half Goldbrau/half all natural organic grapefruit soda, ideal thirst quencher and low on alcohol and calories. I couldn’t stop drinking this. Turns out I AM a beer drinker!

From the moment we stepped in the front door we were treated to your hospitality. The staff was attentive and accommodating. They really made our night out special. The space is intimate and embracing and the modern rustic décor is cozy. I would dare say the kitchen is drastically smaller than most kitchens in this zip code. Still we were amazed at the attention to detail in every dish and the incredible flavors that were coming out of the tiny open kitchen.

To Chef Bernhard Mairinger, your passion for Austrian food combined with your extraordinary talent in the kitchen made for an unforgettable experience. Thank you for my introduction to Austrian cuisine. I left your establishment with a giddiness small children find in a toy store. Kasekrainer sausage and Stiegl Radler Grapefruit! I’m telling absolutely everyone how fun it was to discover BierBiesl!

Auf Wiedersehen, until we meet again!

With Love and Gratitude,
Rebecca

BierBeisl

9669 S. Santa Monica Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

310-271-7274

http://www.bierbeisl-la.com/

$$$

Foodie Friday: Mmmmmm, Mmmmmm, MB!

Posted on April 5, 2013 by BeautyFrosting

Dear MB,

Your biscuits are AMAZING! I know i’m not telling you anything you haven’t already heard. They have their own Facebook page, for heaven’s sake! Yet, I still have to say BRAVO!

Your bacon and cheddar buttermilk biscuits are baked perfection. They have this great crunch on the outside and are warm and moist on the inside. They have bacon and cheddar cheese…and they’re bread!

It’s not difficult to win me over but the perfect companion to these little gems is the whipped maple butter. This sweet and savory union had everyone expressing their love for your biscuits! Resounding sounds of pleasure – Mmmm…, Wow! and Oh YEAH! – could be heard around the restaurant.

I noticed several people doing exactly what we did, picking up the little metal ramekin of the whipped maple butter and looking at it like it was a mystical thing, a culinary concoction beyond comprehension, wondering if this is the secret to why this all tastes soooo heavenly! When I finished, I immediately wanted to order more biscuits, give them as gifts, have them for dessert and learn how to make them!

The bar had been set pretty high but there are a number of incredible choices on your ever changing, seasonal menu and the rest of our selections were equally inspiring. Every single thing we ordered was delicious!

Vietnamese Caramel Pork Jowl ($13) with green papaya salad, lime.

Sweet glazed delicate pork. What’s not to love!

White Oak Grilled Skirt Steak ($18) grilled broccolini, red chimichurri.

Tender, juicy, smoked skirt steak, topped with a perfectly spiced chimichurri sauce.

Chicken Pot Pie ($16) ’nuff said!

The BEST pot pie i’ve ever tasted.

Seared Diver Scallops ($19) bacon butter, savoy cabbage, shiitake mushroom, puffed wild rice.

Perfectly cooked, seared outside, tender inside. The bacon butter sauce was delicious!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($10) emmental, hazelnuts, sage.

Roasted to perfection. I love brussels sprouts!

Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits ($5) with maple butter.

What can I say, they remind me of home.

Avila’s Heir ($12) margarita with corralejo reposado, serrano, mandarin, yuzu.

After our small food marathon we were completely stuffed and thoroughly satisfied. Aptly titled a “social house,” the environment is lively and upbeat. The rustic-industrial interior and communal tables give a feel that is accessible and homey. We adored your friendly staff. They made our dining experience complete. Every detail exceeded our expectations!

Thank you to Chef David LeFevre for creating a real comfort food destination. I think everyone should experience the genuinely beautiful food you’ve created. A big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for creating your bacon and cheddar biscuits. They make me truly happy. MB Post, I definitely have a culinary crush on you!

With Love and Gratitude,

Rebecca Meyer

MB Post – A Social House

1142 Manhattan Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(310) 545-5405

http://eatmbpost.com/

Hours:

Mon–Thur 5pm–10pm

Friday 11:30am–10:30pm

Saturday 10am–10:30pm

Sunday 10am–10pm

$$$

Note from BF: I don’t know about y’all but this review from Rebecca is making me want to head over to MB RIGHT NOW!! Yummylicious. xoxo, BF