www.terroni.com

I was traveling through Italy earlier this year.  Between museum & cathedrals visits, strolling around, and shopping, you better believe that I was in search of something to satisfy my stomach.   

After much, much research during my trip, when I arrived in Rome I was introduced to a pasta dish known as Bucatini all'Amatriciana.  My life has forever changed upon the first bite.  Believe it or not, just the thought, makes my mouth watery. Now, it wasn't until recently that I began to appreciate Italian cuisine.  In my opinion Italian cuisine is a well-balanced array of flavors that complement each other.Bucatini all'Amatriciana, I later learned, is a dish dating back to Roman times.  The sauce is a tomato-based sauce, usually with guanciale (different cut of bacon, incredible amount of flavor), Pecorino Romano, and most importantly a dash of red pepper flakes which give a tiny little bit of a kick, which makes this dish quite memorable.

Now, my dilemma with this dish began upon arriving in the US and trying to find a place that does it with justice. After many attempts, in several cities, and much much disappointment,  I stumbled upon it on the menu of one of my favorite restaurants here in LA and Toronto called Terroni. 

 I stumbled upon Terroni back in 2008 when I read a review stating that if you couldn't get a table at Mario Bitalli's Pizzeria Mozza, you should go to Terroni.  So I did.   In Toronto and LA, Terroni has kept its appeal of fantastic Southern Italian cuisine with a hip, yet welcoming environment that is family-friendly. It allows parents to feel hip while embracing the culinary scene of the respective cities. It has great atmosphere, tasty food, and Bucatini all'Amatriciana all under one roof.  I couldn't be happier.  By the way, the rest of the menu is phenomenal: pizza, traditional salads, Panini's, and if you're in Toronto and see horse tartar on the menu, don't be afraid of it.  

www.farmernet.com

Los Angeles is the perfect city for street food.  I joined twitter (@luisalicious) for the sake of being part of the food movement. I guess it is my gastronomic adventures are quite diverse and there is equal opportunity for ALLL TYPES OF FOOD.

Some people drive all over the city in search of a gourmet taco.  However, who has time for such an adventure.   Luckily for me, there is still the weekly Sunday visit to the Hollywood Farmers Market.  Farmers Markets are fun no matter where in the country you are.  I tend to buy the same things every time I go to one, flowers, bread, unnecessary bars of soap, but most importantly I go in search of prepared foods.

I highly recommend that you pass up on “a standard Sunday Brunch” while in LA and take the time to visit the Hollywood Farmers Market in search of what is known as a "Pupusa".  “Pupusa is a Central American (Guatemalan, Honduras, Salvadorian) delicacy. This past Sunday when I went to the Farmer’s Market with my friend Shanna.   Shanna, like many of my friends, had never heard of  a Pupusa.  It is a corn tortilla that is filled, with cheese, or chicken, or steak, or all three.  At the Farmers Market,  the stand that I go to also has pork rind Pupusas.  I know most of you will be turned off by the idea of a pork rind, but trust me, this is a Latin American experience not to be passed up.  The tortilla stuffed with pork rinds and cheese is delicious enough on its own, but DO NOT pass up on the toppings.  A sour slaw comprised of red onion and cabbage and a lemon vinegar dressing traditionally go on top of the Pupusa along with hot sauce and a garlic aioli.  Most importantly... it is $3.  In this economy, that's a deal. On top of that, it is a well-balanced healthy meal.  Indeed, it is an incredibly tasty deal if you ask me...or Shanna who is now a fan.

www.gjelina.com

I never go to the West side.  And by West side I mean anything past Beverly Hills.  Every once in a while a special occasion comes a long and I will make the schlep to Santa Monica, Malibu, or in this case Venice.  With my mother visiting Los Angeles, I wanted to take her to the beach, and by beach I of course mean... a restaurant by the beach.  

Two years ago, I fell into the trend of a restaurant by the name of Gjelina.  Two years later, the incredible culinary experience has proven that it wasn't just a trend, but a MUST when exploring West Side dinning.  It is now a Venice staple.  My mother and I arrived here for lunch around 2 o'clock on a Monday.  The place is cute inside. I haven't had service like this in a while.  Not to mention, being there with my mother I tend to be a little over protective and expect nothing but the best.  The place is cute inside, as is the staff that makes me feel like I am not cool enough to be there.  The hipster vibe and arrogance that one sees when they first walk in is a reminder to not judge a book by its cover. Our waitress went above and beyond the call of duty.

I describe Gjelina's food to be Californian/ Italian.  Eclectic, if that is even a genre.  The ingredients are fresh, and the combinations for the pizzas, salads and main dishes are a little unorthodox, but every bite of food melts in your mouth.  I am an advocate for Burrata and feel more places should offer it on the menu.  Our first dish was Anchovy with Burrata on toast with Pepperonata (a yellow pepper and onion compote) with capers and sherry.  I wish this appetizer had never ended; that's how good it was.  Our pizza was Guanciale (a softer cut of bacon, which literally melts in your mouth) with green olives, Fresno chile, and mozzarella.  The sweetness of the bacon and cheese along with the sourness of the olives was out of this world and unexpected.  Honestly, I could go on and on about this place and I wish I had the time to sit there and eat my way through the menu.  This is a great place to go with friends, the portions are perfect for sharing, and if you and your friends are adventurous, try it ALL!  Even if there are ingredients you are not fond of, the mix of flavors due to unexpected ingredient combinations will create an unprecedented experience.As the sun started to set, we toasted to my mothers visit, ordered another dish which was a squid pasta and unbuttoned our pants (and by our I mean me). 

   

http://www.sunsettowerhotel.com/

My mother is in town.  She isn't just any mother, she is my mother, and her name is Colombia.  That alone can paint a picture of the kind of woman she is: charismatic, full of life, and energy, and I mean energy. She has lots of it, which means I have to entertain and make it memorable. So, think Luis, think, what to do.

My mother arrived last night while I was at work, so naturally we met at a bar after hours.  But in Los Angeles, where does one meet their mother at 930pm on a Sunday for a dinner and drinks?  Clearly, I'm gonna meet her at Tower Bar.

Tower Bar is located inside the Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angeles.  It is tucked away right on the Sunset strip.  From the outside, it doesnt look like much.  From the inside, it still doesn't look like much.  There is no flashy red carpet, there is not a swarm of paparrazzi outside.  It is a simple, classy hotel, with a simple, classy bar with a spectacular Manhattans.  Who doesn't love whiskey?

I have been dropping by this bar sporadically for the last 3 or 4 years with different friends on different occasions.  Whether on a date, after dinner drinks, or just to get dessert and a Basil Hayden on the rocks, this bar has never disappointed me.  The Matri'D is a gentleman named Dimitri.  Over the course of 4 years this man has remembered my name, who I have come with, and basically every other detail of my life thats after a drink...or three I do not remember telling him at all.  So be watchful. I will not get this man anywhere near my mother. That attention to detail, not to mention the ambience of old Hollywood glamour with out being "Hollywood", and great drinks make this bar a fantastic "go to" place that will always deliver up to expectations and beyond.

Last night's dinner included, Manhattans, fois gras, mushroom risotto, chicken paillard, Bordeaux, and way too many desserts.  The food is good, the ambience is unparalleled and when all the elements come together with excellent company, something truly LA great is created.  That is why I am writing about it.  There is something truly special about Tower Bar, anyone that has been there will say the same.  Did i mention the spectacular view of the LA basin?

www.cafemidi.com

So my day today began with a 10 am meeting.  For many, 10 am is not early.  For me however, it is almost dawn, especially when one has to be out of the house, giving one's best to the world - game face, quick wit, and camera ready.  I tend to skip breakfast, which is not recommended, but I have never been particularly hungry in the morning.  Usually, I am still full from the generous midnight snack.

One of the perks of getting out of the house "early", is the reality that after set meeting, I will be hungry.  To no surprise, I was not only hungry, but starving. I decided to meet my friend Jorge at this tiny place called Cafe Midi (If you haven't figured it out I am still in LA).

Cafe Midi is inside a clothing/ furniture shop called American Rag: clothing, furniture, and food -all under one roof.  A rather unique concept.A little overwhelming, but what isn't?

Cafe Midi, is a French bistro, minus the French people and French-sized portions.  Come to think of it, the food is only somewhat French; American flair is what prevails in the dishes.  For example, they have the usual Croque Madame, Croque Monsieur, etc. In addition, the concept is replicated in an open-faced tuna melt.  This tuna melt is worth writing home about.  I have dreams about this sandwich, and believe it or not I longed for this sandwich while I was away from LA for a year and a half. The first thing I did upon setting foot in LA was....Yes, you got it!!! Tuna-melt indulgence. 

The menu at Cafe Midi can be a little overwhelming: too many choices, too little time. I tend to order the same thing being a creature of habit.  For this reason, I am always bringing new people to this place...so that I can try their choices, without compromising or giving up mine.  The menu has a vast, and I mean vast selections of salads, sandwiches, and dinner plates.  If you have the time, read through the menu and make an educated guess.

I did venture into something different this am,  1 1/2 minute poached eggs with prosciutto, herbed tomatoes, eggplant and asparagus (I know, I didn't get the tuna, but if I write this blog and overindulge, my heart will stop).   I was beyond happy with this choice.  the flavors the texture, and all for $13 or so, I was full, AND had plenty to take with me as a snack for later.  By later I mean,  during the three-block ride back.
Cafe Midi.  Easy lunch place.  If you have the room, GET THE BANANA BREAD.  I repeat GET THE BANANA BREAD.

LUIS

P.S.  Jorge didn't get anything.  He was "cleansing"

www.pressedjuicery.com

I am a sucker for anything that can facilitate healthy ingestion.  I tend to be the person to run into Whole Foods and bombarde anyone who will listen with a million questions.  I'll get home with all sorts of vitamins and supplements, and a year later most of those items are still in my cupboard, suitcase, and/or hotel room. Unopened and unused.  Healthy ingestion fail.  BIG TIME.  

I am currently in Los Angeles, where I was introduced to a shop in West Hollywood, CA called Pressed Juicery.  It's exactly that.  Pressed juices.  I don't think I need to reiterate what we all know, how beneficial fruit and vegetables are to us, but who has the time to eat so cleanly?  I certainly don't, and the majority of the people I know don't either.  We may try and convince ourselves that we do.  We are lying to ourselves.  This is why I'm a fan of these products.  

The juices are made daily, are organic, and if you're brave enough you can do a three day cleanse to give your digestion organs a much needed break, and in essence get your system back to it's Roots. 

Check them out.

Luis