eatdrinklovejen

Broken Spanish Doesn’t Need Fixin’

September 4, 2015Leave a comment

After the openings of B.S. Taqueria and Broken Spanish, I was counting down the days until I got to visit Chef Ray Garcia’s creations. Between the overwhelmingly positive media attention and drool-worthy Instagram photos, I decided it was safe enough to venture to for my birthday dinner, even though I had never been there. (It’s very unlike me to not choose a tried and true favorite). I couldn’t be happier that I chose to celebrate my birthday at my new favorite DTLA restaurant! We chose a bunch of dishes to share:

We started off with fresh corn tortillas served with whipped carnitas fat. Yes, you heard me right.

My parents got the Shrimp Cascabel with Pequin, Guajes, and Pineapple. It looked amazing, and made me wish I wasn’t allergic to shrimp.

My dad ordered the Green beans served with a Poached Egg, Sofrito, Salsa Chapuline, and Cotija.

This Oxtail Quesadilla served with Plantains, Habanero, and Salsa Quemada was another favorite of mine.

The largest dish we got was the Red Snapper served with Leeks, Green Clamato, Clams, and Avocado. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the clams were very complimentary to the snapper.

My favorite dish that we ordered was the Lamb neck Tamales, with King Oyster Mushrooms and Queso Oaxaca. I love lamb, but only lamb that is cooked well. This just might be the best lamb dish I have ever had. The masa wasn’t too thick and the lamb was so juicy and tasty. I highly recommend this dish!

Of course, we couldn’t skip dessert! Their Tres leches Milk Sponge cake with Dulce Cream, Strawberries, and Crema Sorbet was so delicious without being overly sweet.

Chef Ray Garcia truly has a masterpiece on his hands with this one. His dishes are creative and the vibe is casual and cool. Its proximity to LA Live makes this a hot-spot in Downtown and definitely my go-to for any pre-event dinners in that area.

For more information, visit http://brokenspanish.com/

Outside Lands 2015

August 30, 2015August 30, 2015Leave a comment

Outside Lands is a music, food, and arts festival, and it just so happens to be in my favorite city – San Francisco! I was lucky enough to be invited to the 3-day festival in San Francisco to cover the gourmet food and beverages offered at the event! Read on for my favorites!

For the past couple of years, Outside Lands has incorporated the most amazing ‘LANDS’ to the festival.

Wine Lands was filled with old friends and newcomers, but the payment method was much more smooth this year, since it was incorporated into everyone’s pre-registered wristbands. My favorites were from Hobo Wine Company, Ghost Pines, The Prisoner Wine Company, and Union Wine Co..

We happen to mosey through Beer Lands on National Beer Day and found some favorites: Ace Cider, Anchor Brewing, Golden Road, Sierra Nevada, and Stone Brewing Co..

As for the food, the selection was the best it has ever been! Here are some of my favorites:

Chimichurri Fries from 4505 Meats

Porchetta Taco from La Urbana

Chicken Arepa from Pica Pica

Fry Bread Taco from Precita Park Cafe

Poke Platter from Pacific Catch

THE BEST PORK BELLY BURGER EVER from Big Chef Tom’s Belly Burgers

Okonomiyaki Japanese Pizza from Namu Street Food

Are you drooling yet? Now, on to the music! The first day was filled with an eclectic mix of some new artists that I have been wanting to see live and old favorites, including Leon Bridges, The Drums, Glass Animals, Iration, George Ezra, Lake Street Drive, Chet Faker, and Mumford & Sons. The second day started out with a BANG with Misterwives, then Mac DeMarco, Cold War Kids, Milky Chance, Billy Idol, Tame Impala, and The Black Keys. I’m bummed that we didn’t try to venture from one stage to another to catch Kendrick Lamar’s set (which I heard was amazing!), but The Black Keys put on THE SICKEST SHOW. They made a fan out of me. The third day was definitely my favorite, and not just because it was my birthday! We started out the day with St. Paul and the Broken Bones, James Bay, Hot Chip, Slightly Stoopid, Axwell & Ingrosso, Sam Smith, and of course, SIR ELTON JOHN. He put on the most amazing 2 hour show, and I could not have asked for a better birthday!

The Spirit of Aloha at Liholiho Yacht Club

July 30, 2015July 27, 20151 Comment

I can’t contain my excitement! I will be at one of Eater’s Best New Restaurants in America in exactly one week! I have to confess; I have been to Liholiho Yacht Club before, but it was so good that I am going back. I’m not just going back, I’m going back to celebrate my birthday! It will take all of my will power to not get the exact same dishes because they were all SO. DAMN. DELICIOUS.

I truly cannot say enough great things about this restaurant. This beautiful creation is the brainchild of Chef Ravi Kapur (formerly of Boulevard and Prospect) and the powerhouses behind Nopa and Nopalito, Allyson Jossel and Jeff Hanak. Between Kapur’s passion and the Jossel/Hanak winning formula, Liholiho Yacht Club is nothing short of perfection. The space is bright and welcoming, the staff is top-notch (I can’t emphasize this enough), and the food is as if Kapur is sending out each dish especially for your table. From entrance to exit, you feel the personal connection that restaurants strive to convey to their patrons, and this is the only time I have experienced it to such a powerful degree.

First, we indulged in the Tuna Poke covered in sesame oil and radish on top of the crunchiest of nori crackers. We should’ve ordered two. This was the perfect start to the meal and some of the best poke I have ever had (and I’ve had a lot).

I am a sucker for curry. I am a sucker for clams. Obviously, I loved the Manila Clams doused in the most delicious coconut curry with snap peas, turmeric and served with a side of garlic naan. The spice and intensity of flavor packed into this bowl of curry was insane. It could’ve been a soup, all I needed was a spoon.

The Twice Cooked Pork Belly should’ve been called the extra crunchy, flavorful belly of pork. The crunch was so intense, it was difficult to cut with a knife. The pineapple, thai basil, and fennel provided complimentary flavors to the rich flavor and fat of the belly.

I saved the best for last. I mean, just look at this masterpiece. The Roasted Octopus was served with curried raisins, castelvetrano, butterball potatoes, and cilantro. The octopus was PERFECTLY cooked. If you know the detriments of even the slightest overcooked or undercooked octopus, you understand how important and refreshing it is to have such perfection be on a plate in front of you. If I could eat this dish for every single meal, I would. The raisins cut the richness of the octopus and provide a sweet after taste along with the savory and comfort of the potato bites it is served with. If you like octopus, you must order this dish. MUST.

Liholiho Yacht Club is truly deserving of the accolades it has received and I consider myself lucky to have experienced it not once, but soon twice. Follow me on Instagram, for more updates from my birthday meal next week.

For more information, visit http://liholihoyachtclub.com/