dinner

In Roy Choi We Trust

October 11, 2014October 11, 2014Leave a comment

Between 3 Worlds Cafe, Kogi, Chego, A-Frame, Alibi Room, and Sunny Spot, you would think that Roy Choi would be tired. Whether you have watched recent interviews or have read about his complete take-over at The Line Hotel, you quickly realize that Roy Choi is only getting started in revolutionizing the culinary scene and answering to no one. I fell in love with his other hotel installation, Pot, earlier this year, but haven’t been back during the LA heatwave. Recently, my family and I had the pleasure of indulging in his beautiful greenhouse creation, Commissary.
First of all, the menu is full of fun drawings with very little written guidance. This not only symbolizes Choi’s idea of reinventing basic ingredients (mostly veggies), but also the commitment that diners need to make in order to fully enjoy the experience, TRUST THE CHEF.
We started off with the Eggplant, Figs, Carrots, Bok Choy, and a side of brown rice because I had read a review beforehand suggesting it for the Eggplant dish, as it resembles a Jade Curry. The Eggplant reminds me of a curry dish, a very spicy and very delicious curry dish. The Figs were served with fennel and the restaurant’s signature Rainbow Sauce, consisting of nuts, garlic, and chilies. The sweet and savory combination was perfection. We all ate the Carrots before I could get a photo. The Carrots were roasted and served with the Green Sauce which consists of tomatillo, garlic, and cilantro. I think that this dish was gobbled up so quickly because it looked the most approachable, but we were all surprised by the depth of flavor that was hiding in the Green Sauce. The Bok Choy was served with Green Beans, Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions, Chilies, and a Brown soy sauce. The combo of Bok Choy and Green Beans was deliciously crunchy and the garnishes and chili flakes gave this dish the most asian fusion flair.

My mom ordered the Scallops which were lightly seared and served in the Green garlic sauce. This dish was a huge hit with everyone. Scallops need to be cooked perfectly in order for them to be enjoyed, and these were cooked perfectly.

My dad asked the waitress to surprise him between the Tuna Melt and the French Dip. We were surprised at her choice of the Tuna Melt, until we took a bite. The cheese to tuna ratio was a great balance and the tuna was not at all fishy, but quite rich.

My boyfriend ordered the Burger. After we heard it was a combination of pork and Wagyu beef, how could he not order it?! I was upset that I only got one bite. The garnishes were subtle and the size was not too big, not too small, but just right.

Finally, I had the Schnitzel. The cutlet was juicy and the breading was not too heavy, but had the perfect crunch to it. Served with mustard, horseradish, and topped with fresh arugula, it was definitely a different take on schnitzel, but I absolutely loved it!

Our meal was definitely a crowd-pleaser. My parents and boyfriend can’t wait to come back to try more of the dishes and cocktails!
Do yourself a favor, grab a drink from the bar downstairs, grab another drink when you get to Commissary, order delicious veggies and entrees, and grab a dessert at the caFe in the lobby, and you will have had the perfect evening.

Commissary is now open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. For more information or to make a reservation, visit http://www.eatatpot.com/#home

*Top Photo from Eater.com

At Home with the Italian Fisherman

July 31, 2014July 30, 2014Leave a comment

As of recent, I have been trying to eat out just a little bit less. In doing so, I have been having some amazing kitchen adventures with fellow foodies that I am lucky enough to call my friends. I will be featuring some of these dinners with you. For the first “At Home” post, I wanted to share with you my friend Andrew, also known as the Italian Fisherman. A little bit of a backstory, he has been friends with my boyfriend since elementary school and they share many memories of Catalina trips and fishing excursions over the years. Recently, though, it seems Andrew is on an overnight fishing trip every other weekend, but we can’t complain for not seeing him as much, because when we do…

He shares the fruits of his labor with all of us. Last week, we were invited over for seafood night with some close friends and family. It was truly a group effort in preparing the meal. Andrew was running the kitchen and showing off his Yellowtail catches, his girlfriend was frying some pieces, I was forming rice balls for the nigiri, and my boyfriend and others were rolling sushi rolls and preparing poke with onions, avocado, Sriracha and some secret ingredients.

With 15 pounds of fish prepared four different ways, everyone had a different favorite. My favorite was the Yellowtail Sashimi and Spicy Poke. Even though summer is almost over with August right around the corner, I hope that we get to have many more dinners with our friends.
Maybe even a pizza night coming up…(hint hint: keep a look out for At Home with the Garske brothers).

Mexican-French Fusion at Anepalco’s Cafe

July 23, 2014July 22, 2014Leave a comment

If you haven’t noticed, I have been on a bit of a Mexican food kick lately. Sorry, not sorry. However, my most recent experience at Anepalco’s was a nice change of pace. Why, you ask? Anepalco’s Cafe, in Orange, specializes in Mexican-French fusion cuisine. Intrigued? Read on.

I have visited their Chapman Avenue location a few times now, and I have never been disappointed. The quality and presentation is always on point and the wait staff is always so attentive and helpful. On my most recent visit with family, we indulged in some new menu items, which were all quite tasty and beautiful.

To start, we enjoyed the Queso Fundido. With melted queso fresco, Spanish chorizo, and roasted tomatoes, this dish was not only delicious, but visually pleasing. Served with bread, this is a great appetizer to share.

Next, we shared the Deconstructed Tacos. The lighting in my photo does not do the dish justice. I was curious to see how it was going to be presented, given that they were “deconstructed.” I was pleasantly surprised at how appetizing everything looked on its own. The pork belly mixed with avocados, tomatoes, and corn was the perfect filling mixed with the house made salsa and tortillas.

My parents shared the Not Pa’ella. Because I am allergic to shrimp, I was unable to indulge, but they sang high praises. The dish was filled with scallops, shrimp, chorizo, Jidori chicken, ham, yellow veloute, and creamy rice. If you ever visit Anepalco’s, I highly recommend ordering anything that has the creamy rice in it. It is to die for.

Last, but certainly not least, we closed out our meal with my favorite item on the menu. The Pambazo Torta is probably the most visually pleasing dish you will ever see. It is Yellow Tail, avocado puree, serrano chiles, radishes, and micro cilantro, served between two pieces of toasted Ciabatta. This is a must-try when you visit Anepalco’s. The fish is always fresh and the avocado puree is beyond delectable. I am always tempted to order one for myself, just because cutting it into pieces to share always ruins the beautiful presentation.

With two locations, Anepalco’s Cafe is a foodie destination in Orange. They also serve brunch and lunch, which I am anxious to try one of these weekends. The only other time I have had an equally enjoyable Mexican-French fusion experience was at Papito in San Francisco. I am so happy to have found something that is just as good closer to home. Also, if you are visiting Disneyland, don’t settle for the overpriced dinner options at Downtown Disney, Anepalco’s is just a short drive away.

For more inforamtion, visit http://www.anepalcoscafe.com/