New Restaurant Opening: Smashburger Debuts in LA!

Smashburger has opened in LA.

Already excited for this restaurant, I jumped when my invitation arrived to be one of the lucky food bloggers to sample the entire menu on a warm, sunny January day. The location is technically in Culver City (the other Southern California location is in Thousand Oaks).

Let's just start with the Smashburger itself. Juicy, tender, great seasoning—the burger lived up to its reputation. I sampled Classic Burger with Smashburger Fries (start with the basics). The favorite burger was the L.A.—made with crispy wonton, fried egg, cilantro, cucumber, and ginger dressing.

We were invited to view the special process as demonstrated by Tom Ryan, the CEO and Chief Concept Officer. The ground beef is loosely packed (and not put through a traditional meat grinder). The key part of the process is when the meat is "smashed" with a patented press.

It's then generously seasoned with a salt and pepper mixture.

Sweet Potato Fries

Other highlights of the menu included the Sweet Potato Fries. If you're craving something healthier, you can do a side of "Veggie Frites"—flash-fried carrot sticks and green beans. Very tasty.

Fresh Mex Veggie Black Bean Burger

If you're not in the mood for beef, the chicken options are stellar. The chicken breast is pounded thin and marinated. Any burger option can be made with chicken instead. And if you're hoping for a vegetarian option, the Fresh Mex Veggie Black Bean Burger was awesome. The biggest surprise, considering that Smashburger is known for being burger restaurant, was the quality of the salads. If you're hoping for something on the lighter side, try the Baja Cobb and add the chicken.

I loved the burger, but the milkshakes made my day. Using Haagan-Dazs ice cream, I loved both the vanilla and the strawberry. Malts are also available in tempting flavors like Butterfinger and Chai. There's also an IBC Root Beer Float.

Vanilla Shake

So if you're in the neighborhood, or looking for a fun foodie field trip, check on the new Smashburger in Culver City (Los Angeles, CA). And now I'm hungry...

Disclaimer: I dined as a guest of Smashburger, but received no compensation and the opinions expressed here are my own.

Lexington Social House: Jazz Night & Jidori Fried Chicken

Lexington Social House Cocktail Flight

Music and food are two of my favorite things in the world.

Seldom do I cook without putting a CD on the stereo (yes, we're dinosaurs that way) or flipping on the radio (more dinosaur stuff). It just doesn't feel right without it. So when I was invited to Lexington Social House for a blogger dinner to celebrate Jazz Night with Jeff Goldblum and his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, I jumped at the chance.

I'd seen Jeff Goldblum perform before at Largo, a music and comedy club that I regularly hit up. So I knew that this wasn't a novelty act—he's really talented.

But first came dinner. We sat on the gorgeous patio on a gorgeous evening (the weather in LA has been fantastic lately). We began the evening with a candy-colored cocktail flight, served in adorable miniature glasses. They were all delicious in their own special ways.

Summer Fling Cocktail

My favorites included the "Sweet Lips," a refreshing blend of elderberry, watermelon, lemon juice, and sparkling wine. It tasted like spring. Another standout was the "Summer Fling." This cocktail is made from Jim beam Bourbon, Dewars scotch, apricot syrup, and fresh thyme. I loved the aroma of thyme that drifted out of the smokey drink as I sipped it.

Steak Tartare

And then the food came out in three courses, served family style. The appetizers included a Little Gem Lettuce Salad with grapes, toasted hazelnuts, and smoked blue cheese. We also feasted on pickled vegetables and enjoyed a whimsical take on Steak Tartare, complete with drive-thru French fries and encapsulated root beer spheres. 

Steak Tartare French Fries

However, my favorite appetizer was the Jidori Chicken Liver Toast.

Jidori Chicken Liver Toast

It was smooth and creamy and savory, and came with a lovely salad of picked shallots, radish, and parsley. I love herb salads.

Pickled Shallot & Parsley Salad

Main courses ranged from the lighter Florida White Shrimp with Risotto—to the heavier Braised Boneless Beef Short Ribs. This came with farro, one of my favorite grains. But this restaurant is known for one entree—Jidori Fried Chicken—and it's easy to see why. The fried chicken was served Southern Style with bacon braised greens, sweet potatoes, and corn bread. 

Jidori Fried Chicken with Bacon Braised Greens

Do I need to say anything more? 

Oh yes, dessert! Chocolate Bread Pudding (yum) and their famous Monkey Bread (yummier). The latter tasted like a take on a sweet bun, and is a signature dessert.

As if our feast wasn't enough, around nine o'clock Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra began to play the first of their two sets. No surprises here—they were fantastic. The room was packed with eager jazz patrons, and Goldblum even dispensed a multitude of hugs (he's definitely a hugger) and took photos with adoring fans during the set break.

Their residency continues every Wednesday night (first set 9-10pm, second set 10:30-midnight) at the Lexington Social House. Reservations are suggested.

L'Ermitage Beverly Hills Debuts New Small Bites Lounge Menu

Kumamoto Oysters with Ginger Summer Salsa

L'Ermitage in Beverly Hills is a stalwart bastion of Los Angeles. When I worked in Hollywood, I booked many drinks in their lounge.

Much about the hotel remains the same--the refined crowd, the framed Oscar-winning screenplays on the walls, the relaxed atmosphere. However, the lounge and cocktail menus have recently gotten a total revamping, thanks to Executive Chef Joseph Elevado (a jovial man who has trained with some of the greats, including Nobu himself) and award-winning mixologist Stephanie Brown (who has a penchant for growing wacky ingredients in her own garden and infusing them into her cocktails).

Octopus Salad Skewers

The new menu features small bites with subtle Asian and Mexican influences, such as the Kumamoto Oysters with a delicate ginger summer salsa (I must have eaten twenty of these); the Pork Belly sliders served on buttery brioche with tomato jam; and the Pickled Fries (yes, they are deep fried dill pickles--amazing!).

Wagyu Sliders on Brioche

The cocktails match the food in their complexity and flavor. My favorites included the Off the Vine, a heady combination of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, lemon juice, agave nectar, heirloom tomatoes (you read this right), and basil; the Root of All Evil, made with rum, citrus, ginger beer and candied ginger (they had me at ginger); and The Bitter Truth, a refreshing blend of elderflower Liqueur, grapefruit, and champagne.

The Chefs pushing Lemon Curd Zeppoli's

And I haven't even mentioned desserts yet. We enjoyed the Lemon Curb Zeppoli's. Frankly, anything fried, especially desserts, are delicious.

Modern Bite Bakes Up Designer Cakes & Cookies

Modern Bite doesn't occupy a store front in L.A. In fact, it can't be found in any brick and mortar establishment. It's an online bakery, perfect for this modern age.

The brainchild of Daniel Shapiro (baker) and Greg Roth (tastemaker), Modern Bite offers custom cakes, cupcakes, and cookies with design-driven elements.

Take for example their stunning Fondant Cakes. The layers of colored fondant create a visually arresting presentation. And the flavors are completely customizable, ranging from the classic vanilla and chocolate to red velvet, carrot, or salted caramel. Wouldn't these be fabulous at a party?

Let's leave the cakes, and move on to cookies. Modern Bite offers a huge array of tempting choices. My favorite were the Toffee Peanut Pretzel, which combine brown sugar, English toffee, peanuts, and salted pretzels. They prove that salty and sweet really is a match made in heaven.

And if you're looking for a great gift, I love their Gift Boxes filled with buttery shortbread cookies. The boxes are gorgeous (and reusable), and available in several different colors and patterns. I brought a box of these to my book club, and they were a big hit with the girls.

All their baked goods are made with premium ingredients, which explains why they taste so great!

So if you're looking to add flair to your party, send a fabulous gift to a loved one, or just want to chow down yourself, check out Modern Bite's online bakery.

Click here for their website

Disclaimer: I was given free samples to taste and the owner is a family friend, however the opinions expressed here are my own.

Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons: High-Class Hotel Gets Down and Dirty with New StrEAT Menu

Singaporean Carrot Cake Scramble

The other night, I had the honor of sampling the entire menu at the Four Seasons (Beverly Hills) newly launched Windows Lounge. The brainchild of Executive Chef Ashley James, the new StrEAT menu draws inspiration from street food around the world and showcases it in a collection of small plates.

Crab Tostadas

This is not your average high-end hotel fare. Favorite dishes included the light and dainty Crab Tostadas served on crispy corn chips; the Mini Tortas with pork carnitas and arbol chili sauce (I'm obsessed with arbol chiles right night); and the Singaporean Carrot Cake Scramble with organic eggs and daikon rice pancake.

Mini Tortas with Pork Carnitas

But my favorite dish -- the one that will send me back here shortly -- was the simply named Pommes Frites. Don't be fooled by the moniker -- these aren't your run of the mill French fries. Rather, the Belgian-inspired potatoes were thick, gluttonously long, and perfect deep-fried to a crunchy, slightly well done crisp. The finishing touches are a dappling of sea salt and real mayonnaise (which is a pleasure that must be experienced).

All the dishes were perfectly balanced with great spice and flair. It was a vast improvement over the typical stale American fare usually served at these sorts of hotels. Adding to the energetic vibe, the lounge also showcases live music.

Chicken Chipotle Cilantro Dog

The perfect ending to the evening was a sampling of the desserts, beginning with the Churros. Dusted with cinnamon and sugar and served with warm chocolate sauce, this is one of my favorite desserts in the world. I also loved the so named "Knickerbocker Glory," a huge vanilla ice cream sundae served in a tall glass with Jello, berries, and fresh whipped cream. It was glorious.

The lounge is also serving a great selection of fresh cocktails (hello mixology) and wines, which draw from much of the same inspiration as the food.

Kudos to the Four Seasons for taking a risk with this menu. I plan to go back. It's worth it for the French fries alone...

Disclaimer: I was invited to an event to taste the menu. However, no compensation was received, and the opinions here are my own.

Jinya Ramen in Studio City

Let's all welcome September!

It's sure to be a packed month. I'm busy finishing a polish on the manuscript for my debut novel, which I'm delivering to my agent after Labor Day. I'll be hunkering down for the next five days, staring at my computer screen with blurry eyes and swigging green tee by the pot. But there's nothing I'd rather be doing.

Instead of sharing a recipe today, I wanted to post about the fabulous lunch that I had yesterday at Jinya Ramen in Studio City. A recent transplant from Japan, I consider this shop to have the best ramen in Los Angeles (I know, there's always a big debate raging about this).

Yesterday, along with my friend/editor/literary guardian angel, I feasted on the spicy ramen, studded with spinach, spicy bean sprouts, and pork chasu. We both added a green salad and gyoza, which I adore.

Although, we both had to take post-ramen naps, it was worth it! I think that ramen is the ultimate comfort food--filling, flavorful, warm, soupy, and budget friendly.

In addition to Jinya Ramen, I also love their counterpart izakaya (Japanese pub) called Jinya Robata on 3rd Street in West Hollywood. In fact, I go there so often, that the manager and all the cooks know me well.

Here's the article I wrote on Jinya Ramen when they first opened.

New Restaurant Opening: Fonuts Reinvents the Doughnut

First, it was cupcakes (hello Sprinkles). Then, frozen yogurt (a Pinkberry on every corner). Are doughnuts the next big food craze to hit Los Angeles?

Fonuts, a modern take on the traditional doughnut and coffee shop, opened its doors on 3rd Street last week for the very first time.

Pastry Chef Waylynn Lucas and Nancy Truman

The brainchild of Pastry Chef Waylynn Lucas (The Bazaar by Jose Andres; Patina) and partner Nancy Truman, Fonuts features more than a dozen varieties of fonuts, which are baked, not fried like a traditional doughnut. Furthering their health consciousness, Fonuts offers gluten-free and vegan versions of this baked treat.

Strawberry

At the opening party, I had opportunity to sample a variety of their signature flavors (along with foodie turned blogger extraordinaire Jo of My Last Bite). We both proclaimed our preference for savory treats and honed in on the Chorizo & Chedder, Rosemary Olive Oil, and Maple Bacon flavors.

Chorizo & Cheddar

The Chorizo & Chedder reminded me of a dinner roll, crusted with tons of yellow cheese, and the inside studded with sweet-tasting chorizo.

Rosemary Olive Oil

Meanwhile, the Rosemary Olive Oil was reminiscent of the cake of the same name, with powdered olive oil coating the exterior in place of traditional powdered sugar.

Maple Bacon

The Maple Bacon seized on the classic breakfast flavors of maple syrup and bacon, with a healthy amount of crumbled bacon lodged in the icing. 

After noshing on my fill of Fonuts (it was five in the afternoon, and I'd had three at least), I tucked a few in my purse for my husband, a self-proclaimed doughnut expert. Since he prefers the sweeter side of life, I brought him a little Peanut Butter & Jelly pastry and Strawberry and Chocolate Hazelnut Fonuts.

Chocolate Hazelnut

His verdict? He scarfed them down, however, I can't be certain if he's ready to give up the deep fried version for these healthier counterparts. Yet...

In addition to their regular menu, Fonuts plans to offer limited edition, seasonal-inspired flavors. Upcoming fall and holiday selections will include Pumpkin-Squash, Ginger, and Chocolate Peppermint. Accompanying the baked goods, Fonuts also offers premium coffees from cult coffee brand LAMILL.

Only time will tell if healthier doughnuts really will be the next big food trend. However, if Fonuts is any indication, it just might be.

Fonuts, open Wednesday through Monday from 7:00am to 6:00pm, is located at 8104 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles. Call 323.592.3075 or visit www.fonuts.com.

My Fave Bites: Tasca's New $8 Happy Hour

Burrata y Jamon Serrano Crostinis

Tasca has long been one of my favorite wine bars, and one of the best kept restaurant secrets in Los Angeles.

Nestled off of 3rd street behind a vine-covered trellis, you'll find this Spanish-style wine bar. On any given night, there's a good chance that you'll find me esconced at the bar, either noshing with a friend, or my wonderful husband, or simply dining alone with my Kindle. To say that I love Tasca would be a major understatement.

From their excellent selection of wines (they'll taste you on anything on the menu to help you make your choice), to the casual Spanish tapas fare, which while not flashy, is always well-executed and satisfying, to the comfortable bar that spans the entire space and lovely outdoor patio, I love everything about it. It's the kind of place where you just want to hang out for hours and hours. And trust me, I do.

While there are many things to love about Tasca, their Happy Hour has always been at the top of my list. Even better, they've just relaunched it, with a much bigger menu and bargain $8 pricing for every dish on it. You won't find better food at this price anywhere in Los Angeles. Trust me, I know.

Pizza Bianca

Just check out the pictures--the Happy Hour food offerings include Pizza Bianca; Ahi Tuna Tartare; Mussels served in Saffron Broth with their famous fries; Burrata y Jamon Serrano Crostinis; Speck-Wrapped Dates; Gambas al Ajillo; and their Baby Artichoke Salad, which is hands down one of my favorite salads in Los Angeles. Period. And maybe in the country. I'm not kidding--I love it!

Baby Artichoke Salad

And all these dishes and many more and more are only $8 each!

Drink specials include a pitcher of sangria ($20); house red or white wine ($5); sparkling wine ($7); and a variety of beers ($3-$4). Also, a bargain.

Mussels in Saffron Broth with Fries

Even better, the happy hours themselves are very generous. Stop in Monday through Tuesday from 3pm-10pm, or Wednesday through Saturday 3pm-7pm.

Butternut Squash Agnolotti

I'm sure I'll be back at Tasca again before the week is out... Seriously, I might have a problem... addiction to Spanish tapas...

New Restaurant Opening: Coney Dog Serves Up Detroit-Style Hot Dogs, Chili Fries & Faygo Pop

Sometimes I have to take a break from my healthy diet and load up on some delicious street food. What's the point in living otherwise?

So when I read that Coney Dog was opening this week on the Sunset Strip, I had to be one of the first people to check it out (read about it on Patch).

The brand new WeHo eatery serves up Detroit-style hot dogs, chili-cheese fries, and colorful Faygo pop. As it so often happens in Hollywood, the restaurant's famous investors include Tim Allen, Mike Binder (who was on site during my lunch), and director Sam Raimi, all Michigan-natives.

 I entered the brightly lit space and settled into a communal table, which seem to be all the rage among top restaurants now. After taking one bite of my first Coney Dog, laden with beanless meat chili, mustard, and onions, I was officially hooked. The meaty dog had a nice snap that gave way to juicy goodness, and the garnishes were the perfect counterpoint.

I also noshed on Chili-Cheese Fries with the vegetarian chili (I wanted to sample both varieties). The crinkle-cut fries were perfectly crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, smothered with real cheese and plenty of chili. To say I loved them would be an understatement. This is the stuff both heartburn and heaven are made of.

I washed it all down with sips of Faygo pop. I can't wait to go back and try all of the varieties this summer. Now if only their food was calorie free... sigh...