A Decadent Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel
I was privileged to sup at The Dining Room at the Shangri-La Hotel on Valentine’s Day, a place that’s becoming a favorite spot of mine. I have put in my time working in hotels in my youth, and can’t say I care much for them at this point in my life, but the Shangri-La is not your typical hotel. When you enter, there’s no big lobby or front desk area. There’s the wonderful dark, clubby Dining Room on the one hand, and only a very small, equally inviting lounge area on the other. Somewhere in between the two, there’s an unobtrusive desk, so someone is ready to help direct you, if you need it. And then there’s that beautiful luxurious courtyard, a perfect spot for escaping the craziness of So Cal just outside. Ah- but back to dinner. I was intrigued by the announcement that Chef Dakota Weiss was creating a menu with as she put it “the decadence of 18th century icons such as Marquis De Sade and King Louis XV” as inspiration to “entice and excite the public.” Hmm- last time I checked the Marquis de Sade doesn’t exactly conjure up a positive image in the public psyche. On the other hand, I am a New Orleanian, and hence, do have a healthy streak of hedonism, so I’m down with being enticed by a bit of decadence. When my guest and I arrived, we were greeted by a “masqued” hostess (the servers were all “masqued”, too). Okay, it was also Mardi Gras weekend, so I immediately felt a kinship. The room was punctuated (but not overwhelmed- a good sign, I thought) with dark red column candles, and blood red roses. Before we knew it, our server was placing the first of three platters of tasty treats to share before us- little nibbles of all sorts of things we could eat with our fingers- grilled asparagus spears with a luscious truffle mayonnaise, tiny little oysters prepared three ways, bright red lipstick peppers filled with creamy brandade, juicy, ripe strawberries for dipping in honey, chocolate and citrus sugar. Your LA2LA Chef perfectly agrees with, and encourages this style of eating on Valentine’s Day. (You can click here to check out a brief article written by yours truly a couple of years back on the subject.) I had the chance to ask Dakota Weiss some questions after dinner- you know- about the Marquis de Sade and all. Here’s what she had to say… LA2LAChef: You state that the decadence of Marquis de Sade, among others, inspired you. Most people do not have positive associations with the the Marquis de Sade. Will you talk more about that, and the inspiration? Chef Dakota Weiss: The Marquis de Sade in my opinion was a masterful man. He was a thinker way beyond his time, and in so many ways was persecuted for being dirty, violent, perverted and sinful when most of those persecuting him were either doing the exact acts themselves, that he wrote about or were thinking them. I am drawn to him because he lived in the moment. He was not afraid to speak his mind, write what he felt or do as he pleased. I get the same amount of passion when it comes to cooking. My personality, emotions and...
read moreStirring It Up in Los Angeles for Haiti Relief
Thanks to all of you who supported Small Pleasures Catering and the people of Haiti by attending Los Angeles’ Stir It 28 event. It was a great time- lots of yummy food (courtesy of Small Pleasures, of course, and The Cheese Impresario, as well as the food blogging community of L.A.), wonderful libations (courtesy of The Liquid Muse, Grey Goose Vodka, Sutter Home Wines, and Fre-Wines). Oh-and a very special thank you to Greg of sippitysup who opened his lovely Hollywood Hills home to us. Even the weather, while iffy for a moment, cooperated. The energy amongst the food blogging community kept the Greg’s lovely kitchen buzzing. I am still amazed that such a vibrant and supportive community has developed in L.A. in such a short time, and it all started on line! And, as it was a food blogging event, there were cameras snapping the whole time, so here are some great pics to share with you. All I can say is- okay, when’s our next event? Here’s Small Pleasures’ Bruschetta and Dessert bar, with display design by the fabulous Tom Coffey, one of our company’s talented team members. Click here to check out our complete menu. Photo Courtesy of Patti at WorththeWhisk Tapenade and Sun Dried Tomato Red Pepper Pesto – Photo Courtesy of Eric Charbonneau and Grey Goose The Baked Brie with Caramelized Apples was a big hit! Photo Courtesy of Eric Charbonneau and Grey Goose As were the profiteroles- more about them in my next post! Photo Courtesy of cinemon girl Here’s our featured team- Chrystal Baker of DuoDishes, who organized our L.A. segment of Stir It 28, Greg Henry of sippitysup, me (your small pleasures catering chef and chief bottle washer), Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, aka The Liquid Muse, Christophe Name of Grey Goose, and Barry Lynn Krich, aka The Cheese Impresario Ah- and there were plenty of our next generation of foodies on hand- here I am with my favorite young apprentice! Photo Courtesy of Patti at Worth the Whisk...
read moreSmall Pleasures’ Stir It 28 Event Menu
I just wanted to take a minute to share with you the menu small pleasures is planning to serve at the Stir It 28 event in Los Angeles. We'll be presenting up an "interactive" bruschetta bar (interactive is definitely a trend for 2010 in catered parties- no stodgy buffets or sit downs)) with assorted crostini and toppings so that guests can assemble their own bruschetta, and a luscious spread of desserts. I think it's a great menu- perfect for a cocktail "mix and mingle" type gathering. I'm also very grateful and excited that Tom Coffey, one of our very best servers will be doing his magic to create a beautiful display, and the lovely Aida Cadres will be on hand to help out, as well. L.A.'s own, The Liquid Muse is partnering with Grey Goose Vodka and Fre Alcohol-Removed Wines for the cocktail program for the the event. She's created a signature cocktail -“Hearts for Haiti”-just for the day. I've done a walk through of Greg@sippitysup's home (Greg's hosting us for the event) and believe me, it's a lovely home. All in all, it is promising to be a great way to spend an afternoon, and on top of that, to contribute to a very worthy cause. Now I'd say that's a win/win. Menu Bruschetta Bar Kalamata Olive Tapenade SunDried Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Pesto Cannellini Bean Purée with Prosciutto and Herbs Caramelized Onion and Fig Spread Herbed Goat Cheese Spread Gorgonzola Dolce Latte Spread and for Dessert… Puff Pasty Wrapped Baked Brie with Caramelized Apples Rosemary Spiced Nuts White Chocolate Lemon Curd Swirl Cheesecake Profiteroles with Chocolate Fondue Triple Fudge Brownies Grapes and Strawberries Oh, and there'll be a professional photographer on hand, so check back next week for great pics of the...
read moreBarbecued Shrimp- Good for Super Bowl, and Good for Valentine’s Day, too!
“Barbecued” – a curious term in New Orleans- Shrimp
read moreA Special Cake for a Special Day-German Chocolate with Milk Chocolate Buttercream
This German Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Buttercream has always been a “go to” cake for special days in my family.
read moreBlogging and Eating for Haiti Relief
It started as a simple idea- food bloggers love food, and that fact creates a bond among us. Haiti is desperately in need of being fed- something we can align with passionately. Watching those news accounts out of Haiti after the January earthquake made us all want to do something to help. Hence the birth of Stir It 28 -a grass roots event of local food bloggers to help Haiti. Food bloggers will come together bringing and serving delicious treats they've prepared. 100% of all funds raised during the month will go to Share Our Strength and Yéle Haiti. Your LA2LA Chef is thrilled to be taking part in this event in Los Angeles (events are also happening in Chicago, New York and Atlanta -the list of cities is growing so check the site links). The plan originated with bloggers Chrystal Baker of Duo Dishes, Bren Herrera of Flanboyant Eats , and Courtney Nzeribe of Coco Cooks. For more information and to purchase advance tickets please go to at Flanboyant Eats or Coco Cooks. If you're in L.A. I look forward to seeing you on February 21st. Ciao,...
read moreMardi Gras in L.A.
As those of you who read this blog know, we are in the full swing of Mardi Gras season- even here in L.A., two thousand miles away from NOLA. There was a huge Mardi Gras ball this weekend in L.A., and while your LA2LA Chef was not in attendance she received this report from one of her relatives who was. “The ballroom was filled with the sounds, sights and the revelry that is Carnival in New Orleans, including the fancifully decorated umbrellas that bounced to the beats of the Second Line snaking through the large, colorful room. These (mostly) New Orleans expats and their offspring, know how to celebrate Mardi Gras and celebrate they did! “Laissez les bon temps roulez” was the rule of the day. The only requirement was revelers had to come costumed. There was no formal theme for the ball, but the undercurrent of support and excitement for the Saints was strong, with Saints jerseys dotting the room and the fleur de lis, the favored accessory, could be seen on many of the costumes, masks and umbrellas. A pair of revelers, who won the award for the most beautiful costume worn by a couple, wore large gold fleurs as the major attraction on the back of long black capes and masks made of gold and black fleurs de lis. Another large family of revelers was attired in black clothing, black high hats with white banners across their chests bearing the names of streets in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans, the area from which many, if not most of the revelers, once lived. The only design other than the street names on each banner, was the simple, elegant fleur de lis. The caped wonder, Bat Man, was seen sporting a gold and black fleur de lis with the words “Who Dat” emblazoned across his chest. Another group of royal ladies (one of whom even flew in from New Orleans to attend), all of whom wore fleur de lis designs on banners across their bosoms, accompanied a king* , who had the fleur prominently displayed on his crown, tunic and shoes. Yep-the fleur de lis ruled supreme.” *That would be my relative. Thank God he was the most beautiful single costume winner- there was widespread grumbling heard last year, when his Cardinal costume didn’t take the prize, that the judges’ ruling was tinged with nepotism. “Laissez les bon temps roulez” ...
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