Meet Me at the Farmers Market-a Sunday Field Trip to L.A.’s Original (Part 2)
A photo essay on the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax There are a few remaining produce stands at the Farmers Market, but mostly it’s filled with vendors and small restaurants, old and new, selling food, both raw product and prepared treats. Sustainably Raised Beef at Marconda’s Meats Jars of tea at “T” and teapots Freshly churning nut butter at Magee’s House of Nuts There are fun, kistchy little touches like the porcelain chicken watching over the counter at Farmers Market Poultry and the two-wheeled wooden shopping carts, hand-made on the property and painted “Farmers Market Green,” the official name of the color. or just bring your own wooden cart… I mostly go to the market nowadays for a quick brunch or lunch, and most often it’s to Loteria Grill (my newer favorite) or Banana Leaf (my older favorite, which is just down a lane from my older favorite place), although I have to say that as a result of this field trip, Short Order and Short Cake are now definitely on my list of places to try. Scones at Short Cake Ah- and speaking of Loteria Grill, the day would not have been complete without a stop for a couple of their tacos. Muy Sabor! Ordering at the very busy Loteria Grill Carnitas Tacos at Loteria...
read moreMeet Me at the Farmers Market-a Sunday Field Trip to L.A.’s Original (Part 1)
The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax has been around since 1934- way before Third, Fairfax, and most of L.A.’s surrounding streets became clogged with a never-ending stream of traffic.
read moreSitting Down with John Besh-Part 4-Continuing the Traditions and Moving Forward
Chef John Besh shares his thoughts on the value of New Orleans, its cuisine and restaurants.
read moreSitting Down with John Besh-Part 3- Louisiana Locally Sourced and Recipe for Blackfish with Sweet Corn and Caviar
John Besh shares on sourcing locally in southern Louisiana, and a recipe for his Louisiana Blackfish with Sweet Corn and Caviar.
read moreSitting Down with John Besh-Part 2-The Diverse Richness of New Orleans Cuisine plus a Recipe and Contest
John Besh displays his passion for food as we chat about the rich diversity of New Orleans cuisine-plus recipe for Crabmeat and Shrimp Stuffed Artichoke and a contest to win his newest cookbook.
read moreSitting Down with John Besh: Part 1-Syrena and Café Reconcile
After feasting on an incredible lunch last August at Restaurant August, I sat down to chat with Chef John Besh. He started out by sharing a favorite project, Cafe Reconcile, with me.
read moreThere’s Always Room for Improving a Roasted Chicken-Roast Chicken with Olives, Garlic and Lemons
Susan Spicer introduces this recipe by aksing, “Think there’s no way to improve on perfectly roasted chicken?” I say there’s always room for a recipe like this tantalizing Roast Chicken with Olives, Lemon and Garlic.
read moreMuriel’s Goat Cheese and Shrimp Crepes at IFBC NOLA
These scrumptious Goat Cheese and Shrimp Crepes, courtesy of Muriel’s in Jackson Square, were the hit of the Friday night reception at IFBC NOLA last August.
read moreChatting with Ti Adelaide Martin of the Brennan Family-from the Origins of Commander’s Palace to Mr.B’s Bistro
Talking with Ti Adelaide Martin about the origins of Commander’s Palace, the Brennan’s flagship restaurant, straight on to the beginnings of modern restaurant history of New Orleans, and how Creole and Cajun food “crashed” in the kitchen of CP.
read moreMeeting John Besh, Eating at Restaurant August and Recipe for Brown Butter Fig Tart
John Besh, Barnaby Dorfman of Foodista, and future foodie (Photo courtesy of Foodista) Although everyone I mentioned it to, leading up to my interview with John Besh, said he’s such a great guy, I still wasn’t prepare for how completely impressed I would be with him. He’s charismatic, warm and thoughtful, and (icing on the cake) tall with boyish good looks tempered by a tiny bit of gray that’s beginning to touch his temples. Chef Besh spoke to the attendees of the International Food Bloggers Conference after our Saturday night wine pairing dinner at the Monteleone. I had a chance to observe him out in the hallway before he took the stage. Everyone wanted to greet him. Women hugged him, the men shook his hand, he was even kissing babies. When I got the chance to speak with him at his flagship Restaurant August, the Monday after the conference, I said to him, “You should run for mayor. You’re such a natural.” “I’ll leave that to Mitch,” he said, laughing. “He’s doing a great job. And Ray. I really liked Ray, too.” And such a diplomat, too. My cousin Paul, who luckily called me just as I was preparing to go to lunch, and I decided on the 3 course pre-fixe lunch for only $20.11, an incredibly great deal, but as we looked over the menu perusing our options, our server came to the table, and said, “Order lightly. The chef is going to send out several items for you to taste.” We were served an incredible array of amazing food. When we were finished-more like when we just couldn’t eat any more- Paul looked at me and said, “I have never had a meal like this!” We began with two amuses bouches- the first a Fish Mousse (served in a delicate eggshell) with Truffle Sabayon and Bowfin Caviar, the second an Asparagus served (again) with Truffle Sabayon and a (barely) Poached Quail Egg. Asparagus with Truffle Sabayon and Poached Quail Egg Then we were served the first course of our prix fix menu- for Paul, a Salad of Grilled Chilton Peaches, Aceto Balsamico, Basil Pesto, Bacon Crisp and Whipped Ricotta. For me- this luscious Pâté de Campagne of La Provence (Besh’s own hog farm) Pork with Pickled Wild Mushrooms and Seasonal Marmalades (I especially liked the peach), served with thick slices of toasted Brioche. Then 3 hot appetizers- a Green Curry Bisque with Gulf Shrimp, Potstickers and local Heirloom Chile Peppers (Paul pronounced this his favorite dish), a Sweet Corn Agnolotti with Chanterelles, Petit Tomatoes and Field Peas, and a handmade Potato Gnocchi tossed with chunks of Blue Crab and Black Truffle. Truffles- again! I thought of my L.A. food blogging buddy and truffle junkie, Erika Kerekes, knowing she would love eating here. Corn Agnolotti And now for our entrées: Pan Seared Gulf Sheepshead with Silverqueen Corn Custard, Succotash (that’s what the menu called it, but I saw all sorts of yummy and unexpected things like black eyed peas, summer squash and figs in the mix) and Tomato Vinaigrette; Crispy Mangalista Pork Belly with Creole Cream Cheese Malfatti (a kind of gnocchi), Mustard Greens (Paul said -these are not your mother’s mustard greens), Tomato Confit and Sauce Blanquette, and Pan Seared Louisiana Blackfish with Tarragon Pistou (which...
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