Smoothies to help your budget and your constitution!

Follow this link to get coupons for the following smoothies: (http://www.jambajuice.com/fruitfulcoupons)

• Fit ‘n Fruitful Smoothie, 16 oz ($2): These smoothies contain at “weight burner boost” and provide protein, fiber, and two or more servings of fruit. Available in three flavors: Berry Blend, Peach Mango, and Strawberry Raspberry Banana.

• Probiotic Fruit and Yogurt Blends, 12 oz ($1): Made with yogurt, soymilk, and a “probiotic boost” for supporting your immune system and digestive health. Flavors include Strawberries Alive, Vibrant Blueberry, and Thrivin Mango.

• The Coldbuster Smoothie, 16 oz ($2): Knock out your cold with a blend of orange juice, orange sherbet, peaches, bananas, ice, “immunity boost” and “antioxidant power boost”.

These deals are good until January 19. Tell ‘em South Bay Foodies sent ya!

Oh, before I go any further I must say that I was invited to check out this offering. That aside, I’m a fan of Roy’s and go there even without fancy invites. The setting, quality of the service, and the damn good chow are what keep me going back.

If you’ve never been to Roy’s – and especially if you have – their My Prix Fixe deal is a great way to poke around the menu. For $35.99 per person, you get the run of the house: choose any appetizer, any entrée, and any dessert. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part you can pick just about anything. With some entrees running upwards of $30 alone, this deal is like getting your appetizer and dessert for free…sort of.

If you go with a friend or two, you can mix up your choices and make you own Hawaiian fusion feast. You also have the option of sharing just one plate if you’d like to keep your dinner cozy.

But trust me, once you taste the miso seasoned butterfish, sharing will be the last thing on your mind!

Following is a quick review of the items I tried a few Monday’s ago. Among the items are a couple old favorites and a few new ones. Enjoy!

• My Prix Fixe Mondays at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurants
  Monday Nights for a limited time at most Roy’s
  800 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017 (closest to South Bay)
  http://www.roysrestaurant.com

Drinks

Roy’s has happy hour from 4:30 – 6:30 PM every day. Get there early for dinner and you’ll score $5 drinks including the signature Roy’s Island Mai Tai and The Original Hawaiian Martini. All the signature cocktails are $5 so mix and match.

Roy’s Island Mai Tai - Don't stir it! Ask the bartenders why and they will let you know. I always stir mine anyway. :/

Appetizers

The Crispy Potato Croquettes were new to me. They were good but definitely needed the sauce for flavor elevation.

Crispy Potato Croquettes - Eat them with the sauce and the little veggies on top for maximum flavor.

Entrées

If its your first time at Roy’s heed these words: get the butterfish! It keeps me coming back time and again and I’m never disappointed.

Hawaiian Style Misoyaki Butterfish - The ultimate entree at Roy's. If they only sold this they'd still be in business.

Branching out a bit, I also tried the Brown Butter Seared Salmon as was pleasantly surprised. It was like two dishes in one. The fish was served skin on, with the meat being very tender and the skin crispy. The salmon was like you might expect this firm fish to be and the skin was good enough to eat on its own, adding to the overall texture.

Brown Butter Seared Salmon - A new favorite for me. If they ever run out of butterfish, I'll order this.

Dessert

I tried a few desserts. Don’t judge!

The chocolate cake is a must-try if you’ve never had it. Its nothing like the heat-and-serve cakes you’ll get at other places; they bake each cake from scratch when you order it and then lovingly stuff it with chocoloately goodness.

Chocolate Cake - its a made from scratch classic! Order it at the same time you order your entree; it takes about 20 minutes to make it.

Another fave is the pineapple upside down cake served with pineapple-coconut ice cream. Like every dessert should be, this plate is an escape from the ordinary. The cake is moist and the topping slightly crispy. Both are sweet but not overwhelmingly so. This is another one that might be tough to share!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake - A cake that comes with a side of cookie is my kind of dessert!

The Counter is offering fans of Monday Night Football unlimited mini burgers and fries for just $15 per person. To sweeten the deal they’re even throwing in one beer.

Find more details on the pages of Finer Things LA – Unlimited Mini Burgers and Fries.

• The Counter
  http://www.thecounterburger.com/elsegundo
  700-A Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245 (Map)

Walk your dog! Image courtesy of NorthwestBeerGuide, nwbeerguide on flickr.com.

Fans of Newcastle Brown Ale are in for a treat when Newcastle Brown Ale hosts five Walk The Dog Day parties on Saturday, September 24.

In a synchronized effort, the five parties will take place at five locations around Los Angeles – East L.A., Downtown L.A., West L.A., Long Beach, and Santa Ana – all at the same time. Guests will be treated to music, other entertainment, and plenty of Newcastle.

To secure your spot on this stroll, send an email to walkthedogday@gmail.com with your first “Walk the Dog” Day location choice. The event is open to the public but you must RSVP to the Gmail address to receive exact details.

The lucky attendees will likely get the VIP treatment but will be asked to donate at least $1 to benefit the Los Angeles Art Association, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities, resources, and services for emerging Los Angeles artists of all media. A small price to pay for a sweet party!

To learn more about Newcastle, check them out on Facebook and Twitter.

Oh, and if you get into one of the parties, leave your dog at home!

• “Walk the Dog Day” with Newcastle Brown Ale
  Saturday, September 24 11 AM – 3PM
  Locations to be disclosed! Email walkthedogday@gmail.com for deets

Los Angeles Times Food & Wine Present The Taste

Quoting their website, “The Taste is a four-day food and wine extravaganza, celebrating all things epicurean.” This event – more like collection of events – brings together top chefs, beverage makers, and foodies like you and me to do what we do best.

Better Than Other Food Events? Maybe!

I’ll be the first to admit it: this event is pricey! Each of the sub-events is $125 or more. I’m still filing this post under Cheap Eats though, because overall it’s a good deal.

Each event features unlimited tastes from at least 30 restaurants and 30 beverage vendors. Also, compared to other foodie events, this one is spaced out over days and has each event has a different focus. Find the right event for you based on your tastes buds, time of availability, and budget.

And to keep “budget” in the equation, make sure you use the promo code WEB to save 40% when you buy tickets online. That $125 ticket just got a little more affordable!

Make a Game Plan…and Wear Stretchy Pants

Spread out over four days and all over Los Angeles, there’s no way attendees can get to every single happening that makes up this belt busting event. But who says you shouldn’t try!?

Following is a breakdown of the events by day. For more details, check out The Taste events page on the LA Times website. For details on each event, follow the link behind title of the event.

Friday, September 2

• Burgers & Beer – See how Los Angeles’ most celebrated restaurants and chefs interpret what a ‘burger’ means to them.
  Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire Blvd., 7-10 pm, $125

• Art of Mixing – Learn the secrets behind mixing a show-stopping beverage.
  Hollywood, The Studios at Paramount, 9 pm-12 am, $125
  

Saturday, September 3

• Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellar –Check out an exclusive interview with celebrity couple Chef Ludo & Krissy Lefebvre. See what Michael Voltaggio is cooking up. Sample the latest dishes from top L.A. restaurants like Craft and Napa Valley Grille.
  Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire Blvd., 11 am-3 pm | $150

• Taco Tequila Tryst – Roy Choi and L.A.’s best taco artists create one-of-a-kind tacos.
  Hollywood, The Studios at Paramount | 7-10pm | $125
  

Sunday, September 4

• Fashion Bites Brunch – Los Angeles’ hottest brunch spots will serve up signature dishes alongside free-flowing Bloody Marys, Bellinis and mimosas.
  Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr. | 10 am-2 pm | $150

• Street Eats – Cooking demos and panel discussion (and food too) focusing on featured restaurants in Hollywood, Downtown, Chinatown, gourmet food trucks, and more.
  Hollywood, The Studios at Paramount | 4-8pm | $150

• Desserts After Dark – Duff Goldman and acclaimed pastry chefs will showcase the most sinful sweets L.A. has to offer.
  Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr. | 8-11 pm | $150

• Food Noir – Los Angeles’ most celebrated restaurants and chefs serve up ‘noir’ inspired dishes, wine and spirits. pop into the iconic Orpheum Theatre to enjoy classic Warner Bros. cartoons, vintage newsreels and trailers for legendary movies from Hitchcock, DeMille and more.
  Downtown, Broadway between 8th and 9th | 8 pm-12 am | $125
  

Monday, September 5

• Picnic in the Hills – Kids (14 and under) get in free with admission to this one! Hosted by Food Network star, Giada De Laurentiis, enjoy amazing chef creations, as well as fun kid and family-focused events.
  Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire Blvd. | 12-4pm | $150

Are you going to The Taste!? Leave a comment below to let me know. Maybe I’ll see you at one of the events. If I do, the drinks are on me!

The event started on Tuesday, March 1 and runs until March 8.  This provides South Bay residents with the perfect excuse to visit another great Los Angeles neighborhood.

Follow this link for a list of the participating restaurants along with their menus and this link for a handy calendar.

Before you groan about taking the 110 Freeway all the way to Pasadena, read these tips on beating the traffic and making the most of this event.

1. Carpool – Don’t even think about driving by yourself!  Life is so much more fun in the carpool lane.  Get a group of friends together, pick a designated driver, and then hit the road.  You’ll save some cash on fuel, avoid suffering from road rage, and get home safely.
2. Go on the weekend — Many of the 19 locations participating are offering their discounts and specials on Saturday and Sunday.  This calendar shows what day and time each location is offering specials.
3. Go late — A few of the locations are open on the weekends AND they’re open late.  Get your after hours tapas at Bar Celona, Italian seafood at Villa Sorriso, and “fun food” at IX Tapa Cantina.  These locations have specials from 4 PM to close Sunday through Thursday during happy hour week.
   

   Inside Bar Celona.

4. Be entertained — Don’t just go for the drinks, go for the show, too! POP Champagne & Dessert Bar is presenting free live music on Sunday, March 6, from 6 – 9 PM.  For something on the silver screen, check out the signature drinks at the totally upscale Gold Class Cinemas; they’re offering happy hour from 6 –  8 PM every day during the event.

I hope you enjoy Pasadena’s first Happy Hour Week!

Photo courtesy of Meltwater.

The first new flavor, Chocolate Chipotle Butter Pecan, will be “unveiled” this Friday, April 30.  The remaining three flavors will be released to the public one per week over the next 30 days.

Fortunately, our friends at Paciugo Gelato & Caffè in Hermosa Beach are so excited about the first new flavor, they are offering a sneak peak for Facebook fans on the day before the unveiling.

On Thursday, April 29 between 6pm to 10pm, Facebook fans of the Hermosa Beach Paciugo — and readers of South Bay Foodies! — are invited to get a FREE SCOOP of Chocolate Chipotle Buttered Pecan before it is available to the general public.

If you need help deciding whether or not to try some of their very tasty gelato, consider these descriptions of the new flavors:

- Chocolate Chipotle Butter Pecan – offers a deliciously smooth and intense flavor that is smoky, creamy and crunchy, buttery and spicy. Made with extra brute chocolate from Belgium, a smoke-dried jalapeño pepper combines with a light spread of pecans that are buttered and toasted until crisp to perfect the flavor concoction.

- Roasted Banana Cashew Heath Crunch – an Italian twist on an ice cream classic! The ripe bananas are first roasted with brown sugar to create a silky smooth texture and intense flavor as it blends with gelato to create the right degree of extravagant sweetness. Buttery cashew pieces are lightly toasted to add a salty taste while chewy chunks of Heath bar create a combination guaranteed to make you want more.

- Durian – known in Southeast Asia as the “King of Fruits,” Durian pulp has the consistency of an avocado which creates gelato with a buttery, custard like texture. With a beautiful, golden yellow color and an equally unique smell, it’s no wonder toasted coconut was chosen as a complement to Durian Gelato. The crunchiness of the toasted coconut and the sweet aroma contrast pleasantly with the silky texture.

- Organic Maple and Caramelized Bacon – an interpretation of the Maple Bacon Crunch ice cream that took home the “Best in Class” award, chosen for its bold flavor and dark color. The maple syrup creates a heightened natural contrast of sweet and salty, smooth and crunchy when paired with caramelized bacon. Overall, a delicious treat.

YES!  Its no surprise that they would save for last what may potentially be the best flavor out of the four: maple and bacon! I’ll be looking forward to trying that one out.

Paciugo Gelato Caffe

On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PaciugoGelatoCaffe

1034 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
(310) 379-2525

Pinkberry — the trendsetting frozen yogurt shop — is adding a new player to its all star line up: Mango.

Los Angeles area Pinkberry stores invite you to come in to try their newest flavor; a refreshing, light and fruity mango.  To kick things up a notch, the flavor introduction is being billed as a “Mad About Mango Happy Hour”.

On Friday, March 12 from 5 to 9 p.m.,  customers can receive a free 3 oz. serving of Pinkberry’s mango or mango swirl with all the toppings that can fit in the cup.  Customers will also be treated to music, in-store games, and giveaways.

To help folks decide how to best use the new flavor, Pinkberry has created a menu offering suggestions for toppings that pair nicely with mango.

“Our customers have told us they love mangoes,” said Ron Graves, CEO, Pinkberry. “It’s also one of our most popular fresh fruit toppings, so we decided to introduce the new fruity, light and refreshing flavor just in time for spring. It’s a perfect blend of authentic mango taste with Pinkberry’s signature tartness.”

Be sure to swing by your local Pinkberry to try out the new flavor!

Pinkberry

http://www.pinkberry.com/

El Segundo
2004 Park Place (in Plaza El Segundo)
El Segundo, CA 90245-4773
(310) 414-9351

Hermosa Beach
900 Pacific Coast Highway
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 318-5888

Torrance
21157 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 540-5602

Palos Verdes
27 Peninsula Center
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
(310) 544-2306

Kids Smile For Buttermilk Truck

The hard working — and very hungry — citizens of El Segundo were treated to a visit from the Buttermilk Truck Wednesday morning.  Announcing their visit via Twitter, the shiny happy truck served up high quality, very affordable breakfast cuisine from 9 – 11 AM at 2151 E. Grand Ave.

I’ve been wanting to check out Buttermilk Truck for a while and was glad to get the heads up from Annalise that they were coming to our neck of the woods.  We sped over to scoop up some of the tasty breakfast goodies.

A line was already forming at the truck but the nimble and friendly chefs kept things moving along at a nice pace; we waited maybe 15 minutes total with about 10 people in front of us.

Buttermilk Truck Menu

The menu, posted on the side of the truck, was neat and easy to read.  It was a treat to see such reasonable prices!  I’ve always loved breakfast for being one of the most afforable meals of the day while also being filling and at the same time offering up savory and sweet options.  Buttermilk Truck delivered nicely in all of those areas.

I wanted to try everything but time and stomach space were limited so I narrowed my selection to the Hawaiian bread French toast.  Annalise picked up a breakfast sandwich with egg and applewood smoked bacon, served with a delicious sounding side of rosemary garlic hasbrowns.

The French toast was crispy and light, topped with a few strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Buttermilk Truck Hawaiian French Toast

While I didn’t sample the breakfast sandwich, it was very visually appealing with its soft muffin outside and yummy looking bacon and egg on the inside.  I did sample the hashbrown patty; the rosemary and garlic came together nicely with the potato to make for a crispy, savory treat.

Buttermilk Truck Hashbrowns and Breakfast Sandwich

If you’re a big fan of breakfast, I highly recommend you track down the Buttermilk Truck.  A tweet from them later in the day gave promise of a return to the South Bay some time next week.  Follow them on Twitter and check out their website for details!

The happy hour shark will grace you with its presence every Monday-Friday from 4-6pm, and it will bite you with amazing deals like $4 Sam Adam pints, $14 premium and $11 domestic 60 oz. pitchers, and $4 well drinks and house wines.  You can supplement these affordable drinks with a free game of pool. This shark, who is obviously a football fan, comes back during the weekends to offer 60 oz. pitchers of Bud Select for $11 and 2 for 1 180 bombs during the Saturday and Sunday football games. The bloody battle does not end there, as he resurfaces every Sunday to bring amazing breakfast deals and $4 bloody Mary’s and mimosas until noon, and $3 domestic 16 oz. pints, $4 premium 16 oz. pints, and 2 for 1 180 bombs from 5pm-closing.

You deserve to visit a vicinity that’s devoted to serving your needs—join the other party sharks, and bite into amazing deals at the Cove!

Sharks Cove

1220 Hermosa Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 798-3932

Also in Manhattan Beach (but without pool tables).

Sharks Cove
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-5316
(310) 545-2683