Foodie Fights: Battle Rosemary and Kohlrabi
I’ve always been a fan of Iron Chef. It’s one of those shows that exposes the art and passion that goes into the craft of creating really good food. I always wondered what it would be like to take the stage in Kitchen Stadium, face my opponent, discover the secret ingredient, and hear the chairman yell “Allez cuisine!”.
That day has finally come. Well, sort of.
You’re Invited to a Foodie Fight
Its been a great week here at South Bay Foodies, and its looking to be an even more eventful weekend. First, we kicked off the week with a review of the awesome Cham Korean Bistro in Pasadena. That was quickly followed up with some tips on how to enjoy the new movie Julie & Julia. And now, we’re getting ready to fight; Foodie Fight.
Seven Tips for Watching Julie & Julia
On Tuesday night I attended a sneak preview of the Sony Pictures film, Julie & Julie. I have to give a big thanks to Josh over at Food GPS for the hook up. There are already many reviews and critiques of this movie and I’m sure there will be many more. So I won’t waste your time with another one. What I will do, is share a couple tips and opinions with you from the view of a South Bay Foodie.
Grand Tasting at Cham Korean Bistro
Today Pasadena is getting a great new restaurant serving up fresh, affordable Korean food. I was able to get a sneak peek last week during their Grand Tasting event, a soft opening that allowed participants to sample items from their innovative menu.
OK, OK! Yours is Bigger Than Mine!
There are big grills, and there are BIG GRILLS. The Ranch Kettle by Weber, for example is a big grill. Any grill that requires a tractor trailer to pull it around is a BIG GRILL. The Johnsonville Big Taste Grill is a perfect example.
Blogger Prom Takes the (Cheese) Cake
After weeks of anticipation, Blogger Prom has risen to a climax and is settling into rosy memories of polyester, big wigs, and good eats. The crew that put this thing together did a great job executing it and the attendees did their part by enjoying every minute.
Blogger Prom or Bust!
They’ve blogged about it, Tweeted about it, they’ve agonized-over-what-to-wear about it. And now, the day dozens of LA bloggers have been waiting for is finally here: Blogger Prom! This sponsor heavy, invite only party is being billed as the most exclusive blogger event of the summer.
Gordon Ramsay Brings Kitchen Nightmares to Manhattan Beach
About a month ago, famed chef and reality-television personality Gordon Ramsay made a stop in the South Bay. His goal? To help a local establishment wake up from a Kitchen Nightmare! Or does the nightmare start when he shows up!? Either way, the South Bay Foodies were eager to find out.
Gardena Japanese Cultural Center Festival
A few weeks ago, I had some great Asian inspired chow at the Japanese Cultural Center’s annual festival in Gardena. Not only was it a great opportunity to get some great eats, the venue was only a short bike ride away!
Denny’s Pancake Puppies Make a Great BFD
Its no shocker to you, I’m sure, that breakfast is a meal fit for any time of day. The foods that we reserve for the first meal of the day are equally satisfying at lunch, dinner, and all the meals in between. Denny’s, a popular diner known for their breakfast, makes for a great dinner stop. Recently, I tried a new “breakfast” item on their menu for dinner: Pancake Puppies.
Block Party at Plaza El Segundo
One of the best ways to celebrate summer is with food, music, and a few hundred of your friends and neighbors. Sounds like a block party to me! Plaza El Segundo, the shopping center located at the corner of Sepulveda and Roscrans, recently kicked summer of with a block partythat featured plenty of the ingridents to mix up a celebration to remember.
Shrimp and Creamy Grits
Shrimp and grits is truly a satisfying meal at any time of the day! You can’t go wrong with creamy grits topped with a succulent mixture of shrimp that’s been flavored with bacon and spices.
Paciugo Gelato – Italian Sweets in Hermosa Beach
Just one month shy of their first anniversary, Paciugo Gelato has become a go-to destination for gelato in Hermosa Beach. With this location being the first of this chain in California, people are coming in droves for what may be the best gelato in the South Bay. As the word gets out, their motto almost seems like a self fulfilling prophecy: “reputation before profit”.
Fried Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms
I’ve eaten flowers before, usually as an accent or decoration on a salad or with sushi. I’ve also seen them at markets and not known what to do with them. A little bit of foodie edutainment, however, gave me the insight on a very easy and tasty dish featuring flowers.
Bill’s Grill: “Dining In” at Whole Foods
Imagine, walking through your grocery store and, just as you past the produce section, a quaint little patio restaurant pops out of nowhere. It has an open kitchen with a charbroiler, a bar and tables facing a ceiling mounted flat screen TV, and a menu featuring burgers, salads, and BBQ combo plates. That’s Bill’s Grill!