Bennett and seafood.... What a night!

The Naked Oyster Bistro and Raw Bar
Hyannis, MA

On a recent trip to visit a dear friend, we had the wonderful opportunity to see the remarkable Tony Bennett live in concert, at the Cape Cod Melody Tent! An amazing entertainer even at at his age, Mr. Bennett, is like a fine wine, he gets better with age!! Of course, with great music, comes great food to create an experience!!

After, what we (Mary, Mark and I) thought was the best live performance ever, we felt ourselves quite famished.... And when in the Cape, seafood is the first choice. Mary, being quite the knowledgeable Cape Cod hostess, and quite the foodie... recommended that we go to an area favorite, THE NAKED OYSTER, which had very recently moved to a brand new location. It had a very urban-chic vibe when we walked in, and it was quite busy for a late night in a sleepy town (which was not too far from the famous Kennedy compound)!!

We were quickly whisked to the back dining room.... Where before long, we were presented by some delicious creations from the sea. Appetizers were the components of the meal, and a way to taste several dishes. The oysters here all come from local oyster farmers and are extremely fresh. You can't really go wrong with any of the varieties of shellfish...
So we ordered an oyster sampler... And they were all delicious! The Oysters Rockefeller, of course, was my fave. Rich, perfectly flavored and decadent, a must have!






Clam chowder is, of course, a staple I find the need to order when you know the clams are super fresh. Great texture, great flavor.... Delicious.



Crab Cakes!! I am a huge fan of crab cakes... And a huge fan of anything fusion, sweet, tangy and savory all coming together to create a party in your mouth! The crab could not be more fresh and flakey... Combining a mouthful of the crab cake with some of the tangy citrus, mango salad and the Cajun spice Aioli... And that is a serious flavor explosion in your mouth! So good!!



Last was the Seafood Ceviche "Martini"... What to say about ceviche that is made with extremely fresh, local seafood? Fresh goodness every bite through and through! Of course, being a big fan of all things spicy... I had to add a dash of hot sauce, but not to take away from the integrity of the dish, I'd still order it again. Paired with fresh avocado, and freshly made chips... It's a great accompaniment to any of the delicious drinks their bar serves up, or a bright , fresh dry white wine, like a Pinot Grigio.



The food was delicious, and the company priceless.... However, the only thing lacking here was the service. We concluded that the staff was still trying to acclimate to the new location, and towards the end of our meal we felt rushed to finish it. Sadly, the lack of service could put a dent into an experience. I think I would give this place a second chance on my next visit to Hyannis.... Assuming Mr. Bennett is healthy and strong next year, I will be back to see another performance which I'm sure will be just as unforgettable as this one was.... And follow it by some memorable oysters!!!

One delicious bite at a time....

Elle. :)

Red O.... OOOOhhhh, Boy....OOOOOOhhhh, Boy!! :)

Red O
On the fashionable Melrose, West Los Angeles, CA

Oh, boy, Oh boy.... or should I be saying?? ... Oh Rick, Oh Rick!!!
The master chef, Rick Bayless, and best ambassador to Mexican cuisine, has come to LA!! After making a name for himself with his restaurants in Chicago, IL; Frontera Grill, the more upscale Topolobampo, and the newer brainchild XOCO... Rick has moved West, to the area that could be the mecca of Mexican cuisine, outside of Mexico.

Bayless is a very celebrated chef and best selling author of cookbooks, having won the coveted James Beard award and earned much acclaim from some of the best food publications in the country... How does one resist then to visit such an acclaimed establishment?? ....Moreover... what a perfect location to celebrate a birthday??

On my recent 41st birthday, I along with 13 of my wonderful foodie friends went to RedO... with some pretty high expectations, and we were not disappointed!! The restaurant as a whole has a wonderful vibe... a very extensive tequila bar to complement the truly authentic menu. Delicious drinks, La Sirena, El Catrin, to name a few, the favorite by far was El Alacran (The Scorpion), a delicious concoction of lemony tartness and the spiciness of chile peppers... rimmed with a chili/salt mix that's yummy through every sip!!



When you gather 14 foodies in a restaurant that has a BRIGHT BITES menu, similar to Spanish TAPAS, you will have most of the menu items ordered to that table... so to say that it rained fantastic food that night is an understatement!!

Much to say about all the dishes that were ordered... and all great things!! Here are the dishes that stood out... and for the most part, the ones the made it before the camera before they mysteriously vanished!!

The Shrimp Ceviche... one word, flavorful!! I am quite particular about the preparation of this Mexican treat, and Mr. Bayless did not skip a beat... a definite must try!! I must try one of the other three on the next visit!



The Plantain Sopes... I had to try the creative, and not usual use of ingredients... there was a completely separate party in my mouth!! This would be perfect for all my vegetarian friends!! Delicious!



The Cazuelas for Soft Tacos... I can't say enough about the Adobo marinated Duck Tacos... something u just won't find at your average taqueria... very memorable!!



Then there are the CELEBRATED SEVEN. These are traditional regional dishes that Mr. Bayless has perfected. I wish I could have ordered one of each, but alas I was able to sample one of the two pork dishes. The COHINITA PIBIL... form the Yucatan region, achiote-marinated and slow cooked in banana leaves; you take a bite and you are instantly transported to Mexico. Rick does not skip a beat on flavor, texture and presentation!



Always having room for dessert, even after a surprise birthday cake, I had to try the creamy Goat Cheese Cheesecake, served with caramel corm and a Mexican "Root Beer" sauce... I can still savor the smooth creamy consistency that melted as it touched my tongue! Who would have thought... Goat Cheese? Believe it!... more importantly, try it! You will thank me!

All in all, this culinary experience did not disappoint. I am sure I will return and try different items every time! Having grown up on truly authentic Mexican cuisine, I am proud to say that Rick really represents the spirit and flavors of Mexico in his genius creations! All those years of living there and absorbing the culture truly paid off!
I can't wait to visit his acclaimed restaurants in Chicago and report back with equally fantastic, if not more amazing reviews!!



A phenomenal culinary experience through and through. The food was definitely center stage, and it was my pleasure to share the limelight!
Thanks to the staff at the Red O for the amazing evening and a very memorable 41st birthday celebration!!

Buen Provecho!!

Elle :)

Movies.... As they should have been intended!!

Gentlemen.... Listen up! If you are looking for the ideal "date night".... and want to make a lasting impression??? Going to the movies has never been this appealing!!

In old town Pasadena.... GOLD CLASS CINEMAS is now catering to a new genre of movie-goers!! Come see what it's all about!

The beauty of planning ahead is that you already have your tickets waiting for you... (it is very recommended to go online a few hours or days before you plan on arriving, given the limited seating!)...

Next, you are escorted down a pair of escalators, where you will be greeted by a very cheerful staff and a fantastic lounge. You may want to arrive a bit earlier (at least 45 mins. before showtime); this allows you to enjoy the lounge and one of the many specialty beverages they will prepare for you (You heard correctly...they have a full bar).

From Gold Class Cinemas

You are then escorted into the theater which houses anywhere between a couple dozen to about 30 luxurious lounge chairs.... (and yes, they recline).... you will even get a pillow and blankie, if your heart desires!

Your server presents you with a menu which consists of appetizers and finger foods!
From a foodie's perspective.... the food is not bad... but hardly deserves raves. The drinks on the other hand; very good! I will have to say, I do want to try the potatoe chips with blue cheese dipping sauce, next time and the Beignets, have been calling out to me!!

Having said that.... you may want to consider dinner (or lunch, whatever the case may be) beforehand. There are many local restaurants within walking distance, SUSHI ROKU (a personal favorite), being clear across the quad.

When your movie is over you have the option of hanging out in the lounge area, where a local DJ is mixing some fun background music!

I must say... not quite the movie experience we have become accustomed to! The only problem one might consider is that you may never want to see a movie the old conventional way! (And we thought it couldn't get better than "stadium" seating!)

For further information, go to: www.goldclasscinemas.com

Pasadena Location:
•Address: 42 Miller Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103, USA
•Phone: (626) 639-2260

Enjoy your movie!!! Cheers!

Dining al Fresco.... Local, Fresh and Delicious!

The least likely of evenings... turned out to be a culinary event!! Having passed this delightful looking eatery a couple dozen times....I decided it was time to stop and checkout the dinner fare! (and boy was I glad I did!) :)

From Mike and Anne's South Pasadena

Mike and Anne's is located in a very quaint South Pasadena neighborhood.... on Mission Street. This bistro has a perfect outdoor seating area, as well as a very inviting interior. As the weather was warm but crisp, we took a seat outside and our very delightful server, Emily came to explain the specials of the day and offer us a drink.

We ordered a Cucumber Gimlet... a drink made with muddled cucumber and lime... I chose the vodka version, since I'm not the biggest fan of gin! Ode to the bartender... quite the delicious concoction! (If only I could get that recipe!!)....LOL!

From Mike and Anne's South Pasadena

For an appetizer, we went with one of the daily specials; Spicy Tomato-Herb Risotto with Crispy Calamari. It was topped with black olives, thin slices of red-onion and micro greens. This dish was the perfect starter, bursting with flavor!! The sauce was a bit spicy, but ever so delicious!! They really should consider keeping this on the menu... I would come back more often to have this as a small bite with a few drinks!!

From Mike and Anne's South Pasadena

For our entree... we chose to stay in the "sea" mode and ordered one dish from the daily specials and the other from the regular menu: Red Snapper, which was pan-seared with Grilled Corn Grits, Chinese String Beans, Fennel in a Sun-dried Tomato Nage with Olives. I must say, I was quite impressed by the fusion of flavors the chef used... the tomato broth was bright and light, and though the fish was very fresh and cooked to perfection, this dish, actually its veggies, could stand alone as a vegetarian special, given the outstanding fusion of the veggies over the grits and the broth! Truly delicious!

From Mike and Anne's South Pasadena

Then there was the Miso-Sake Braised Black Cod.... cooked to perfection with the skin ever so crispy, it was served over a bed of Edamame, Asparagus and fused with Basil and Scallions... still sitting in some of the sake marinade... light, airy... the fish melts in your mouth at every bite! This is the perfect entree especially for those watching their waistline... but not compromising on flavor and quality!

From Mike and Anne's South Pasadena

Considering that we were already pretty full at this point... we still could not resist the offerings in the dessert menu so we went for the Chocolate!! A Warm Nutty Brownie with Hazelnuts, Pecans and Walnuts served over a bed of fresh berries and a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream... the kind of dessert that brings you to that place of appreciating all things simple, yet delicious and decadent! The tartness of the berries complimented the chocolaty goodness of this amazing little brownie!! Somehow... you could never go wrong with chocolate! (Although I will have to say... I MUST try the Brioche Bread Pudding, next time! That was really screaming "Elle-Special"!) :)

From Mike and Anne's South Pasadena

For all you Angelenos and locals... this is the perfect spot to break out of the monotony of eating out. Offering great ambiance in a nice-casual setting. Very well prepared food, wonderful fusion of textures and flavor... I will have to say, Mike and Anne's will be one of my new favorite "go to" places!

A special thank you to our server Emily, who put the "cherry-on-top" of the evening's meal, her lovely and cheerful spirit truly complemented our experience!!

Visit the website here.


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Until next time....
Bon appetite mes amies!!

Elle :)

There's a "Latina on the Loose!"

The premise of Elle Living is definitely great food and culinary treasures, but in addition to all that delicious goodness, it's also a lifestyle site... your directory and resource for all things fabulous that allow for extraordinary living! By the way, don't worry that this is going to be a site for only the "well to do"; on the contrary, it's for everyone, not only the "Designer-Clad Set".... Simply those with a taste for good things and decadence! (Which, by the way, could come by way of the simplest things in life... sometimes, that can show up in a Taco Truck! LOL!) I'm at the beginning stages of launching the full site and so I have yet to incorporate the other arts, but I thought that it would be great to start with something that is definitely one of my favorites and probably close to many people's hearts... Theatre!!

First, I must say that if you could call something the "little production that could"... This would be it!! I love all things "live theatre" and when a dear friend of mine insisted that I go see this production being presented in Downtown LA, I was quite taken by her enthusiasm about this "one woman" production... So, of course, I had to go see for myself!

I was not quite sure what to expect, but I know that at the end, I was definitely glad that I made it out to see this production. "Latina on the Loose" is based on the life story of Mina Olivera, her life growing up as a Latina teenager, moving from country to country and all the silliness/happiness/craziness that happens in between such experiences... this would include her coming to America and realizing her dreams. Mina takes you on a true roller coaster ride (the really fun and exhilarating kind) of emotions... She was funny, witty, charming and captivating! You will laugh... (a lot)... you will cry (a little - :)) and feel every emotion in between happy and heartfelt!!

It is pretty amazing when one actress is able to take you through such an experience without a supporting cast... But Mina does exactly that, in a somewhat effortless way! The performance is very well written... in a way that captivates the audience from start to finish!

I was fortunate enough to see the final production on Sunday October 11 at the Los Angeles Theatre Company, but for those of you who weren’t able to see Mina in LA, don't worry... because against all odds... “the little production that could” is going on the road and being presented in various cities. Wherever you are, I highly recommend you go and experience this lovely, heartwarming tale of a very tenacious Latina! I must say, she makes me proud of my Latin Heritage! I got the feeling that her personality is truly contagious and fun and it came out all over the place in her production. I now know why my friend Stacey was adamant that I go see this work of love!

Here are some selected pics from the production:

And, here's a short clip from the show:

Mina: thank you for sharing yourself so generously with your audience and giving yourself so wholeheartedly to your work! I applaud you and support you (as a fellow Latina)... and can’t wait to see you on Broadway!

You can follow the show and Mina on Facebook on her fan page: Latina on The Loose

Or visit her website for dates and locations!

Abrazos y besos!!

Elle ☺

A bite of Italy at the Marina!!!

Had I known that there were a hidden piece of Italy in SoCal, I would have made it a point to drive there sooner!!

Tucked away in the heart of Marina del Rey at the Villa Marina Marketplace on Maxella, there is a small place called Antica Pizzeria that is all about great Italian!! Very cute, eclectic eatery... looks like something straight from the “Boot”. The food is Neapolitan Cuisine, and though I have yet to visit Naples, every bite was so authentic (at least to the Italy that I know) and it took me back to the Italy that I was fortunate enough to experience... Delicious and savory!!

First, we ordered a glass of an amazing red wine from Montepulciano, Tuscany! It took me right back to a lovely osteria in Arezzo that I had dinner in...(sigh!)...
It was a flavorful full-bodied wine through and through, made with the Sangiovese grape. Antica offers a modest wine list, but because they have great varieties from Italy... go with the Italian... you can get the Merlot anytime!

For starters, two pièces de résistance. First, there was the Arancino di Riso, very similar to the Roman Suppli, which in essence is a savory risotto ball that is mixed with cheese or a variety of flavorings and flash fried to create a fantastic and decadent treat, the one that we had that night was filled with mushrooms and peas... so good!! Probably not the healthiest choice... but certainly worth the splurge! This variety offered at Antica was the family size, easily shareable with four people (it is supposed to be an appetizer, after all!). It was served on a light tomato sauce... sure to be a crowd pleaser!!

From Antica Pizzeria MDR

Second, there was the Timballetto di Maccheroni!! On paper it was probably not the first thing you would want to try... but when in Antica... ordering this is a must!! It's a puff pastry filled with spaghetti, sausage meat, peas and cheese! I know, it doesn’t sound that great... but trust me... you won’t be sorry!! DELISH!! This too, can be shared with at least four people... Small portions, people!! ☺

From Antica Pizzeria MDR

So many great pizzas... What to choose???

We went with two pizzas, both bianca... which in essence are, pizzas minus the traditional tomato sauce. The first was Pizza Bianca al Prosciutto... this was served with buffalo mozzarella cheese, fresh arugula and fresh prosciutto! I was transported back to Italy and did not want to return! Your taste buds will will dance with this one... drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil on it for a fresh, crisp bite... So good! You’ll want to call me and thank me! ☺

From Antica Pizzeria MDR

The second pizza was Pizza al Cafone; which had italian sausage and broccoli rabe! I know it sounds strange to have broccoli on pizza... Live a little... walk on the wild side a bit... your taste buds will thank you!! Very much worth the try... and for you parents out there, great way to get the kiddies to eat their veggies!! ☺

From Antica Pizzeria MDR

I think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs because we ordered two appetizers and two pizzas, and for two people this is a lot of food! If you don't mind taking the leftovers home... order two pizzas so that you can sample the varieties!! You won’t be sorry!

All in all... Eating at Antica Pizzeria is a great experience! The staff is lovely and very attentive. The prices are easy on the wallet, and there was no compromise on quality, ambiance or flavor! Truly authentic, right down to the deli cases in the front of the restaurant, it just feels like Italy... And the taste... makes me want to jump on a plane to go right back!

Visit them at www.anticapizzeria.net... (make it a date night… there is a movie theater right next door and the marina is a stone’s throw away!)

Buon Appetito!!