As I've mentioned before, my intention for this blog is to be about all things that inspire me and light me up...
As I go along, I will tell bits about myself and my dreams, goals and what I am up to at the moment. I will journal about food, style, inspiring things and random things as I experience my life day to day. I can only hope that along the way I can either touch, move and inspire my audience in some way, shape or form. The objective here being... to live a life that I love and relish every moment with those whom I love and are the closest to me!!
One thing I will say is that I love to travel. I am fascinated by different places, the people, the aesthetics... from architecture to environment and ambiance. I love to experience diverse cultures and customs... whether in a foreign country, or in a different state... because really??... the culture in LA is foreign in comparison to one from the East Coast! :) So... having said that... I will share with you a recent trip I took to New York City that I had the privilege of taking this past February.
NYC is one of my favorite cities ever... there is never a trip there that is identical to the other! I love it all... the culture, the food, the sites, the different neighborhoods, the shopping ... (sigh)... ALL OF IT! Ironically, I was born and raised in LA... but when I am in New York, I feel as though I am a New Yorker. I can almost relate to SJP's character on SEX AND THE CITY, Carrie Bradshaw... and her love affair with Manhattan. Double irony that I love to write and I love fashion! (Wait... that is triple irony! LOL)...
Anyway... back to the trip to NYC... this trip was unlike any other as it was a turn around trip.
I left LAX at 9 PM on a Tuesday and returned the following Thursday morning at 9 AM!! I was in NYC for literally 24 hours... who does that? (Well, I'm sure there are many people that do that on a regular basis, be it for business or just day to day jetsetting... but for me... not so much!) So the excitement in all of this was that it was so out of the ordinary for me, an adventure, if you will!
I had the privilege to be invited by a friend to FASHION WEEK to the Diane Von Furstenburg fashion show, (a very fantastic gift to be given this trip and unforgettable opportunity). This year she (DVF partnered with American Express to produce a fashion show for the "consumer". So aside from the "celebrity" show that one reads about in fashion magazines... this was one for her "real" clients... and the whole thing was just brilliant! I love her work! I own a handful of her dresses and several other pieces and (though not from the most recent collections, very classic pieces) and I just adore them! She is truly an icon in the fashion world and an inspiration to all women. I can only hope I look like her when I am her age! Simply stunning!
So here is a rundown of my unforgettable 24 hour trip in the Big Apple:
We arrived at JFK at about 6:30 AM... and it was COLD! If I recall correctly, about 40 degrees COLD! BRRRRR!... There was a mere hiccup in the transportation plans... so after dealing with that and morning traffic hour... we arrived at The Algonquin at about 7:30ish... settled in and went across the street to have a fabulous breakfast at BRASSERIE 44. In one word DELISH!
I tell ya, the French know their food (and ambiance). BRASSERIE 44 is housed at The ROYALTON HOTEL on 44th St. Truly a work of art and a great place for the fans of boutique hotels, as myself. I have not yet had the pleasure of staying there, but will definitely have that in my "Places to stay" list when I return to the city!
I had a hard time choosing what I was going to have... I am a bit of a health nut and like to start my days with healthy breakfasts... but giving in to the sweet tooth occasionally is not so bad; everything in moderation! So, when traveling, I make room for the occasional indulgences! I went with the French Toast... which they prepared with Brioche... and it came with a Berry Compote (truly delicious). I will have to comment that the steak and eggs was done better than what would be expected for breakfast fare (this was my friend's choice). All in all... I would give Brasserie 44 a 5 star rating for breakfast in NYC, especially if one is after a great meeting location, either to impress your companion or for a power meeting; very chic, uptown (well, actually midtown) crowd; very New York!
So after breakfast, my friend, who was under the weather, decided to go back to the room to take a nap for a couple of hours. I, on the other hand, decided to go for a walk, as the morning was clear and brisk.... very cold... but beautiful... and really? I was in NYC... I did not go there to nap! I ventured into the city without a map... but with an open mind to see what I'd find. Off I went only to find myself in the theatre district... and suddenly "bumped" into Times Square! What a great surprise...(clearly, I had no idea in what direction I was walking).... I later found out that had I ventured the other way... I would have bumped into 5th Avenue!! (I guess it wasn't so bad... I saved money going the other direction! LOL... there was an H&M store just 2 blocks from my hotel!) :)
I walked around and took in the sights and sounds of the city... people watched and window shopped! There is something iconic about Times Square... it's so busy, people everywhere, both locals and thousands of tourists! It's the heart of New York! I will have to say it is a rather liberating and empowering thing to be 3,000 miles from home alone... and to take it all in... having nothing else to do in that moment but be there and be present to it all!! Simply amazing!
I returned to the hotel a couple of hours later to check on my friend... but by this time I had walked off that fantastic breakfast... So, we jumped into a cab and ventured into Greenwich Village. The original plans were to meet a friend who works at Carnegie Hall for lunch and go for a private tour of Carnegie with her... but that had to be changed and so I insisted on hanging in Greenwich and going to JOHN'S PIZZERIA! John's happens to be the most fantastic pizza in the city (IMHO) ... seriously to die for pizza!! Located at the corner of Bleeker and Jones St.... we got there shortly, only to have the weather change dramatically in that short while!! It had to have been 30 degrees at that point, when we ventured into a local shoe store (of course)... LOL! No sooner were we indoors...it began to rain, but suddenly to our surprise, there was a sudden snow flurry!! Such a cool thing to see! I had never been to NYC in the middle of Winter... so had never experienced this kind of cold, much less the snow! Can I just say??? So cool!!
We ended up warming up inside John's Pizzeria... ordered a pie with mushrooms, olives, peppers and meatballs. OMG!! I have to reiterate, to die for! I will have to say that just their cheese pizza is amazing... so I have decided that next time I return, I will go with one topping and call it a day! Whatever you order, you can't go wrong! Totally worth the cab fare to get there!
(BTW... they have a tradition of sorts at John's... you get to engrave your name at the table/booth you sit at... and your name (literally) goes down in history!) (So FYI... NO! I don't make it a point to vandalize the establishments I dine at! LOL!)
Lunch was done... and in the freezing cold we were off to SOHO. Again... too cold to walk... I seriously thought my friend would catch pneumonia... so we took a cab there... only to get there and get present to the fact that it was waaaayyyy tooooo cold to walk, PERIOD!!! In life's true ironies... we accidentally bumped into one of the most fantastic little tea houses called SANCTUARY T. Located just caddy corner from the Soho Grand Hotel (another fantastic boutique hotel), we walked in there not knowing what to expect. Very cool, contemporary, organic interior... accompanied by a very organic menu of exotic teas and lunch entrees... we ordered what turned out to be one of the most fantastic teas I have ever had! Granted, I have become a bigtime tea drinker and have discovered some pretty wonderful teas in my time, but SanctuaryT... definitely a "go back"! I highly recommend to anyone big on organic cafes; especially the kind with a fabulous ambiance! We spent a good hour and a half there... shared some delicious tea and conversation... and off we went.
At this point... the weather took a toll on us... and really?... I hadn't gotten the best rest on the plane... so I was ready for a nap; given that I wanted to be impossibly fresh for the fashion show! So we headed back to the hotel and napped for a little over an hour and got up and ready for the show!
After a short nap…. It was time to get ready for the fashion show! This was my first NYC Fashion Week experience… and I have to admit it is such a cool thing to know that you are going to be in the tents at Bryant Park! The weather was not the best “hair” weather, it was cold and raining, still… so I decided to go with the old faithful “high ponytail”… paid some extra attention to makeup… I would have loved to have worn one of my DVF dresses to the show, but most unfortunately, my winter coat had gotten the best of me; and given that her dresses are rather "unforgiving", I opted for another more flattering dress with some stiletto pumps... heavy coat and wrap… and off we went!
Tough thing to live in NYC and have to dress up and walk in stilettos in the rain… the cabbie dropped us off on the wrong side of Bryant Park, so we had to run in the rain… a full New York block! We managed to get there a bit wet, but we survived… after standing in what seamed to be the longest line ever… the crowd maneuvered and we all got in and took our seats! One word… WOW! What an amazing experience!… The press was there… Diane was introduced by one of VOGUE MAGAZINE’s executives… she is absolutely stunning! I so want to look like her when I am her age; the woman is ageless, timeless!
Her Spring Collection was presented and was just fantastic. Very feminine and ethereal… with a bit of rocker-chick glamour! Some pieces I could dream of having in my closet… but I must say I am drawn to her more classic pieces. Shockingly, fashion shows run an average of about 20 minutes… and this one was no different. Quick, yet breathtaking!
In the rain, after what seemed to be a long time, we flagged down a cab, only to drive a couple of blocks to have dinner. (On a side note, some of you know that I am a huge Food Network junkie, and true to that, a huge Bobby Flay fan!). Our dinner reservations were at BAR AMERICAIN, one of Bobby Flay's NYC restaurants. Bar Americain is a true All-American steak house, so the menu reflects Bobby's take on the Steakhouse classics. It was a bit late and we were just famished.
We started with the Homemade Potato Chips, which were served with a decadent Blue cheese sauce. Delish!
Dinner quickly followed, as we opted out of the salad choices… we wanted to eat our main entrée! My friend ordered Mussels in a Chile Verde Broth (Bobby Flay fuses many of his recipes with Southwestern cuisine), and that was accompanied by a side of “Americain” fries with a Chipotle Aioli. (OMG! My mouth is watering as I write!)
I went with a classic Filet Mignon and ordered a side of Asparagus with a Béarnaise Sauce. I wasn’t quite prepared for the taste sensation I was about to experience… I cut into the steak and it was like butter…. But the best part was tasting it! Can I just say, I could have gotten up and done a happy dance, of sorts! I quote my dear friend Becky, “There was a party in my mouth!”… LOL! There were so many spices and flavors going on, not only did my mouth water, my eyes watered, as well! Bobby, whatever infusion went into that marinade was simply genius! I will say that if I had the luxury of going to NYC on a whim and whenever I wanted a steak, I would not think twice to fly out just to have this filet!!! “To die for” is an understatement!!! Ironically there was a gourmet steak sauce that was served with it, and although delicious, totally unnecessary!
The portions were huge! That steak could have easily been shared, and though it was, there was more food than 2 people could handle!! I paired my steak with a Cabernet Savignon, and it was perfect!
I must say, that I would have never expected the food to be THAT good! I know Bobby Flay is a master in grilling and cooking, but completely out did my expectations! I have been to some truly remarkable steak houses while traveling, but Bobby Flay can give any one of those restaurants a run for their money! I highly recommend BAR AMERICAIN to everyone while in NYC!!!
So dinner was done, and although late, we went for a final stop back to the ROYALTON HOTEL, which houses LOUNGE 44, a very chic, upscale lounge for a drink! WHEW!! We were tired… a long fun-packed day… but one last toast is all we wanted. At about 2:00 am (EST) we were exhausted and knew we better head back because at this point we had about enough time for a 2 hour nap!!
At 6:30 am the next morning was our flight back to LAX! Exactly 24 hours after we had landed! We almost missed our flight…. But thank goodness, we made it in the nick of time, a few minutes later, and we would not have been so lucky!!
By 9:30 am (PST) we were back in LA, and nobody ever knew I was gone! Truly a memorable trip… fun, exciting and adrenaline charged!! I think the excitement allowed us to burn most of the calories we consumed (oh yeah, and running in the rain!)
Definitely an adventure I can cross off my “Bucket List”! LOL… and I would do it again in a heartbeat!! Thanks for joining me on my 24 hour turn around trip to NYC! It was almost as much fun writing about it, as was the experience!! (My gosh! I’m still savoring that steak in my mind!! YUUMMMM!!)...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Italian Dining with a view...
Date: April 4, 2009
Location: A very hip Downtown LA Loft (a.k.a. Bert and Diana’s home)
This past Saturday I had the true joy of cooking dinner for not one, but two very fabulous individuals…. Diana, whom I’ve known and been friends with since our high school days, and her wonderful significant other, Bert. The intention was to spend a comfy night at home and catch up…. And that we did. Of course, in this case "home" is a very sexy, contemporary Downtown LA Highrise condo... so the ambiance was undeniably fantastic!
We started with great conversation and threw in a couple rounds of my Basil Lychee Martinis…. (SOOOO GOOOD! They are quickly becoming my favorite!!)
I planned the menu with D beforehand, and we had agreed on a Tuscan Italian 4 course meal. Fortunately for me, I have already made this dinner a few times in the past… and has always been a winner… so given the ease of the meal, I thought it would be perfect so that we could do an interactive dinner of sorts… and I was right…
We started with some Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms. I had pre-made the stuffing at home so that we could just throw the mushrooms in the oven quickly. The mix is pretty much an equal mix of green olives, grated Pecorino Romano, roasted red peppers, shallots and scallions… a little olive oil… The recipe calls for jarred red peppers, but because I’m huge on freshness (and a bit of an overachiever…LOL) I roasted my own! The stuffing goes into crimini mushrooms and in the oven for 20 mins…. Place on serving plate and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil… your guests will love them, guaranteed!
The second course was Wheat Fettucine with Shrimp, Arugula and Lemon Oil. A friend of mine who is an amazing cook, made this recipe for me a few months ago, and I was taken aback! There is a true freshness about this dish, though it is a pasta, (I stick with wheat pastas to try to keep it healthier), it is light and simple, but when cooked al dente, hardly ordinary. The lemon infused oil creates a light sauce on the pasta and this helps to create an extraordinary dish!
The third course was another favorite of mine… I like this so much that I make meal size portions for lunch on occasion, it is easy to prepare, but exceptionally delicious! This dish is the now infamous Tuscan White Bean/Tuna salad on Arugula. You mix a can of cannellini beans (rinsed) into a can of Yellowfin tuna (packed in olive oil), mix in some Red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. I drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive oil and toss into the Arugula, then serve the tuna on a bed of arugula. This may sound unusual, but it is always a hit! It compliments the pasta dish, as the arugula ties them in together.
A white wine is best paired with this meal, as it is light and complements the seafood well. We had a William-Hill Chardonnay (2005 reserve)… and though when it comes to a white wine, I tend to enjoy a Sauvignon Blanc, or my favorite, a Pinot Grigio… I must say this particular wine is amazing! Lighter than most Chardonnays, I will definitely be enjoying this one again in the very near future!
Great conversation was a huge part of this evening. Diana and Bert shared projects they had going on, as I shared my plans for culinary school in 2010. I must make special mention that Bert has a particularly wonderful project going on. Having survived cancer at a young age, he has chosen to give back to the world on a very positive note. He is the co-creator of a pilot for a show called “THE FEEL GOOD SHOW”… but because it is still in the beginning stages, I am very limited to the details I can divulge, however, I will keep you posted in future blogs about details on the show and the premise of the project… I do promise, you’ll love the concept, I did!
After chatting up a storm and sharing great conversation… dessert was ready. I decided to go with another favorite, Berry Strata, which in essence is an Italian bread pudding. The beauty of this dish, is that you are required to prepare ahead, as the bread has to “marry” (or marinate, if you will), with the custard; so this makes it easy to pop into the oven so that it bakes as dinner is being enjoyed; frees the host/hostess to be a part of the dinner and conversation! The custard in this recipe is infused with orange and the berries are lightly mixed in over the mixture before you bake. We served “a la mode” with Vanilla ice cream… (as per Bert's request!) what a treat! I have managed to tweak this recipe over the last few times that I have made it, but it never disappoints! Always a crowd pleaser... and the leftovers... need I say?? :)
On a side note...I will have to mention that all these recipes are available on Food Network.com. The original chef/creator was Giada de Laurentiis, of whom I am a huge fan. I have managed to put my own touch on every one of these, but with any recipe, a great cook will create their version from time to time. I do encourage you to visit this website and try some of these; all downloadable and user friendly!
(Except for the recipe for the fabulous martini... that was a creation of my own! So not giving Giada the credit for that one! LOL)
Anyway, back to my evening! I must say that all in all the night was a huge hit! An evening with like-minded friends whose company you love, great drinks, amazing wine and a simply delicious dinner! MMMMM! Truly priceless! :)
Thanks Bert and Diana for being such gracious hosts and for the lovely company and overall memorable evening!! Looking forward to doing it again soon! :)
Location: A very hip Downtown LA Loft (a.k.a. Bert and Diana’s home)
This past Saturday I had the true joy of cooking dinner for not one, but two very fabulous individuals…. Diana, whom I’ve known and been friends with since our high school days, and her wonderful significant other, Bert. The intention was to spend a comfy night at home and catch up…. And that we did. Of course, in this case "home" is a very sexy, contemporary Downtown LA Highrise condo... so the ambiance was undeniably fantastic!
We started with great conversation and threw in a couple rounds of my Basil Lychee Martinis…. (SOOOO GOOOD! They are quickly becoming my favorite!!)
I planned the menu with D beforehand, and we had agreed on a Tuscan Italian 4 course meal. Fortunately for me, I have already made this dinner a few times in the past… and has always been a winner… so given the ease of the meal, I thought it would be perfect so that we could do an interactive dinner of sorts… and I was right…
We started with some Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms. I had pre-made the stuffing at home so that we could just throw the mushrooms in the oven quickly. The mix is pretty much an equal mix of green olives, grated Pecorino Romano, roasted red peppers, shallots and scallions… a little olive oil… The recipe calls for jarred red peppers, but because I’m huge on freshness (and a bit of an overachiever…LOL) I roasted my own! The stuffing goes into crimini mushrooms and in the oven for 20 mins…. Place on serving plate and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil… your guests will love them, guaranteed!
The second course was Wheat Fettucine with Shrimp, Arugula and Lemon Oil. A friend of mine who is an amazing cook, made this recipe for me a few months ago, and I was taken aback! There is a true freshness about this dish, though it is a pasta, (I stick with wheat pastas to try to keep it healthier), it is light and simple, but when cooked al dente, hardly ordinary. The lemon infused oil creates a light sauce on the pasta and this helps to create an extraordinary dish!
The third course was another favorite of mine… I like this so much that I make meal size portions for lunch on occasion, it is easy to prepare, but exceptionally delicious! This dish is the now infamous Tuscan White Bean/Tuna salad on Arugula. You mix a can of cannellini beans (rinsed) into a can of Yellowfin tuna (packed in olive oil), mix in some Red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. I drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive oil and toss into the Arugula, then serve the tuna on a bed of arugula. This may sound unusual, but it is always a hit! It compliments the pasta dish, as the arugula ties them in together.
A white wine is best paired with this meal, as it is light and complements the seafood well. We had a William-Hill Chardonnay (2005 reserve)… and though when it comes to a white wine, I tend to enjoy a Sauvignon Blanc, or my favorite, a Pinot Grigio… I must say this particular wine is amazing! Lighter than most Chardonnays, I will definitely be enjoying this one again in the very near future!
Great conversation was a huge part of this evening. Diana and Bert shared projects they had going on, as I shared my plans for culinary school in 2010. I must make special mention that Bert has a particularly wonderful project going on. Having survived cancer at a young age, he has chosen to give back to the world on a very positive note. He is the co-creator of a pilot for a show called “THE FEEL GOOD SHOW”… but because it is still in the beginning stages, I am very limited to the details I can divulge, however, I will keep you posted in future blogs about details on the show and the premise of the project… I do promise, you’ll love the concept, I did!
After chatting up a storm and sharing great conversation… dessert was ready. I decided to go with another favorite, Berry Strata, which in essence is an Italian bread pudding. The beauty of this dish, is that you are required to prepare ahead, as the bread has to “marry” (or marinate, if you will), with the custard; so this makes it easy to pop into the oven so that it bakes as dinner is being enjoyed; frees the host/hostess to be a part of the dinner and conversation! The custard in this recipe is infused with orange and the berries are lightly mixed in over the mixture before you bake. We served “a la mode” with Vanilla ice cream… (as per Bert's request!) what a treat! I have managed to tweak this recipe over the last few times that I have made it, but it never disappoints! Always a crowd pleaser... and the leftovers... need I say?? :)
On a side note...I will have to mention that all these recipes are available on Food Network.com. The original chef/creator was Giada de Laurentiis, of whom I am a huge fan. I have managed to put my own touch on every one of these, but with any recipe, a great cook will create their version from time to time. I do encourage you to visit this website and try some of these; all downloadable and user friendly!
(Except for the recipe for the fabulous martini... that was a creation of my own! So not giving Giada the credit for that one! LOL)
Anyway, back to my evening! I must say that all in all the night was a huge hit! An evening with like-minded friends whose company you love, great drinks, amazing wine and a simply delicious dinner! MMMMM! Truly priceless! :)
Thanks Bert and Diana for being such gracious hosts and for the lovely company and overall memorable evening!! Looking forward to doing it again soon! :)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Dining in East Los ... A True Mexican Culinary Experience!!
Date: Friday, April 3, 2009
Location: Tia’s, Cesar Chavez Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90032
So one of the intentions of this blog is to expose my audience to the eateries and restaurants I visit… write about the experience… the food, it’s preparation, it’s presentation, the taste, the whole enchilada! (No pun intended… since I am about to write about Mexican food!)
I am about to describe an amazing dining experience at one of the least likely places. One thing about me… I don’t discriminate a place by its geographical location nor the ambiance. I am really at home at the amazing and trendy eateries LA has to offer, but in the same manner, if there is a less “fashionable” locale that offers delicious creations… or as I would very affectionately call them “Hole in the wall” restaurants…. I am there!
I am, after all, a true LA girl… born and raised… so I will venture into any neighborhood if there is great food waiting on the other end! Having said that, I was introduced to this local “Mom and Pop” restaurant called “TIA’S”, (literally translated is Aunt's in Spanish).
This quaint eatery is located in East Los Angeles on Cesar Chavez Blvd. (Right off the 710 freeway). This place is reminiscent to a very typical, but truly authentic eatery south of the border.
Where do I start with the food!?! Oh my goodness… in one word… DELISH!
As some of you know, I am Mexican (both parents born and raised in Mexico)… and I did grow up with some amazing food around me… thanks to my mother’s undeniably fantastic culinary skills… I have been exposed to some of the best and most authentic Mexican food. (No… I am not just saying this because she’s my mother, many of my friends and family members will vouch that this is in fact true) … thanks to mom, I have developed a palette and serious taste for great food! Anyway, back to the conversation at hand… Tia's specializes in MOLE sauces. I have never been a big fan of traditional mole; something about the texture…
MOLE is a very traditional sauce used in Mexican cuisine, much like a Béarnaise sauce is used in French cuisine, or a Marinara sauce is used in Italy. The traditional mole is made of Chipotle peppers and infused with chocolate… it is creamy in texture, but thick… and I think that is where my texture issue came in… but I think I’ve grown up! ‘Cause Tia’s changed that opinion around!
Here they offer at least a dozen different varieties of mole; from a Tamarind infused mole, to a Pistachio Mole, to a Tequila Lime variation. The wonderful part is that the moles are interchangeable (upon request) with different plates. I, for example, tried the Duck Breast with the Tamarind infused mole the second time I was there… loved the flavor of the mole, but found the duck to be a bit dry and tough.
I have been back four times now (and counting)… I will definitely be a regular… and you might too… after you read about my dinner on this visit!
I met my friend (and new roommate) Lilly there and we had to order what we had had a couple weeks prior, because I couldn’t stop thinking about that dish and just couldn’t resist!! LOL! I ordered what they call an “ENFRIJOLADA”… which in essence is an enchilada that is smothered with a Black bean sauce (or mole, if u will) and topped with cheese. It comes with a side of Crema Mexicana (much like Sour cream), amazing Guacamole and a side of very flavorful Carne Asada. If that hasn’t made your mouth water, this will: ALL that for just $10.00!!! (Can’t beat that with a stick!) LOL
Upon being seated, your server brings you a bowl of the soup of the day, which this time was LENTEJAS (Translation: lentil soup). It has been difficult to compare my mother’s lentil soup in the past, Tia’s could definitely compete with mom! Very fresh and flavorful, and just the perfect amount served!
Lilly ordered the Chicken Enchiladas Verde plate, served with a side of rice, this enchilada plate far surpasses the average green enchiladas! The sauce, true to a MOLE, is thicker in consistency and the seasonings are to die for! A lot of food… again only $10.00! You gotta love going to a truly authentic Mexican restaurant and getting a great value!
There is a choice of beverages, mostly “AGUAS” which is the traditional Mexican drink, and every time you visit, there is a different selection. Typically, Aguas occur to me as being too sweet, but I must say, their JAMAICA (a Hibiscus flower drink) was delicious. They don’t offer alcoholic beverages; however, they do allow you to bring your own bottles of choice and will be happy to serve it for you.
For dessert they offer very Mexican desserts! But not your average selection… amongst the choices were a Coconut Flan and CAPIROTADA!!! This, my friends, is the true testament of an AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurant! Capirotada is a Mexican Bread Pudding, if you will. I must say, I am a HUGE fan of this treat… as I grew up with Mom’s version (to die for… to this day!)… but being as open minded as I consider myself to be, Lilly and I decided to share one. The flavor was different from what I’ve known all my life, but delicious, nonetheless. Their take on the dessert had dried cranberries and was a little more HAUTE CUISINE… although if it were one of my creations, I may have chosen to do a rum sauce of sorts, as it was just a tad dry. All in all… definitely worth a try!
I must add, that during our meal, we were able to enjoy listening to a very talented local musician, Victor Mendoza, play covers of Latin artists such as Alejandro Fernandez and popular bands like “Enanitos Verdes” and “Jaguares”… as well as some “Gypsy Kings”! Played the acoustic guitar beautifully and had fantastic vocals! Our head waiter, Alfonso, informed us that he would be playing every Friday, until further notice… so how great is that? Amazing food and entertainment without breaking the bank!!! Who knew?
I truly recommend this place, as I intend to go back again and again! The food is undeniably authentic and prepared by a very skilled chef. The staff… is super friendly and just an overall pleasant experience. If u happen to visit… tell them ELVIA sent you… they are actually very good about remembering their customers… Alfonso actually remembered that I have been back 4 times!!
Tia’s is the essence of Mexican Cuisine…having access to this kind of Mexican food in LA… it makes you wonder why anyone would entertain eating at a commercialized corporate giant chain, really? :)
Location: Tia’s, Cesar Chavez Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90032
So one of the intentions of this blog is to expose my audience to the eateries and restaurants I visit… write about the experience… the food, it’s preparation, it’s presentation, the taste, the whole enchilada! (No pun intended… since I am about to write about Mexican food!)
I am about to describe an amazing dining experience at one of the least likely places. One thing about me… I don’t discriminate a place by its geographical location nor the ambiance. I am really at home at the amazing and trendy eateries LA has to offer, but in the same manner, if there is a less “fashionable” locale that offers delicious creations… or as I would very affectionately call them “Hole in the wall” restaurants…. I am there!
I am, after all, a true LA girl… born and raised… so I will venture into any neighborhood if there is great food waiting on the other end! Having said that, I was introduced to this local “Mom and Pop” restaurant called “TIA’S”, (literally translated is Aunt's in Spanish).
This quaint eatery is located in East Los Angeles on Cesar Chavez Blvd. (Right off the 710 freeway). This place is reminiscent to a very typical, but truly authentic eatery south of the border.
Where do I start with the food!?! Oh my goodness… in one word… DELISH!
As some of you know, I am Mexican (both parents born and raised in Mexico)… and I did grow up with some amazing food around me… thanks to my mother’s undeniably fantastic culinary skills… I have been exposed to some of the best and most authentic Mexican food. (No… I am not just saying this because she’s my mother, many of my friends and family members will vouch that this is in fact true) … thanks to mom, I have developed a palette and serious taste for great food! Anyway, back to the conversation at hand… Tia's specializes in MOLE sauces. I have never been a big fan of traditional mole; something about the texture…
MOLE is a very traditional sauce used in Mexican cuisine, much like a Béarnaise sauce is used in French cuisine, or a Marinara sauce is used in Italy. The traditional mole is made of Chipotle peppers and infused with chocolate… it is creamy in texture, but thick… and I think that is where my texture issue came in… but I think I’ve grown up! ‘Cause Tia’s changed that opinion around!
Here they offer at least a dozen different varieties of mole; from a Tamarind infused mole, to a Pistachio Mole, to a Tequila Lime variation. The wonderful part is that the moles are interchangeable (upon request) with different plates. I, for example, tried the Duck Breast with the Tamarind infused mole the second time I was there… loved the flavor of the mole, but found the duck to be a bit dry and tough.
I have been back four times now (and counting)… I will definitely be a regular… and you might too… after you read about my dinner on this visit!
I met my friend (and new roommate) Lilly there and we had to order what we had had a couple weeks prior, because I couldn’t stop thinking about that dish and just couldn’t resist!! LOL! I ordered what they call an “ENFRIJOLADA”… which in essence is an enchilada that is smothered with a Black bean sauce (or mole, if u will) and topped with cheese. It comes with a side of Crema Mexicana (much like Sour cream), amazing Guacamole and a side of very flavorful Carne Asada. If that hasn’t made your mouth water, this will: ALL that for just $10.00!!! (Can’t beat that with a stick!) LOL
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| From Elle Living: Tia's |
Upon being seated, your server brings you a bowl of the soup of the day, which this time was LENTEJAS (Translation: lentil soup). It has been difficult to compare my mother’s lentil soup in the past, Tia’s could definitely compete with mom! Very fresh and flavorful, and just the perfect amount served!
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| From Elle Living: Tia's |
Lilly ordered the Chicken Enchiladas Verde plate, served with a side of rice, this enchilada plate far surpasses the average green enchiladas! The sauce, true to a MOLE, is thicker in consistency and the seasonings are to die for! A lot of food… again only $10.00! You gotta love going to a truly authentic Mexican restaurant and getting a great value!
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| From Elle Living: Tia's |
There is a choice of beverages, mostly “AGUAS” which is the traditional Mexican drink, and every time you visit, there is a different selection. Typically, Aguas occur to me as being too sweet, but I must say, their JAMAICA (a Hibiscus flower drink) was delicious. They don’t offer alcoholic beverages; however, they do allow you to bring your own bottles of choice and will be happy to serve it for you.
For dessert they offer very Mexican desserts! But not your average selection… amongst the choices were a Coconut Flan and CAPIROTADA!!! This, my friends, is the true testament of an AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurant! Capirotada is a Mexican Bread Pudding, if you will. I must say, I am a HUGE fan of this treat… as I grew up with Mom’s version (to die for… to this day!)… but being as open minded as I consider myself to be, Lilly and I decided to share one. The flavor was different from what I’ve known all my life, but delicious, nonetheless. Their take on the dessert had dried cranberries and was a little more HAUTE CUISINE… although if it were one of my creations, I may have chosen to do a rum sauce of sorts, as it was just a tad dry. All in all… definitely worth a try!
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| From Elle Living: Tia's |
I must add, that during our meal, we were able to enjoy listening to a very talented local musician, Victor Mendoza, play covers of Latin artists such as Alejandro Fernandez and popular bands like “Enanitos Verdes” and “Jaguares”… as well as some “Gypsy Kings”! Played the acoustic guitar beautifully and had fantastic vocals! Our head waiter, Alfonso, informed us that he would be playing every Friday, until further notice… so how great is that? Amazing food and entertainment without breaking the bank!!! Who knew?
I truly recommend this place, as I intend to go back again and again! The food is undeniably authentic and prepared by a very skilled chef. The staff… is super friendly and just an overall pleasant experience. If u happen to visit… tell them ELVIA sent you… they are actually very good about remembering their customers… Alfonso actually remembered that I have been back 4 times!!
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| From Elle Living: Tia's |
Tia’s is the essence of Mexican Cuisine…having access to this kind of Mexican food in LA… it makes you wonder why anyone would entertain eating at a commercialized corporate giant chain, really? :)
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