Party Time!

As all my good friends know, I love throwing parties with yummy food and good people. The Memorial Day party at my parents condo in Chicago was even MORE fun than last year (even though we did miss Mary) with Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes, Portillos chopped salad, Italian Beef, Jalapeño cocktail shrimp, cheese, wine, and Clare's potato salad that is to die for. Katie, my 20 year old sister who doesn't drink, was a fabulous bartender...and kept the drinks flowing until we ran out (or until my mom started dancing to Poker Face...can't remember what came first).

Fred's at Barneys Opens In Chicago

Different menu than New York location...still amazing though. They also need to work out a few kinks in the service department-the AC was blasting to the point where I nearly had windburn and we had to wait over 10 min. (even with a reservation). Turkey Bacon Club-AMAZING...Pesto Pasta with mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes...AMAZING...chopped salad with chicken...AMAZING. Good lunch, great view...all at my favorite store in the world.

Coconut Water...

Coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties that have been known to help:

1. Orally re-hydrate your body, it is an all natural isotonic beverage.
2. Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
3. Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
4. Raise your metabolism.
5. Promote weight loss.
6. Boost your immune system.
7. Detoxify and fight viruses.
8. Cleanse your digestive tract.
9. Control diabetes.
10. Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes, and AIDS.
11. Balance your PH and reduce risk of cancer.
12. Treat kidney and urethral stones.

Info from: http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-320.html

You can purchase coconut water at Bristol Farms, Whole Foods, and other health food stores in your area...(and it is reallllly good for hangovers!)

BESO BEARS THE BEST SIDE DISHES IN THE WORLD...

Margarita flatbread. Sauteed exotic mushrooms coated in garlic butter. Mashed potatoes. Veracruz Corn (Creamed corn with cheese and jalapeños). French fries with queso fresco. Wild Striped Bass with Tamarind Jam. Raspberry vodka with fresh muddled berries. Churros (best in the world, not kidding) with queso fresco and caramel. This place also has good energy, and great decor, which somehow makes the food that much better. The menu is extensive and has something for even the pickiest eaters. We got a bunch of appetizers, sides, and entrees and went at it. Lisa even unbuttoned her pants afterwards.
Beso
6350 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 467-7991
www.besohollywood.com

AGO

Ago in West Hollywood...yum. We started out with the Caprese Bufala...it was insanely fresh and the perfect way to start out the meal. I couldn't decide what to order but ended up going with the special which was Chilean Sea Bass with grilled veggies. It melt in your mouth deliciousness, and perfectly seared. The Angus Beef Rib Eye Steak was also really good (I had a few little tastes), and was served with spinach and rosemary potatoes. No surprise, I was stuffed to the max but found room for an assortment of desserts...and another glass of wine. Almost three hours later I was in a food coma and ready to hit the hay. Gotta love dining with Italians.
Ago
8478 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 655-6333
www.agorestaurant.com

Smitty's Sangria!

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of fruity white wine or champagne (I prefer champagne)
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup peach schnapps
• 2 oranges, cut into chunks
• 1 apples, cut into chunks
• 2 peaches, cut into chunks
• 1 lemon, sliced into discs

Directions

In a large pitcher, combine the ingredients. Stir and let sit for at least 2 hours, refrigerated. Serve over ice.

Strawberry Juice, anyone?

I'm sorry, I know I don't usually post people on here...but this guy was too hilarious to resist. SLS rooftop pooldeck (Altitude) had some of my favorites: incredible sangria, fresh fruit popsicles, and a grilled chicken and avocado sandwiches accompanied by homemade potato chips that I am still thinking about two days later.

Pinches Tacos/Mexican Corn

In light of Cinco de Mayo, I (obviously) went to Pinches Tacos to celebrate and enjoyed ANOTHER summer favorite: mexican corn. While theirs is my favorite I have created a recipe that holds a candle to the Pinches version.  

Serves 4.

4 ears of corn, husked

2 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
4 lime wedges
1/2 cup of cotija cheese (parm. works too, just not as authentic), crumbled
Cayenne to taste

BBQ corn for 12 minutes, or until grill marks show
After taking corn out of oven, let it cool for 3 minutes
While warm, spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter and mayonnaise all over the cob.
Take 1/8 cup of cheese, and sprinkle it on cob, then sprinkle on some cayenne pepper and top it off with the lime.

Makes 4 servings.

Summer Means...

While it's not TECHNICALLY summer, I am more than ready. In Maui, I ate two nostalgic foods that brought me back to the years of swim team and catching lightning bugs. Cotton Candy and a Shaved Ice. Finishing up dinner at the Duo (Four Seasons-Wailea), I was more than pleasantly surprised when we were served Green Apple Cotton candy after downing black truffle scallops, French Maui onion soup, and Tiger Prawns. Maybe it's just me, but sadly I had forgotten the melt in your mouth sweetness cotton candy brings. Maybe it is the memories attached to the airy treat, but either way...it was delicious. The second surprise was when I was walking along the beach in Lahaina, a small town on the west side of the island. I honestly freaked out when I saw it, because I have SCOURED Los Angeles for this amazing treat. Shaved Ice. Since I can never find Sno Cones anymore, (the ones you used to buy from the ice cream man, or on the beach in Michigan), I developed a deep love for shaved ice. I could only find it at Angels games for a while, and now I can't even find them there. This was the best. i. have. ever tasted. If you know my mom, you know she says that about everything but I guarantee, it really is and I did not inherit that phrase from here about everything I eat. It was melt in your mouth ice doused in sweet syrup. DELICIOUS. (www.ululanisshaveice.com)