I recently had an hour to kill at the Santa Monica Promenade. I got a glass of wine and my favorite (unlisted) side dish at Houston’s: the artichoke! It’s one of my favorite vegetables ever and I have found Houston’s to be the most delicious. However, for thirteen dollars a plate, I am willing to try to make it at home.
Houston’s - Santa Monica
202 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 576-7558
I know it’s been approximately two weeks since the annual White Trash Tasting at Colorado Wine Company took place, but I must mention how great it was! [Or maybe "I thot it wers pertd dam goot" would be more appropriate? Or maybe that's too inappropriate(ly wonderful)]. Every wine was paired with the delicious delicacies any income bracket can enjoy: Boules de Fromage, Charcuterie de 7-Eleven, Frito Tarte, and Gâteau au Chocolat en Plastique. (Translation: Cheese puffs, Slim Jims, Homemade Chili and Frito Chips, and last but not least a Ding Dong). In the few short hours between 4pm and 6pm, CoWineCo transformed into a magical world: crowded like Target on a Sunday, tasty like Taco Bell at 3am, and the feeling of a receiving a great deal like a Birthday card filled with cash.
My roommate, boyfriend, and I arrived shortly after 4 to find the place packed to full capacity. Never before had I seen a wine for line and never before have I waited so happily in line for wine! The service was impeccable as usual. When I arrived it was John at the register, Jen at the food table, and George & Drew serving the wine. Although busy, everyone was in great spirits. This was probably my favorite part about the whole event because a lot can be said about a staff that is friendly, passionate, and thoughtful. I want to go on a tangent about it, but I’m stopping myself. Just know that I think this place is the tops.
In the end, the pairing of wine AND food was a wonderful reminder to me that I shouldn’t only drink my wine after dinner. Instead, I should buy more bottles so I can drink while eating and when I am not eating. Thank You, CoWineCo.
Colorado Wine Company
2114 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 478-1985
Last Friday, my boyfriend took me out to lunch at Mozza Pizzeria. Not to be confused with it’s neighbor and same owners (Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich), Mozza Osteria. We didn’t make reservations, but we arrived early enough to acquire seats at the bar. I preferred the bar because we got to watch the chefs do their magic and we were in close proximity to our waiter for any emergency wine refills.
We sat down and immediately ordered our drinks. I had a glass of the Riesling on the menu (forgive me for not writing down the name).
Bone Marrow al forno
This was my first time eating Bone Marrow and now I am hooked. I am scared that I won’t be able to find it as good and delicious as this anywhere else.
Meatballs al forno
There are normally 3 meatballs on the plate when it is served to you, but we were so excited to try them that I forgot to take a picture until after one was quickly devoured. The bread that came with the meatballs is different than the bread that came with the bone marrow. I’m no bread expert and can’t tell you how exactly they differ other than physical attributes, but I just wanted to point out the subtle yet important differences and nuances of each dish; bread is important!
Egg, guanciale, radicchio, escarole & bagna cauda
Delicious! Very fluffy and chewy bread. Guanciale (Italian for ‘cheek’) is a delicate kind of unsmoked Italian bacon prepared with jowels and cheeks. Radicchio is the bitter/spicy chicory leaf. Escarole is endive (part of the chicory genus), but is a broad, pale leaf that is less bitter than other varieties of endive. Bagna cauda is a warm Piedmont dip made of garlic, anchovies, olive oil, and butter.
Salumi Salami, mozzarella, tomato & fresno chiles
No typo here, Salumi means the meat is Italian-style cured or preserved; the meat has been preserved in salt and spices and is not encased before aging. Salami is a type of salumi (but salumi is not a type of salami). Although you can’t see them very well in the picture, the fresno chiles really made this pizza amazing. Delicious!
Cioccolato, bittersweet chocolate cake & candied almonds
Simple and Rich. Although just a sliver of a piece, this slice was packed with thick chocolate goodness. Almost comparable to fudge, but with a better more complex taste. Yum.
Everything was wonderful. You can’t go wrong.
Mozza Pizzeria
6602 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 297-0100
Border Grill is one of my favorite Happy Hour Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles. Not only do I enjoy the food, but I have many positive memories eating there with my family. Over six years ago, my parents took me out there the night before I started college and when it was located in Pasadena. My how time has flown by! Now Border Grill is located in Santa Monica by the Promenade. It is owned by the chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from Food Network’s TV Show Too Hot Tamales. They also own the downtown Spanish restaurant Ciudad. And if you have ever bought any food at Whole Foods that had the label “Border Girls” on it, these are those ladies behind that brand.
The best part about Border Grill is their amazing Happy Hour at the bar: $4 Margaritas/Mojitos /Wines. Free chips and salsas (tomato, chipotle, and tomatillo). Various appetizers all between the price of 4-7 dollars. Their margaritas and mojitos are delicious, you can never go wrong ordering them! During this visit I tried their red wine for the first time, an Esser cabernet sauvignon.
What we ordered:
Black Bean Dip - warm refried organic black beans with salsa fresca, crema, and plantain chips
The dip was not as heavy as I expected nor was it bland (which is the usual vibe I get from bean dips). I especially enjoyed the plantain chips which were soft and salty sweet. I preferred those chips over the regular table chips.
Q
ueso Fundido - panela and manchego cheeses melted over raja (potato), and spanish chorizo
This appetizer was more than I expected on both the amount and satisfying levels. It was a plethora of cheese that dominated the raja potatoes and the chorizo. It was an excellent appetizer, but was probably too much for two people to share.
Carnitas Sope - slow cooked carnitas topped with jalapeno citrus slaw and border guacamole
A sope is a relative to a tortilla. It is made from the same ingredients as a tortilla, but the size and thickness are much different. The sope is smaller in diameter but much thicker. Other than that, they are used for the same purposes. This was my favorite appetizer of the night because it had a nice and refreshing citrus sour flavor mingling with the salty and savory carnitas.
Seriously, it is the best happy hour on the west side of town. Fact.
Border Grill
1445 4th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-1655
Happy Hours:
Monday - Friday: 4:00-7:00pm
I have been wanting to eat at Osteria Mozza for a long time and was ecstatic when I found out my boyfriend made reservations for my birthday. Mozza is owned by by Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich, and Nancy Silverton; a trifecta of talent. If you watch Iron Chef you probably have already recognized the name Mario Batali. For those who are not familiar with Batali, he is considered King of Italian cuisine (19 wins out of 23 Iron Chef competitions). Joseph Bastianich is the guy behind the wine, son of chef Lidia Bastianich. Bastianich started with a future in Wall Street (bond trader at Merrill Lynch), but after spending a year in Italy working on vineyards and restaurants he returned with with different goal in life. Nancy Silverton is an American chef/baker who co-founded La Brea Bakery.
Batali and Bastianich own a few other restaurants together: New York: Babbo, Lupa Osteria Romana, Esca, Casa Mono / Bar Jamón, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria, Del Posto, along with Italian Wine Merchants; Las Vegas: B&B Ristorante, Enoteca San Marco, and Carnevino (their first steakhouse); Los Angeles: Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza.
When we arrived at 8pm, the place was already packed and happening. Luckily, within minutes we were seated in a small and intimate room away from the noisy bar / main seating area. Mozza asks that you place your complete order all at once (everything but dessert) so they can appropriately pace your dinner. I enjoyed this method, but I also looked and translated the menu at home so I came to the restaurant with a few ideas of what I was going to order, but wanted to see what the waiter would recommend and/or if there were any specials.
I do not have many great pictures because it was too dark for flash-less photography. So I have included links to photographs other people have taken of exactly what I ordered. I apologize for the inconvenience, but take the time to look at the links.
Antipasti - Grilled Octopus with fingerling potatoes, mizuna, celery & lemon
I have never had octopi before, but loved it. Although you would assume that it would taste rubbery (like squid), it did not. The texture of mine tasted almost softer than chicken, but with a slightly difference in taste. It paired very well with the lemon vinegary dressing on top of the vegetables. Through research I have found that they marinate the octopus in oil and wine corks. Many Italian chefs believe that wine corks help tenderize the tentacles and so they include them in the braising liquid. Whatever it is that tenderizes, it works. I would order this again. It was one of my favorite dishes of the night.
Mozzarella Bar - Burrata from Basilicata w leeks & fett ‘unta
Burrata in Italian means “buttered.” It is a fresh cheese made from mozzarella and cream. It comes to the table looking like a big white balloon of goodness. The outer shell of it is a solid mozzarella, but one cut and you will find the cream and mozzarella ooze of awesomeness. Fett’unta is just bread soaked in olive oil and garlic. Since it was flown in the night before fom Basilicata, a region in the South of Italy, it tasted fresh! It was quite a large portion for two people, but we made the most of it. Yum!
Primi - Fresh Ricotta & Egg Raviolo with browned butter
I had no idea what to expect with this dish, but the waiter highly recommended it and after the first bite, I learned why. The ricotta, egg, and butter just melts in the mouth. It was also a delight to cut open (like the Burrata) and watch the egg ooze out. The butter really made this dish go above and beyond. This is one meal where I would be very hesitant to make at home (the egg), which makes it even more enjoyable.
Secondi - Sweetbreads piccata with artichokes and black kale
Sweetbreads are the thymus glands of lamb, beef, or pork. Piccata means sliced, sautéed, and served in a sauce containing lemon, butter, and spices. I do not have much experience with sweetbreads, except that my mom always orders them at Landis Store. Since I trust my mom’s sophisticated palette and believed the waiter’s vehement recommendation, I had to choose it for my entree. It was perfect in taste, soft and chewy in texture. It went so well with the artichokes, black kale, and olives (I love artichokes). I even got my boyfriend to try it, but of course I did not tell him what part of the animal it was from until after he took a bite and agree
d it tasted good.
Dolci - Bombolini lemon crema & frutti di bosco sorbetto
Bombolini’s are basically Italian doughnut holes. Lightly sugared, soft, and satisfying. Paired well with the crema and sorbetto. Frutti di bosco is Italian for “Fruit of the forrest/woods,” but translates as mixed berries.
Digestivo - Profumi della Costiera, Nicola Mansi Limoncello 1L
I have never had Limoncello before, but am very glad I had the chance to because it was wonderful. Nothing better than a sweet beginning and a warm hot finish.
BEST BIRTHDAY DINNER EVER.
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 297-0100
Note: If you want to make reservations, you must call exactly one month ahead. However, the four bars located inside accept walk-ins, but first come first serve so be early or ready to wait.
I love the Colorado Wine Company. So much, in fact that I need to say it again… I love the Colorado Wine Company! I have been going there ever since it first opened in 2005. Not only are the owners, John and Jen, some of the sweetest and most friendly people, but anyone that has worked or currently works there, are also great people.
I tried to think of the main reason behind why I enjoy Colorado Wine Company, but found that I am unwilling to settle on just one. Instead, I have made a list:
- I already mentioned that the owners/staff are amazing (but it is worth repeating).
- The atmosphere is organized, intimate, and cozy.
- The prices of wines by the glass are reasonable.
- I am always able to find a great bottle within my 8-15 dollar price range.
- I am always able to get a great recommendation for the aforementioned bottle; very knowledgeable people!
- Nobody judges your palate, there is “Wine For Everyone.”
- The art on the walls is constantly changing and showcasing talented, local artists.
- I always make a new friend while I am there; the people who I meet are laid back, friendly, and fun.
- Parking is rarely a problem.
- They send out witty newsletters and have a beautiful and active website.
This past Friday I went to their weekly tasting with my roommate. The tagline to the tasting was “Happy Thoth Day!” in celebration of the first day of Thoth, the ibis-headed god of knowledge, in the Egyptian calendar. The best reason to raise your glass! Here is the list of the wines in order of how they were served:
1. Tangent Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Edna Valley, California
2. Mr. Riggs Riesling 2006, Clare Valley, Australia
3. Lonardi Valpolicella 2004, Verona, Italy
4. Wisteria Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, California
5. Earthworks Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Barossa Valley, Australia
I am not going to go into great detail about how each one tasted, but instead want to stress that they were all delicious! These are the quick notes I wrote later in the evening about the wines: Favorites are 1, 3, 5. Tangent was sweet, perfect to start the tasting. Mr. Riggs was not as sweet as I expected for a Riesling, but quite satisfying. The Valpolicella was great, light in taste. Wisteria was good, but where does it come from? Earthworks was full bodied and pleasant, could drink a lot more of it.
The Co Wine Co is one of the remaining reasons, aside from a few friends in the area, that I return to Eagle Rock. When I am on that side of town, I always try to stock up on some inexpensively priced wines. I am willing to pay more here than I would at Trader Joe’s because I know that John and Jen have put a lot of time and effort into choosing amazing wines and I fully trust their judgment and selection (in comparison to me just choosing wines by which one has the cooler label). I came home with bottles Tangent and Valpolicella from the tasting, and two other bottles that I found around the store that looked good.
Whether to pick up a bottle, sit down for a glass, or have a cold one from their impressive beer selection (No Bud Lite here), I encourage everyone to visit Colorado Wine Company! Check out their website (also sign up for their newsletters) to see what event works best for your schedule. I have included information on two of their weekly tastings and their hours of operation, but I know they offer events on other days so it is best take a look at their event calendar.
Friday Wine Tastings (5 wines; 15 dollars) - 5:30-8:30pm
Lazy Sunday Tastings (4 wines; 12 dollars) - 1:00-4:00pm
Store Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 11:00am-9:00pm
Thursday-Saturday: 11:00am-11:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm
Wine Bar Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 4:00-9:00pm
Thursday-Friday: 4:00-11:00pm
Saturday: 1:00-11:00pm
Sunday: 1:00-5:00pm
Colorado Wine Company
2114 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 478-1985
Friday night my roommate and I opened a bottle of 2006 King Shag Sauvignon Blanc. Yes, it is a bottle of wine that can be found at Trader Joe’s for under ten dollars. That is the way we roll here in our Brentwood abode…
I am only recently learning to love white wines, so everything is new and exciting for me. I have learned quite a few interesting facts about sauvignon blancs: Made from green-grapes originating from Bordeaux and the Loire Valley regions of France. The grape gets its name from the French word sauvage (”wild”) and blanc (”white”) due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France. During the 18th century, the vine was paired with a Cabernet Franc and gave birth a good friend of mine: Ca bernet Sauvignon. California is the leading producer in North America. When it came to California, it acquired the marketing name change to Fumé Blanc under the initiative of Robert Mondavi in effort to avoid prejudices held at that time against sauvignon blanc (grassy flavor, aggressive aroma). It is usually consumed young, as it does not particularly benefit from aging (inappropriate joke goes here). It can sometimes be recognized by its typical smell that reminds one of cat’s urine (which would not stop me anyway, and doesn’t stop most people apparently.)
King Shag is named after a rare bird species endemic to New Zealand, which really is not a coincidence because the wine is made in the subregion, Marlborough, in the South Island of New Zealand. I am willing to bet money that the image on the bottle is of the King Shag himself.
My opinion: Smooth, tart, tannic, and a citrus sweet finish. I taste lime and grapefruit.
I don’t love it, but it’s still good. I would be willing to drink it again and maybe even purchase more at some point in time.
Because we weren’t drunk enough..
My roommate and I opened another bottle of wine. It was also from Trader Joe’s for under ten dollars. King Shag was our last bottle of white wine, so red was our only option. We decided on the Riserva 2004 Epicuro Italian Red Wine.
Although you can’t really see the label in the picture, it says: Salice Salentino Denominazione Di Origine Controllata Red Wine. Salice Salentino is the name of the wine, but it is also named after the town it is produced in, the Apulia region of Italy. Apulia is in the heel of the Italian boot. (”Denominazione di origine controllata” translates to English as “appellation of origin” which is referring to Salice Salentino.) The grapes used in this bottle are 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera. The negroamaro grapes dominate the vineyards in Salice Salentino. I find the name, negroamaro, very interesting because they are used to describe the characteristics of the grape, but depending on the language used, you can come up with different translations. Negro translates to black, but amaro adds some confusion. Amaro in Italian translates to ‘bitter,’ but it has been suggested that the name derives from Greek word “manu” which also translates to black. Not that this is important at all, I just think it’s kind of cool. There is also an Italian rock band named after the grapes too, Negroamaro.
My opinion: medium bodied, spicy, berry taste, and a warm finish that hugged my heart.
My roommate picked up more specific tastes such as gameyness, smokiness, and in particular lingonberries, which is not a berry I am familiar with so I couldn’t truly accept. But, now that I know of these little cranberry-looking berries, I will try to become more familiar with them. Overall, I enjoyed it and would not be hesitant drink it again.