When in Paris....

Make sure you have at least 1 dinner at the the le Relais de l'Entrecote. You don't have much choice at this restaurant. They only serve this wonderful filet slices of beef with the most incredible sauce to go with the french fries. You could order a salad before to fill you up a bit. You are allowed 2 servings with no extra charge. Many years ago, you could get several servings with no extra charge. Those were the days!

They have several locations: 20 Rue Saint-Benoit,15 Rue Marbeuf, 101 Blvd. du Montparnasse.

If you can't get to Paris, you could try the one in New York, Le Relais de Venise L'Entrecote on Lexington Ave., although I must say that I was disappointed when I tried it last year, the plates seemed smaller and the sauce was not exactly like the one in Paris. Maybe it was all about the ambiance!

If you love Cinnamon, Butter, & Sugar...

You will like this product that came out a couple of months ago. There are a lot of butters out there made with canola oil, olive oil, etc.. Land O Lakes makes one that is called Cinnamon Sugar Butter Spread. I got excited when I first saw it since I do love cinnamon, sugar and butter. All you do is spread some on your toast, scones banana bread, sour dough; heck spread it on anything edible. The key is toasting or heating whatever you have and immediately spreading some of the cinnamon sugar and voila..your taste buds immediately starts thanking you. It goes well with your favorite (strong) coffee. I spread mine on a slice of marble bread.

Tasty Chicken Marsala

Just discovered this tiny restaurant in Lomita called Lulu's. There is no Lulu but who cares?

This is a no nonsense restaurant. If you want both quality and quantity, (something you don't get often) this is the place to go.

I got there before 6:00 pm and was lucky to review their early bird specials. The chicken marsala caught my eye and was I surprised to see the an array of sides that went with it. The chicken was tender cooked w/mushrooms and of course marsala wine. There was plenty of sauce to go with the broccoli and mashed potatoes. The carmelized onions were so delicious.

This is one place where you come hungry and leave stuffed like a turkey if you decide to devour the whole meal like I did. I usually have room for dessert but this time I did not. I will have to go back to try the numerous entrees, sandwiches, soups, burgers and key lime pie and creme brulee.

Bacon In a Belgian Waffle

Ruby's Diner in Palos Verdes has always been there. Restaurants have come and gone but this place isn't about to go anywhere. That is because they have a good selection of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a family place, after all, it is right next to a skating rink. The best thing not to be missed is their coffee shake. If you are too guilty to order one w/ your blue cheese burger, then order a kids size shake (not hamburger).

If you come for breakfast, make sure you get there before 11:00 since they stop serving breakfast ansd start serving lunch. DO order the Belgian Waffle and specify that you want the bacon in the waffle and not on the side. You can get a combo which includes choice of eggs. If you order just the waffle, try to have it the way I always do. As soon as it is delivered to your table w/ the 2 scoops of butter, spread the butter and make sure all the squares get the melted butter (no square left dry), then pour the warm syrup as you eat so the rest does not get soggy. Enjoy w/your cup of coffee. It might be too early for a kids coffee shake!

Indian Anyone?

I used to not like Indian food; didn't like the smell of curry but I have learned to love certain dishes , among them...curry.

Come to think of it, most of the stuff I have had, I've been addicted to..There is a small restaurant in Redondo Beach called Ocean Tava located on the 2nd floor of a building and in the summer months you are able to see the sunset. This restaurant has been offering a 3 course Chef's Dinner on Wednesday nights. For $20, you get an appetizer, an entree, Naan or Rice WITH a glass of red or white wine.

Tonight we had the Tandoori Bharwa Aloo for appetizer. This was a very tasty potato stuffed w/raisins, cashews and paneer. The flavors were enhanced when you drizzled some of the sweet spicy sauce. For entree I had the Murg Jahlfrezi, which were spicy chunks of chicken cooked in curry and tantalizing spices. My dinner companion, a long time friend, dispite being a vegetarian, had the Tandoori Phool which was cauliflower marinated in yogurt and mild spices and breaded. This was so delicious; still can't get over how anything that healthy can taste so good especially after you pour some of the Dal Bukhara, lentils cooked in a slow cooker. This dish evaporated as fast as I swept the olive naan (which I have never had) to clean the plate. Forget garlic naan or any other naan! The last time we ate here, we had the baby corn cooked the same way the cauliflower was prepared and I have not stopped thinking about it.

The Chateau St. Michelle Riesling was so refreshing it complimented the meal to perfection.

Street-Hollywood Restaurant

Great concept; eclectic street food from across the world. I found it to be overpriced for the food you get which was mediocre. I think chef Susan Feniger did not have her GPS as she ended up in the wrong streets. The only good thing we all agreed upon was the New Orleans red bean and rice fritters. The cheese grits from Lucilles are 100% better! We had 2 desserts and both were just edible.

Paris at Bouchon

We had this wonderful pastry to die for at Pierre Herme in Paris and could only describe the taste to everyone. Now you can have this wonderful buttery flaky crusty pastry made of butter, sugar and calories but every bite is worth it.

This mystery pastry is called Kouign Amann and is available at Bouchon Bakery in Beverly Hills.

First Dinner

Tyropita....

So Much Food! So Little Thyme!

Just making sure this all works! Thyme to eat.