THAT'S COKE!

... as in dope!


-Cinista.

MmMM FOOD.

Seafood edition.




-Cinista.

FOOD DONE IN EL AYE.

Took a tour of Southern California and ate in cities like Northridge, Rancho, Glendale, Van Nuys, Silverlake, DTLA, and El Monte. The food was great but very different in flavor profiles as Las Vegas. Food eaten in no particular order.

Beef curry. MmmMmm.


Teriyaki salmon.


Tofu @ Thai Patio, LA.


Lechon. MmmmMm pork.


Pecan ice cream cake from Baskins.


Strawberry ice cream sandwich.


Chicken in a wrap @ Lu Foo's. Delish.


Tuna tartare @ Frida.


Shrimp ceviche.


Spinach salad with dried chiles.


Tapas @ Cobras & Matadors.


More tapas.


Udon noodle soup @ the Noodle House[next to the Boiling Crab].


These chicken wings were bomb!


Boiling Crab's with the whole shebang bang!


-Cinista.

MOULES FRITES.

Note to self.

Add blue cheese to green mussels.

-Cinista.

SUPERBOWL SANGRIA.

I'll be working.


Looking for something amazing to serve this weekend that's festive and delicious? There's a reason people are so passionate about sangria! This remarkable recipe is adapted from a number of classic sangrias, and it is certain to please a crowd!

3 cups dry red wine
2 cups 7-Up
2 cups orange juice
2 sliced limes
2 sliced lemons
2 sliced oranges
1 sliced apple (sweet variety)
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Cointreau
2 tbls grenadine
2 tbls lemon juice
2 tbls lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher or beverage server as shown and chill overnight. You can also make the morning of your party and chill as long as possible, however the overnight fermentation process is what brings all the flavors out. Serve over ice cubes.

Via Liqurious

-Cinista.

BIRDS HATE ME.

So, I really despise pigeons.

REWIND.

When I lived in SoCal, I was in the San Fernando Valley. The place I lived in was sort of ghetto-ish. Every morning[4 AM] I was awoken by the wonderful sounds of roosters crowing... yes roosters. I lived next to a place that had a makeshift farm with chickens, goats, dogs, etc. I hated that place. I try not to use that word anymore but I really did hate that place.

It is hard to stay in sexy mode talking to a girl on the phone with that soundtrack in the background. And it is even harder to convince a girl to go down on you[romantically] when the sweet sound of goats is outside your window. When I took home first dates, it would always be awkward. Hahahaha. Writing about this right now is giving me a smile on my face. Although I hated the place, I did have lots of great memories there.

FAST FORWARD.

I was up until 9am today because a couple of pigeons nested themselves in my storm drain. These birds did not choose the west wing of the house next to the backyard with a bird pond. They chose the drain above my room; so, they can torture me with their claws scraping against the walls and their incessant purring. I'm in a nasty mood all day from the two hour loss of sleep that it makes me want to punch every happy person that greets me at work. My ex's place did not have the proper air conditioning but I would gladly stay at that house with her nagging and lack of cool air over the sound of these nasty birds early in the morning any day. This is my fucken karma and I don't know why. I was kind to animals when I was young. Now... if I see an injured pigeon on the street, I will kick that thing in the neck! Swear to Allah.

They eat pigeons in France.
I will eat the hell out of a pigeon when I get to Paris!
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Anyhow.
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Austins Steakhouse held a wine dinner with hosts Ferrari Carano Vineyards and Winery.

1st Course:
BLT Carpaccio
2006 FC Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA

2nd Course:
Confit of Duck Ravioli in Consomme
2007 FC Fume Blanc, Sonoma, CA

3rd Course:
Classic Warm Spinach Salad
2006 FC Siena, Sonoma, CA

4th Course:
Crab Stuffed Dover Sole with Tomato & Zucchini
2006 FC Chardonnay, Alexander Valley, CA

Intermezzo:
Raspberry Champagne Sorbet

5th Course:
Kona Crusted Beef with Maytag Blue Cheese & Chive Polenta Cake
2004 Prevail West Face, Alexander Valley, CA

6th Course:
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Tortellini with Espresso Creme Anglaise
2007 FC El Dorado Noir, Russian River Valley, CA

I didn't post the finished product this time. I thought it would be more exciting[imo anyway] to post the process of cooking, plating, and presenting. My favorite course was the duck confit ravioli. This dish is what I want my cooking to be all about. It was classic, simple, clean, flavourful, and complex all in one. And it tasted soo good.










-Cinista.

TACHI NORTH LAS VEGAS.

I had lunch recently at my favorite sushi spot in deep North Las Vegas. The chefs are mad friendly and they always take care of me. Cool folks... they hook it up with "off the menu" stuff. Always appreciated.

"White fish". They didn't know what the English translation was. I'll translate it for them. It's delicious!


Uni aka sea urchin. Not for novices.


Green mussel. I can eat three dozen of these!


Salmon belly. I don't eat salmon sashimi anymore. My taste buds graduated... but the chef insisted that I have some. I did and I was pleased.


Amaebi aka sweet shrimp. Have them deepfry the heads and finish with ponzu sauce. It can come as a soup but I prefer it crispy.


I'm craaaaaving a spider hand roll right now!

F*CK!

-Cinista.

THE FRENCH LAUNDRY.

I was at the local bookstore and I had the pleasure of reading Thomas Keller's The French Laundry Cookbook. The dishes are constant reminders of where I need to head and what I need to master.

[On a related note: My bearnaise was waaay too salty today. Step it up, Jonathan!]

The French Laundry is an American restaurant located in Yountville, California, in the Napa Valley. The restaurant has won several awards and is considered by many critics to be one of the best restaurants in the United States and the world.





Added to Amazon Wishlist.

-Cinista.

DINNER. DRINK. DESSERT.

Crab stuffed lobster, filet and thyme mash with asparagus and baby carrots.


Some pinot from somewhere. Earthy with mushroom, honey and blackberry touches.


Flourless chocolate, carrot, ricotta, and apple crisp.


-Cinista.

MMmM FOOD.

I remember eating those vietnamese french roll sandwiches in Alhambra; so I put a little twist on this ribeye sandwich. I pickled some cucumbers, red onions and grape tomatoes with white wine vinegar and other ingredients. Topped it off with cilantro to make it authentic. Well, somewhat authentic... I got homesick after eating the thing.



-Cinista.

MMMM FOOD.

-Cinista.

MMmMMM FOOD.

Prosciutto wrapped dates.
Eggplant rolled pancetta and asiago.
Pear formed fried risotto.
Clams casino.
Roasted red pepper bruschetta.


-Cinista.

MMMM FOOD.

-Cinista.

IMBIBE & CONSUME.

What I had in LA in no particular order. All was good except for one. It was definitely a week of excess. I left with a hang-over and a smile. Now on to the food!

This little thing had alot of flavor. Oh, little taco... how i loved you.


There's a burger under all that mushroom.


Potato slices with creamy mustard. Sh*t was spicy!


Micro brew.


McDonald's fruit and yogurt parfait.


Grilled roma with goat cheese and balsamic reduction.


-Cinista.