Bottega Louie - A Five Star Review !

So you've decided to finally venture to Oz, or downtown LA (both an obscurity in your mind), to cross Bottega Louie off your foodie bucket list have you?  I can nearly guarantee you WILL be disappointed.  Wait, what?!  But Chelsea you gave it five stars!

Hear me out. 

Maybe you make the journey to get a box of the coveted macarons.  Oh Em Gee! Are these the best things you have ever eaten!  The salted caramel! You can't believe it!!  But, hell are you disappointed... imagine how good ALL OF THE OTHER desserts must be!  And there are too many to try!!   Disappointed.

New Orleans - The Eat-Cation

This past week I earned a very coveted foodie badge:  

Eating (and drinking) my way through New Orleans! 

I know you are jealous.. and you should be.  My long weekend of indulging in beignets and po'boys was one for the books.  But since I'm trying to build my karma tank, I have decided to share my eating itinerary with you.... so you too can have the best eat-cation of your life.


Places you MUST visit, and what you MUST order:

Mariposa Restaurant

Before I dive into my trip to Mariposa, let me spend a split second hitting upon one of my favorite lunch places in Los Angeles, which, coincidentally is also located in a Beverly Hills Department Store.

Greengrass Beanery on top of Barneys (what! you didn't know it existed! Meer Peasants!) has long stood as a staple on my 'top picks for a lovely lunch in Beverly Hills' list.  Boasting a gorgeous view and a simple yet elegant menu, I have never been disappointed.  Plus, their lunch is probably the only thing I can afford in the department store - so a visit helps momentarily elevate my social status.

I was expecting the same vibe at Mariposa, but was quite disappointed.  The decor is miserably boring and sterile - akin to a continental breakfast nook in a Holiday Inn hotel.  Harsh, but I absolutely hate the ambiance.  As if someone shopping at lunchtime wants to eat in a windowless dungeon when there's a staggering possibility that it is 75 degrees and sunny outside.   (Now, Nordstroms at the Grove - that's someone who did it right, with a gorgeous patio perfect for people watching. -review to come!) 

Banana Egg White Pancakes!

On my relentless quest to maintain the thigh gap, my diet generally consists of egg whites, fruit, vegetables, chicken, fish, nuts and seeds. 

I had been curious to try banana and egg white pancakes for some time -- but I knew what would happen.  I would make them, then cover them in syrup.  At 28 grams of sugar per serving, even the grade A Vermont maple syrup won't be worth the guilt I'll feel.  And really, who has one serving of syrup? And is it even legal to have pancakes without butter? 

Beverly Hills Cheese Store

Simply put, this store is decadence. 

Norbert will sample you down the aisle, nearly reading your mind to deliver the most orgasmic selection of cheese and accompaniments you could imagine. 

My favorites are the seasonal 15 year cheddar, truffled sheep milk cheese, the drunken goat, the five year gouda, etc. etc. etc. Whatever your preference, you will leave elated if you trust Norbert and your own palate.  Oh, and don't forget to buy dominic's maple confit onions and a fresh baked baguette.  

Also join their email list to receive notices on upcoming wine and cheese pairings and weekly specials. 

The best Deviled Eggies!

i dare you to find a better tasting recipe for deviled eggs.  These are perfection every single time.  Use caution bringing them to parties --- you'll be asked to bring them back to every gathering you're ever invited to from then on.

Ingredients

dozen jumbo extra large eggs

1/3 cup miracle whip

1 roasted garlic cloves (or 1 tsp garlic sprinkle)

1/4 cup honey mustard (I like kens or heinz - no honey mustard?  Use regular mustard and add 2 tsp of brown sugar and 1 tsp honey)

Healthy Chicken Broccoli Ziti

Here's my simple, and healthy, CHICKEN BROCCOLI ZITI recipe!  This is the perfect accompaniment to any hearty main course, like a honey baked ham!

1. Chop 1 onion and 4 garlic cloves finely - brown in skillet on Medium heat in 4 tsp olive oil 

2. Add 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast (fat removed) and cook until center is no longer pink. Remove from pan (but keep oil and garlic simmering) and cut into pieces.

3. cook 1 box of whole wheat spirals and set aside in casserole dish (toss lightly with olive oil to keep moist).