The beautiful brie shown above was a last-minute substitution for frites at Cafe Massilia, a fantastic little bistro in Monrovia that I dicovered by pure serendipity this week. They will be hosting a Wine Tasting Dinner Event called “All Around France” on Wednesday, 3rd of November, 2010 at 6:45 pm. The bistro will offer 5 Courses Paired with 5 Wines:
Welcome Drinks: Glass of Champagne
Amuse Bouche au Crabe et Sauce Tartare ~ Crab Cake Served with Tartare Sauce ~LoireValley: Pierre Luneau Papin, Muscadet, 2008 White
Carpaccio de Boeuf, Salade de Roquette et Lamelle de Parmesan ~ Beef Carpaccio, Shaved Parmesan and Arugula Salad ~Languedoc: Reserve Sainte Channelle, Pinot Noir, 2008 Reserve
Lotte Meuniere en Robe de Jambon Cru, Feuille de Romaine et Sauce aux Champignons ~ Monk Fish with Prosciutto, Romaine Leaf and Mushroom Sauce ~ Loire Valley: Gitton Pere et Fils, Sancerre, 2002, White
Choucrute Garnie
~ Sauerkraut Garnished with Frankfurt Sausage, Pork Skin, Back Ribs and Pork Belly ~ Alsace: Kuehn, Pinot Gris, 2008, White
Ile Flottante, Sauce Anglaise et Caramel
~ Floating Island with English Sauce and Caramel ~ Languedoc: Reserve Sainte Channelle, Cabarnet Sauvignon, 2007, Red
Palate in Glendale offers lunch only on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a special event, with an ever-changing a la carte menu driven by findings at the Wednesday farmers’ market. Seatings are from 12 noon to 2:30 pm, after which the wine bar naturally evolves into an end-of-the-week party! They offer all things pickled, potted and cured, charcuterie, appetizers, cheeses and desserts. This week’s main courses are:
croque ma’dam / salumi butter / crème fraîche /
hen egg s.s.u. 12
branzino / roasted root vegetables / carrot purée /
moroccan olives 14
palate burger / o.d. tomato / pickled red onion /lettuce / aïoli / fries 12
short ribs / pomme purée / cipollini onions /
horseradish creme fraiche 16
Las Perlas will celebrate Day of the Dead November 1st and 2nd with $3 Tecates and $6 Margaritas
Joe’s Restaurant will be hosting a “Ghoulish Halloween”. Come in costume for a free drink or dessert. Special menu items:
Devil’s Cauldron Stew of clams, mussels and squid
Sacrificial lamb Pecan crusted lamb sirloin, beet risotto, red wine shallot jus, bulls blood beet greens
Pumpkin Patch Creme caramel, pumpkin streusel, chestnut ice cream
as well as drink specials:
Red Devil Jalapeno Infused Corralejo Tequila, Hibisus Syrup, Cranberry, Fresh Citrus
Midnight Brew Lambrusco Sparkling Red Wine, Patron Citronage, Muddled Blackberries, Mint and Citrus
Earl’s Gourmet Grub in Mar Vista will be hosting a pop-up to celebrate the opening of Alt|Space’s next art exhibition. Check out the menu by chefs Dirul Shamsid-Deen and Yvonne McDonald for their take-out Chinese Soul Food restaurant, Fri-Sat nights, Nov 5-6 and 19-20:
Mah Jong’s Takeover-Takeout menu (3 for $15) including choice of egg roll:
· Braised Sweet & Sour Catfish
· Char Sui Pork with Red Beans & Jasmine Rice
· Pulled Pork Fried Rice
· Braised Collard Miso Soup
· Egg Drop Soup with Fried Grits
· Saute of Yams and Okra
· Fried Chicken Egg Rolls
· Vegetable Egg Rolls
New Yorker and James Beard award-winner Gary Robins recently opened Georgio’s Cucina. The pop-up in Studio City will run through the end of the year and will feature homemade pastas, roasted fish and meats, and a broad array of antipasti, flat breads and crudos. Here is what I would order off of the menu if I were there right now:
Bruschetta
honeyed goats cheese with persimmons and prosciutto $8
Hamachi
serrano chili with ruby grapefruit,
ginger and crisp shallots $13
Duck Polpetti
meatballs with soft polenta, rosemary marsala jus
and sweet and sour cherries $11
Honey Glazed Roast Vermont Quail
soft polenta with merguez and spiced champagne grapes $33
Pumpkin Crostada $8
Grub Street LA offers a fantastic guide on where to celebrate Day of the Dead and where to eat. As a bonus, they include a special recipe from Varnish.
Also, don’t miss Los Angeles Magazine’s special issue this month celebrating the food of Mexico!
