Visual Buffet: Guido Mocafico

Guido Mocafico is a Swiss-born photographer who draws inspiration from Dutch Masters of the 17th Century, such as Pieter Claesz, Alexandre-François Desportes, and Floris van Dijck.

These prints would make a dramatic focal point to any dining room, but personally, I'd love to have one hanging over my headboard in the bedroom (well maybe not the dead carcass of a rabbit.) Talk about an aphrodisiac.

-S

Visual Buffet: Guido Mocafico

Guido Mocafico is a Swiss-born photographer who draws inspiration from Dutch Masters of the 17th Century, such as Pieter Claesz, Alexandre-François Desportes, and Floris van Dijck.

These prints would make a dramatic focal point to any dining room, but personally, I'd love to have one hanging over my headboard in the bedroom (well maybe not the dead carcass of a rabbit.) Talk about an aphrodisiac.

-S

Umami: Burgs & Such

Natalie, my new found FF- foodie fiend, and I did lunch at Umami Burger a few days ago. You know, I'm not in the business of featuring eateries on my blog, but this burger was too tasty not to editorialize. The ambiance is satisfactory, the service is questionable, but the burger is the juiciest, tastiest concoction I have sinked my teeth into in awhile. I love a yummy burg, and so I'm paying it forward to you.

What's your favorite burger in LA? Do tell.

By the way, Natalie's food blog, Femme On Feast, features profiles on powerful females in the culinary world.

-S


By the way, What exactly is Umami?

Taking its name from Japanese, umami is a pleasant savoury taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, and ribonucleotides, including inosinate and guanylate, which occur naturally in many foods including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products. As the taste of umami itself is subtle and blends well with other tastes to expand and round out flavours, most people don’t recognise umami when they encounter it, but it plays an important role making food taste delicious.

Umami: Burgs & Such

Natalie, my new found FF- foodie fiend, and I did lunch at Umami Burger a few days ago. You know, I'm not in the business of featuring eateries on my blog, but this burger was too tasty not to editorialize. The ambiance is satisfactory, the service is questionable, but the burger is the juiciest, tastiest concoction I have sinked my teeth into in awhile. I love a yummy burg, and so I'm paying it forward to you.

What's your favorite burger in LA? Do tell.

By the way, Natalie's food blog, Femme On Feast, features profiles on powerful females in the culinary world.

-S


By the way, What exactly is Umami?

Taking its name from Japanese, umami is a pleasant savoury taste imparted by glutamate, a type of amino acid, and ribonucleotides, including inosinate and guanylate, which occur naturally in many foods including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products. As the taste of umami itself is subtle and blends well with other tastes to expand and round out flavours, most people don’t recognise umami when they encounter it, but it plays an important role making food taste delicious.

Cecconi’s Comes to West Hollywood

In February 2009, Cecconi’s opened in West Hollywood at the corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, on the former site of the iconic Morton’s restaurant. With a focus on sourcing the finest quality ingredients and maintaining affordability, Cecconi’s West Hollywood features a menu of simply prepared, Venetian influenced, food and drink. An entirely new dining experience in West Hollywood.

Cecconi's Beginnings
Enzo Cecconi - the youngest ever general manager of the famous Cipriani restaurant in Venice - came to London in 1978 and opened Cecconi's. It became an overnight success and in the 80s it was a Mecca for the rich and the royal (one lunchtime, during Ascot week, one waiter remembers serving members of four different royal families on four different tables).

Cecconi's & Soho House
In 1999, after 21 years under the ownership of Enzo Cecconi, Cecconi's closed. A year later Hani Farsi took over the restaurant and refurbished it completely. In February 2004 it reopened under joint management with Nick Jones of Soho House as a partner. In January 2005 Soho House took full ownership.

Cecconi's

Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 7am to midnight
Sunday 8am to 11pm

Breakfast served until noon
Lunch menu served noon to 5pm
Dinner menu served 5pm to midnight
Brunch at weekends from 11am to 5pm

Location
8764 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles 90069

Reservations
Tel +1 (310) 432 2000
Fax +1 (310) 432 2004

Cecconi’s Comes to West Hollywood

In February 2009, Cecconi’s opened in West Hollywood at the corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, on the former site of the iconic Morton’s restaurant. With a focus on sourcing the finest quality ingredients and maintaining affordability, Cecconi’s West Hollywood features a menu of simply prepared, Venetian influenced, food and drink. An entirely new dining experience in West Hollywood.

Cecconi's Beginnings
Enzo Cecconi - the youngest ever general manager of the famous Cipriani restaurant in Venice - came to London in 1978 and opened Cecconi's. It became an overnight success and in the 80s it was a Mecca for the rich and the royal (one lunchtime, during Ascot week, one waiter remembers serving members of four different royal families on four different tables).

Cecconi's & Soho House
In 1999, after 21 years under the ownership of Enzo Cecconi, Cecconi's closed. A year later Hani Farsi took over the restaurant and refurbished it completely. In February 2004 it reopened under joint management with Nick Jones of Soho House as a partner. In January 2005 Soho House took full ownership.

Cecconi's

Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 7am to midnight
Sunday 8am to 11pm

Breakfast served until noon
Lunch menu served noon to 5pm
Dinner menu served 5pm to midnight
Brunch at weekends from 11am to 5pm

Location
8764 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles 90069

Reservations
Tel +1 (310) 432 2000
Fax +1 (310) 432 2004

Dinner @ Palihouse

On Sat, some friends and I had dinner at the courtyard brasserie @ Palihouse. The vibe, the food, the drinks, the background music... all excellent! What a lovely addition to West Hollywood... I'm totally digging Palihouse.

check out www.palihouse.com to learn more about this new "boutique urban lodge".

-S

SYI: The Crème brûlée was stellar... so creamy. A small portion, so please don't share it.

Dinner @ Palihouse

On Sat, some friends and I had dinner at the courtyard brasserie @ Palihouse. The vibe, the food, the drinks, the background music... all excellent! What a lovely addition to West Hollywood... I'm totally digging Palihouse.

check out www.palihouse.com to learn more about this new "boutique urban lodge".

-S

SYI: The Crème brûlée was stellar... so creamy. A small portion, so please don't share it.

Puffins Addiction

As you know, this blog is all about inspiring better living. With that said, I introduce to you PUFFINS Peanut Butter cereal. As silly as it sounds, I'm being serious about my love of this delicious food.

Puffins are a perfect snack. Low in sugar, high in taste, simple ingredients, lovely crunchy texture.

Upon your first bowl, I have no doubt that you will become addicted to this healthy snack. It's also great to eat dry in those moments when you search for something to curb your sweet tooth.

Costco should carry Puffins in bulk.

-S

Puffins Addiction

As you know, this blog is all about inspiring better living. With that said, I introduce to you PUFFINS Peanut Butter cereal. As silly as it sounds, I'm being serious about my love of this delicious food.

Puffins are a perfect snack. Low in sugar, high in taste, simple ingredients, lovely crunchy texture.

Upon your first bowl, I have no doubt that you will become addicted to this healthy snack. It's also great to eat dry in those moments when you search for something to curb your sweet tooth.

Costco should carry Puffins in bulk.

-S

Terroni

Shereen Arazm's (Parc, Geisha House, Shag, Bella, Dolce) new restaurant, Terroni, is hands down my latest food craze.

4 factors that make the place:
-The food is southern style Italian- ultra thin crust pizza, fresh pastas made on site daily, seasonal salads, and a delightful array of semi-sweet dolci.
-An attractive bar w/ counter space where you can have a drink and/or dinner. There's a full wine list, as well as regional Italian style cocktails too.
-The ambiance is lively even during weekdays, yet it somehow manages not to be a hipster joint. The decor is fun and inviting, but not overt or contrived.
- Close to probable next stops, or home.

Terroni
7605 Beverly Blvd. (Fairfax District)
323.954.0300

SYI: When you're at the bar, ask your bartender for "The Sean"... close in taste to a mandarin soda, except it's made up of vodka, soda, with a 2-count shot of the Italian Aperol® orange liqueur.

Terroni

Shereen Arazm's (Parc, Geisha House, Shag, Bella, Dolce) new restaurant, Terroni, is hands down my latest food craze.

4 factors that make the place:
-The food is southern style Italian- ultra thin crust pizza, fresh pastas made on site daily, seasonal salads, and a delightful array of semi-sweet dolci.
-An attractive bar w/ counter space where you can have a drink and/or dinner. There's a full wine list, as well as regional Italian style cocktails too.
-The ambiance is lively even during weekdays, yet it somehow manages not to be a hipster joint. The decor is fun and inviting, but not overt or contrived.
- Close to probable next stops, or home.

Terroni
7605 Beverly Blvd. (Fairfax District)
323.954.0300

SYI: When you're at the bar, ask your bartender for "The Sean"... close in taste to a mandarin soda, except it's made up of vodka, soda, with a 2-count shot of the Italian Aperol® orange liqueur.

Regal Retail

Until recently, the quaint market town of Tetbury in England's Cotswolds district was best known for the antique shops lining its narrow, cobble-stone streets. Now there's another reason for visitors to flock to the Gloucestershire town. Last month, the area's starriest resident, Prince Charles—whose rambling country pad Highgrove is just outside Tetbury—set up shop there.

The store—Highgrove Shop—stocks a cornucopia of organic fruit and vegetables sourced from Highgrove's own Home Farm. There?s also china decorated with images of hens, designed by Samantha Buckley, an alumna of Charles's Traditional Arts School in London, and soaps infused with hypericum plucked from his gardens.

So far, the store's royal connections have been drawing in the tourist crowds. "We've even had people from America signing the vistors' book," says Sally Jarrett, the shop's manager. But it's not only those eager to experience a slice of royal life who are turning up. Local residents are regulars too, snapping up chutneys, honey and leeks. The store's Champagne and red and white wines have also proved popular, perhaps because they're the very same as those served at official functions in the Orchard Room at Highgrove.

Even the usually cynical British press has nodded approvingly at the store, both for its relatively competitive pricing and the fact that all the store?s profits go towards the Prince's various charities and projects. And for those who can't make the trip across the pond to visit the royal corner shop, not to worry. Later this year, the store will launch its own Web site, and the goods will ship worldwide.

—Nina Jones for W Mag.

Regal Retail

Until recently, the quaint market town of Tetbury in England's Cotswolds district was best known for the antique shops lining its narrow, cobble-stone streets. Now there's another reason for visitors to flock to the Gloucestershire town. Last month, the area's starriest resident, Prince Charles—whose rambling country pad Highgrove is just outside Tetbury—set up shop there.

The store—Highgrove Shop—stocks a cornucopia of organic fruit and vegetables sourced from Highgrove's own Home Farm. There?s also china decorated with images of hens, designed by Samantha Buckley, an alumna of Charles's Traditional Arts School in London, and soaps infused with hypericum plucked from his gardens.

So far, the store's royal connections have been drawing in the tourist crowds. "We've even had people from America signing the vistors' book," says Sally Jarrett, the shop's manager. But it's not only those eager to experience a slice of royal life who are turning up. Local residents are regulars too, snapping up chutneys, honey and leeks. The store's Champagne and red and white wines have also proved popular, perhaps because they're the very same as those served at official functions in the Orchard Room at Highgrove.

Even the usually cynical British press has nodded approvingly at the store, both for its relatively competitive pricing and the fact that all the store?s profits go towards the Prince's various charities and projects. And for those who can't make the trip across the pond to visit the royal corner shop, not to worry. Later this year, the store will launch its own Web site, and the goods will ship worldwide.

—Nina Jones for W Mag.

LAMILL: Silver Lake

Just opened on January 11th, LAMILL (LA MILL) is a gourmet café from the Alhambra based beanery which supplies everyone from Katsuya to Bastide.

Designed after a mid-century, upscale clubhouse (vintage club chairs, 1800s brass chandelier), this gourmet café offers Silverlakeians a cool new place to have a cup-o'-joe, or more.

The company is open about their coffee obssesion. LAMILL is committed to sourcing the Earth in an effort to produce the world’s best cup of coffee. They only use coffee beans that are grown between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. For those of you, who slept through geography, "imagine a wide band around the Earth’s equator. Known as the Bean Belt, it boasts rich soil and mild temperatures with plenty of rain and shaded sun - an ideal climate for growing coffee." Also interesting, their espresso's are served at an exact 165 degrees.

LAMILL opens at 6am with pastries, and starts slinging full breakfast at 8.

LAMILL
1636 Silverlake Blvd, Silverlake
323.663.444

LAMILLCOFFEE.COM

-S

SYI: check out speacialty drink "Coffee and a Cigarette" ... the drink features tobacco-infused whipped cream!

LAMILL: Silver Lake

Just opened on January 11th, LAMILL (LA MILL) is a gourmet café from the Alhambra based beanery which supplies everyone from Katsuya to Bastide.

Designed after a mid-century, upscale clubhouse (vintage club chairs, 1800s brass chandelier), this gourmet café offers Silverlakeians a cool new place to have a cup-o'-joe, or more.

The company is open about their coffee obssesion. LAMILL is committed to sourcing the Earth in an effort to produce the world’s best cup of coffee. They only use coffee beans that are grown between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. For those of you, who slept through geography, "imagine a wide band around the Earth’s equator. Known as the Bean Belt, it boasts rich soil and mild temperatures with plenty of rain and shaded sun - an ideal climate for growing coffee." Also interesting, their espresso's are served at an exact 165 degrees.

LAMILL opens at 6am with pastries, and starts slinging full breakfast at 8.

LAMILL
1636 Silverlake Blvd, Silverlake
323.663.444

LAMILLCOFFEE.COM

-S

SYI: check out speacialty drink "Coffee and a Cigarette" ... the drink features tobacco-infused whipped cream!

Little Next Door

For those of you who have had the pleasure of dining at The Little Door, you will just adore their new café.

Situated right next to The Little Door, Little Next Door is the quintessential Parisian cafe.

The ambiance is very french and cute, and the food is imaginative and delicious.

If you love freshly baked pastries, house-made jams, and a space that evokes the passion behind European café culture, than you must check out Little Next Door.

Let's go for brunch this weekend, I'm free!

Little Next Door
8142 W 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
9am-6pm Daily
Phone: (323) 951-1010
Check out the menu @ http://www.thelittledoor.com/lndhome.html

Quick FYI: If you love the cute stripe shirts they wear at Little Next Door, they are made by Saint James @ www.saint-james-tricots.com, and costs $90.

Little Next Door

For those of you who have had the pleasure of dining at The Little Door, you will just adore their new café.

Situated right next to The Little Door, Little Next Door is the quintessential Parisian cafe.

The ambiance is very french and cute, and the food is imaginative and delicious.

If you love freshly baked pastries, house-made jams, and a space that evokes the passion behind European café culture, than you must check out Little Next Door.

Let's go for brunch this weekend, I'm free!

Little Next Door
8142 W 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
9am-6pm Daily
Phone: (323) 951-1010
Check out the menu @ http://www.thelittledoor.com/lndhome.html

Quick FYI: If you love the cute stripe shirts they wear at Little Next Door, they are made by Saint James @ www.saint-james-tricots.com, and costs $90.

Haute Dessert

Karl Lagerfeld (Chloe, Fendi, Chanel) has designed a limited edition Holiday Log with the Parisian baker Lenôtre. The Holiday Log is a traditional French dessert eaten during the holiday season and represents a log from a fireplace. The Karl Lagerfeld holiday log comes in a mirrored box and a axe made of caramelized sugar. The actual log is made of gingerbread with almonds and hazelnuts filled with a compote of sweet orange and apricot and a chocolate coulis. The cake will only be available by order from Lenôtre during the holiday season. Lenotre.fr

No more Costco muffins for me!

...And while we're at it, I'll have some Donatella chocolate milk to wash it down with too.

-S

Haute Dessert

Karl Lagerfeld (Chloe, Fendi, Chanel) has designed a limited edition Holiday Log with the Parisian baker Lenôtre. The Holiday Log is a traditional French dessert eaten during the holiday season and represents a log from a fireplace. The Karl Lagerfeld holiday log comes in a mirrored box and a axe made of caramelized sugar. The actual log is made of gingerbread with almonds and hazelnuts filled with a compote of sweet orange and apricot and a chocolate coulis. The cake will only be available by order from Lenôtre during the holiday season. Lenotre.fr

No more Costco muffins for me!

...And while we're at it, I'll have some Donatella chocolate milk to wash it down with too.

-S