Homemade.

Fall brings about a bit of a nesting vibe. The weather turns, it gets darker sooner, closets switch over and people want to eat a bit more heartily. Living true to this; we were searching around Pinterest for some deliciousness to try our hand at and stumbled upon this amazing new recipe collective called TASTESPOTTING. 

In short, it's a foodie's paradise. As always, the creators state it best with, "Think of TasteSpotting as a highly visual potluck of recipes, references, experiences, stories, articles, products, and anything else that inspires exquisite taste." 

We're in.

Best Lunch Ever: Eleven Madison Park

I'm lucky to be friends with people who enjoy food as much as I do. When I first planned my trip to New York, one of my friends recommended we get lunch at Eleven Madison Park. I'll just let you marvel at the photos. But let me tell you, this is one experience that is more than just lunch... it's a work of art!

Eating in New York

I just took a trip out to New York for work, and as usual I was ecstatic to return to my former residence and my favorite city. As previously mentioned, one of my favorite things to do is to go out and eat, so I had to share my go-to list* with all of you!

1. Shake Shack - I cannot rave enough about this place. Go to Madison Square Park for the full experience, but if you want to get straight to the food they've opened up a number of other locations around town where you won't have to wait an hour. Their burgers use fresh quality ingredients and is really the best tasting burger. (Yes, I think it's better than In N Out!) Make sure to get a concrete as well, it's a mix of their frozen custard and seasonal toppings. If I could eat here every day, I would!

2. Minetta Tavern - Make a reservation or get there early and sit at the bar. Order a Tom Collins and the Bone Marrow and you're off to a great start to your night! One of my favorite and tastiest restaurants around town!

3. Momofuku Milk Bar - Three words: Blueberry & Cream Cookie! You really can't go wrong with anything at the Milk Bar. I like Momofuku as much as the next person, but the Milk Bar is what I dream about back home in California. If anyone wants to mail me a box of Blueberry & Cream and Cornflake cookies, I'd be so grateful!

4. Baohaus - I just can't get enough of their baos! The Chairman Bao stays true to the Taiwanese classic, and the others are so playful and inventive, and most importantly delicious! I always make a point to stop by their shop when I'm in town.

5. Laudree - A little taste of Paris available in New York! You can't get a better tasting macaron out there. My only regret is not having time to make it up the to the Upper East Side during my last trip to get a box! Pistachio is my personal favorite flavor.

Where are your must eat places in New York?

*This isn't my best culinary eats list, but my frequent eats list.

Bananas & Butterscotch.

How amazing does this Banana Bread Crepe Cake with Butterscotch recipe look? Smitten Kitchen has done it again!! Click here for her tutorial and recipe. 

What are some recipes you're dying to try out. We're expanding our culinary horizons and call on you to challenge us with yummy endeavors to master.

Eating in Los Angeles

My post is a day late, but just in time for the weekend! One of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles is to go out to eat. There are tons of great restaurants in the city, and here are five that I love to frequent!

The interior of A-Frame, the food is family style and the seating is communal!

1. A-Frame - This is my go-to place for dinner with my friends. The plates are meant to be shared family style, and pretty much everything on the menu is great. Also, make sure to save room for dessert because you'll want try their Banana Bacon Cream Pie!

2. Picca - I never tried Peruvian food until I moved to Los Angeles, and I've been hooked ever since! This is my new favorite Peruvian restaurant, with a slight Japanese influence. They also have a lounge upstairs, so if the restaurant is crowded you can asked to be seated upstairs where you can order from the full menu and have an eagle eye view of the dining room.

3. BLD - Best brunch in town! There is always a wait on the weekend, so be sure to go early. But if you are like me, and need a snack to tie you over after you've put your name down, take a walk over to Milk a couple blocks away for a pre-brunch treat.

4. Waterloo & City - This is my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. Located next to A-Frame, this British Gastropub serves comfort food and delicious cocktails. In my opinion, it's the perfect meal. (They also have a killer prices during happy hour and late night.)

5. Spice Table - If you are an adventurous eater, I'd suggest Spice Table located in Downtown/Little Tokyo. This place is influenced by the traditional cuisines of Singapore and Vietnam, and the menu includes curries, satays of all sorts, headcheese and other more exotic eats.

A Good Gift

Happy Holidays! If you are like me, you are probably scrambling for gift ideas and preparing for the holidays. One of my favorite gifts to give and receive are cookbooks! There is something really special to me about sharing food and the way you eat with others. This is the kind of gift that is thoughtful, practical, and brings the person joy throughout the year when they use your gift!

So in the spirit of the holidays, here are some cookbooks that I think would make great gifts this season!









1. The Mozza Cookbook2. I Know How To Cook3. Off The Menu4. Momofuku Milk Bar5. The Family Meal6. Noma

Fashion Fest.

DON'T MISS THIS!! Get out there and support local businesses. What's better than food, fashion and art??

As Kelsi Smith, founder of TWO POINT OH! LA said, 

Come join us for the Los Feliz Fashion Fest! Shopping, shows, makeovers and a fantastic photobooth!
The Los Feliz Fashion Fest is part of the Los Feliz Street Fair - now in it's 20th year - bringing you music, food, drink and entertainment all day!

Get there and let us know what you loved!!

Bon Apetit

As we mentioned yesterday, we stumbled upon a blog called Tiger in a Jar and fell completely in love with husband and wife team, Matt and Julie. They work in many different creative directions and live by one rule. "Our passion in life is to be creative in every way we can discover."

We could share almost all their postings but landed in unison on this video. Jessica, our Creative Director said it best, when she said, every recipe should look like this.

Watch it and you will know what we mean. Enjoy~

beet cake from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.