It's a Farmers Market Love!

It is no surprise that I ENJOY cooking and eating. When it comes to getting ingredients there is no better place than the local farmers market, okay maybe the farm itself. When I was younger my mother and I would visit the Winter Park, FL Farmers Market. It was always a fun outing with her, my mother taught kindergarten and would always pick up caterpillars for her class from this market.

In New York City I would stop at Union Square for its farmers market. I thought I was so cool, stopping there and grabbing 'local' produce for the week. However, I would have to say the new york farmers market was not my favorite place to pick up fresh produce. If you have ever been or lived in the city you have seen the street carts full of produce. I can remember I would walk 15 blocks for grapes and watermelon at this one particular cart, always fresh! 

It was not until I moved to Los Angeles area that I felt my week would not be complete without a stop a the farmers market. You can find a market almost everyday of the week sporadically throughout the city. You can find listings here: http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/index.cfm I have been to a good handful of them, Mar Vista, Santa Monica (Downtown and Main St.), Hollywood, Brentwood, and Malibu. 

I frequent the Brentwood Market because it is close and because of the booths and amount of organic or conventional produce available. My must have produce to pick up is: 

Kale & Red Beets

1. One type of Fruit (if pluots are in season I stock up, love!)

2. Celery

3. Leafy Greens (Kale, Chard, or Dandelion)

4. Cucumbers (because the grocery stores are ridiculously priced and waxed)

5. Squash (usually one type is in season in CA, lucky us!)

6. Garlic, Ginger, Onions, and Herbs

7. New Produce - something I've never tried

Of course, I find more than what I need always. Just this last week I radishes, which are delicious with just salt by the way. The farmers markets are also great places to have some prepared food, tamales, gyros, coffee, baked fresh bread, and various locally packaged food. Go a little hungry because most booths offer samples and mostly everything is a must try!

Every Farmers Market offers something special, whether you are in LA or somewhere else stop by support your local farmers and eat fresh vibrant produce! Do not fret even the LA farmers markets are reasonably priced compared to grocery stores. 

Prepared Market Food

1 of the many produce booths at Brentwood Market

Enjoy! 

Reel Inn... time for great seafood!!

Reel Inn is located off PCH in Malibu, California and opened its doors in 1986.

Inside Dining Area

I seldom make my way to Malibu, I've only go that way to either hike or explore what Malibu has to offer its community such as the Malibu Farmers Market. The market in Malibu did not stand out, so I have not made it back there. However, whether I was venturing out or on my way to a hike I always wanted to stop at this little place on my way back to the Marina. After a year of longing to go I finally convinced a friend, thinking it would be a bar full of guys and rugged feel. Well nope, it was more rugged and cozy with a variety of patrons.

Chowder & Longboard Beer

Once you walk in there is a glass deli container that shows their fish catches of the day such as mahi mahi, lobster, scallops, shrimp, salmon and more! The menu is written above on chalk boards, you can order entrees, salads, tacos, fried baskets, soups, appetizers and even desserts. For those of you who like to indulge a bit more they also offer alcoholic beverages, wine and beer. If you do indulge just be sure to be a safe driver or non driver! Reel Inn has my favorite 'lite' beer, Kona Longboard, so instantly i like this place. Check out the menu here: http://www.reelinnmalibu.com/menu.php

 The first time I ate at Reel Inn (picture above left), back in May, I ordered the chowder and a fish taco along with a pitcher of Longboard, duh! I couldn't wait to try their eats... The chowder was just the right amount of cream. I prefer a chowder that isn't so thick, Reel Inn's was not thick at all. The chowder comes with two packs of oyster crackers. I usually tend to crunch a bag up and add it right away, but this chowder didn't need the crackers. It was delicious by itself.

Fish Tacos

Shrimp Taco

My friend ordered the same but also a shrimp taco.  Both tacos were made with two corn tortillas and a orange creamy sauce (so yumms!). The Shrimp Taco was topped with romain lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. The Fish Taco was grilled fish had tomatoes and cabbage. Reel Inn also has a small condiment bar with fresh sliced lemons tarter and cocktail sauce. I added a squeeze of lemon and some tarter to the fish taco, yes I put even more sauce on, and it was amazing!

 Reel Inn's decorations were such fun too! The pictures below was the women's bathroom door, made me laugh a bit "Reel Women" ha!

The photo to the right is a picture of the outside patio. Easily probably had 12 plus picnic tables. 

Fish Tank

Not only does Reel Inn have great food and service the restaurant is located right on Pacific Coast Highway and while sitting outside or inside along the windows one can enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. Makes for a great sunset view restaurant. I recommend hitting up Reel Inn a few before sunset and once you're done eating bop over to the beach and watch the sunset while sitting on one of the many pebbles. 

Satisfy your seafood craving and and mind with a fantastic ocean view! 

Enjoy!

Irori - It's Sushi Time!

Irori Japanese Restaurant is located in Marina del Rey, CA




"Please take your shoes off and leave in the cubby." said the hostess.

What? Now this sounds like it will be interesting! I've have never gone to a sushi restaurant where the customers sat inside the floor! Once you enter Irori you are asked to take your shoes off and place inside a cubby, then brought to a table where the seats are floor level.

A friendly server comes to the table with a warm wash cloths to clean your hands and brings hot tea to the table. Irori's green tea is really good! I'm not into the strong green teas, this one is made at the right strength. Tasty yet not over bearing. There is a regular dinner menu that consist of appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. Along with the dinner menu there is a sushi and daily special menu. Can view here: http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurants/irori/menu

Ginger House Salad

Mushroom and Asparagus App - Order this everytime!

Belly Cut Salmon

When my parents come visit my brother and I we always stop at this restaurant. We end up ordering about eight salmon sashimi, belly cut of course. After trying the belly cut, my father only orders the belly cut as it is the best part of the salmon. If you like salmon sashimi next time ask your chef for the belly cut, trust me you will thank me :)

Along with the salmon sashimi there are a few other items I must order: sauteed oyster mushrooms and asparagus (yumms!), seaweed salad, and at least one special roll. The following picture is the last special roll we ordered, oh my gosh the topping is baked lobster. Real lobster!! The added baked topping was delicious, however, even though it a good amount for the price too much of the topping  over powered the roll itself.

The rolls are decent in size and wrapped well, no rice falling out here!  With the delicious sushi and food and with the overall atmosphere makes this japanese restaurant worth the trip in. If you intend on ordering only sushi, I recommend the sushi bar but if you are intending ordering anything from the other menus grab a seat at a table. Make sure you call for reservations as the wait can get pretty long on some nights!

What are you waiting for, go ahead and make a reservation for tonight!

Enjoy!