Not-yo Nachos!

I love Nachos!

Growing up when my Aunt visited us in Florida she would take me to the mall and my one request was to have nachos at the food court. I dream about the creamy yumminess of the cheese dip! When I saw a restaurant in downtown LA had creamy cheese Nachos I had to try it!

Bar Amá is located at 118 West 4th Street in Downtown Los Angeles. There was plenty of street parking and we ever scored a free spot 3 blocks away! What initially caught my eye about Bar Amá was their advertisement for their Super Nacho Hour, the restaurants take on happy hour.

Margaritas are $9 and beer, Pacifico or Modelo are $4. There is about 10 items on the Nacho Hour menu, Super Nachos being one of them at the cost of only $8!!! Even offer a vegan option of Super Nachos, so Cali of them!

Thick crispy tortilla chips topped with avocado, crema, salmorejo salsa and melted cheese! Cheese was on point! Enjoyed these nachos very much, next time I would ask for the salsa on the side. There was so much melted cheese that after we finished the dish we needed more chips to finish off the cheese!  

Bar Amá has (or had) a secret menu item of puffy shrimp taco. This was different, shrimp was good however, again the salsa was a little different yet good. I'd like all the melted cheese added next time. Cheese on everything next time! haha! 

All in all this experience was delicious and I'd go back for some margaritas and nachos during the Super Nacho Hour or even to try their Dinner! 

If you happen to be downtown in Los Angeles, stop by 5:30pm - 7pm or 10pm - close on weekdays for the specials. 

Enjoy! 

It's raining in LA!

It's raining in LA! Ha, I wish! 

Rain Room exhibition has been in Los Angeles and I scored tickets, yay! The exhibit is an "immersive environment of perpetually falling water that pauses whenever a human body is detected." Only if the human body is detectable - when attending the exhibit it is requested that one wears bright colors.

 

Growing up on the East Coast I never appreciated the rain as much as I do now. California is not known for rain fall, especially now that we are in a drought - so much for el nino. 

Rain Room is located at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which is the largest art museum in the western United States. Considering we barely made it to most of the exhibits I believe it! After walking out of the Rain Room we saw this amazing 'hot wheel' exhibit, Metropolis II. There is approximately 100,000 cars that circulate thought this network of buildings and roads. 

LACMA has many fun and interesting exhibits and holds more than 150,000 works ranging from ancient times to the present. LACMA is also host to many events, such as nightly jazz nights. One day I hope to make it to another event.

LACMA is a must stop when in LA! Stop on by and grab a cocktail at Ray's & Stark Bar then peruse the exhibits. 

Beach n' Wine

It's beach time and why not add some wine!

A recent trip up the pacific coast highway for fish tacos turned into having a bottle of wine beach side with some live acoustic music! Oh don't worry, we had some fish tacos too - see post on Reel Inn! 

Rosenthal Malibu Estate Wine has a tasting room and patio right off the pacific coast highway. A great little find in Malibu, CA!

On the weekend, I believe on Friday as well, they have live music on the patio. The weekend I was there was a solo acoustic guy playing covers from the 90s to now. My friend and I decided to grab a bottle and enjoy the view of mountains and the ocean air. We decided on the Surfrider Hang Ten Red... people who know me know I love my reds a little chilled... well people I didn't even need an ice cube for this red, it was smooth and medium dry blend of reds.

You are allowed to bring in your own food to snack on while enjoying your glass or bottle of wine! If we had only known! A food truck is there and if you like fish next door is Reel Inn! There was a great mix of groups on a saturday afternoon. Couples, people celebrating brides-to-be and birthdays, and groups of people just there to enjoy some wine!

If you need an escape from the busy LA scene and enjoy local wine stop by the Rosenthal Malibu Estate Wine Bar & Patio - but don't forget to bring some food/snacks with you!!! Can find some pairing recipes here: http://rosenthalestatewines.com/wines/wine-pairing-recipes/category/surfrider-red-dessert-wine/2


Cheers!! xoxo

I've got Urth!

Urth Caffe

This post is wayyyyyy over due... Move over starbucks (okay not always) but this cafe is my favorite to grab a latte in Los Angeles! The espresso is beyond delicious and not that it has to be but it is also organic!

Santa Monica Location

I got hooked on this place about 5 years ago, back when I was studying for the CA bar exam. Urth Caffe does not have wifi so I would be forced to read my books and study instead of googling the internet. I've been to three of the locations: Santa Monica (most visited), Melrose (where they filmed Entourage), and Beverly Hills.

The barista always make fun designs - and as a food paparazzo I have many photos of designs i've gotten... here are two!

My go to order is the Honey Vanilla Latte with soy milk! You can choose between strong or mild espresso. If I want a kick I usually choose strong, however, when I prefer a sweeter latte I go for mild! Both are delicious! I've also tried their chai tea latte... I'm picky with my chai since I'm not a huge cinnamon fan... this one is spot on! The creamy froth on the latte is my favorite part and the espresso is not bitter! 

water w/ orchids & fruit slices

As for the food, I love the muffins (zucchini & blueberry), the ham & cheese croissant and the chocolate croissant. I have yet to eat their entrees but all look fresh!










This is a must stop if you are visiting Los Angeles... I bring every friend that comes to visit! Stop by the Beverly Hills location and people watch or stop by the Santa Monica location grab a to-go and take a walk on the beach!

Enjoy! xoxo

Nacho average nacho!

nacho average nacho!

I love cheese! I love avocado! I love salsa! I love nachos! However, as time goes by I have finally noticed I cannot just eat any and all I want these days and well as you know California is known for its healthy twist on fatty delicious comfort food! Nachos was not much of a task to turn into a healthy snack. Why, you ask well the healthy alternative to any carb... Zucchini! 

Want to make a healthy nacho alternative?! This is how I made zucchini nachos ~ 

Will need: 

Zucchini

Cheese of choice

Tomato

Jalapeno

Onions

Guacamole

Plus additional toppings: beans, meat, peppers, bacon, etc. 

Slice fresh zucchini at a diagonal - this makes the 'chips' longer, especially if you have tiny zucchini - and brush lightly with olive oil. Place each slice on the grill, grill on each side for about five minutes on high, giving the grilling marks to each slice of zucchini. Flip each slice over and add choice of cheese and let cheese melt.  

While zucchini is grilling this is a great time to chop up and get your toppings ready. Since nachos can get messy chopping your toppings finely will make them stay on top of each slice. Grab your chopping knife and get to work. I finely chopped up cilantro, tomato, peppers, and jalapenos. There is so many fun toppings you can add... beans (cooked my own black beans shown in pictures), chicken (shown in pictures too), steak, avocado, and plenty more.

Once cheese is melted, remove each slice of zucchini from grill with tongs onto serving plate. Grab toppings and sprinkle on top of platter of zucchini. 

This snack is very versatile... you can bake the zucchini and add cheese and even add the toppings and bake - that makes for sum warm fresh just-out-of-the-oven nachos! Add a splash of lime juice right before you take a bite and enjoy the flavors!! Yumm!!!

A healthy snack I can enjoy every day... okay every week! 

xoxo Enjoy! 

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! 

It's Officially Summer Time!

Oh my goodness, has it literally been since February?  Where did spring go in LA?

With only six more months left (and a week) of this year, it is time to get the ball back rolling with my posts!  It is the third day of 2013's summer and I am ready to make the most of what Los Angeles has to offer.  Last year I participated in many activities, apparently not many were documented here, ha!  Not only do I plan on partaking in the same amazing activities, but I plan on exploring many more.

2012's summer days were filled with hikes, beach runs, beach volleyball (watching of course), sunday fundays (not just a summer thing), trying new food, outside concerts, and more!  The weather in LA makes it feel like summer all year long, however, the atmosphere and people start to glow and all things happy.

A few things that I have or will get into this summer:
1. Outdoor Concerts
2. Movie Screenings
3. Sunday Fundays (duh!)
4. Hikes
5. Beach runs (no joke this year, literally will run on the beach!)
6. Adventurous Tastings
7. Outdoor/Drive-in Movies
8. Movie screenings at the Hollywood Cemetery.
9.  Farmers Markets
10. TV show tapings

Sounds so exciting right?!?! I cannot wait... not going to wait... headed out on my way, once again, through LA! Yay!

It's a Holiday Boat Parade!

 It's a Holiday Boat Parade!

Arrrr!!! My Favorite!

Back in 1963, twenty of the hundred boats docked in the Marina participated in the first boat parade and today more than six thousand boats docked and many entries into the parade. This year the Holiday Boat Parade celebrated its 50th parade around the Marina. I am lucky enough to live right behind the Marina and walked over to the Parade Route. 

The celebration began around 5:55pm (strange but ok) with Fireworks, I was not at the Marina in time for the beginning :( However, I was able to hear the fireworks burst in the sky behind me. I then hurried over to the water, where the Parade was on its way. The lights, the people with cheery smiles, and the music made it such a delightful experience. I love LA for bringing in the Holidays its own way, especially with some live and bright holiday entertainment by the water! 

The Boats that are entered into the Parade are then judged and can win Best Overall, Best Sail, Best Yacht Club, Best Character, Band, Music and many more categories.  To me at a first at the Parade, all were amazing!! To view the finalist: http://www.mdrboatparade.org/home.htm. Here are some of my photos of the night: 

Hope y'all had some Holiday fun this year! xoxo

California Rice Spring Rolls!

it's Cali inspired Rice Spring Rolls!!

If you are craving a filling and lite meal, a veggie filled rice wrap is the way to go!! While being in LA, i've tried many sushi restaurants and noticed that the menu consists of many options I have never constantly seen before. Some of the options are: brown and white rice, soy and seaweed wrap, vegetarian and meat, and so on. I liked the idea of a soy wrap, as it sounds healthier than regular wraps. I ventured to WholeFoods to find the soy wraps, however, the worker brought me to the seaweed and rice wraps. At first thought I had no idea how or why one would be using these tire looking rice wraps. On that trip I finally found some amazing flavored soy wraps (I will expand on this within a future post, but for know just know it is AMAZING!) My mind kept wondering what I could do with the rice wraps, and so one night I bought a package and made these amazing veggie and tofu rolls!!!

Recipe (makes about 6 rolls)

Tofu  (I prefer Trader Joe's Firm, green label)
Zucchini
Cucumber
Carrot
Sweet Peppers
Chili Garlic Sauce
Spring Roll Wrappers
Kelp Noodles*
Avocado
Clove of Garlic
Salt & Pepper

Avocado Kelp Noodles

Take the Kelp Noodles out of the package and remove the amount you wish to use in the rolls. I normally use half the package. Rinse under warm water and drain. Mix Avocado and minced clove of Garlic with the Kelp. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside for Kelp to soften.

If you are not into tofu (at first I was not) you can use another protein of your choice! Cut tofu or protein in to long slivers, about 1 cm in width. Set aside.

Take the Zucchini, Cucumber, and Sweet Pepper and Carrots and slice them up, either using a spiral cutter, a slicer, or a good 'ol knife. I use a spiral cutter its fun and quick! Slicing the veggies work just as well.  You want to make slivers long enough for a good size bite,  but not too long as shorter slices (2 inches or less) make eating a roll easier. Once all veggies sliced, set aside.

Wrap softening in Sauce Pan

Roll it up!

Take a good size sauce pan and fill it with water, pan must be around the size of the wrappers. Place pan on stove on low. Once water is heated add one wrapper and wait about 2-3 minutes and remove from pan. Set on a damp paper cloth or towel.  Lastly add your fillings of choice, then roll it up and enjoy!






The great thing about making these rolls at home is you can add anything of your choice! Perhaps, make a berry spring roll with mixed berries, mild cheese (goat) and basil?!?  It definitely is a nutritiously delicious meal, side or snack!! Yum!

*Also, to store left over Kelp Noodles. The unused/not washed Kelp Noodles, place in a container with about 2  cm of water. Then store in the fridge, last about 6 weeks. If you have left over avocado Kelp Noodles, store in a container and eat within the next few days.

it's a Turtle's Race!

Brennan's Pub - Famous Turtle Race!

Brennan's Pub is home to the original turtle races. The turtle races are held every Thursday, twice a night!! You can bring your own turtle or rent one of theirs. Its pretty simple, the turtles are placed in middle of a circle then released. Once released they are free to run towards the outside of the circle, first one to hit the outside circle line wins! There are a few rules while watching and participating in the turtle races, the main rule to know is "Don't Point at the Turtles!" And well if you break the rule, you pay. Literally you pay, I think when I was there it is a starting fine of $10 dollars for pointing. It was quite funny, even though people knew the rule or perhaps they were a bit tipsy they still pointed. All laughed it off and all paid up! 

On the particular thursday night I had gone, there was quite the crowd. No seats were to be found around the turtle races. Not only does Brennan make the race exciting and interesting but also it makes placing the turtles exciting (mainly for the men). Usually ladies were the ones to place the turtles and they had to in a 'sexy' lean over fashion. If they did it wrong, one of the turtle referees flagged them to repeat the placing of the turtles. 

What more could you want out of a local bar? The drinks were reasonably priced (for LA) and there are many different beers to choose from. Oh and on this and other nights they have local bands performing. Beer, Music, and Turtles makes for a fun local bar!