Cecconi's Part Deluxe

Sunday Brunch. Yes, the ominous hand is back and pouring me a lovely cup of coffee out of a silver vessel that is akin to the oh so prevalent and much appreciated silver service wares at Cecconi's. The shiny creamers, salts, peppers, sugar caddys, all brighten my day and make everything feel regal. 

 I could not resist the Santa Barbara Spot Prawns. So good I cut my lip.  

That There Territory

It's a Caroline BBQ counter, with little to none instruction towards guests, BYOB, sitting pretty in the backyard, tons of kindness and a feeling of this could go either way: amazing or bust. 

And it begins: Cornbread fried catfish over julienned slaw, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and of course the signature Carolina sauces. From what I can tell they are thinner, more vinegary and spicy than their peers. And some are mustard based. Gasp. 

It continues. A Brisket a tasket, put me in a green and yellow basket and swing me over the moon! Collard greens, yes. Baked beans, yes. 

Across from me, two cute little raccoons watch over all of us, as the makeshift stereo plays some jammy fun classic rock. It's really summer. 

Territory BBQ and Records, Silver Lake 

Syrahs

I went to Silver Lake Wine on Thursday to quickly survey their tasting and I choose the Syrah flight. There were three pure syrahs: one from Chile, one from the northern Rhone and the last was from Paso Robles. They were all quite different, the Rhone displayed more of the classic Syrah characteristics, the Chilean was interesting as well, primarily because 90% of the wine is aged in stainless steel giving it a very clean, lighter fruit driven taste. HOWEVER, I found the most stunning of the three to be the Clos Mimi petite rousse Syrah from Paso Robles. It might have been my exposure to coffee all day long, but the bouquet was jamboree packed with strong pickled notes: especially of okra and sting beans which I found shocking. It was much lighter than Syrah's from farther up north and kind of paraded traits of both Zin and Grenache. It was yummy and screamed for food and was most likely a result of the hotter climate in Paso Robles. GREAT DEAL!

Elena's Greek and Armenian Cuisine

Deliciously pink pickled cabbage. Pita in pink baskets-- it appeared only ladies of a certain age worked there and that worked for me. 

Felafel( Elena's spelling) and hummus plate. Directly in front of me was a big flat screen TV displaying Animal Planet...captivating stuff. Good food, not outstanding, very nice ladies who run the joint. 

Urban Garden Tour Part 1- Victory Garden at The Blue Barn

Victory Garden tour and dinner: 

Choppity chop chop, radishes and carrots from the Victory Garden.

Swiss chard.

Burgeoning Squash, blossoms present

Hiiii!!! Head of lettuce.

Beds of lettuce, the gentle gardener in signature mustard crocs.

So fresh! Enzymes!

To accompany the harvest, there was fresh Orata or Durad that was stuffed with lemon slices and parsley and then grilled. I couldn't get a picture before the fishies got devoured..amazingly delicious.

After the Orata and freshly picked salad, BBQ Korean Short ribs were prepared. Fixings included kimchi, lettuce cups, shiso leaves, korean peppers all compliments of Michael Kim and of course some Cote Du Rhone and Bud Light were thrown in the mix.

What a wonderful spring evening at the Victory Garden. 

PIZZA PIE!

Heroin Tooth Italian Dressing on Iceberg Salad= Can't get Enough

Crust rivals Mozza. 

Folliero's, Highland Park

A hot mess

Craft Beer Fest: the beer kept 86ing, the food was pretty bad- 

save the cupcakes- and people were sweaty beasts.