I'm Moving!!

Onward to greener pastures! Find me at my new blog: http://www.carlachoyblog.com/

So long summer....

...it's been fun.



Meli, Dolores Park.

La Costa Resort's New Spa Pool

I wouldn't mind being here right now.

C.B. Hewes & Co. at Drago Santa Monica

Meli

Ask Meli to dance around like Kate Bush and this is what you get.

Recipe: Inside-out Carrot Cake Cookies

Inside-Out Carrot Cake Cookies
Adapted from Gourmet's recipe

Make about a dozen cookies


INGREDIENTS

Cookies:
* 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1/8 teaspoon allspice
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
* 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 cup coarsely grated carrots (2 medium)
* 1 scant cup walnuts (3 ounces), chopped
* 4 oz. crushed pineapple

Frosting:
* 1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup (sifted) confectioner's sugar
* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 2 baking sheets.

Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

Beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in carrots, nuts, and pineapple at low speed, then add flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons batter per cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are lightly browned and springy to the touch, 12 to 16 minutes total. Cool cookies on sheets on racks 1 minute, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.

While cookies are baking, blend cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract and gradually add confectioner's sugar.

Sandwich flat sides of cookies together with a generous tablespoon of cream cheese frosting in between.

Sweetie Pies - Napa, CA

Next time you're in Napa and feel your sweet tooth acting up, head over to Sweetie Pies by the water. Their whoopie pies are the size of frisbees and their popular morning sticky buns are delicious.







Pastry Chef/Head Sweetie Pie, Toni enjoying a cuppa joe.


520 Main Street Napa, CA 94559, (707) 257-7280

Modern Italian & French Cooking: Thompson Hotel Restaurant's New Menu

Executive Chef Brian Redzikowski is redoing the menu at the Thompson Beverly Hills' Restaurant. The new menu will feature a modern take on northern Italian and French food. I've always liked the Thompson's food but now it's got a more of a rustic, comfort food quality that I love. Try the Lamb Agnolotti; it's delicious!

Lamb Agnolotti, Arugula.


Chef Brian plating the Lamb Agnolotti.


Ricotta Gnuddi, Veal Bolognese, Parmesan, Basil, Hoji Blanca.


Pickled Pee Wee Potatoes, Aerated Creme Fraiche, Chive.


Black Truffle Soup, Root Vegetables, Celery. And yes, that's gold on top. After tasting this, I checked my teeth to make sure I wasn't walking around like Lil Jon.


Chicken Thigh, Potato CO2, Chorizo.


Brocollini, Kale, Manchego Cheese, 63 degree egg. Simple, but so good.


Profiteroles, King Crab, Curry, Caviar.


I can't remember the name of these. But I do remember Chef Brian saying he uses his grandma's recipe which I thought was really cool. I kept calling them fritters which was received with a blank stare lasting a few seconds before he would say "you mean the______(insert long, exotic sounding Italian name)?" Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Fritters. Fancy ones. I need to learn Italian... It's paired with a sea salt caramel pudding that will make your taste buds sing.

Western Doma Noodle

If you ever have a hankering for some delicious Korean home style goodness, make your way down to Western Doma Noodle. Their ddukbokki is chewy and wonderful and after trying their Spicy Chicken and Potatoes it's become my new favorite comfort food. One of the many bright spots of eating at Western Doma Noodle is having the owner, Paek serve your food. She does it with such warmth and sweetness, I think it make the amazing food taste even more amazing.

Western Doma Noodle Owner, Paek, enjoying a bowl of Chicken soup with hand-cut noodles.


Chicken Noodle Soup


Ddukbokki






Bibimbap


Spicy Chicken & Potatoes


Seriously, go. You will not be disappointed. 429 Western Ave. Ste #10 Wilshire Center, Los Angeles. (323) 871-1955