Popeye Aint Got Nothin on Me!

So Popeye loves his spinach. That's canned spinach to be correct. No judgement (left eyebrow raised) but to each his own. He and his creator missed the boat on the wonders of kale. Kale salads especially with lemon or Asian dressings have been the trend for a while. I still find them delicious but my friends, the cooked variety is insane if done correctly.

The hubby, some friends and I ventured out to Chef Eric Greenspan's latest restaurant called The Roof on Wilshire. The restaurant is located on the roof of The Hotel Wilshire and wraps around the pool deck. The place has a New York feel complete with wraparound city views.

Overall our meal was pleasing but there was one item that stood out, the kale. I mean THE KALE!!! Let me warn you. If you are lucky you will smell it before you see it. I kept smelling it in the air as we waited for our cocktails. I had no idea what the intoxicating aroma was until it landed on our table with our entrees. I was so excited I gobbled it up before I realized that I didn't take a picture. Sorry! My taste buds lit up like 4th of July Fireworks before the fork landed on my tongue. This stuff is crack-ish! I'm talking eyes bustin', lip smackin', Lord help me gooooood. This side dish might need to be Federally regulated. The menu minimally listed the side dish as "kale, blue cheese, lemon, bread crumbs" which does not give even a remote hint about the buttery blue cheesy and garlic infused deliciousness that makes up this powerfully flavorful balanced dish.

Do yourself a favor. Go to the The Roof on Wilshire and order this dish.

The Roof on Wilshire
6317 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5602
(323) 852-6000
http://theroofonwilshire.com

The Buzz About Bees

Even my intense phobia of bees will not keep me away from their golden goodness also known as honey. I love to drizzle it on oatmeal, with cheese, on pancakes, in my tea, in my whipping cream...the list goes on and on. A product that I have been enjoying for years and serving to guests in our home is honeycomb from the Savannah Bee Company. The honey is consistently light and luscious all at the same time. The pairing of their honey with its comb is a divine combination. I love the texture of the honeycomb, which melts away and the way that the comb cuts down the sweetness of the honey. This product is a staple on my cheese boards.

The honey happiness at Savannah Bee Company does not end here they also sell specialty honey (Tupelo, Sourwood, Black Sage, Winter White, etc...), grill honey, cheese honey, tea honey, honey accessories, a body care line and bee gifts (art and objects from local artisans)! If you happen to be in Savannah,GA check out their kid-friendly flagship store where they have interactive hives with hands-on toys and books in a comfy kid-sized learning space. Otherwise check them out here.

Ouuuuh We!

So the bottles and packaging are cool but what is inside is even better. The contents contain the best of two worlds, food and drink. Noble has hand crafted a line of infused maple syrups and vinegars that are aged in Burbon casks.


The vinegars are sourced from Spanish Sherry and French Orleans white wine vinegars.


The syrups are sourced from "heritage sugar shacks in the ancient maple orchards of Quebec."

Both products are aged in "Tuthilltown charred American oak barrels, with just a hint of raw Tuthilltown bourbon." By the way, culinary heavywieght Chef Daniel Boulud features this product on his menu. To make your kitchen pantry a better place check out Mikuni Wild Harvest for the Noble brand and other delectibles. Chef's Mario Batali and Thomas Keller are known to shop here...check out the testimonials on the website. Bon Appétit did a great profile on the products inclusive of food and beverage pairing options.

Chug-a-lug

My latest obsession is so campy I should be ashamed, but I'm not. It is a beverage serving vessel known by several names: The Glug Jug, The Gurgle Pot, The Gluggle Jug or The Gurgling Pitcher. It is a pitcher molded in the shape of a fish and when you pour out your beverage it makes a "gulp, gulp, gulp" sound that I find so satisfying. My Mother-in-Law who is a entertainment and dinner party maven introduced them to me. Apparently these tabletop gems have quite a legacy dating back to the 1870's in England. They became a popular novelty item when a pair of these jugs were presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in 1958. Another theory connects their origin to France but I'm betting with the English on this one (too kitsch to be French). Anyway this is a great addition to any table setting and they come in a variety of styles. The classic one is in the shape of a fish. But I found others in the shape of orcas and gators. Roosters are also available. To see these finds in action click here.