Kettle Black, Silverlake, 9/25/16

When you think of new restaurants in Los Angeles, it's normally that trendy new poke shop, or "New American" cuisine that has been redone as "new" so many times that it gets old. Looking at a random list of new restaurants this fall online, I came across Kettle Black with executive chef Sydney Hunter.

Flashback to 9 years ago in my career as a pastry cook, when I thought I knew everything but really knew nothing to the man that first introduced me to foie gras. He was the chef de cuisine at the restaurant I was working at for a year and half, and I had never seen a chef so dedicated to his work. Something about his "hipster" appearance draws you to him but when he opens his mouth you realize you better not even say the word around him. He was always creating, imagining, wondering, what he could do next not letting any boundaries confine him but still staying true to his personality.

Nine years later he is the chef of Kettle Black in Silverlake, a new Italian restaurant with a simple menu, but not simple flavors.



Sea Bream Crudo with the sweetest tangerines and to offset that the pink peppercorns gave it even more of a pop. Refreshing cold way to start your carb high meal.



Luckily enough we were there during happy hour and ordered this delicious wood fired cauliflower with pickled raisins and fried capers. Cooked to perfection and you really taste the smoky wood flavor, this is definitely a must order for vegetarians or meat lovers.



Funghi Pizza with gorgonzola cheese and cremini shrooms. Not only is the pizza dough ON POINT, (you non crust eaters will eat this crust) but you realize something as simple as mushrooms and cheese really is something you take for granted.



Cacio e pepe, one of the most simplest pasta dishes can be fucked up so easily (because it's all about getting the seasoning right). This was truly done to perfection from the al dente cook on the pasta, to the yummy parmesan chunks that came with it.



Gnocchi with braised lamb, sun dried tomato sauce, and baby zucchini slices. Once again such a simple dish but executed perfectly. I felt like I was eating at an Italian grandmother's house because of how much flavor was packed in and also the rustic plate up.



Branzino with riced potatoes, escarole, and lemon caper sauce. (Picture above is already bit into, SORRY I'M NOT SORRY) Fish cooked perfectly and the escarole wasn't bitter at all.



If dessert is on the same menu as the regular food then most likely there is no pastry chef. I respect chefs that like to go out of their comfort zone and learn about the other side. Chef Sydney didn't disappoint with a vanilla panna cotta (which is so easy to make but rather tough to get the right texture) and macerated stone fruit which is going out of season as I type.



This lovely trifle/tiramisu hybrid was amaro soaked cake, with candied pecans and smoked meringue. I'm guessing it's his take on tiramisu, which is normally so boring. The candied pecans were soooooooooooo damn good.

Just because I know the chef I assure you all I am not a bias food blogger. I only post and share what's really good in the fucking hood. (when I'm passionate I tend to cuss to emphasize my point even more) BEST NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT in LA I assure you all. I can't wait to go back to try the rest of the menu. Also music selection and ambience matched the cool unpretentious vibe of the place. Then again you can't have everything because our waitress wasn't the brightest pick of the litter, but this place has only been open 6 weeks so I guess we can give her a chance again?

THANK YOU KETTLE BLACK!

Pierre Herme, Paris, 9/19/2013

Pierre Herme is one of the best pastry chefs in the entire world. Still. He is just the definition of PASTRY PERFECTION. While I was in Paris a couple years ago I was lucky enough to stage (intern at a restaurant) for a 2 and a half months. It was one of the best experiences of my life and just living and exploring a foreign country on my own was a real adventure.

If you ever get the oppurtunity to visit Paris, THIS IS THE GO TO PASTRY SHOP FOR EVERY SINGLE KIND OF PASTRY. He is very classic with his flavors and techniques but also goes above and beyond perfection with his consistency. VERY FAMOUS FOR PRALINE MILLEFIELLE (not pictured, but I've had it twice) which its SOOOOO YUMMY and so difficult to make completely perfect like he does....



FIG BRULEE TART. Perfect buttery tart shell crust with a fig brulee on top with cinnamon sticks that are not for eating. (I don't like inedible garnishes but it's ok if its Pierre)


Left: Vanilla tart on top of vanilla shell. One of the most simplest flavor profiles but done to perfection in texture and taste. ONE OF MY FAVORITE DESSERTS I HAVE EVER EATEN. Right: Coffee eclair which was also perfect. (Again with the inedible PH paper logos that I don't care much for but once again he can get away with it in my book)



Seasonal macarons. (Sorry I forgot the flavors) Best macarons you can get in the world I'm am pretty confident to say.



The beautiful park where we enjoyed our pastries.








I miss Paris a lot. I have so many memories and experiences that I will have forever. I will definitely be back for another visit in the future... possibly even to live there! France is the only country in the world that is self sustainable in food, they pretty much have the environment to raise and grow most animals, fruits, , grains and vegetables.

THANK YOU PIERRE HERME PLEASE COME TO LA.... it would probably kill me though I would be there everyday.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain September 15, 2014

After Barcelona, my mom and I decided to treat ourselves to some island relaxation. 

We stayed at the HOSPES Marciel & Spa Mallorca, which was perfect after being in the busy city of Barcelona (which I loved of course) but that's a whole other blog post you might see. 

It s a 5 start hotel and you definitely get what you pay for.... THIS VIEW THOUGH...........\\



Staff was genuinely welcoming even though it's their job to be =]

The infinity pool from a baclony view sitting right on top of the Meditterean Sea. It all felt very GAME OF THRONES LIKE. Many different areas for tanning.




Nice apple and champange amenity... 



My bedroom view..... I could've stared for hours and not get bored.... but can't waste time when the water is waiting!



Jumped into the SEA!!!!!!!!!! The waters were pretty calm and it was nice to swim freely over what I think was coral? I tried not to step on it the entire time because I didn't want to kill them. 










































Having a massage right on the beach is one of the best things in life. 





Dinner outdoors while the sun setting was overwhelmingly amazing.

Overall it was a stay in paradise. I am so lucky and blessed my mom took me here for a couple of days! The service was top notch and the food delicious! *NOT PICTURED* wait what kind of a blog is this....? 

THANK YOU HOSPES MARCIAL!

Athens, Greece, SMILE cafe restaurant,Acropolis, Spondi, 8/15/16

A SOLO DAY IN ATEHNS, GREECE

Lunch at SMILE Restaurant and went to the The Acropolis, dinner at Spondi

OF COURSE STARTED MY EARLY JET LAGGED DAY WITH A MIRROR SELFIE. Flew one stop from Los Angeles but I slept the entire time both flights.

Lunch at SMILE Restaurant. For 10 euros you get bread with greek, salad gyro, and dessert. 

GYROOOOOOOO!

Very fresh greek yogurt with a little honey and cookie crumble. Perfect ending for a quick cheap meal. 

THANK U SMILE CAFE RESTAURANT!

From friends of friends I was told not to ride the subway alone even in daylight but I did anyway and I guess either times have changed or I was lucky. It seemed very new, clean, and safe, better than New York or Paris subway lines for sure. I did get a complete stare down of disgust by some girl for no reason at all but I didn't let it get in the way of my time there. 

OFF TO THE ACROPOLIS:

*no caption needed* I got there around 12-1pm and waited about 20 minutes in line in the hot sun for a 20 euro ticket. I thought it was totally worth it. 

The hike up is not too bad but it was super hot like mid 90's F. When you get to the top there are 360 views all around of the entire city. Even though I had only been in Athens for 4 hours I felt like I already knew the city so well being on my own. If you've never taken a solo vacation to a foreign country I highly recommend it. Don't be scared, just explore and be aware of shady people of course. 

I was pretty jet lagged and tired from the sun so I headed back to my hotel by subway again. Not to mention I suntanned for about an hour on the roof before the Acropolis so I sank into my bed within seconds. 

Set an alarm for my 7pm dinner reservation at Spondi. I WAS SOOOOOOOO TIRED and wanted to just go back to sleep in my comfy bed but of course there's food to be eaten and taken pictures of.

So I got ready in heels (I HATE HEELS) and took a cab to the restaurant because friends also said not to take the subway at night.... but I thought it would've been fine just not in heels.

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I am their second table and I see there is no dress code because the man at the other table is wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Damn tourist trap I thought. Also during the time I went to Greece most mom and pop shops are on vacation for 1-2 weeks =[

ANYWAYS THEIR SPECIAL NATIVE OLIVE OIL REALLY GOOD. 

Amuse bouche: Pear sorbet with beets 

I opted for the "Initiation Menu" which was 73 euros with a supplemental course of foie gras for 41 euros.

Crab with turnip, Acacia honey, tarragon, passionfruit. PERECT LIGHT START TO MY UPCOMING FATTY MEAL.

MOUSSE OF GROUPER. WAIT WHAT??? in onions and wild herb broth. This was technically and texturally out of this world. The broth went so well with the fatty mousse... I drank it all. 

Black Iberian pork with roasted pressa, smoked eggplant, hariassa spices. COOKED PERFECTLY I don't think I've ever had pork cooked that rare but I guess it's ok because its Iberian???

Ah, yes my foie gras course all to my fat self. They did not skimp me one bit. You know I dug right into it and it was the most scorching temperature that I've ever consumed foie at and it was mind blowing. Simply pan fried with caramelized popcorn on top to give it the sweetness it always needs. Served with seasonal stone fruits.

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Mmmmm... greek yogurt again! 

This looks like a lamb chop but it's really not. Dessert which was a praline feuilletine crisp with apricot that was delicious. PRALINE IS MY FAVORITE FLAVOR IN DESSERTS. MAYBE IN THE WORLD. 

Raspberry tart bite to end the meal.

At the end of my meal as they were getting me a taxi back to the hotel my waiter gave me a French best restaurants in the world book it was very sweet of him. 

I had a great day alone in Athens meeting new people and experiences on my own. I'm glad I got to share it with you guys! 

THANK YOU SPONDI!