Venison, Asparagus & 11,000 Virgins aka My Weekend in Los Angeles

A Room with a View

Venison, asparagus and eleven-thousand virgins.  That is one of the descriptions in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Program for Mahler’s 4^th.  Given the fact that I am a foodie, music lover and art groupie, Mahler’s 4^th was the perfect kick off for our 2012 LA Phil experiences.

We started our day off with a visit to one of our favorite restaurants in Little Tokyo – Lazy Ox Canteen.  At 11:30 on a Saturday morning, our expectation was that we would beat the crowds and enjoy a quiet, intimate lunch.  I always forget that even on a Saturday, restaurants of the quality of Lazy Ox are hopping, and we probably should have made a reservation in advance to ensure a table.  Fortunately, without reservation, they were able to accommodate our party of two and the festivities commenced.

Our tablemates next to us ordered Blistered Shishito Peppers with Mojama (salt cured tuna considered a delicacy in Spain).  The scent wafted to our table like a siren song.  I love it when you are seated next to foodies who don’t mind sharing – they must have seen the lust in my eyes as they proffered their peppers to us claiming the plate was too much for the two of them.  These peppers were smoky, slightly pickled and finished with a little heat.  (My apologies on no photo, I didn’t feel it appropriate to mooch off their plate and ask to photograph it.)

We had dinner scheduled at Patina before the concert, so a decision was made not to gorge ourselves on the insanely unique and delicious food.  Instead we were sensible in our ordering, which rarely happens.

To start a glass of Domaine Contat-Grange Pinot Noir and Muralhas de Monaco Vinho Verde were in order.  After a 2-hour freeway drive, lunch is always more relaxed with a libation.  Lazy Ox Canteen has an interesting, eclectic wine list by the glass or bottle that is sure to please your palate.

Caramelized Cauliflower

 A lengthy perusal of the menu, and a short debate, led to our selection of items.   First selection was the Caramelized Cauliflower with chile, pine nuts and mint with a hint of sherry vinegar.    The golden color glistened in our bowl, and made me wonder why I had not thought of caramelizing cauliflower before.   The chile added a nice round amount of heat to the dish, which was offset by the sherry vinegar which added a unique pickling effect to the cauliflower without being pickled.  Pine nuts provided a nice textural contrast.   Fresh mint offset the heat of the chile making it the perfect finish.

Grilled Cabbage Salad

Grilled Green Cabbage Salad arrived just as we finished off the last bite of cauliflower.  The Grilled Green Cabbage Salad was slightly wilted from the grill, but still retained a nice crispness.   The grilled cabbage was accented with piquillo peppers, juicy shrimp, and a scant amount of capers.  This is something I will definitely be playing around with at home to see if I can replicate it in my kitchen.

The one and only Lazy Ox Burger

 My intrepid sous chef has long been told by his friend about the legendary Lazy Ox Burger.  Typically he allows me to select our entire menu so I can experiment with flavors, ingredients and see what inspiration takes flight.  Not so this time, he was determined to try the Lazy Ox Burger with cantal cheese (one of the oldest French cheeses made from raw cow’s milk) and whole grain mustard, along with the obligatory home fries.  The bun was light, the beef juicy, and the cheese delectable.  The fries were crisp on the outside, and melt in your mouth on the inside.  Needless to say he was completely pleased with his selection and offered only the smallest nibble to sample.

Creamy Farro with Red Wine

Since I’ve been on a grain kick this winter, I tried the Creamy Farro with red wine, mixed herbs and pecorino.   It is the equivalent of a hearty risotto.   Mushrooms also graced the faro giving a textural like quality of calamari legs to the dish.   This was definitely a dish that serves as a good base to dress up to your personal satisfaction.

Lazy Ox Rice Pudding

Last but not least was the rice pudding.  It is light and refreshing.  Cleanses the palate and makes for a memorable end to a great meal.

One of the special things about Lazy Ox Canteen is that the menu does change and though there are the favorites such as the Lazy Ox Burger or Green Barley Salad always on the menu, it’s fun to discover the new dishes and influences with each visit. 

Charlie Chaplin at The Bradbury Building

Beautiful Iron Work at The Bradbury Building

After lunch we headed up over to do a quick tour of the Bradbury Building, and Grand Central Market with our ultimate destination MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) to take a gander at the exhibit of "Naked Hollywood Weegee in Los Angeles."   It’s on display until February 27, 2012.   There were some very interesting photographic techniques used, and I suspect some interesting statements about the time the photos were taken.

MF Gourmet - Grand Central Market

Produce at Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market Spices

Next stop was back to the hotel to prepare for dinner and Mahler’s 4^th.   Our room was definitely a room with a view.  Hard to beat Walt Disney Concert Hall and MOCA, with the hills of Los Angeles in the background.

Nancy Rubens Sculpture outside MOCA and view from our room

 Dinner at Patina was exquisite as expected.   No photos, just the memories.  Admittedly that is because of the  "no photos rule" at Walt Disney Concert Hall and I’m fearful of being overcome by Dudamel’s presence and whipping my camera out to get a shot of him as that curly hair is bouncing around to perfect beat of the symphony.   The Mahler Project is a definite must if you are in the Los Angeles area.   It’s beautiful.

This is a room with a view!

The weekend was complete with breakfast at Dupar’s at The Grove, and a quick trip through Farmers Market.  See what you can do in less than 24 hours if you plan in advance!

Prior experience at Lazy Ox Canteen:
http://christyspalate.blogspot.com/2011/04/lazy-ox-canteen.html

Lazy Ox Canteen:
http://lazyoxcanteen.com
241South Pedro, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-626-5299

Omni Los Angeles:
251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-3300
www.omnihotels.com

LA Phil/Walt Disney Concert Hall:
www.laphil.com

MOCA:
www.moca.org

Holiday Shopping for the Gourmand

Sasha the Wonder Dog preparing to do some holiday shopping

With less than two weeks to Christmas the shopping frenzy is officially underway.  Here are a few ideas for the gourmand and art lovers in your life:

The Splurge:

www.urbanitrufflesonline.com

Fresh White Truffles from Urbani paired with Patricia Wells’s new book Simply Truffles, this is a combination made in heaven for any gourmand!  What could be more intoxicating than the earthy smell of truffles? 

Budget Friendly Luxury:

www.amazon.com

White Truffle Oil, Truffle and Cream sauce from Urbani, paired with Patricia Wells’s new book Simply Truffles.  It’s not the same as a fresh truffle, but sure to please the palate and inspire one to set up a Truffle Account so you can splurge next year on the real thing.

For the Practical:

www.williamsonoma.com or www.amazon.com or www.chefscatalogue.com

De Buyer Mineral Pans.  Not only are these stylish looking, they are impressive in weight and quality.  This is an item that will not break the bank, but definitely impress the receiver.   You can find these pans at Williams Sonoma, Chef’s Catalogue and Amazon.  (These are on my list this year.)

For the Cook’s Library:

Anyone who loves cooking can never have enough cookbooks.  I don’t know why this is the case, it just is.  My favorite cookbooks this year:

www.amazon.com

Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan – This is filled with great recipes that are informative and user friendly.  It makes French cooking accessible to anyone with a pan and a little desire to try things.

www.amazon.com

My Grill by Pete Evans – Not only is Pete Evans a complete hunk of chef, his recipes are great for the grill and weekend entertaining by the pool.  The unusual flavors and spices take your ordinary grilled chicken and meats about 50 notches.

www.amazon.com

Food From Many Greek Kitchens by Tessa Kiros - This book is like an instant vacation to the Greek Isles.  Beautiful photography captures the charm of the the food and people.  Great recipes with stories to go with them.

www.amazon.com

Simply Truffles by Patricia Wells – If you love truffles this is a must.  I’ve already started my truffle fund for next year so I can enjoy all the seasonal truffles and try her recipes.  

For the Art Lover:

www.amazon.com or www.phaidon.com

Phaidon recently released a comprehensive book, The Art Museum.  It is an extensive and wonderful history of art.  This book is a little costly at $200, but you may be able to find it at a reduced price for the holidays on Phaidon’s website.  Warning:  This book weighs a ton and is rather unruly in size so if you buy at a bookstore and not online, make it your last stop of the day as you will not want to lug this book through the mall.

For the Movie Buff:

www.amazon.com

 Christmas in Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck – This is a holiday gem we discovered three years ago.  Not only will this movie delight and surprise the movie buff, it is a foodie’s holiday movie.  Great ensemble cast and heartwarming rom-com!

For the Music Lover:

www.laphil.com

LA Philharmonic – This is a little regional to Southern California, but well worth the drive into downtown Los Angeles to experience Disney Hall and the LA Phil.  This is a purely magical way to spend an evening or afternoon with your loved one or friends.  January and February 2012 the LA Phil is kicking off the Mahler Project and it promises to be the musical event this winter!

www.amazon.com

 A Very She & Him Christmas – I love this album.  It is a little traditional, a little folksy, and very fun to listen to.  This album is a quirky way to mix up some of your favorite holiday songs.

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Back in Lodi Again

The Farm at Michael David Vineyards

Just about four years ago

We set out on the road

Seekin’ some great artwork

Lookin’ to spend a pot of gold

Things got bad, things got worse

I guess you know the tune

Oh! Lord, stuck in Lodi again.

With acknowledgment to Credence Clearwater Revival, we did indeed find ourselves stuck in Lodi again.  But “stuck” is so pejorative a word and not descriptive really of our recent visit as described in my prior post “P-A-P-A Loves Stockton.”   

A friendly welcome from the "Fox"

Lodi is a city of 60,000+ located in farm country about thirty-fives minutes from Stockton and Sacramento.  It is the self-professed “zinfandel capital of the World,’ and indeed there are many wineries in the area that make those 16 percent alcoholic behemoths that masquerade as wine rather than port.  But it is also where the first fast food restaurant was founded in 1919:  A&W Root Beer. 

Tree lined Main Street in Downtown Lodi

The downtown area is quaint and small-town in feel and appearance.  The old brick buildings along tree-lined Main Street hold no national chain stores, just lots of Mom & Pop establishments serving the needs of the community.  The storekeepers are friendly and helpful, eager to assist a weary traveller or shopper, even if that means walking you down the block just to make sure you get a proper introduction.  While one does not expect to see Sheriff Taylor strolling his beat, I am pretty sure I saw several Barney Fifes roaming about. 

The Artisinal Bakery - The Dancing Fox

Here are my Top 5 reasons for a visit to Lodi:

1)      Wine & Roses Boutique Hotel/Restaurant

Restaurant/ Lounge at Wine & Roses

One of the Gardens at Wine & Roses

Wine & Roses is a lovers’ destination in the middle of Lodi wine country with beautifully manicured grounds, old world charm, spa ammenities, and cuisine to please.  The Lodi Wine & Visitor Center is located on the property, affording an opportunity to taste lots of local wines and then stagger back to one’s room for a well-deserved nap.

2)      Dancing Fox Artisan Bakery & Pizzeria

Charming Artisinal Bakery & Restaurant - The Dancing Fox

Artisinal crust, fresh toppings, delicious!

This is an artisan bakery that serves  breakfast, lunch and dinner and truly great pizzas.  Their pizza is a dream:  crisp, thin crust topped with ooey-gooey, fresh and delicious toppings.  Dancing Fox is dog friendly and received “Four Paws Up” from Sasha, The Wonder Dog.  This was the only downtown restaurant we tried, but several others looked interesting—particularly Rosewood Bar & Grill.

3)      The Cellar Door – Bokisch and Van Ruiten Wines

A glass of Bokisch Albarino at The Cellar Door

Sasha the Wonder Dog carefully guarding the Bokisch wines

On our previous visit, we discerned from our tasting at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center and elsewhere that Lodi wines were not our cup of tea.  We aren’t interested in high alcohol, tannic wines, so we were shocked to discover a haven for quality wines right in the heart of downtown Lodi.  The Cellar Door is an intimate tasting room that offers tastes and sales of some of Lodi’s finest wines: Bokisch, Van Ruiten, Michael David and Jessie’s Grove. 

A little vino for our cellar at home

Our overwhelming favorite was Bokisch which specializes in white varietals and a Tempranillo.  Very European in style, their wines are low in alcohol but high in quality and quaffability.  Van Ruiten also has some excellent wines, although they are generally higher in alcohol and less quaffable than the Bokisch wines (exceptions are the Double Barrel Reserve Chardonnay at around 12% and the Carignane at 13%).  But Van Ruiten has the distinction of effectively being named the best zinfandel in the world by a 2009 Wall Street Journal panel headed by Hugh Johnson (of World Atlas of Wine fame) that selected a 2007 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel as one of the top 12 wines of the world (and the only zinfandel among the 12).  The Van Ruiten tasting room along Highway 12 is a very friendly and enjoyable experience. 

4)      Cheese Central

Just one of many display cases

What a festive pumpkin to celebrate Autumn

I am a cheese addict, and getting me into a store with gourmet cheeses guarantees that a purchase will be made.  Fortuitously, Cheese Central is right next to The Cellar Door.  So for palate cleansing you can either run back and forth during tasting flights or simply buy some cheese and bring it to The Cellar Door.  Cheese Central had a nice combination of foreign and domestic cheeses, but we focused on local cheeses not readily available in our area.  We especially liked two Central California cheeses.  The first is by Fiscalini (www.fiscalinicheese.com) and is called Horsefeathers.  It is a gentle cheddar horseradish spread that rocks just about any dish you incorporate it in – my baked potatoes have taken on an entirely new meaning!  The second is by Central Coast Creamery (www.centralcoastcreamery.com) and is called Seascape.  It is a cheddar-style cheese made with a blend of cow’s and goat’s milks.  Great flavor on its own and smashing with a glass of wine!

5)      The Knowlton Gallery

Artist Gil Dellinger at work teaching

       Stellar, nationally recognized plein air painters are on exhibit at Knowlton Gallery.  On any given afternoon you may find the likes of Ray Roberts, Peggy Kroll-Roberts, Gil Dellinger or Randall Sexton moseying around.  If Joe Paquet is in the area, you are in for a special treat.

Not only does Knowlton Gallery carry a spectacular group of artists, it has artist workshops and tours of artists’ studios.  The full “art experience” awaits your visit.

Van Ruiten Winery

Grapes at Wine & Roses educational garden

A little wine education is always in place

A gaggle of gourds for the holidays

For further information:

Wine & Roses

http://winerose.com/

The Knowlton Gallery:
http://www.knowltongallery.com/

The Cellar Door:

http://www.lodicellardoor.com/

Bokisch Vineyards:
http://www.bokischvineyards.com/

Van Ruiten Winery:

http://www.vrwinery.com/

The Dancing Fox:

http://www.dancingfoxwinery.com/

Cheese Central:

http://www.cheesecentrallodi.com/

P-A-P-A in Stockton

The Stockton Waterfront

Stockton, California is the place you pass by on your way to and from Sacramento or San Francisco.  So why was Stockton our destination last week?  Why did my loyal chauffeur/financier, Sasha--The Wonder Dog, and I, the Culinary Diva, endure eight hours of pitted, truck congested roadway through the heartland of California just to end up in Stockton?

There is beauty in delapidated, rusty buildings, especially on waterfronts

Well, Stockton is more than just a rest stop along Interstate 5 or Highway 99.  It has the largest inland seaport on the West Coast, hosts an annual Asparagus Festival and its 300,000 inhabitants revel in the knowledge the Caterpillar tractor was created there in 1904.  But most importantly for an art groupie like myself, since 1931 it has been home to the Haggin Museum and its surprising collection of 19^th and early 20^th century paintings by such masters as Albert Bierstadt, Jasper Francis Cropsey, Childe Hassam, George Inness, William Keith, Thomas Moran, William Merritt Chase, Auguste Bonheur and one of my very favorite artists, Jean-Leon Gerome.

Character and subject matter is abundant

About every two years the Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) gather at the Haggin Museum to showcase their abundant painting skills.  PAPA’s membership includes about every noteworthy plein air painter in the United States, so an exhibition and sale by this august group is bound to be special.  One of PAPA’s favorite sons is Gil Dellinger, a Stockton resident and a major reason a bi-annual PAPA exhibition and sale is held at the Haggin Museum.  According to Gil’s You  Tube video, “the air in Stockton, all year long, has pink in the air, and dust and occasionally smoke, so the air takes on a lovely golden color.”  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQj1WsLVVRY).  I don’t know if Gil’s comments are the result of an artistic “purple haze,” but I do know the sunrises and sunsets are quite special.  Combine the ambient light with the Port of Stockton, ships and boats of all sizes, shapes and fitness, old buildings, farmland and vineyards and there is no lack of interesting subject matter.

Gil Dellinger creating a little atmospheric magic with his pastels, did you notice the purple shirt?

Events like this are structured for the enjoyment of artist and patron alike.  The artists get an opportunity to paint “en plein air” (outside in natural lighting conditions) and spend time with their cohorts exchanging barbs, recollections and ideas while offering paintings for sale to serious collectors.  The patrons enjoy interacting with the artists (most of whom attend the event and welcome discussing their paintings with the patrons) and watching the artists create paintings before their very eyes during a morning paint-out and sale, in this case at the Waterfront Warehouse.  For some patrons, these paint-outs allow them to indulge their fantasies about how well they can paint (as in, “I can do better than that!”).  For others, it provides the necessary spark to return to the canvas or take up painting at the local art club. 

Sasha the Wonder Dog wondering why no one is painting her

My enthusiasm for collecting ebbs and flows with our personal finances, but my enthusiasm for painting has waned recently because of work.  For very sound and imminent reasons, we vowed only to look and not buy.  But that vow was broken.  Being surrounded by artist friends and their wonderful art is exhilarating.  Spending time with Joe Paquet, Kevin and Wanda Macpherson, Don Demers, Randall Sexton, Ray Roberts, Ken Auster and Gil Dellinger reminded me why I like these events so much.  The artists are very interesting people.  They are generally well-travelled, well-educated, conversant on a wide variety of topics, and exuberant about what they do. 

Susan Hallsten McGarry engaging artist Joan M. LaRue

I was engulfed by memories of my 2005 En Plein Air Masters painting experience at a 12^th century castle in France with the unfailingly humorous Kevin Macpherson and his lovely wife, Wanda, as hosts and Gil Dellinger as my painting mentor; my painting workshop with Ken Auster where he demonstrated his technique for finger painting large canvases; and Don Demers’ stunning demonstration paintings that hang in our house and which were done on the cliffs overlooking the Dana Point harbor during a four-day painting symposium.  Plus I particularly enjoyed watching my chauffeur/financier talking with Steven Doherty, Editor-in-Chief of PleinAir Magazine, about that publication’s exciting new art event to be held in April 2012 in Las Vegas and then grilling Steven about why our painting that is featured in advertising for the event is mislabeled.

Don Demers paints and entertains his fans at the same time

I came back from Stockton energized about painting and desperately longing to attend Joe Paquet’s workshop on Catalina Island in January 2012.  And I came back knowing that when the PAPA exhibition and sale concludes in January I will be the proud owner of a gorgeous landscape painting by Michael Lynch.

Michael Lynch - Spectacular how so much is conveyed with so few brushstrokes

I hope the photos inspire you to find your own “art spirit”!

Joe Paquet

Masterfully working

Capturing the atmospheric conditions of light and ambiance

About an hour later you really see how the painting has taken life

The painting makes me wonder about the history of this building

Ray Roberts:

Ray Roberts & Model at the beginning of the day

The only figurative piece of the day

Notice that the position has changed for artist and model from the first photo of the day

Model and plein air painting - not your usual scene

 Ken Auster:

Ken uses the Soltek Easel - light weight and great for travel

Ken has rearranged some of the subject matter  - artistic license is the trademark of a great artist

How Ken makes such beautiful paintings is often a mystery to those who have seen his palette

Voila - rearranged landscape and a beautiful end result

Randall Sexton

Randall working on his composition

Early in the morning before the crowds descend upon the artists

Don't know about you, but I wouldn't view this and immediately think Stockton - Randall has captured the essence of a larger cosmopolitan city that still has charm - Artists frequently capture inspired moments

Gill Dellinger:

Gil at work, he is masterful with pastels

Gil's Groupies (notice the common theme of pink, purple and yellow - definitely an atmosphere!)

No matter the subject matter, Gil creates a romantic ambiance in his paintings

Other Artists:

Gay Faulkenberry painting before a bicycle ran into her

Brian Stewart creates a sweet scene reminiscent of the South

John Cosby hard at work

A not-so-simple brushstroke makes all the different

Masterful watercolor by a P-A-P-A guest artist Gerald Fritzler

Kathleen Dunphy makes a little magic

Jean Shuss diligently working away