Caroline on Crack | February 2010

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Monthly Archives: February 2010

February 12, 2010

The Nommiest Dessert: Joan’s on Third’s Nutella Poundcake

Nutella Poundcake by Joan's on Third

For World Nutella Day last week, Joan’s on Third made the yummiest poundcake I ever heard of: Nutella poundcake. Why didn’t anyone tell me that such a thing of beauty existed? Luckily I found out from Nastassia of Let Me Eat Cake, who happens to work at Joan’s and who was good enough to save me a loaf! Huzzah! I braved a torrential rainstorm and cross-town traffic during rush hour to pick it up. And twas sooo worth it.

Once I got it home I dug into it, nearly eating the whole thing in one sitting. Fortunately (or
unfortunately) I was able to remember to save some for my bf since I had been going on and on about it and he was good enough to drive me through a torrential rainstorm in rush-hour traffic to get it. Would have been rude if I didn’t at least save him…a sliver.

Hitting the Nutella motherload.

Anyway, the cake was so moist and OMG the ribbons of Nutella that ran through the cake were like crack, making it difficult to stop eating. Just when I was about to store the cake away, I’d bite into a motherload of that chocolate-hazelnut goodness and continued to nom away. I call this the Ben & Jerry’s effect. And the top of the loaf was a little denser than the rest of the cake, so I could break if off to enjoy like you would the edge of pie crusts.

I have no doubt that I could polish off a whole loaf all by myself.

In any case, you’ll be happy to know that this isn’t a once-a-year thing. Joan’s on Third will be making more Nutella poundcake for this Saturday but they’ll be sold as slices at $1.95 a slice.

However, if you’d like to make one for yourself, unfortunately and understandably, Joan is keeping that recipe to herself but Nastassia has some behind-the-scene coverage of the making of the cake. And I found this Food & Wine recipe for a Nutella Swirl Poundcake that you can take a stab at.

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles, Recipes, Sweets

8 Comments

February 11, 2010

Anti-Gooey Valentine’s Day: Beer Tastings, Hitchcock, Mortified LA

Happy heart.

There’s more going on this Sunday the 14th than romantic candlelit dinners (although there does seem to be a ton of those this year) and long walks on the beach. You don’t have to be all in luuuuve and stuff to enjoy the following events. If anything, I say go on and enjoy them with your friends. Ha! Up yours, Valentine’s Day!

4th Street Vine: Winter Beer Tasting
Wow! Taste seven full flavored ales, including three Trappists, for $15! So what if it’s in the LBC? At this boutique wine shop on Retro Row, you’ll get to enjoy the likes of Westmalle Trappist Tripel, Rochefort 8 Trappist and St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. Nice and hearty for this cold albeit sunny weather we’re having. Although weather reports say we’ll be enjoying 70-degree weather this weekend. Never mind. Beer still good!

2:30-6pm. $15/person. 4th Street Vine, 2142 E. 4th Street, Long Beach (map). (562) 343-5463.

Silverlake Wine: Sparkling Wine Sunday Tasting + Heirloom LA
Nah, you don’t have to be in love to enjoy bubbly. It’s a good thing, too, since sparkling-wine-loving singles and couples will love this Sunday’s tasting which features beauts like Clavelin “Brut Comte” Cremant de Jura NV, Sommariva Prosecco di Conegliano NV / Italy and Tintero Moscato d’Asti “Sori Gramela” NV 2009. Heirloom LA will be providing the nibbles. Reservations required.

3pm or 6pm. $20/person. Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Boulevard, Silver Lake (map). (323) 662-9024.

City Sip LA: Cheesy and Sweet Beer Tasting
Nothing says cheesy luuuve holiday like cheese, chocolate and beer. There are still spots available for this wonderful event where beer expert, Alex Macy, will guide you through eight beers and cheese and chocolate pairings.

4:30-6pm. $35. City Sip LA, 2150 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). RSVP to: Cupid@citysipla.com or call (213) 483- 9463.

Verdugo Bar: One Night Stand With Frysmith
And if you want even more beer, the Verdugo Bar and French fry truck, Frysmith, have conspired to create a heart-stopping menu with four courses like seared sea scallops, duck legs and lemon jam and apple fries with a beer tasting.

7:30pm. $23 advance, $28 at the door. Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles (map). (818) 371-6814.

Aero Theatre: Hitchcock Double Feature
Want something dark and suspenseful to counter all that saccharine? A Hitchcock double feature made to order with classics, Rebecca and Notorious! Both with two swoon-worthy leading men, Laurence Olivier and Cary Grant. Le sigh!

7:30pm. $11. Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica (map).

King King: Mortified LA — Doomed Valentine’s Show
Remember when you were a teenager and every minor romantic setback seemed like the end of the world? “Dear Diary, Jimmy didn’t even look at me today. I want to die!” Well share in the pain at this Valentine edition of the comedy show where ordinary folk get up on stage and bear their soul via their own teenage diaries. Funny!

Doors open 7:10, show 8pm. $15 advance, $20 door. King King, 6555 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map).

For more ideas on what to do that’s Valentine-ish, check out Goldstar.

Categories: Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Movies, Nightlife

2 Comments

February 11, 2010

This Weekend: Free PBR, Booze Tent Sale, $4.40 Comme Ca Cocktails

Yes, there’s actually more going on this weekend besides that awesome LA Street Food Fest and, oh yeah, Valentine’s Day. I give you the following.

Friday, February 12

Wally’s Tent Sale
It’s that time of year again. Time to stockpile some booze on the cheap thanks to Wally’s huge tented wine sale. For three days, you can shop wine, spirits, beer and food products at discounted prices, up to 80% off. And that includes� single malt scotch and bourbon from 10 to 50% off, like Lagavulin 16 for $64.99 ($90 regular) and Macallan 12 for $37.99 ($50 regular). Gimme!

Friday-Sunday, 9am-5pm. Wally’s Wine, 2107 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (310) 475-0606.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Chai Lover Open House
Free beverages, you like that! Coffee Bean will be giving away complimentary 12-ounce chai tea, chai rooibos, and chai mate lattes (one drink per customer) from 4 to 7pm at participating locations (Ralphs locations not included). Chai Mate Tea Latte is combined with steamed nonfat milk and signature vanilla powder.� The caffeine-free Chai Rooibos Tea Latte is an herbal infusion made with naturally sweet rooibos.

4-7pm. Participating Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations.

Eagle Rock Art Show and Free Booze
More free beverages! This time it’s free Pabst Blue Ribbon and free wine at this boozy art show. Another awesome thing is that a portion of the proceeds from artwork sales will be used for aid relief in Haiti.

8pm. 5050 Grind Footwear, 1754 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 254-5070.

Saturday, February 13

Confection Jewels Launch Party at Fred Segal
Confection Jewels is launching its hand-crafted vintage cocktail ring�collection at the Fred Segal Melrose and shoppers will not only get to chat with the designer but enjoy free prosecco and Sprinkles cupcakes! First 10 customers score a gift with purchase.

3-6pm. Fred Segal, 8118 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles (map).

Devil’s Drive-In: Sid & Nancy
Who knew that so many people would think that this movie about one of the most dysfunctional couples in rock history would be the perfect flick for a romantic pre-Valentine night? All the presale tickets are already sold out! But there are still plenty of car spots and walk-in spots (they just bought new red astroturf!)� if you get here before 6. Remember, it’s OK to BYOB and the Angel City Derby Girls will be on hand to deliver food.

6pm doors open, 7:30pm show starts. $10. 240 W. 4th Street, Downtown (map).

Sunday, February 14

Valentine activity list to come…

Monday, February 15

Comme Ca Celebrates President’s Day with President-Inspired $4.40 Cocktails
The Melrose restaurant will be serving up cocktails inspired by our nation’s most significant presidents for the holiday and each one is only $4.40, in honor of our 44th president. Frost/Nixon is a version of the classic �Last Word� with gin, fresh lime juice, Green Charteuse and maraschino. FDR is Comme Ca�s �Dark & Stormy.” Washington is the bar’s �Penicillin� cocktail of Scotch, ginger, lemon and honey. And naturally the Kennedy is a Cuba Libre.

Comme Ca, 8479 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (map). (323) 782-1104.

Stinkers Good-Bye Party
Say good-bye to the “last trucker bar in L.A.” with $2 Colt 45 Tall Boys and spun tunes by DJs Jimmy James and Eden Knievel. The short-lived Stinkers is shedding its Burt-Reynolds, Trans-Am, skunk-butts-loving self for a classier bar with more whiskey. In the meantime, stop by the bar during the weekend for giveaways of the remaining memorabilia.

8pm-2am. Stinkers, 2939 West Sunset Boulevard, Silver Lake (map). (323) 661-6007.

Categories: Art, Cocktails, Los Angeles, Movies, Nightlife

1 Comment

February 10, 2010

Tahiti and Kelly Slater in 3D IMAX

I’ve always wanted to go to Tahiti to swim with the turtles in its blue waters and lounge on its white beaches, especially now with the recent bad weather in L.A. But after seeing The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D IMAX at the California Science Center for its world premiere earlier this week, my desire has been sated…somewhat. All right, watching an awesome movie in 3D isn’t quite the same as actually doing but it was still pretty cool. I’ve never seen, let alone experienced, a nature documentary on this scale before. Amazing photography that’s taken to the next level where you feel like you could reach out and touch the sharks and wipe the seawater off Kelly Slater’s weathered but still cute face.

This isn’t Avatar that we’re talking about here. You get to experience a real world of gorgeous beaches, beautiful people and intriguing wildlife with the hope someday that you’ll actually get to visit it in person. No Pandora withdrawal here.

�An IMAX theater film in 3D is the perfect vehicle to showcase how spectacular our beautiful islands are,� says Al Keahi, managing director of Tahiti Tourisme North America. �IMAX movie theater-goers all around the world…will get to experience the beauty of Tahiti up close and personal with this film.�

The movie itself isn’t that long; it’s about 45 minutes or so and it opens to the public at the California Science Center on Friday. Admission is $8.25 but you can get a discount for $2 off with this coupon.

What was cool when I saw it was that I got to sit behind Kelly Slater, nine-time world champion, who was watching it on the IMAX screen for the first time. We were surrounded by his family as well as some of the biggest stars in surfing. Of course, I know nothing about the surfing world so didn’t know who anyone was but it was still pretty cool. We all oohed and ahhed as we “swam” through fields of exotic sealife, as we flew over the pointy peaks of Tahiti and as we watched Kelly take on scary waves and emerge from them unscathed.

This is definitely the perfect movie to see if you’re a surfing fan (breathtaking surfing cinematography) or if you just miss the warm weather. Afterward, maybe hit up Rivera or even Trader Vic’s, which are just about 3 miles away up the street on Figueroa, for a tropical cocktail fix.

California Science Center
700 State Drive
Los Angeles, California 90037 (map)
(323) 724-3623

Categories: Los Angeles, Movies

3 Comments

February 9, 2010

Blog Bite: Agave Disparo at Comme Ca

Agave Disparo at Comme Ca

Had the Comme Ca Agave Disparo ($12) with Herradura silver tequila, lime juice, grenadine, orange blossom water, lemon soda.

Great cocktail for those looking for something light and it’s not too intimidating for a tequila drink. It’s poured over a huuuge block of ice so not really much liquid to it. I tried to stretch mine out by sipping on it while enjoying the endive salad.

Personally I prefer my cocktails more potent and aromatic, especially when there’s so little of it.

Categories: Blog Bites, Cocktails, Los Angeles

4 Comments

February 9, 2010

LA Street Food Fest and Gold Standard 2010

Two must-do food events are coming up, folks, so loosen up those belts. These are New Year’s resolution breakers for sure.

Everybody loves food trucks.

This Saturday is the inaugural LA Street Food Fest which will feature the hottest thing on the food scene since cupcakes: food trucks! Over 35 of LA’s most popular food trucks and street carts will be available in one spot at the same time, making it really easy to try a whole bunch of different cuisines in one sitting, er, standing. Each food truck will be offering up their special sampling menus at prices ranging from $1 to $5 (cash only). And look for foodie fave, Chef Ludo at his own pop-up truck serving up his famous boneless fried chicken. Mmm!

Some of the other participants:

There will also be a beer and cocktails cash bar whose proceeds will benefit the LA Regional Foodbank.

General admission is $5 (in addition to the food you purchase at the trucks) but you get a drink ticket as well as the chance at cool giveaways.

EVENT: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 from 11am to 5pm

LA Center Studios
1201 W 5th Street (enter on 500 S. Beaudry Avenue)
Los Angeles, California 90017 (map)
Twitter: @lafoodfest

Last year's packed Gold Standard event.

Jonathan Gold’s 2nd Annual Gold Standard event is another much-anticipated foodie fest. Last year’s was a huge success. Too successful, as crowds tried to squish their way to each of J Gold’s personal picks for the top restaurants in L.A.

This year’s event will showcase about 40 of the LA Weekly‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic’s picks, but this time in the larger Petersen Automotive Museum Pavilion. Thank gawd!

Participating restaurants include:

And booze sponsors include Bulleit Bourbon and Singha Beer. Noice!

Tickets are only available online: They are selling VIP tickets ($80/person) for this event which entitles you to early entry as well as a VIP gift bag. General admission tickets are $60 a person. No word yet if Goldstar will be offering discounted tickets like it did last year. Believe me, I’ve been hounding them. Will keep you posted. BTW, a portion of the proceeds will go to Heal the Bay and Make a Wish Foundation.

EVENT: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 — VIP 12pm to 5pm; General 1pm-5pm

Petersen Auto Museum
6060 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)
Parking: $8

http://www.lafightshunger.org/

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles

9 Comments

February 8, 2010

Beacon Rediscovered: Butterscotch Pudding, Happy Hour, Quality Dinner

Grilled chicken from Beacon

The last time I had dinner at Beacon in Culver City was, wow, a boyfriend-and-many-bad-dates ago and pre CoC. I vaguely remember having the Bento box and not really having anything stand out about my dining experience. I’ll blame it on the company back then. Heh. In any case I hadn’t gone back til I got the 30% off discount for dinner from Blackboard Eats recently.

It was closing in on the last day when I could use the BE discount code so my bf and I decided to take our chances and show up at the Asian restaurant without any reservations. Fortunately there was some room at the bar which was lucky considering they apparently have a great happy hour here.

Green Tea Soba Noodles With Grilled Shrimp

While the other bar patrons enjoyed their HH spicy tuna rolls and vegetable tempuras, we dug into the dinner menu, first letting our server know that we had a discount code. He was so nice about it. I don’t know why I was expecting him to look down his nose at me for having one but then again Blackboard Eats is always good enough to remind discounted diners to tip their servers on the full amount.

Anyway, bf and I decided to split the green tea soba noodles with grilled shrimp and each ordered our own entrees of miso-marinated black cod with sesame-tossed green beans (him) and Thai-marinated grilled organic chicken with green papaya salad (me). OMG all were so frickin’ delicious! Couldn’t really taste the green-tea-ness of the soba noodles but didn’t care. Still couldn’t get enough of them and was sad to have shared the dish with bf. Loved the finger-licking goodness of the shrimp as well.

My chicken was so tender and I especially loved the skin. Yes, I love eating chicken skin especially when it was made like this where it was crisp and seasoned-savory. However, I wasn’t all that crazy about the green papaya salad, but then again I’m not crazy about pickled-flavored things. I don’t know why I thought it would be sweet. But I’m sure those who love that tarty flavor will love the side salad. I ended up giving it to bf who polished it off for me, appreciating its freshness.

As for bf’s cod, I’ll let him speak for himself: “Tender as can be, fell apart when I placed my fork on it. Freshfreshfresh. The sauce stuff was also quite tasty and complemented the fish, and the beans were every bit as fresh. Portion size was tidy, the ‘right’ size, quality not quantity — this was some delish stuff.”

Butterscotch Pudding

We were both so happy with our dinner that I was ambitious enough to go ahead and order the butterscotch pudding for dessert. “Really?” asked bf when I placed the order. I was so sure of my decision that I told the waiter before he could even hand us the dessert menu. I first spotted this baby on Beacon’s online menu and hoped it would be as tasty as the one I had at Rush Street’s grand opening party a couple of years ago.

Sure enough, it did not disappoint. Even bf dug in and he isn’t even into sweets. “This is actually pretty good!” he said spooning gobs of the yumminess into his mouth. The pudding was soo creamy and buttery and yet not overly sweet like butterscotch usually tends to be. I kinda wished bf hadn’t tasted it because what started off as MY dessert became ours.

We’ll definitely return. I especially want to give that happy hour a try.

Beacon
3280 Helms Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90034 (map)
(310) 838-7500

Categories: Los Angeles

6 Comments