Nacho Average Taco Shop - Project Taco on MidWilshire

I was recently invited over to the new taco joint on Mid-Wilshire, Project Taco. This sister location to the Hermosa Beach hotspot recently opened its doors to the bustling streets of Miracle Mile serving up innovative concoctions packed with flavor and fresh ingredients. 

I started things off with some good old chips and salsa, but these dippers were anything from ordinary. Ranging from a cool cilantro crema to a smack-you-in-the-tastebuds pineapple habanero, these salsas are all made in house and bursting with taste.

Next up, I was treated to three of the top tacos they have to offer - Wilshire Pot Roast, Blueberry BBQ, and Chicken Bacon Club. All three sent my timid tongue through a spicy circus, but nothing that was unpleasant. The Wilshire Pot Roast had a wonderfully seasoned shredded beef base and an array of pickled cherry peppers that complimented the beef wonderfully. 

On paper, the Blueberry BBQ sounded like it would be my favorite touting a blueberry sriracha BBQ sauce and apple-kale coleslaw but it was actually the Chicken Bacon Club that stole the show for me. There was a certain flavor in there that brought back a nostalgic taste that I still have yet to put my finger on, either way, it kept me coming back bite after bite, even though my tongue was on fire.  

As you can see from the menu above, there is no lack of creativity. The friendly staff will gladly let you sample some of the ingredients if you're not sure what you'd like.

Project Taco also has a number of specials and promotions that they run weekly including Taco Tuesday (obviously) and Happy Hour all weekend long, so be sure to check out their website and social media for all that fun info!

[Restaurant Recipe]: Casa Vega's Spinach Enchilada

I'm so grateful that Christy over at Casa Vega was willing to share some of her family's recipes with us! Turns out, they are pretty simple to make and beyond delicious! 

Spinach Enchiladas

Ingredients:

1 package of corn tortillas

12 oz fresh spinach

½ sliced white onion

1 tbsp chopped onion

8 large green tomatillos

2 cups of water

1 bushel of cilantro

1 tbsp cilantro

1 tsp granulated garlic

1 tsp of salt

½ avocado

1 oz sour cream

6 oz shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Asadero)

Dine On A Dime: Bibigo in Beverly Hills

It’s not very often where you can find the words “budget” and “Beverly Hills” in the same sentence but, if you know where to look, you can find awesome meal without breaking the bank.

Bibigo is one of those awesome finds in town. Tucked along the sides of South Beverly Drive, this Korean-fusion eatery has been generating quite the buzz around LA. You may have seen their quick service locations in Century City and Westwood, but the B.H. digs provide a cool and comfortable dining experience.

Starting this week, Bibigo will be offering a “Seollal Supper” in celebration of the Lunar New Year on the 31st. The special pre fix menu will get you a delicious 3-course meal for only $25!

You can also try the special “Tkeok Mandu Guk” which is a dumpling and rice cake soup that is traditionally eaten during this holiday to promote good fortune in the new year!

Check out the menu below and head over to Bibigo to try it out for yourself!

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Restaurant Name
	Bibigo Westwood
	* Overall
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Westwood
	* Street Address
	1091 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
	* Phone
	(310) 824-0011

A Perfect Night at Paiche

Over the past year, I've been fortunate enough to dine at some of the most wonderful restaurants in Los Angeles. From Downtown to Marina del Rey, this city is jam packed with flavors from around the globe and I've been loving every bite.

@kaseys_kitchen via Instagram

A little while back I had the chance to dive into a type of cuisine that is just starting to emerge into mainstream (with much thanks to Chef Ricardo Zarate), which is Peruvian food. Having only become familiar with this cuisine after pausing on an Anthony Bourdain special while channel surfing, I was quite intrigued when I received an invitation to dine at Paiche in Marina del Rey's recently renovated Marina Marketplace.



The atmosphere of Paiche is cool and coastal with sleek lines that are reminiscent of the rolling tide, but who really cares about that... let's talk about the stellar food!

Paiche is Peruvian Food with a Japanese twist. So think, "Ceviche meets Sushi"! I was fortunate enough to have Chef Ricardo join me during my tasting and let's just say, we are now best friends.

@kaseys_kitchen via Instagram

In between chatting... being dared to eat a shrimp head... and being put in a death grip, I enjoyed one of the most exquisite meals, simply, ever. Take a scroll through my delicious journey that included sashimi, ceviche, and some knock-out cocktails.

We started off with a funny sounding dish called "Spatchcocked" which was tender cubes of grilled chicken garnished with a Panca Moro miso sauce.

One of my favorite dishes of the night was the "Yuquitas". These (not so) little puffs of yuca flour were packed with Manchego cheese and opened up into this light, fluffy, steamy, cheesy, goodness of a bite. Can you tell they were my favorite? I just had to wipe the drool off the key board!

 Another dish we tried was actually the restaurant's namesake, the Paiche fish. This Amazonian fish is enrobed in a amarillo vinaigrette and tamari and served with a sweet potato mousse.

You can't have Peruvian food without ceviche! We had a variety including yellowtail, albacore, and blue prawn. And yes, that's the shrimp head that Chef Ricardo dared me to eat.

Another stand out for me was the Wagyu Beef. This thin sliced, seared beef was served over the most scrumptious Parmesan sauce and topped with black truffle. Each bite of this dish was more decadent than the last. Truly stellar.

To see more of my amazing dinner, check out the Facebook Album here!

A special thanks to Chef Ricardo and Mixologist Deysi Alvarez for hosting me for such a memorable meal! Can't wait to come back for more!

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Restaurant Name
	Paiche
	* Overall
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Del Rey / Peruvian
	* Street Address
	13488 Maxella Ave, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
	* Phone
	(310) 893-6100

Restaurant Review: Fig & Olive, Melrose Place

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to discover one of LA's hottest eateries. Fig & Olive has been the site of many Hollywood after-parties, elaborate soirees, and even became a recent Presidential favorite.

I was invited to enjoy the latest "Farmers Menu" from Executive Chef Pascal Lorange that showcases the beauty of local produce executed in the most elegant yet, simple way.

We started off our meal with a plate of Melon Cavaillon & Prosciutto. We learned from owner Laurent Halasz that this melon from Weiser Farm is not just any melon. Oh no. Laurent waited over six months to try this melon at it's peak ripeness. That's when he knew this was the melon that would grace his menu. It is details like this that make this experience at Fig & Olive so exquisite. Did I mention that this dish was also served with Burrata? Yes. I was in heaven. 

Next up was an array of entree selections including a beautifully presented Striped Bass steamed in parchment paper with Weiser Farm Baby Eggplant, Country Fresh Heirloom Tomato, Zucchini, Fennel, Thyme, Rosemary, and their house specialty, Marges de Grinon Olive Oil. We also enjoyed a Rosemary Roasted Lamb Chop served with Weiser Farm Heirloom Beet Salad, Grilled Corn and unbelievable Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes.

As delightful as those two dishes were, the show-stopper for me was the Vegetarian Lasagna. I know what you're thinking, "Really Kasey? You go to this award-winning restaurant and the vegetarian dish is your favorite?" but hear me out. Chef Pascal spent almost FIVE YEARS perfecting this dish. He had to find the perfect tomatoes, the perfect balance of seasoning, the perfect thickness of pasta. His work paid off tenfold. This lasagna not only features perfectly ripe Country Fresh Heirloom Tomatoes, but also Weiser Farm Eggplant, fresh Zucchini, Artichokes, Confit Shallots, and of course, Burrata.

As if we weren't ready to throw on the stretchy pants at this point, we were soon presented with a trio of desserts to give us a sample of the sweets offered at Fig & Olive. The trio included a delicate Peach Sorbet, a White Fig Carpaccio with a marscapone mousse, and a Berry Crostata made with Harry's Farm Strawberries.

We had the honor of having each dish explained to us by either Chef Pascal or restaurant owner, Laurent Halasz. Hearing their descriptions of each dish and the stories behind how they found the product is something that made each dish even more delicious. It was because of their words that you could taste their passion. 

Fig & Olive will be hosting Farmers Menus Tuesday-Sunday. The 3-Course Dinner is $55 per person. Go try it out for yourself! 

Restaurant Information

tabelog.us

	* Restaurant Name
	Fig & Olive - Melrose Place
	* Overall
	★★★☆☆
	* Neighborhood / Cuisine
	Beverly Grove / Italian
	* Street Address
	8490 Melrose Pl, West Hollywood, CA 90069
	* Phone
	(310) 360-9100

Resaurant Preview: Napa Valley Grille - Fall Tasting Menu

Tonight I have the pleasure of join some of my fellow foodies at this seasons Media Preview at Napa Valley Grille in Westwood. Some of you may have caught the post about my first NVG experience which was nothing short of stellar, so you can imagine why I'm excited about what Chef Taylor Boudreaux has in store for us this evening! 

 

Inspired by the fall season, Chef Boudreaux incorporates wild and foraged items from Foods in Season (Washougal, WA) while continuing to source locally grown ingredients from Southern California family farms and artisan purveyors, including Drake Family Farms (Ontario, CA) and Country Fresh Herbs (Tarzana, CA).

Here's a glimpse of some of the dishes we will be enjoying tonight:

-  Fig and Prosciutto with Burrata Cheese and Grey Salt
-  Cajun BBQ Shrimp with Grilled Sourdough
-  Warm Brussels Sprout Salad with Poached Egg, Prosciutto, Toasted Pistachio, Manchego Cheese, and Red Wine Vinaigrette   
-  Wild White Sturgeon with Oyster Mushroom and Beurre Blanc
-  Lamb Ragu with housemade Pappardelle Pasta

Follow along tonight on Instagram for all the yummy details! 

Restaurant Review: Rock Sugar Pan Asian Kitchen

 

I may be biased but I have to say, RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen is still one of my favorite spots in LA. You see, RockSugar was actually my first job in Los Angeles when I came out here for a summer in 2008. The restaurant hadn't even opened yet and I was hired to be their "Reservationist", sounds fancy huh? During the opening weeks of the restaurant, we were slammed! We had A-List celebs coming in and out, an hour long waitlist, and even if you pulled the "Don't you know who I am?" you still weren't getting in! 

So obviously when I moved back to the area I was excited to see how the restaurant was doing! With restaurant masterminds David Overton and Mohan Ismail behind the wheel, clearly RockSugar was destined for success. 

I was lucky enough to be invited into the stunning restaurant to try the menu out for myself, this time as a critic rather than a nervous employee! 

Restaurant Review: NINETHIRTHY and the W Hotel Los Angeles

A few weeks ago I was invited to dine at NINETHIRTY, one of the restaurants nestled inside of the W Los Angeles. Now, I know there is a certain stigma that comes with "hotel restaurants". They tend to be overpriced and underwhelming. I must say that NINETHIRTY is as far from that as you can get.

Chef Dakota Weiss is the mastermind behind the eclectic menu. Sourcing ingredients and inspiration from local farms Weiss has created a culinary carnival with dishes that range from innovative to nostalgic.

The parade of dishes started off with a fresh Cousa Squash Carpaccio (pictured above) dressed with a yuzu-pumpkin vinaigrette as well as a warm white corn bisque that had a hint of smoked queso fresco and jalepeno for an extra kick. My favorite starter that was presented to us was the Beet Cured Diver Scallops. After reading a few of my restaurant reviews, you may have figured out by now that I'm a bit of a scallop lover. This dish seriously blew my mind. The ceviche-like scallops were sliced thin and boasted a fuchsia stained trim. Paired with cantaloupe creme fraiche and mint made this dish unlike anything I have had before.

Dine on a Dime: Menu Review from Tinhorn Flats in Hollywood

As the end of my tagline, "...on a budget but always classy" suggests, I am always down to find a good deal. Now I'll admit, I've been slacking but living in Los Angeles, finding said "deals" can be a hard to come by. Until now. 

I recently had the chance to check out Tinhorn Flats Saloon &Grill in Hollywood. This is a country-style saloon with a cool and casual vibe tucked-up right in the heart of Hollywood and Highland. Although it's mostly known for it's nightlife, I quickly discovered that this is the place to go to get some pretty awesome grub while you're in the hub of "Tinseltown". Their menu is insanely affordable compared to the rest of the area and I was surprised that bar food could be so tasty, plus with all the specials and promotions they run, this may very well become your go-to Happy Hour spot. Take a scroll down to see some of the mouthwatering dishes Tinhorn Flats serves up daily. 

Kasey's Dish Worth Driving To: Natas in Sherman Oaks

As some of you know, my nationality is 1/2 French and 1/2 Portuguese, so not only does that mean a whole lot of temper... it means a whole lot of talent in the kitchen too!
In the past, I've shared a few of my favorite Portuguese recipes (click here to see) but a few weeks ago I discovered something even better...  Natas Pastries in Sherman Oaks. Natas is a full out authentic Portuguese Restaurant that has everything this little Port-a-gee could desire!

I had the opportunity to sit down with Natas owner, Fatima Marques to enjoy a few traditional dishes that reminded me of the restaurants I grew-up going to in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
In a matter of minutes, Fatima made me feel right at home. As I sipped on a passion fruit Sumol (traditional Portuguese soda) we chatted about her background as a professional dancer, which is what brought her to LA from mainland Portugal. She noticed that there was a lack of Portuguese cuisine in Los Angeles (tell me about it!) so she decided to make some of her favorite pastries from back home, most specifically, the natas. For those who are unfamiliar with natas, it's pretty much heaven in a pastry shell, but we'll get to that in a bit.

We started started our culinary journey with the Chouriços Grelhados which is an appetizer of assorted Portuguese sausages and picked vegetables. This is most like the linguica and chourico I grew up with and love using a bunch of my recipes. Warning... your mouth will start salivating in 3...2....1....

Love and Luxury Found in Laguna Beach

Photo Credit: Montagelagunabeach.com

If you are following my Instagram account, there's a good chance you were flooded by pictures last weekend of gorgeous seascapes, yummy food, and a few pics of me and The Mr. That's because last weekend we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. I seriously cannot believe how quickly the time flies! It feels like just yesterday I was shimmying my way into my Vera Wang gown and walking down that chandelier lined aisle to marry my Prince Charming... ok, that was super sappy, sorry.

Anyway! Last weekend The Mr. totally surprised me with a weekend getaway to Laguna Beach, mind you I had no idea where we were going when I got in the car. My only hints were that the weekend would be "Lilly Pulitzer Appropriate", most likely the nicest place we've ever stayed and that he had to pull some major connections to make it happen.

Give Mom The Day Off!

Mother’s Day is this weekend (in case you forgot) and a bunch of LA’s hot-spots are taking the time to celebrate Mom! Here’s a list of some of places where you can spoil the woman who gave you life. Choose wisely... she brought you into this world, she can take you out! :-)

Get Your Corned Beef On At Magee's!

 

It’s that time of year when we all start seeing GREEN! St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend and before you go down your pints of green beer, fill up on the holiday classic, Corned Beef and Cabbage!

This is actually one of my favorite dishes all year round. There’s something about getting a nice cut of corned beef, piling on zesty horseradish and having that boiled cabbage that makes even this Portuguese girl go Irish!

I discovered that Magee’s in the Farmer’s Market at The Grove just might have the best I’ve ever tasted. Magee’s prides themselves in their prime meats and I have to say, their corned beef is one of the leanest and tastiest out there and it has been since 1917! They also have this KILLER horseradish that will make you crave it months after eating... trust me, I think about it all the time.

So here’s the deal... and really, it’s a DEAL! For the month of March, Magee’s will be serving up their Corned Beef special that includes a hearty helping of their corned beef, boiled potatoes, cabbage and of course, the horseradish for just $10.95! That’s cheap enough to have plenty of beer money leftover!
Remember, it’s only for this month... so go check it out NOW!

Read more: http://www.1043myfm.com/pages/thedish.html?article=11056411#ixzz2NMsOMqgx

Restaurant Review: Legendary Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks

I had the pleasure of checking out this SoCal staple up in Sherman Oaks. Since 1956, Casa Vega has remained the premiere family owned and operated Mexican restaurant in LA featuring authentic and delicious food and margaritas (try the peach margarita, it’s amazing!). This landmark is not only a hangout for locals, it’s a staple for the stars! While dining on their famous Pollo en Mole, you may bump into Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus or even a Kardashian.
I was fortunate enough to be joined by two Casa Vega experts who guided me through the menu effortlessly and made sure I had a bite of pretty much everything! We started our fiesta off with a Supreme Vega Combo that included black bean taquitos, flour quesadillas, beef taquitos, and chicken floutas. We also tried a little nibble of each homemade soup on the menu, the tortilla soup - shredded chicken, vegetables, avocado, cotija cheese, tortilla strips and the albondigas - homemade beef meatballs, fresh vegetables, green onion, think “Italian Wedding Soup”, minus the Italian, add in Mexican flair. We also tried a small Tostada Chiquita crisp flour tortilla, beef chorizo beans, beets, tomatoes, parmesan, shredded lettuce, house vinaigrette… you know, because we were trying to be healthy ;-)
Entrees included that famed Pollo en Mole that was truly out of this world! I like my mole a little on the sweeter side so for me, this was “lick the plate” good. We also splurged for the Lobster Enchiladas which were very tasty but for this Boston girl, Lobster in a Mexican dish is slight sacrilege. I can’t forget about the Tres Tacos Chicos which was a great way to try a little bite of the different tacos they offer so I know what to get on my next trip up there! Last but certainly not least we ordered a few a la carte Tamales because since moving to LA, I seriously can’t get enough of them and these were fantastic! Especially the Sweet Corn!
So, if we weren’t ready to roll out of the restaurant yet, we finished the night off with a bite of fried ice cream. They do a really great job with this! It actually had a crisp crust, opposed to the soggy crust you find other places. I’ll be honest, I could only have a bite or two, ok, three… but then I had to throw in the napkin. I was stuffed!
We were lucky enough to sneak some of those secret recipes away from the kitchen to share with you!
Here’s the recipe for their tortilla soup, perfect for these chilly LA nights! For more Casa Vega recipes, click here.
 
Casa Vega Tortilla Soup (Serves 4)

• 2 oz canola oil
• 1/2 cup white onion
• 1 tbsp chile paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano and salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 2 cups diced, grilled chicken breast 
• 1 cup tomato sauce 
• 1 liter water 
• 1/2 c chicken broth
• 1 avocado- large diced 
• Tortilla chips or strips
• Crumbled cotija cheese 

Heat oil in a pan. Add onion and  cook until translucent.  Add chile paste and spices.  Toss in diced chicken and tomato sauce.  Next pour in water and chicken broth. Top with diced avocado, tortilla strips and cotija cheese.