Wait to Be Seated

Usually I only share my own culinary creations here on the blog, but I was lucky enough to have brunch and one of my most favorite brunch locations yesterday and I just had to share this beautiful scrumptious food with you!

If you’ve never been to The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs than you’re really missing out. Yes, it’s a little weird. Yes, it’s a bit of a hipster paradise. But I have never visited a place that put some much thought into every single thing their visitors would come in contact with. From the indie music wafting poolside, to the etchings in the cement, to the vintage milk glass that holds the Splenda everything is thoughtful and unique and makes perfect sense even though it really doesn’t make sense at all.

King’s Highway is the restaurant that serves as poolside luncheonette, room service wrangler, late night eats and the perfect brunch to soak up all that the sun and the muddled drinks did to you the day before. They’re known (at least in my circle) for their Chilaquiles but today I was in the mood for rustic home cooking and here’s what I got. Even the photos are enough to feed the soul.

Eggs and Bacon

Poblano Grits with White Cheddar

French Press

Coffee for Two

Fruit Filled Hat Boxes

I found the charming little place five years ago on my first trip to Europe. I had day dreamed about visiting Paris my entire life and worried during the flight over that the city couldn’t possibly live up to the ideals in my head. In truth, it didn’t meet my expectations, it surpassed them. Paris is like a dream. It’s so beautiful, so elegant, so, well, fancy. It makes you want to have better posture, wear nicer clothes and start eating Pâté. The perfect example of this fanciness is Hediard. It sells food, but to call it a grocery store would be an insult. It’s basically the most beautiful chocolatier, delicatessen, wine store, tea house, and fruit stand you’ve ever seen in your life. Everything is packaged beautifully and displayed opulently and I could spend hours there just looking at all their wares. I found out on my last visit that it’s been around since 1854, which only makes it more romantic. I highly encourage you to visit when you’re next in town, and in the meantime, you can buy their products online. I know it wont be quite the same as visiting in person, but maybe a red tin of jasmine tea will hold you over until your next voyage.

Thanks for reading my European travel diary… if you want to see more pictures of the trip please join our facebook page!

Happy Meal

I have spent the last 7 days eating my way through Barcelona and the French Riviera.

I’ve had soups and stews, and consume, and pate, and cheeses, and baguettes, and shellfish, and desserts in every shape and form. Me and my palette have thoroughly enjoyed Europe and every flavor it had to offer. Though truth be told, this morning, before leaving Nice for Paris I had only one delicacy in mind. After days and days of eating the richest, heaviest (albeit delicious) cuisine I could find, I just wanted a double cheeseburger.

All alone (for fear of being made fun of by my tripmates) I went seeking, and found, a McDonald’s.

Cue Laughter.

Think what you will, but after so long in another country I just wanted something that tasted totally familiar. It was by far the NICEST (no pun intended) McDonald’s I’ve ever seen… but regardless of its fancy dressing and the fact that regular customers greeted the girl taking orders with the standard two-kiss hello, it was a McDonald’s through and through. I ordered a double cheeseburger and a small fry and you know what was so special about it?? Nothing at all. It tasted exactly like EVERY double cheeseburger and fry I’ve ever had from McDonald’s… it was perfectl. 

I know that for someone who touts home cooking and beautiful cuisine it sounds ridiculous to blog about a value meal… but this morning, sitting alone at a french fast food chain, was one of the most satisfying meals I’ve had since arriving.

Cookies

Can we have a moment for the French dessert? I mean, when you sit down at a restaurant here you’re handed the regular menu and an entirely separate novel consisting of any sweet your mind can fathom… paper thin crepe with butter and sugar, creamy gelato, creme brulee fired table side, meringue the size of a small yacht… the list is literally endless (and much to my delight) given an importance on level with the meal it’s self.

Superb Sweets

I just adore the indulgence here, and beyond that I adore its perfect presentation. I love beautiful food.

I love anyone who cares about the way food LOOKS as much as they care about how it tastes. No one gets this more than my French countryman.

Wheel of Fortune

Today, I wandered (yes, I wander a lot here… it’s how I like to visit a new city) so I wandered into the most charming confectionery shop ever. L’Art Gourmand was something out of a dream… I do not exaggerate. Homemade chocolates overflowing vintage barrels, a wagon wheel turned display case holding a dozen different flavors of caramels. Marzipan fruit in every color of the rainbow lining glass shelves, bonbons , candied almonds, truffles dusted with everything from cocoa to coffee. Rapture.

Ooo La La

It was so beautiful that I could not resist buying the little wooden box and filling it with chocolates. I’m taking it with me to Paris in the morning for Dave’s European colleagues to enjoy… it felt like a crime not to share it with someone. I hope that someday, when you find yourself listlessly exploring the streets of the old Village in Nice, you’ll stop by and experience these beautiful sweets for yourself.

L’Art Gourmand – 21 Rue du Marchè Nice

Salad Niçois

It’s not really a question of what have I eaten since arriving in Nice two days ago… the question is, what haven’t I eaten?? All diets and thoughts of calorie counting have long since flown out the window, and with this much creamy butter mixed into everything, it’s no wonder.

Our arrival here was off to a bit of a slow start given that our hotel was far less charming in person than in website… my room however does have a floor to ceiling french window that opens up on to a beautiful gothic church; so I can ignore that everything else in my room (including the bedding, was purchased around the same time the church was built).

We sorted ourselves out at the hotel, and wandered down to find a bite to eat. After sitting down at a restaurant with (what we would soon find out) was home to a cantankerous proprietor who knew no English and hated us for asking (even if it was in her own language). We blindly stared at the menu for 15 minutes before we realized it was a creperie and my companions and I each ordered items that sounded appealing in a language none of us knew. God Bless the Creperie!!!  Whatever the mean old woman put into these crepes made her previous temper seem charming, her French mullet somehow more beautiful. Fresh mushrooms wrapped lovingly in a white wine sauce, and bechemel so perfect and thick I dared not think of exactly how much butter it took to create it. As my friend Paul so asstutely put it (while shoveling a forkful of fromàge into his mouth) “whoever chose to NOT include this place in my Best of Europe book should be shot”.

If the creperie set things in a good direction; then the flaky croissants, tart marmalade’s, perfectly grilled salmon, crisp cuveés, crusty baguettes, rich butter, perfectly made cappuccinos and fromàge in every shape and form have only strengthened our bond with the Coté de Azur region. Even yesterday, laying on the beach when I started to feel mildly guilty about all I had eaten and decided to order a Salad Niçois (named for this city) even then, did I feel that it was just too fresh, too delicious to be healthy. It’s just such a lovely country, and I’m eating my way through it!! Bon Appetit!

Poolside Mai Tai

When looking back over my pictures from yesterday, one thing begins to stand out… we sampled many different drinks! Whether conscious or not it seems that yesterday was the day to sample what Barcelona’s bars had to offer. Yesterday started with breakfast at our hotel’s buffet. Not original, I know, but when you’re still a bit jet lagged there’s something so easy about wandering to the outdoor patio and indulging in an opulent buffet. There were the usual suspects… pancakes dusted with powdered sugar, scrambled eggs, bacon. There were the Spanish favorites… an entire section devoted to cheese and newly sliced cured meats. And there were the truly special… roast new potatoes with dill and shaved truffles (I had more than one helping of those). It was just lovely… not inexpensive, but worth the price.

After breakfast we went to the pool (as we so rarely get time to just relax) and enjoyed some sun worship while looking out over the sea. I ordered a Mai Tai which was made beautifuly with freshly squeezed juice and garnished with a kumquat. After pooltime, we walked the city (stopping at the occasional bar for beers and to watch the world cup) I tried something called Desperados, which the label told me was made with tequila and the affect on my equilibrium confirmed.  

Estrella

From there we started our Fat Tire Bike Tour of the city… which, if you haven’t done before I HIGHLY recommend. We rode for four hours stopping every 10 minutes or so to see historical sights while our tour guide kept us informed and highly entertained with his stories. It was a FANTASTIC way to see the city!! Along the stops we were encouraged to have more cervezas from the local vendors, and who are we to argue with tradition?? We had many more drinks and at the end, when are tour led us down to the beach, we had sangria from a charming little beach shack.

 It was a day filled with fun, and a day filled with drinks and maybe it’s something about this city, but I don’t feel the after affects today. Just the lovely memory, and a couple dozen hilarious photos of me and my friends enjoying the local culture. Salud!

Chocolate "Dessert"

Garlic Butter Prawns

As I type this, I’m sitting in a window seat at my hotel… to my right is the marina and behind it the Mediterranean Sea. To my left is the immense, colorful checkerboard that is the city of Barcelona. Coming to Spain has literally been a lifelong dream. I imagined a romantic city ensconced in culture and music and life… and since I arrived yesterday, it has only strengthened my vision. I’m absolutely enchanted by this city and I can’t wait to explore it today!

Last night after our arrival we went to a few different Tapas Resteraunts in an area called the Born distract, my favorite of which was Santa Maria. We strolled cobblestone streets and drank wine and sampled everything: spicy Spanish olives, fried maki, manchego crostini with figs and balsamic reduction, garlic mushrooms, crispy calamari and my favorite, sauteed prawns in a spicy garlic butter sauce. To say they were indulgent isn’t explanation enough.

 They were so fresh, it made me hate any other shell fish I’d tasted before that bite. They tasted as if they’d been pulled out of the sea moments before they were cooked. The sauce was simple, which is what makes it good… if the food is high quality you don’t need to mask it with 17 ingredients. Butter, paper thin garlic slices, red chilies and salt. It was served in the cast iron skillet it was cooked in. No fancy presentation, just pure honest food. After dinner we wandered across the small street to a gelato stand, where I indulged yet again in not one, but two scoops of gelato. Dulce de Leche, and Chocolate Banana were the perfect recipe for sweet dreams.

It seems impossible to top this night, this meal, but I’ve got 9 days left in Europe and I’m determined to try. 

I’m off today for a fat tire bicyle tour of the city, and eating and drinking are high on my list of priorities. Check back tomorrow to see what I’ve discovered next. Hasta Manana!

Bon Voyage

Tucked away behind the bustling Sunset Boulevard, Le Petit hotel offers a refuge to out-of-towners and Angelenos alike. This Bohemian paradise houses a funky and eclectic collection of local and European touches. In typical French fashion, it’s all in the lavish little details. A tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies is offered to guests upon check in. As you breeze through the lobby to your sleeping quarters, feel free to admire the Picassos that adorn the hallways. They’re originals.

Care for a swim? Oui!

Stop for a snack at the kitchen where the chef will concoct a healthy, fresh, and locally grown, bite just for you. Enjoy the spectacular view as you sip a freshly muddled martini from the bar and relax by the rooftop pool. Make sure you stay until Monday; Sunday nights are a cinematic adventure on the roof of Le Petit hotel. Grab some popcorn and cozy up to a classic flick projected on a big screen under the LA night sky.

Au revoir real world...

With rooms averaging around $170, Le Petit Hotel is tres cheap! Book a night soon, mon ami, this pace wont remain a secret for long.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

As I type this, I’m flying God-knows-how-many miles above the earth, headed for Dallas Texas, and I’m struck at how much has changed in my life since the last time I came to Dallas 4 years ago. For one thing, they didn’t have wireless internet on airplanes back then and I was cramped in a center seat in the back of the plane (unlike the decadent First-Class Lazy Boy I’m sitting in now). More than that though, is the amazing transformation my company and my career have undergone. 

4 Years ago I was still rather green in my field and headed to Texas (on my 22 birthday) to attend The Special Event Show conference. For those of you not in my industry, just imagine the Super Bowl of event planning conferences and you’ll get some idea. At the time I had hired my first “real” employee and brought her along on the trip as a “perk”… never mind that I really couldn’t afford the expense, I believe in education and growth and wanted her to get both. At the time I did 98.9% social events and charged far too little for all of them. At the time I still worked out of my basement and fantasized constantly about what it would feel like to finally “Make It”.

I don’t know if I’d say that I’m “made it”, but I will say that I find it so spectacular that my career (and my company) are right where I’d hope they’d be. I’m headed on this business trip to shoot another episode of the show I’ve been hired to host (debuting this spring on WE tv) and I’ve left behind an office of incredibly talented (and more importantly, competent) employees who will continue to keep the ship afloat in my absence. We have a docket of events lined up that are not only exciting but PROFITABLE (imagine that!) and I somehow have managed, (at least this week) to get to the gym often, put down the blackberry (occasionally) and not drink quite as much wine as the week before. So… from my perspective, which is legitimately, the 50,000 foot level, I’ve come a long way baby and I’m excited to see what lies ahead!

But if you’re looking for an actual gift, I’ve found some ideas to give your neck ties and portable razor a run for their money.

For the Social Father

Rock dad's world

Give Dad his drink on the rocks – literally! – with Nordic Rock Stone Ice Cubes. Packaged in sets of 24, these cubes cool off drinks without watering them down. So if Dad likes his whisky strong, you can’t go wrong with these little gems.

For the “Sweet”-ie Dad

I baked it myself

My absolute FAVORITE things in the world, besides frozen yogurt, are Sprinkles Cupcakes. Trust me, they live up to the hype.  The cake is reminiscent of the olden days when people put care, love and affection into their baking concoctions; not to mention the icing is TO DIE FOR! If Dad has a serious sweet tooth, you should order online. I recommend Red Velvet, Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate Marshmallow. Mmmmm.  Note: Calories do not count on holidays.  Eat up!

For the Intellectual/Investor Dad

Kindle-ing

This gift is a tad on the pricey side, but if Dad likes to read then you can’t go wrong with the Amazon Kindle. I’m addicted to mine. It’s efficient, easy to read and actually helps me to get through books more quickly than usual. Order online and you end up saving more along the way – most books are $9.99 or less.

For the Partying Padre

Drinks for Daddy

Let Dad be the life of the party wherever he goes with this nifty traveling bar set! Comes complete with every tool he needs to concoct the perfect drink. Now all he needs is some vodka!

Don’t forget, this day is to celebrate how wonderful Dad is, not a contest for affection! Paint a picture, create a photobook (Shutterfly is my favorite), write a letter, create a video on iMovie of all your favorite vids and photos of the family, whatever – it will mean a lot to him no matter what, because he is your Dad after all!