Category Archives: Delicious Treats

Tagged as Fresh Fruit, Gardening, Golden Road Brewing, Golden Road Locally Brewed Beers, Locally Bought, Locally Grown, Pancakes, Pancakes at The Griddle, The Autry Farmers Market, The Griddle

July 18, 2012 · 10:32 am

Vol. 94

Every few months we decide to treat ourselves to a “special” date night. This is when we will valet the car, get a bottle of wine, enjoy a nice long dinner, and act like we are blinded to the prices on the menu.

We decided to try Vol. 94 in Pasadena, maybe because I had a BlackboardEats discount for 30% off dinner. It’s a quant tapas style restaurant and wine bar. I’m a huge fan of small plates (lets you try more things!) and I also love wine, so this was a definite winner in my book.

I was so sad we didn’t get to use the chopsticks…

Oh, hey, handsome

I didn’t snap any photos of the food because I have this problem lately where when I’m eating, I completely forget to stop.

But if you go, which I HIGHLY recommend, some of our favorites were the Duck Fat Nuts, Korean Pizza, and the Pan Seared Diver Scallops. Ok, now writing this is making my mouth water and I must wrap it up!

And if you haven’t signed up for BlackboardEats yet, here’s another reason to do so:
Our bill should have been around $100. Instead, it was $63 (that included 5 small plates and a nice bottle of wine) and we left STUFFED.

Happy small plates eating to you!

LUV,
Britt

Tagged as BlackboardEats, Small Plates, Small Plates Restaurant, Tapas, Vol. 94, Vol. 94 Pasadena, Vol. 94 Restaurant

June 27, 2012 · 6:11 pm

The Slaw Dogs

Ahhh, Chicago style hot dogs. What could be better? Most of my friends in LA are native Chicagoans, including EVERY LAQP except myself, and it seems they are always on the search for the perfect hot dog. Of course, there’s Portillo’s and it’s wonderful. But it’s also all the way in Buena Park. So if you’re looking for something more in the LA area, I suggest to you The Slaw Dogs in Pasadena.

BlackboardEats had a 30% off lunch or dinner deal going on and Andy and Jess ate there and thought it was delicious. Andy declared it the closest thing to a Chicago style dog he had found thus far. In all actuality, I didn’t even need convincing after scoping out the MENU.

We got the mac and cheese dog, the special pineapple express, sweet potato fries, and of course some tots. And they had our FAVORITE Bundaberg ginger beer! SOLD.

The best ginger beers in the world and The Mac and Cheese Dog – Macaroni and Cheese, Bacon, Grilled Onions

The Pineapple Express

Sweet Potato Fries and Tots. PLEASE TRY THE CURRY KETCHUP!

If you’re on that hunt for the perfect hot dog, check out The Slaw Dogs. And if you’re dissappointed… Well, you may want to get your head checked out because you’re plain crazy! Just kidding… But seriously.

LUV,
Britt

Tagged as BlackboardEats, Chicago Style Hot Dog, Curry Ketchup, Hot Dog, Portillo's, The Slaw Dogs, The Slaw Dogs Pasadena

June 21, 2012 · 10:49 am

Simplethings Sandwich & Pie Shop

Pies and sandwiches. Two of my favorite things. Then just throw a BlackboardEats deal of 30% off lunch, and now we are talking about THREE of my favorite things!

Simplethings Sandwich & Pie Shop is in the popular area of W. 3rd Street (and there’s parking in the rear, folks!) and it has all things working in its favor: Great location, tasty sammy’s, and scrumptious PIES. Even adorable little teeny tiny pies! I would say contrary to its name, there’s nothing simple about this place… Ohhhh, jokes!

Egg Salad Sandwich on Pretzel Bread

Extreme Close-Up of the French Silk Pie

Can’t make up your mind? Get half and half! Here is half Egg Salad and half Thanksgiving

Unfortunately, the BlackboardEats deal has expired, but there is no reason you need a deal for this lovely restaurant. ALL IS WORTH IT. Just check out the menu and pie schedule right HERE. Yep, that’s what I thought. See you there!

LUV,
Britt

Tagged as BlackboardEats, Egg Salad Sandwich, Pie Shop LA, Simplethings Sandwich & Pie Shop, Thanksgiving Sandwich

May 31, 2012 · 8:01 am

George’s Cucina Italiana & Little Kenneth Village

Friday night, Bry and I had every intention of cooking dinner. He had already purchased all the components for us to make burritos. But our minds were quickly changed when Andy mentioned us walking to a quant little Italian restaurant in Kenneth Village he had been wanting to try…

So, instead of slaving away in the kitchen, we ended up at George’s Cucina Italiana. And nothing against those burritos, but I’m so glad we skipped the cooking that night.

A stroll to Kenneth Village. Two boys and some mountains

Serenaded by this wonderful man and his sax all through dinner.

My date

My dates date

Grape Leaves, delicious!

If only the internet had a scratch-n-sniff button

I will admit, there was one problem: I wish I would have ordered a pizza! I had a battle in my head whether I should get pasta or pizza… I still loved the dish I got, but as trays of pizza pies passed us, I got pretty jealous. But that just means we will have to go back again soon. So happy Andy convinced us to explore and we found this wonderfully quaint restaurant walking distance away.

LUV,
Britt

PS, This isn’t the first blog I have mentioned Kenneth Village. Check out this post I wrote some time ago about the awesome Village French Bakery

Tagged as George's Cucina Italiana, George's Cucina Italiana Glendale, Kenneth Village, Village French Bakery

May 30, 2012 · 9:23 am

May Girls Brunch & Deviled Eggs Recipe

This last weekend we celebrated being girls by having our monthly lady brunch. I have to say I’m so impressed that we have continued this tradition for all of the months in 2012, so far! We even spiced this one up by giving it a “M’erica” Theme for Memorial Day. We also mixed in a little clothes swap. Food and “new-to-you” clothes. Girls true best friends. And a special thanks to Dana for letting us invade her B-E-A-UTIFUL home.

Gals cookin’

Fire Roastin’

I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but I’m a terrible cook. I usually leave our cooking entries for Jess, but I made deviled eggs for Thanksgiving last year and for this months brunch and people actually like them! I decided to share my favorite recipe for Deviled Eggs. My recipe comes from the kitchen of my “LA Grandmother”, Astrid.

Astrid’s Famous Deviled Eggs Recipe
6 Hard Boiled Eggs (Double the recipe for 12)
2 Tablespoons of Mayonnaise
1 Teaspoon Brown Dijon Mustard
1 Teaspoon Soy Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Fresh Basil
Fresh Chives

And use your “natural” cooking skills. If you feel like you need more of this or more of that, go for it! And I usually just eyeball the seasonings, basil, and chives. But I have to say, the basil and chives really give it that extra kick so don’t feel like you are putting too much. You then mix all ingredients with yolks night before you will be serving them. After mixing, put the mix in a sandwich bag and keep in the fridge overnight. Before serving, cut a hole in the corner of the bag and fill eggs. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Enjoy!

LUV,
Britt

Filed under Delicious Treats

Tagged as Deviled Eggs, Deviled Eggs Recipe, Girls Brunch, Girls Monthly Brunch, May Brunch

March 25, 2012 · 8:28 pm

March Brunch Tea Party

This month Miss Margo hosted girls brunch and made it Tea Party themed! It was pretty wonderful. Full of girls chattin’, crumpets, tiny sandwiches, and of course… TEA.

This is lovely.

GIRLS

We are fun.

Afterwards, some of us ladies decided to really treat ourselves to some much deserved manicures and pedicures.

Z Nail Salon & Spa
5300 N Lankershim Blvd
Ste 165
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 432-2999

Do you have a girly tradition? We would love to hear about it!

LUV,
Britt

Tagged as Brunch, Brunch Ideas, Brunch Tea Party, Crumpets, Manicure, March Brunch, Pedicure, Scones, Tea Party, Tea Sandwiches, Z Nails, Z Nails North Hollywood

February 28, 2012 · 12:40 pm

February Brunch = Success

As you may have read before, one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to hold a brunch once a month with some gal pals. Just to make sure we set aside some time to share yummy recipes, chit chat, and laugh. This month I held the brunch at my apartment and asked all the ladies to make something that a woman in their family always made for brunch.

While growing up I always loved my mom’s Quiche Lorraine. I decided to change the recipe up a bit and made a Crustless Spinach Quiche instead. The recipe is SO easy and you can find it HERE. I have to say, it was pretty delightful! I was just glad I didn’t screw it up.

Crustless Spinach Quiche

Margo of LAQP made the most DELICIOUS deviled eggs (her mom’s go-to recipe). Um, bacon on top? BRILLIANT.

Bacon Topped Deviled Eggs

Margo will be hosting March’s brunch and she is having a tea party! You have no idea how excited I am about this.

If you don’t have a girl tradition with your friends, I highly suggest starting one! Whether it be brunch, dinner, a wine night, or a movie night. With everyone’s chaotic schedules, it is really great to put time away every month to catch up with the wonderful ladies you’re blessed to have in your life

LUV,
Britt

Filed under Delicious Treats

Tagged as Bacon Topped Deviled Eggs, Brunch, Brunch Recipes, Crustless Spinach Quiche, February Brunch

January 24, 2012 · 10:01 am

Brunch, Magic, Softball: WEEKENDS

This weekend was full of a lot of new “things” and “experiences”.

I made a New Years Resolution to try and have girls brunch once a month. As far as I can tell, it was a hit! Scrumptious foods made with our own two hands, mimosas, coffee, catching up with ladies about their Christmas’ and their own New Years Resolutions. I tried making french toast for the first time. Then spiced it up by making it into french toast kabobs (with the help of my lovely new roommate). I found the idea on Pinterest, of course.

A Twist on an Old Favorite: French Toast Kabobs!

Saturday night now holds a top spot in “Brittany’s Five Greatest Moments of Her Life.” We finally got to go to The Magic Castle! It was a night full of MIND BLOWING magicians, painted pictures with eyes that moved, delicious food and drinks, and a piano played by a ghost named Irma. I requested Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. Irma did not disappoint.

If you don’t know much about The Magic Castle, here’s an easy way to explain it: A super secret club for magicians. Easy, right? It was such an awesome night and I have to say I saw one of the most FASCINATING magicians ever: Nathan Gibson. CHECK. HIM. OUT. We got to sit in the front row for his performance, so we got to be part of a lot of his magic tricks. I’m STILL scratching my head trying to figure out how he changed a 6 of Hearts I was holding in my hand to an Ace of Clubs… The world should never know!

Now, I’m guessing you want to go to The Magic Castle, right?! Here’s the kicker: As I mentioned before it’s a super secret club for magicians. So you must be a magician or be invited by a magician to get in. But don’t worry! It took me over three years, but I finally got the chance. Be patient and I’m sure your chance will come along as well.

Sunday night was my first official softball game with my Great Bambino’s! Jess and I are on a softball rec league in Burbank. We may not have won, but it’s still a good time and I’m very proud of my teamates! Even though I still don’t know half of their names… I also hit a ball… I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT.

The name on my jersey. PROUD.

PROOF THAT I HIT A BALL

Hope you all had a magical weekend as well! See what I did there?!

LUV,
Britt

Tagged as Brunch, Brunch Ideas, Burbank Rec Softball League, French Toast Kabobs, Nathan Gibson, New Years Resolutions, Pinterest, Softball League, The Great Bambino's, The Magic Castle

January 12, 2012 · 1:01 pm

A Day at the Beach: Venice Beach

People think that when you live in LA you spend most of your time at the beach. Au contraire, mon cheri. I have lived here for over 3 years now and I think I can count on all my fingers and toes how many times I’ve been to the beach. Yes, it is lovely, but you learn qucikly that a weekend trip to the coast may take your money and sanity. Parking can be costly and traffic can be atrocious. So my secret to beach voyages? Go to the beach on a weekday! (Ah, the joys of freelance and having days off).

I hadn’t been to the beach in over six months, so Bry and I decided to venture to Venice this week. I also had a BlackBoard Eats for a sushi place on Abott Kinney, so that may have had a little something to do with us venturing to the West Side…

If you haven’t been to Venice yet, I just have one question for you: WHY?!?!

It does kind of freak a few people out. From the homeless underground that wander the boardwalk, to the people in green encouraging you to get your medical marijuana card, to the Botox clinic on the beach (yep, it really exist). Venice is quite eclectic and I think that’s what’s so wonderful about it! Leave all your cares in the parking lot, pretty much anything goes at this beach! And if you’ve seen I Love You, Man that’s a great depiction of the beach. Don’t leave your dogs poo on the boardwalk!

My favorite part is the skateboard park. We stood there for a good 30 minutes total watching these kids skate their hearts out. Ok, another question: Why aren’t any of them in school?! Whatever, live your dreams, honies.

Skaters gonna skate

Swinging in Venice

Zoltar told my future

After enjoying the beach, we headed to Abott Kinney. I would say I’m not hip enough for Abott Kinney, but I do love it! And Bry fit right in with his thick rimmed glasses. We went in and out of stores. Drooled over kitchen appliances we could not afford. It was wonderful. Then to dinner!

Wabi-Sabi
1635 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90291
310-314-2229

Wabi-Sabi is a sushi place we had both never been too, but like I mentioned earlier, I had a Blackboard Eats code. You know how I am about my BBE! We also got there at Happy Hour (from 5:30-6:30) so we ordered a couple drinks and rolls from the HH menu. Oh man, their edamame?! WOO! We got the soy sauce edamame and it was so delicious! It put a little kick in the usual salted edamame. I also got ginger honey tea because I’ve been feeling under the weather and it was so flavorful, I could taste it through a stuffy nose! Sorry for the TMI… Back to the bill: Let’s just stay between BBE and Happy Hour, our bill went from $62 to $48! HELLO!

I have to say going to Venice and Abott Kinney on a Wednesday afternoon in January is the way to go. We had no trouble with parking at either location, didn’t have to wait for a table at dinner, and weren’t being pushed off sidewalks by crowds.

But if you work weekdays, try going early! I’ve also realized people in LA don’t like to get up early on the weekends… Yes, this is our lifestyle. And I love it.

LUV,
Britt