Back and Overwhelmed

Sitting on my couch for a few days was a welcome reprieve. But I didn't do much of anything and now I'm paying for it. Time to go cray on school and work and my future and working out and keeping my sanity. Plus Mammoth, Santa Cruz, SF, wine tasting, MPRE, outlining, concerts, cite checks, take-homes, interviews, blahhhhhhhhhhhh

Went to Sound for a private party last night - grey goosin' it (in a very tame way) was super fun with my girls. However, Sunday night is not my night to go out. Ethical lawyering on three hours of sleep is a challenge.

xx

Weekend Rambling

I'm exhausted from a lovely hike to a waterfall at Eaton Park in Pasadena with Evan, Sergio and Audrey. Sophie was a regular mountain goat.

Yesterday was lovely. Ellie and I finally tried out Sqirl on Virgil. I wish they had more seating inside, but it was a glorious latte and buttered brioche with blackberry meyer lemon preserves. The rain had subsided and there was a peak of sunshine and it was a lovely spring morning.

I had a few errands and then made a mixed grain, avocado, kale, red onion salad for dinner. Jacy and I had a bit of wine and played some amazing music videos.



This morning, I woke up and made breakfast for Jacy, Jefferson, and Evan. Berry-banana-tangerine smoothies, scrambled eggs, thyme bacon, and banana and chocolate chip pancakes.

Evan and I went thrifting and then we met Sergio and Audrey for our hike before having a quick bite at Home. Planning on meeting Aline and Jacy for a drink at the Hermosillo. Tomorrow, Sophs and I have a quick trip to the vet, our daily hike, and then lunch at home. I have to finish a take home test and then Jacy, Ellie and I are heading to Sound for a party.

Time for some more work and perhaps a nap. xx.

Wake Owl and Stout

Last night was much needed. Dianne and I met for dinner at Stout and then hit up hotel cafe for wake owl. I had the Six-Weeker Burger, fig, caramelized onions, and brie. OMG. Those are my three favorite things if you didn't know already. I also had a mediocre, too-light IPA that I can't remember the name of because I blocked it out. I would definitely go back if I were in the area for a show. I always end up going to Kitchen 24 or something, and I need a new stand-by. I also walked by one of my fave bars in the area, The Blue Boar, and was reminded that I need to go back. Any takers?

So Wake Owl was amazing. I don't think they have quite pinned down their style yet. It's still evolving but very organic. Generally folk-y in feel, the boys of the band had an Edward Sharpe feel - violin, tambourine, calico button downs and country boots. Gotta love it. They really were there to perform, strongly teasing the audience to "shut the fuck up" so we could hear them play. They did an acoustic version of one of their new songs and I might have died. Hotel Cafe has always been my go-to for a more intimate music venue and these guys were perfectly suited for it.  It was very sweet and untainted and thus, extremely relaxing, which my food coma could have helped with. 

Off to a hike and then some work shit. Hoping it doesn't rain. xx

Mmmmmoderation: Kale + Egg

I spent a lot of time over the last couple of days on my mom's couch. And by that, I mean I didn't move from the couch. And by that, I mean I DID NOT MOVE. Except to go to the bathroom and to get food, so I could eat on the couch. And sleep on the couch. So that was great. I ate apple fritters, chicken curry, chinese, french toast, etc. I also did no work. It was a time of gluttony and rest. So now I'm over that as is my family. (I get really demanding when I'm glued to the couch.) Anywho, I headed back to LA today to start work again and am back on my "lets-do-something" train. Took Sophs for our daily hike, lifted some weights with Jefferson, and hit up Trader Joes for some healthy goodness in addition to going to a work meeting that last three hours. Here's my post-work out snack/late lunch recipe: Balsamic sauteed kale with a thyme baked egg.

Ingredients:
- A couple of handfuls of kale
- A couple dashes balsamic
- An egg
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Olive oil
- Salt and Pepper

1. Preheat pan with olive oil, throw in kale. Sautee and add balsamic. Cook until balsamic is burned off and kale is wilted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Put a bit of oil in a ramekin. Throw egg, thyme and pepper in there. Throw it under the broiler until cooked to your taste. I like it runny over the kale. Yummmm.

3. Assemble. Inhale.

Heading to Hotel Cafe for Wake Owl and trying out Susan Feniger's Street. Yum. 

Black Hogg

Saturday was a beautiful way to start Spring Break. Ellie, Jacy and I grabbed iced americanos and hiked with the pups at Elysian before doing a short workout. Then I headed to Santa Monica to meet Christina and her lovely new bf, Brandon, for mimosas at Sonoma Wine Garden. SWG is beautiful and is on the top floor of the Samo mall. Brandon was able to get us a coveted spot outside and I tried the variety of delish mimosas: peach, apricot, elderflower, traditional and pomegranate. Yum. 

We then toddled down Third Street and did some shopping at Lush (where I got to see Ellie in action!) Christina and I then relaxed with some coffee and Brandon, who is an amazing musician, played us some music. 

Afterwards, I stopped home to cuddle with Sophs and then met V for a late dins at Black Hogg, which I have been wanting to try forever. I am so spoiled by dinner in LA. It's ridiculous. On the menu:


Popcorn Bacon with Maple Cream: Deep fried pork belly dipped in maple cream. UM. WHAT. I can't even talk about it. It was the best thing I have ever had in my life. It tasted like everything good about pancakes and bacon in a bite. I died so hard.

Carne Asada Fries: Meh. The carne asada was okay, but there was far too much lemon juice. A bit harsh on the tastebuds.

Brussel Sprouts Hash: We got two servings of these brussels with the delicious poached yolky egg and bacon vinaigrette. Perfectly cooked, beautifully flavored, so rich. Sometimes you think that veg is just veg, but dude, Black Hogg takes these brussels to a new level.

Roast Pork Belly, House-Made Corn Tortillas, Apple Slaw, Jalapeno Relish: I am just now realizing how much bacon, lardon, pork belly I had on Saturday. I'm actually okay with it. This was the most entree-ish thing we got and I can't imagine anything better. Beautiful contrast of flavors and textures. I'm drooling again, fml.

Chocolate Pot thing: Rich and dense and more dense and more rich and then chocolate and more chocolate. We couldn't actually finish it because it was so rich, but with the cab we were imbibing, it was such a lovely end to the meal.

Although the wait was bit long, the service was five-star. I need to go back for all the bacon dishes. Don't judge me. 

Making Me Happy

1. Catching up on my crime TV shows
2. This new video by The Neighborhood.

3. Having a lot of work to do (although trying to find the motivation is a bit difficult)
4. Seeing Wake Owl tomorrow 

5. My mom making pound cake in the kitchen right now.
6. Puppy cuddles - duh
7. Wine tasting in Malibu this weekend.
8.  Legit blog posts:

• Home Inspiration.
• I'm only wearing black from now on.
• Chocolate tart with shortbread crust.

9. Also Sumptown and Sprinkles are coming to DTLA. OMG I can't.
10. Pinningggg:

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Influenster on Pinterest

Source: the-streetstyle.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: nastygal.com via Amber on Pinterest

Bestia

Aline, Alene, Seda and I finally got to try Bestia on Thursday. Of course, we all said we were going to take it easy, but then inhaled most of the menu. Bestia has certainly lived up to it's reputation. First of all, the restaurant itself is almost perfectly executed. Pretty patio, heating lamps, industrial chic inside, nice cocktail list, attentive service, etc. My major complaint was that while we waited for our reservation, there wasn't a comfortable area to stand. There were people eating at the bar, so it felt awkward to loom over them with our wine. But really, a small hiccup. Also, make a reservation and make sure your whole party is there.

Onto the food:

Starters:

Scallop Crudo: surprising dish. delicious freshhhhh scallops sprinkled with sea salt and lemon zest. Very fitting for spring. Lovely, delicate flavor.

Chicken Liver Crostino: MY FAVORITE. aged balsamic, delicious texture. Even Alene and Aline, who aren't generally fans of anything liver, went back for seconds. Palatable and hearty. Dude, that balsamic.

Cozze all 'Nduja: Mussels have been a go-to dish for most of the restaurants we've checked out. This one definitely departed from the classic white-wine, garlic, butter version with spicy sausage and grilled bread. Bestia makes its sausages on the premises and its tremendous. Win.

Grilled Calamari: The freshness of this octopi killed me. It was a simple dish, but so authentic and light.

Entrees:

Pizza 'Nduja: The topping was that lovely spicy sausage. But it's the crust that got me. It was crispy and grilled in the middle, but the outer crust was so yummy. It was also grilled, perfectly cooked, slightly chewy with this rustic flavor.

Cavatelli alla Norcina: This pasta was PHENOMENAL: ricotta cavatelli. house made, pork sausage. black truffles. grana padano. I die for truffle stuff and this was gold. I want it right now. At 9am. Yes. 

Fusilli Lunghi al Sugo di Capra: This was my least favorite and I feel awful saying. The braised goat had a lovely texture, but that fusilli was slightly undercooked and the dish slightly oversalted. 

Debating the menu.

Dessert:

Zeppole di Castagne con Gelato al Caffè Latte: Chestnut doughnuts with coffee gelato and whipped cream. I couldn't even tell these little balls were fried - so light and airy. 

Crostata al Cioccolato e Caramello Salato: We were in agreement that this was the best dessert we've tried this year. We couldn't decide what the chocolate filling. It wasn't dense, but it was rich, but not a mousse, but not a pudding. It was like this magic material and gloriousness. Definitely going back for this and ordering one for myself (we split it between four - bad idea, there was almost bloodshed) and one to take home for later.

Overall, tots recommend Bestia for a date or girls' night out. xx.