Latest Posts

  • Historic Dewey’s Moravian Cookies New Regional Americana Flavors

      (Gerry Furth-Sides) Moravian spice cookies made by Dewey’s Bakery are as rich in taste as they are in history.  “The creators of the cookies learned that by rolling the dough until it was whisper-thin and baking it slowly, they could create a cookie with a light, crisp texture and capture the intense flavors,R...

  • International Flavors in the New Raymond AND Raymond 1886 Menus

    (Gerry Furth-Sides) It’s easy to miss the sudden driveway turnoff when you’re driving to the Raymond Restaurant and 1886 Bar.  And it’s easy to miss this extraordinary, low key historic restaurant that is actually the former caretaker’s home of the famous hotel.  Care is given to thoughtful, seasonally ...

  • 101 North Eatery & Bar Brings New International Flavors to Historic California Road

    (Gerry Furth-Sides, restaurant photos courtesy of 101 North Eatery & Bar)  Tucked right into the history highway outside of Westlake Village, and just off the Lindero Canyon exit, at 101 North Eatery & Bar, the welcome is professional and warm from the first phone call.  Stellar service matches the  globally-inspired...

  • What Do Heart-Pounding Australian Contemporary Circus CIRCA: HUMANS Performers Eat?

    (Gerry Furth-Sides,  photos courtesy of CIRCA) Internationally acclaimed Australian company CIRCA makes its debut as The Wallis’ first foray into contemporary circus with Humans on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2, 2019, 7:30 pm, in The Wallis’ Bram Goldsmith Theater. In a thrilling and heart- stopping perfo...

  • Celebrating Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, with Master Baker Alex Pena’s Pan de Puerto

    (Gerry Furth-Sides) Master Baker, Alex Peña’s Dia de los Muertos holiday bread, Pan de Muerto, may look like dough but literally feels like a cloud.  It is considered an honor to be given  this confection, decorated with skulls and bones, and sprinkled with sugar or covered in sesame seeds depending on region home, on...

  • How 4 Fingers Crispy Chicken Became Westernized

    (Gerry Furth-Sides) The new, Singapore based,  4Fingers Crispy Chicken  store on Sawtelle in West LA, serving Korean-style, fried chicken, shows off the best of American entrepreneurship. The colorful, minimalist atmosphere feels organic with wood tables under an airy, two-story ceiling.  We know that Asian fried chicken is l...

  • Abbie Cornish and Chef Jacqueline King Schiller, Startling Bloggers Behind PESCAN: A FEEL GOOD COOKBOOK.

    (Gerry Furth-Sides)  Abbie Cornish and Chef Jacqueline King Schiller are not your everyday mommy “bloggers” – more the glamorous, runway-stunning  Giada types behind the stove, and just as dedicated.  When was the last time we asked any of home cook authors in the Melissa’s kitchen, “who are you wearing?” (A: Nat...

  • A Trip to the New Paris with Kendall’s Brasserie Special Menus

      (Gerry Furth-Sides)  Ethnic cuisine menus these days incorporate local, fresh ingredients. French Kendall’s Brasserie not only does this famously, but also regularly honors the show-in-residence at the Ahmanson Theatre next door with special ethnic dishes on the menu.  Executive Chef Jean Pierre Bosc  is just the...

  • Los Angeles Magazine’s The Food Event 2019 Triumphs

    (Gerry Furth-Sides) Angeles magazine’s  15th annual The Food Event, miraculously held once again  at the location of host-partner, Sadderock Ranch.  The event featured tastings from 40 of Los Angeles iconic restaurants, as well as tastings from wineries, brews, spirits and decadent treats curated by the magazine’...

  • The Karachi Kitchen Cookbook: A Contemporary Look at Regional Pakistani Cuisine

    (Gerry Furth-Sides) One look at trim, attractive Kausar Ahmed, with an apron neatly tied around her waist, piques your curiosity about what she eats because you want to eat the same thing.  And you can know.  Kausar’s The Karachi Kitchen cookbook holds beloved family recipes from her hometown Karachi, Pakistan, that ref...