BOA Steakhouse

The Devil Made Me Do It! Happy Deviled Egg Day Nov 2

Comments Off on The Devil Made Me Do It! Happy Deviled Egg Day Nov 2

New Dr. Seuss inspired Green Eggs & Ham at BOA STEAKHOUSE

(Gerry Furth-Sides, photos courtesy of Hungry Fan and Chef-author Jenn Segal) Loving bacon and eggs since childhood I have always stood behind, and eaten whole eggs, because they are just so satisfying.  (My hunter cat, Jeremiah Johnson prefers this protein as well).  On one recommended longtime regime, by a psychic-nutritionist no less, I eat an egg every other day, scrambled or omelette or soft-hard boiled.  But I never thought of them as party food.

As I learned once I left home,  “deviled” made eggs party food.  And it started a long long time ago.  The dish’s origin can be seen in recipes for boiled, seasoned eggs as far back as a commonly served first course in ancient Rome, later becoming popular across Europe and in North America.  However, the first known print reference to “deviled” appeared in 1786. It was in the 19th century  that eggs came to be prepared with mustard, pepper or other ingredients stuffed in the yolk cavity – and came to be known as stuffed, salad or dressed eggs in the south.

Eggs have always played a significant part of every holiday table a symbol of new life, fertility and rebirth, from the spring passover and easter, to the equally ancient Iranian spring equinox custom of decorating eggs on Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.

Deviled eggs, spiked with an ingredient that provides heat, seemed to have earned their name a generation ago in the strongest sense of the term when medical researchers warned that “evil cholesterol in the yolk,” would provoke dire circumstances.  Although it spawned an egg white industry, today that has become a mere blip in culinary history.

Hungry Fan’s Daina Falk notes that deviled eggs have now become a sport fan favorite, too.  //www.hungryfan.com   Falk suggests adding different ethnic spices, seasonings or ingredients is an easy way to put an  international spin on the dish, from Avocado and peppers for a Mexican dish, to paprika and diced Hungarian salami for an eastern European one.

Roasted Red Pepper Deviled Eggs with a Mediterranean Flair

By Diana Falk for Hungry Fan

Ingredients:

  • 12 eggs
  • 3 teaspoons Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ small red onion, diced
  • Jalapeño, diced and to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Garnish:
  • Paprika
  • Bacon bits
  • Pickled red pepper (storebought)
  • Cilantro or flat leaf parsley

 Directions:

  1. Place eggs in a wide saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water until the eggs are submerged and bring the water to a boil for 10 minutes.
  2. Remove the eggs from the pot and transfer them to the refrigerator or a bowl of ice water. Let them cool for about half an hour.
  3. Remove the shells from each of the eggs. Then slice eggs in half lengthwise.
  4. Scoop the yolk from each egg and place them all in a bowl.
  5. Combine the egg yolks with the hummus, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, red onion and jalapeño.
  6. Put one scoop of the yolk mixture back into each of the cooked eggs. Serve at room temperature, topped with a sprinkle of paprika, a small pinch of bacon bits, pickled red pepper and cilantro or parsley.

Personal Creations Catering Company created a step-by-step basic recipe of how to make a dozen of these creamy, party eggs that is on their website. The directions are the same as for the Hungry Fan version with the following filling ingredients for the dozen eggs above.

Ingredients for filling

  • 3 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tsp. sweet relish
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Paprika for topping

//localfoodeater.com/french-influence-in-jenn-segals-the-once-upon-a-chef-cookbook/

One of our favorite chefs, Jenn Segal of Once upon a Chef  book fame, shared this recipe with a Latin twist to it.  Jenn notes that, “Deviled eggs are named such because the mix-ins are often spicy or hot, so these orange-hued beauties spiked with Sriracha make perfect sense.”

To begin, place the eggs in a medium saucepan and fill the pan with enough water so that it covers the eggs by about an inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Place the hard-boiled eggs in a bowl of cold water (or same saucepan) to cool.

(photo courtesy of Jenn Segal)

Tap each egg on the counter to crack the shell all over, then peel under cold running water.  (Gerry note: Rolling them between your hands loosens the shell)

(photo courtesy of Jenn Segal)

Slice the eggs in half lengthwise, remove the yolks, and place them in the bowl of a mini food processor. Arrange the whites on a serving platter, gently wiping them clean if necessary. To the yolks, add the mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of the Sriracha, the mustard, the Worcestershire sauce, the salt, the black pepper, and the sugar.

Process until smooth. (If you don’t have a small food processor, pass the yolks through a sieve before combining them with the other ingredients for easier blending without lumps.  Taste and adjust the seasoning.

(photos courtesy of Jenn Segal)

how to make Sriracha deviled eggs Fill a piping bag fitted with an open-star or large plain tip with the yolk mixture. (Alternatively, fill a sealable plastic bag with the yolk mixture, and use your hand to push the mixture to one corner of the bag.  Snip off the tip of the bag corner, opening up a 1/4–in hole.) Pipe the yolk mixture evenly into the egg white halves. (Or, simply spoon the yolk mixture into the egg whites for a casual version.)

how to make Sriracha deviled eggs Sprinkle with paprika and chives, and serve.

Sriracha Deviled Eggs

For other places to eat deviled eggs out, please check //la.eater.com/maps/best-deviled-eggs-los-angeles

Unrivaled Gran Hotel Hospitality & New Lunch Menu at BOA STEAKHOUSE

Comments Off on Unrivaled Gran Hotel Hospitality & New Lunch Menu at BOA STEAKHOUSE

BOA Steakhouse on the corner of Santa Monica “and the ocean” – its history includes the former Rebecca

The sleek yet warm  Boa front room; wines on the right wall

(Gerry Furth-Sides) A few years back, I dashed into BOA STEAKHOUSE Santa Monica for meter change during the insane lunch hour traffic. The hostess herself ran back to her own purse for the quarters, and I have been telling this story ever since.  BOA STEAKHOUSE bills itself as having “unrivaled hospitality”, along with its fine steaks and award-winning wine list.  I couldn’t put it better. The genuinely warm, informative service seems to be as vertical as their towering wine wall. It is European-class service in a clubby, fun atmosphere meaning the diner is made to feel like a valued guest with every choice a perfect one.  And the staff all appears to be happy they are there and you are there, too.

Jordan at the front desk of BOA Santa Monica

Boa Mixology is becoming as legendary as their extensive, distinguished  wine list.  We tried the Fires and Smoke with El Silence Espadin Mezcal, Pineapple, Pink Peppercorn, Honey, Lime and Firewater Bitters.  It is NOT for the faint of heart or palate.  Pink peppercorns drive a burning spice stake stake through the smokey mezcal.  A tantalizing Smoke Show with Wild turkey Longbranch Bourbon and Maple Syrup also caught our attention, representative of the drinks designed to complement the hearty food.

Billy at the Bar — who can answer any question about wine or cocktails

Fires and Smoke Cocktail at BOA STEAKHOUSE

New BOA STEAKHOUSE American wagyu Meatballs

BOA STEAKHOUSE Meatballs with American wagyu served with grilled ciabatta

In addition to the long list of steak dishes for which they are reknowned, new on the BOA STEAKHOUSE menu are Indian summer appetizers.  Holding on to the idea of beef are Meatballs made with American wagyu, pomodoro sauce and served with grilled ciabatta.    Wagyu cattle have higher levels of intra-muscular fat or marbling but the meat texture is finer, resulting in a more intense flavor with a rich mouth feel usually associated with the a high proportion of marbled saturated fat in other American beef.  The difference is that the healthier Wagyu beef has higher levels of levels of unsaturated fats. 

Manager Charles Hueston’s suggestion making a meal of the Italian meatballs and delicate Chop-Chop salad with artichoke, salami, chickpea, olive, tomato, pepperonchini, toasted pine nut and aged provolone cheese is perfect.

The popular Chop-Chop Salad

Server Brandon  brings out a Classic Caesar Salad that pairs well with the Hot Smoked Salmon with dill whipped cream to spread on grilled ciabatta.

Boa’s new Hot Smoked Salmon, dill whipped cream served with grilled ciabatta

Boa’s popular Classic Caesar Salad we saw go marching across the room all during lunch

Green Eggs & Ham with pesto deviled eggs and crispy prosciutto – makes a terrific, conversation-starter  bar dish.  And the last new appetizer, Lobster Tots, sits atop truffle brown butter aioli.   Dotted with Lobster, the potato tater tots (hash browns) are exactly what we remembered from home.

Boa’s new Lobster Tots with brown butter aioli

Ah, steak is still the star.  We loved the new BOA concept of a PLATE with diner’s preference of protein (chicken, Skuna Bay Salmon, 6oz. filet mignon or 7 oz. New York steak, and choice of two sides.  Smashed Broccoli is our new favorite vegetable, and little is added to the broccoli, which needs nothing more!

Manager Charles Hueston poured us a deep ruby-red  Pine Ridge Cab from the Napa Valley, representative of the statement-making wines that pair well with grilled beef.  The dark berries and touches of cinnamon and nutmeg layer on the palate with cassis and spice, and linger afterward in a sweet, polished note.

Manager Charles pours us a Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon cab

The Dessert menu is interesting.  Even the classics are given a twist.  We haven’t seen Baked Alaska on the menu since the old Jean Francois Metigner days with this French classic carried over from L’Orangerie.  The BOA STEAKHOUSE  version features Devil’s Food instead of sponge cake, Vanilla Ice Cream instead of Neapolitan, and strawberries which are macerated.  Server Brian flambeed it tableside.. well, sort of.   When we asked how many people ordered the dessert, he laughed, “every time they see one being served to someone else!”

Even with a reputation for the finest quality food and service, BOA STEAKHOUSE offers a significant Happy Hour, seasonal menus and new dishes regularly.

BOA STEAKHOUSE, 101 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310) 899-4466. For details, special events and hours, please see //www.innovativedining.com

Roku, IDG Create New Concepts for dineLA July 13-July 27

Comments Off on Roku, IDG Create New Concepts for dineLA July 13-July 27

(Gerry Furth-Sides, all photos from IDG, dineLA).  Whenever people ask me where to go to eat, I always tell them to go to as many food events as they can to have a sampling of the chef’s choice and a meet-and-greet with the restaurant staff.  

Chef-designed prix fixe menus give Los Angelenos an opportunity to try new ethnic dishes during dineLA July 13-July 27  available across an array of diverse neighborhoods across the city.   //www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela-los-angeles-restaurant-week.

Ethnic restaurant shine among the nearly 400 restaurants participating in 2018 Summer dineL.A.  IDG Restaurant Group previewed special menus at its restaurants  (ROKU, BOA Steakhouse, Katana, Sushi Roku) and is participating on both the casual and high-end levels.

Veteran restaurants that head the list include Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken’s Border Grill, which has participated in dineL.A. from the very first season;  Lucques and a.o.c. (Chef Suzanne Goin), and Josiah Citrin’s Mélisse, among the first to join dineL.A.’s Exclusive Series. Roy Choi’s Kogi Taqueria will enter for the first time.

Visitors and locals can enjoy specially-priced lunch and dinner menus at nearly 400 dineL.A. participating restaurants. Lunch menus range from $15, $20, and $25, with dinner menus priced at $29, $39, and $49, and beginning at $95 for the dineL.A. 

For more information about 10th annual 2018 dineL.A., presented by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, please visit dineLA.com.

In anticipation of the highly anticipated dineLA summer promotion, IDG Restaurant Group previewed special menus at its restaurants  (ROKU, BOA Steakhouse, Katana, Sushi Roku).  The restaurants will be featured on individual menus during dineLA.  And they are participating with a special menu in the upper-end ($95) (see below)

 

We love ROKU and featured their teppanyaki last spring. //localfoodeater.com/roku-adds-teppanyaki-pizazz-sunset-strip/

The special preview ROKU menu included the following:

FIRST COURSE

KANPACHI SASHIMI & ORO BLANCO w/ WASABI YUZU DRESSING

WAGYU BEEF POTSTICKERS w/ KIMCHI, CHILE PONZU

CRISPY CALAMARI w/ CHARRED JALAPEÑO GLAZE, RED ONION, THAI BASIL

 

SECOND COURSE

ROKU’S SIGNATURE STYLE SUSHI – 6 PIECE, WARM RICE SUSHI WITH CHEF SELECTION OF TOPPINGS

WOOD ROASTED SALMON w/ WASABI YUZU CRÈME FRAICHE, FENNEL, BLOOD ORANGE

NEW YORK STEAK w/ VEGETABLES, YUZU KOSHO

THIRD COURSE

MINI CHOCOLATE VOLCANO w/ VANILLA ICE CREAM

GREEN TEA TIRAMISU

Exclusive Series.

For little bit higher-end dining experience, the team at dineL.A. offers “Exclusive Series” sponsored by American Express.   The select group of acclaimed restaurants each created a special menu for the event, starting at $95.  Restaurants include:

 

Roku Restaurant on Sunset Strip in dineLA 2018

Returning dineL.A. sponsors include American Airlines and American Express.