delhi belly Archives - Local Food Eater

Project x Project’s Asian Exquisite PbP-LA Benefit

October 3, 2023 Comments Off

(Gerry Furth-Sides) When people used to ask me for restaurant recommendations, I would always suggest attending a charity food event to sample a variety of places. and a chance to meet the chefs or owners, plus benefit a worthy charity were reasons enough.

Project x Project’s PbP-LA was always one of my top three. It proved better than ever this year. Why? This annual PbP-LA tasting benefit is Asian, exquisitely presented, welcoming, leisurely and all proceeds go to a different charity each year.

Vendors at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

My connection with PbP-LA came about when I met a founding board member, Mila Chan, at a dinner hosted by Andrea Rademan, a much missed self-styled culinary PR force. I recently found emails of mine over decades to Korean, Thai and Indian restaurant owners urging them to join up.

Project by Project’s Annual Plate by Plate PbP-LA, TenTen Rooftop, 2023. Photography by Steven Lam. Instagram @stevenlamphoto

Experienced catering company owner friend, Roberta Deen views PbP as “the best organized event” she had ever seen. In her words: “The event volunteers are more professional than paid professionals!”

Board Member Kevin Wang helps Chef Sagar Ghosh, Delhi Belly, set up at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

The formal PbP-LA fundraiser evening is designed to raise awareness of Project x Project. Guests enjoy sampling signature dishes, participate in a silent auction, and attend the highly celebrated after-party.

Project x Project’smission: to develop leaders through innovative philanthropy. The idea is to invite nonprofit organizations, elected officials, community influencers, and professionals from various industries to learn more about our 2023 campaign theme of Education Access and current beneficiary partner. For more information, please see Project by Project (PbP)

The two-tiered, spacious venue at TenTen, Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

Project x Project members at PbP-LA 2023

Founded in 1995, Hope Community Services, located in Orange County, has been instrumental in supporting the Vietnamese community by delivering educational programs, including youth summer camps, after-school tutoring, and senior English Second Language classes. Details are below.

The evening also introduces guests to authentic traditional and cutting-edge eateries. Right on trend: artisans who excel at savory or sweet and started their story during and after COVID with online pick up and delivery only sites. Food, not the dish, stars here.

626 Hospitality’s Foie Gras Tartlets with Pomegranate Gelée at Project x Project’s PbP-LA

626 Hospitality‘s Foie Gras Tartlets with Pomegranate Gelée was a favorite bite (we had three). It not only made you want another one, but to know the story of the high energy chef-owners, just now moving into a brick and mortar store. We will be telling it here soon.

626 Hospitality’s Sake Kasu (ice cream) at Project x Project’s PbP-LA

Learning what the buzz is about: Portuguese Egg Tarts have been the darling dessert for the last few years. Paderia (@ paderiabakehouse)’s generous offering did not disappoint. The congenial hosts insisted on sending us off with a plate of cookies that turned out to be the best cookies of the year.

Portuguese Egg Tarts at Paderia (@ paderiabakehouse) at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

Portuguese Egg Tarts + the BEST cookies at Paderia (@ paderiabakehouse) at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

More on the first level: DK’s Donuts (@dksdonuts); Dr. Hops ( @drhops); East Side Cheesecake (@eastsidecheesecake). This level also showed the international nature of LA food and drink from New York cheesecake to Louisiana fried chicken.

(@eastsidecheesecakes); Emporium Thai ( @emporiumthai); Flurr Ice (@fluffice); Gogo’s Tacos (@gogostacosla); Hummy Soju Seltzer (@drinkhummy); Intercrew (@intercrewla); Jack Daniel’s (@jackdaniels_us); Kazunori (@ kazunori); Kirin Ichiban (@kirinichibanusa); Le Coupe Fried chicken (@lecoupe_friedchicken); Loose Leaf Boba (@looseleafboba); Maison Matho ( @maisonmatho)

Le Coupe @lecoupe_friedchicken) at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

Other vendors includes Maker’s Mark (@makersmaek); Make & Soli (Adrinkmakku); Nep Cafe + Gem Dining (@nep.cafe, @gemding); Paderia (@ paderiabakehouse); Papille Gustative (@papillegustativela); Salt & Straw (@saltandstraw); Santuari (@santuarila); Sanzo (@drinksanzo).

Looseleaf boba Company at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

Other vendors included: Sunright Tea Studio (@sunrightteastudio.socal); Tasty Food 626; Teremana Tequila (@teremana); Top Tep (@toptep.popup); Wanderlust (@wanderlustcreamery); Wildwonder (@drinkwildwonder); The X Pot (@chubbycattle); You (@siyoju.

Cafe Dulce’s Fudgy espresso brownies and smiles at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

Hope Community Services has been instrumental in supporting the Vietnamese-American community by delivering educational programs. This includes youth summer camps, after-school tutoring, and senior English Second Language classes. The goal is for the new arrivals to “survive and thrive in America.”

Jack Daniels at Project x Project’s PbP-LA 2023

Asahi Beer (and a non-alcoholic one, too) at Project x Project’s PbP 2023

What are the World’s Most Popular Cuisines?

April 28, 2023 Comments Off

(Gerry Furth-Sides) The most popular cuisines in the world according to a recent study may surprise you as much as they did me. The findings are reported by pickyeaterblog.com which did a variety of research.

Survey says: Italian and Japanese cuisines are the most popular worldwide. Why? As of 2023, each has been tagged more than 20 million times on Instagram. Italian at the top of the list was expected. Japanese cuisine being a little more esoteric (and expensive) was more surprising at number two.

The editorial staff gave the reasoning of “Italian cuisine offering various dishes to explore, from simple tomato spaghetti sauce to complex risotto flavors. And let us remember the wine!” For LocalFoodEater.com Italian wine stories, please see: //localfoodeater.com/tag/italian-wines/

Alex Lunardon, proud owner of Antonio’s Pizzeria in Sherman Oaks

For one of our favorite Italian eateries, please see //localfoodeater.com/antonios-pizzeria-celebrates-60-continuous-years-sherman-oaks/ We have also done the lion’s share of articles on Italian cuisine (//localfoodeater.com/tag/italian. Many of the articles feature the Drago brothers //localfoodeater.com/safe-at-our-elegant-al-fresco-ethnic-italian-naturally-dining-choices/

The Drago brothers and all their restaurant , a LocalFoodEater.com favorite

The study by pickyeaterblog.com found that Italian cuisine is the most popular worldwide. Pizza was also the dominant meal.

Cheesy, gooey, delicious Pizza! The number one world’s favorite dish at Antonio’s Pizzeria in Sherman Oaks

We were a little surprised and very pleased that Japanese cuisine was the second most popular. it is such a novel, original, refined and diverse cuisine. //localfoodeater.com/cuisines/japanese/ and //localfoodeater.com/chef-daniel-sons-new-dtla-katzu-sando-take-out and for the collection, please see //localfoodeater.com/tag/kura-sushi/

Japanese cuisine, number two in the world

To determine the most popular cuisines, meal types, and availability of cuisines, and restaurants, The Picky Eater analyzed Instagram hashtags. This makes the Japanese choice more understandable since it is so photogenic and esoteric. For our LocalFoodEater.com articles, please see: //localfoodeater.com/cuisines/japanese/

Add the more popular casual concepts to the popularity of Japanese cuisine at the #2 world favorite. Her the sando

Next, they examined the 50 most visited cities according to the Govisity list, compiling a list of 65 cuisines worldwide. Next, for each city, they counted the number of restaurants serving these 65 cuisines using data from Foursquare’s API. Finally, they analyzed 82,995 restaurants in those cities that may have the capacity to offer multiple cuisines.

Pizza is the dominant meal. It surpasses barbecue in second place and brunch in third.

Pizza the most popular dish n the world 2023

BBQ, the number two most popular dish in the world

Brunch the number three favorite food items at American Breakfast Club in Hollywood

Brunch, the third most popular meal in the world 2023 at Momed in Atwater

Chinese restaurants are the most common, representing an average of over 9.5% of all restaurants in the top visited cities, followed by Italian restaurants at more than 8.5% and Indian restaurants at 8%. We love Chef Tony Dim Sum in Pasadena.

Chinese restaurants the most popular in the world, here Chef Tony Dim Sum in Pasadena

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Most Popular Cuisines Around the World

On the other hand, fresh, seasonal, and intricate preparation methods, low in fat and high in nutrients – Japanese cuisine, too, has gained popularity with sushi and ramen dishes all across the globe.

Although Japanese food is the second most popular, according to The Picky Eaters, the nation ranks 11th per its population of over 125 million. The second most populated nation with about 1.4 billion people – India – has the third most popular cuisine in the world with more than 12 million tags on Instagram.

From hearty, aromatic curries and vegetarian dishes from the north to the spicy seafood dishes of the south, Indian food is loved and enjoyed by billions worldwide.

Refined Saag Paneer at Delhi Belly in Alhambra. Indian food the third most popular in the world

As we explore the flavors of East Asia, Korean cuisine – known for its spicy and fermented flavors, such as kimchi and gochujang – is reportedly tagged almost 10 million times on Instagram, making it the fourth most sought-after cuisines worldwide, followed by Mexican and Thai food.

Asian fried chicken represents Korean cuisine, number 10 most popular in the world

Most Popular Meal Type Around the World

Italian cuisine, with its simple yet flavorful dishes, is famous for pizzas, which are reported to be the most popular meal mentioned on Instagram.

America’s cuisine blends Native American, European, African, and Asian influences. This has blessed us with a unique culinary landscape where dishes like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and barbecue are served alongside tacos, pad Thai, and sushi-the fourth most popular meal as of 2023.

Barbecue is one of America’s most iconic dishes and can be traced back to the Caribbean’s indigenous peoples. European colonists then adopted this practice and brought it to the southern parts of the United States.

As of 2023, over 30 million Instagram tags related to barbecue have been recorded under the world’s most popular meal types.

Now, in the South, barbecues are a way of life; – it brings people together for social gatherings and celebrations. A symbol of hospitality, barbecuing has become a norm in American cuisine.

As the world becomes more health-conscious, fresh, high-quality ingredients in Italian dishes like pasta, risotto, and seafood have won over people’s taste buds. Seafood also is among the top five most tagged meal types on Instagram.

With the fast-moving world, American breakfast culture slowly faded away, paving an avenue for brunch – a British meal that gained immense popularity across the states. As of 2023, brunch is the third most popular meal, with more than 35 million tags on Instagram.

Most Common Restaurants Found in the Top Most Visited Cities

Chinese restaurants are the most common eateries found across the most visited cities in the world. It is easy to see why Chinese cuisine is sought after by many worldwide; – the unique flavors coupled with several healthy options, Chinese food has something for everyone. It ranks seventh among the most popular cuisines in the world.

Italian cuisine is the most popular worldwide, with over 8.5% of restaurants serving Italian food in the most visited cities.

Most Available Cuisine and Percentage of Restaurant Per City

Chinese food is easily accessible in bustling cities worldwide like Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and more – making it easy for people to try different dishes with bold flavors and a wide range of ingredients.

On the other hand, with more than 8 percent of Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, Mexican cuisine has captured Angelenos’ hearts and taste buds. Mexican cuisine has become an integral part of LA’s food scene, and it is not hard to see why – the proximity to Mexico.

Mexican food comes with a vibrant blend of indigenous and Spanish culinary traditions, resulting in a unique flavor profile that is both bold and comforting.

Over time, traditional recipes have adapted modern takes and are emerging in different parts of the world. One great example of such influence would be the growing popularity of chai tea, turmeric latte, and chicken tikka masala – a fusion of Indian and British cuisine.

Similarly, Indian expatriates have boosted their food and culture’s popularity in faraway places like Dubai, where traditional Indian cooking was introduced before any other.

Delhi Belly’s Navratna (“nine gems”) Korma Lives Up to Its Name

December 1, 2022 Comments Off

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Navratna Korma at Delhi Belly lives up to his name, “nine gems,” so beautifully that it could convince you to go vegetarian. The northern classic named after the special body of nine courtiers for whom the dish was named in the 16^th century was, in fact, intended to please vegetarian Hindu royals. In this way it follows the history of Charlotte Russe, Peach Melba and and other dishes created in a famous kitchen for a celebrity or royal that then made its way down to home cooks. (please see our story on it: //localfoodeater.com/sharlotka-iconic-caremes-royal-gift-to-homemakers/)

Regal Chef Sagar Ghosh, Delhi Belly, Alhambra (born under the sign of the royal Bengal Tiger)

Korma, in fact, appeals to all taste palates, because it can easily range from mild to medium-hot for a family-friendly dish. And it can made with protein as well. At Delhi Belly, you have the choice because each of the elevated Indian dishes prepared individually for guests in the open kitchen headed up by Executive Chef-Partner, Sourav Biswas.

Chef Executive Chef-Partner, Sourav Biswas carrying the popular Pani puri

Ingredients can be mildly spiced or fiery and choices include lamb, goat meat, chicken, beef or game. Variations include meat and vegetable combinations, especially s such as spinach and trump.

They are cooked in a delicate sauce made with onions and fragrant whole spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. The technique of braising the meat or vegetables with yogurt or stock is key and what makes this dish so special. The yogurt has to be kept below curdling temperature and incorporated slowly and carefully with the meat juices. Originally, a pot set over a very low fire was used, with charcoal on the lid to provide all-round heat.

Now I understand why my well-traveled art professor friend, @Annettakapon, always asks for “korma” at Indian restaurants. She first tasted it in London, a city known for its sophisticated variety of Indian places to eat. She notes that its her favorite primarily because it it usually served “mild” but also “tastes buttery, fatty and rich with cashews in the sauce. I love it with chicken off the bone and a mountain of white rice! …. heaven! And no wonder it was politically incorrect for awhile when the fashion was no carbs, no fat!”

@Annettakapon, our art professor friend who always asks for “korma”

Korma is features nine prime ingredients, a mix of vegetables, nuts and fruits with yogurt, cream, nuts and seeds paste or a coconut base. Its reputation as a lush creamy and delicious curry being prepared in cashew gravy results in a hint of sweetness in the savory delicacy. The refined sauce is usually made with onion, garlic, ginger and cashew seeds. Some cooks even use poppy seeds and melon seeds for a an added flavor punch that adds to the creaminess.

Being exceptional food connoisseurs, the Mughals were always looking for their own unique, cutting edge dishes. The backstory is that the mighty Mughal warriors were looking for something fitting a royal palate and wanted meat and gosht in each meal. But India’s fairly humble vegetarian diet did not fit the bill. So they were dispatched to the mountains of Afghanistan and Persia in search of rich nuts and raisins to replace proteins for a royal Mughlai cuisine.

Akbar, a sort of Genghis Khan mighty ruler who became tolerant, then appointed a deciding body of nine courtiers named the “nine gems” or “Navratan” and next ordered his khaansamas or servants to make a royal vegetarian dish filled with royal Mughlai flavors and named it after the nine courtiers. This is how rich nuts, vegetables and fruits replaced the meats, and it was cooked it in the dum pukht style.

So this dish is named as a tribute to the original navratan – the nine jewels or the nine courtiers of the mughal emperor Akbar. ‘Nav’ means nine and ‘ratan’ means a jewel.

The café is located at 8 W. Main St., Alhambra, California, (626) 703-4710. City lots provide free parking behind the restaurant.

Follow the restaurant at //DelhiBellyLA.com , facebook.com/DelhiBellyLAor //Instagram.com/DelhiBellyLA.com

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