Crocodile Consumption, Drawing at Cafecito Organico

Remember that time I saved my purse from a crocodile? Me too! I'm just down at Cafecito Organico in Silver Lake doing a little drawing of an re-enactment of that fateful afternoon. 

National Burger Day at Haché

Karma Burger, Fries and Alagash White

What better day than this beautiful sunny California day to head down to Haché LA in Silver Lake for a burger. Excuse me, a "Steak Haché". Whatever they call it, I call it a burger and it definitely qualifies for National Burger Day.

If you haven't been to Haché yet, it sits on Sunset Blvd. in the old Tarasco's Tacos space. It's a welcome addition to the Silver Lake neighborhood with affordable prices, a nice patio and delicious selection of beer to go with your burger. Steak is ground in-house daily to make fresh, juicy patties which are served on a brioche bun with karma sauce, cheese and the basics for only $5.95.

Mmmm...Karmmmmaaaa.... Burger

Grab a Karma Burger with some of Mick's Triple cooked fries and a burger and celebrate the best of American holidays, National Burger Day. Aside from Thanksgiving, that is. 

The Magic Mushroom, The Pioppinno

Today while I was at the Silver Lake farmers' market, I stopped by Kane's Family Farm booth to see their beautiful mushrooms. It seemed Marissa gave her husband the day off and she set up a beautiful display. She quickly brought to my attention that she had something very special today. She showed me a small tray of mushrooms that looked less than special. They seemed to be long spindly shiitakes. But they weren't. Marissa revealed that they were rare Piopionno Mushrooms, also called Block Poplar. But what made these fungi so special? 

"Unlike other mushrooms, when you cook these, they get crispy," Marissa said excitedly with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. That twinkle sold me. So did the intrigue of how these shrooms would cook up. 

She advised me to cook them at high heat in a skillet with a little olive oil. I did so and threw a little garlic in at the end. 

The mushrooms cooked magically to perfection. They got super crispy and were delicious. I fried up a couple pieces of Canadian bacon, mounded it with some smashed red potatoes and topped it with the crispy Pioppinno mushrooms. It was a delicious treat. 

I'm gonna keep this one in my pocket for the future. They would be the perfect topping to a nice risotto or salad. 

Juiced Served Here, Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake to be Exact

"Clean Greens" to get your day going

Sunset Junction is writhing with health-conscious hipsters. Yoga pants have become mainstream fashion in this neighborhood with yoga mats slung around the shoulder as an accessory. Pilates studios, warehouses of spinning women and weekend dancing at the Sweat Spot provide the perfect consumers of fresh cold-pressed juices and vegan-gluten-free-nut-free-lactose-free-flavor-free treats for several of Silver Lake's green-eats restaurants.

 

Choose your Juice or Make it a Shake!

Though it seems the Silver Lake area has plenty of choices for healthy (and needless to say expensive) bites, they keep adding to the roster. Introducing... Juice Served Here.

Juice Bar now open in Silver Lake

Juice Served Here is a small chain of juice shops in Southern California. The new juice shop just opened today on Sunset between my favorite shoe store, Undefeated, and Pazzo Gelato. Their clean, minimal branding is fresh and bright and reflects the quality of their ingredients. You can go for one of their pre-made cold-pressed green juices or have a healthy shake whipped up just for you. They also offer juice cleanses starting at $55/day. #jshcleanse

Cookbooks and organic goodies for your body and soul

If you've lived in the neighborhood for awhile, it will definitely be hard to break your Naturewell habit as they blend their juice fresh and it's right across the street. Either way, in Silver Lake you're gonna be paying some major green to drink green!

Of course, what else goes with juice besides luxury goods?

JUICE SERVED HERE

3827 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Silver Lake Neighborhood

Silver Lake's Secret Pork Bun

The first bite is just the beginning of delicious. Pork Bun from United Bread and Pastry.

If you're living in Silver Lake, chances are you're a hipster stretched very thin financially. Whisky and weed take precedent over paying rent and most certainly expensive meals. So if you're looking for some cheap eats in Silver Lake check out United Bread & Pastry's Pork Bun.

Pork buns wait inside steaming for your love.

This little Filipino bakery sits quietly amongst one of Silver Lake's busiest areas - Sunset Plaza Triangle. Yet, many people don't know the deliciousness that hides in the drab, unassuming building between Pine & Crane and Yummy. At United Bread & Pastry, you can find bread, fresh roasted nuts and traditional Filipino desserts and groceries. But what I go for when I want a hearty snack is the pork bun.

Behind the counter filled with pastries is where the secret treasure is kept. A steamer box with several shelves sits near the wall. It's windows are steamy with beads of condensation, but you can see the buns inside just waiting to get into your belly. When you order the bun, it will come wrapped in a plastic baggie and ready to eat on the go. Make sure to pull the paper off the bottom. Unless you're into that sort of thing.

Hot out of the steamer. Pork bun from United Bread & Pastry.

The pork bun is a soft, pillowy dough that surrounds tender pieces of shredded pork spiced to perfection. It only costs $1.25 and one, most definitely two, will fill you up. They also have chicken available. Pop next door to Mornings Nights Cafe and grab an iced-tea and you're set!

UNITED BREAD & PASTRY
1515 Griffith Park Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Silver Lake Neighborhood

North Coast Organic Apple Juice is Delicious

North Coast Organic Apple Juice

I love apple juice. Not that translucent amber colored stuff from concentrate. I like real apple juice - thick, unfiltered with slight texture left from the flesh of the apple. I'm sure this comes from my obsession with Bloomincamp's apple cider growing up. While everyone couldn't wait to sink their teeth into a slice of dutch apple pie, all I wanted was a sip of cider. It was always so tasty and irresistible to me. My affair with juice continues to this day.

I only get Bloomingcamp's juice when I happen to be in Oakdale during the fall and stop by the orchard, when apples are abundant. All other times of the year, I choose North Coast Organic Apple Juice as my go to apple juice. It's made in Sonoma County in the Northern California and you can taste the California love. They juice is a naturally sweet and perfect for breakfast or a hot afternoon on the patio.

Pizza Slut in Silver Lake

I was on my way down to Silver Lake Ramen and saw this great sticker art on Sunset Blvd. I'm a big fan of street art stickers. This cheesy, pepperoni slice looked so good, it almost made me change my mind and order pizza delivery. Mmmm... Tomato Pie is sounding good right now!

A Beautfiul Breakfast is a Healthy Breakfast

Start your breakfast with a beautiful plate of healthy goodies.

As you may know, I'm a big fan of the morning masterpiece. Waking up and making something extra-special to get your day started. I love to take this opportunity to wake up my senses in the morning in every way. If you're looking for healthy breakfast ideas, this is a great start.

All it takes is a mix of textures, colors, flavors and a little bit of imagination. I like to start with a white plate. It's like a blank canvas for me. I then make some healthy breakfast choices. Raw food makes gorgeous ingredients for your artistic palette as well as your taste palette. I usually like to start with yogurt as a foundation to build upon. Jams, jellies and squirts of juice add great bursts of texture to the plate. Large pieces of fruit make a great anchor visually and I often I like to stud it with honey comb. Honey makes a great drizzle texture. Granola and nuts add crunch and variety to the plate. I like to choose from colorful and exotic fruits and often edible flowers from my garden to complete my composition. Consider adding cheeses, meats, dried fruit or anything you desire.

Breakfast in my courtyard

Don't be afraid to play with your food! Have a great time. It's also a wonderful activity to do together with your kids. You can make a healthy breakfast for kids, they will think they are making art and the will love eating their magnificent morning creations. Provecho!