Churros & Chocolate: Churrería El Moro

Churros and hot chocolate, El Moro Churrería, Mexico City, DF.

Giant Churro spirals fresh out of the fryer, El Moro Churrería, Mexico City, DF.

After some al pastor tacos, Eme and I headed to meet Tanya and grab some churros and chocolate. Eme told me about this churro place, Churrería El Moro, that served fresh, hot churros. I could smell the dough frying and hot chocolate in the air. But at the same time we were passing a small stand outside serving mole tortas and tacos and I was already being distracted. I later went back for a mole torta. but I had to get to these churros.

Churros, El Moro Churrería, Mexico City, DF.

Dipping my churro in hot chocolate, El Moro Churrería, Mexico City, DF.

We proceeded inside past what seemed to be an endless spiral of churros frying. This quaint cafe has been here since 1935 and the waitresses are in beautiful costume greeting with even more beautiful smiles and a list of hot chocolates from sweet to bitter. The churros arrived and were quickly swept off the plate. They were soft and chewy inside with a crunchy outside made extra crunchy because they were covered in sugar.

Fortunately for me (and you) they are open 24hours a day, everyday of the year. So no excuses!

El Moro Churrería, Mexico City, DF.

Churrería El Moro
Eje central Lázaro Cárdenas #42
06000 Mexico City, Mexico
Metro San Juan Letrán

The Inventors of Al Pastor: El Tizoncito

Al Pastor roasting on the spit at El Tizoncito, Mexico City

Upon my arrival in Mexico City, there was much confusion finding my amiga, Eme, at the airport. Fortunately there were some incredible sculptures by Jorge Marín to distract me, as well as a friendly, handsome security guard who I gave some of my art stickers.

Sculpture by Jorge Marín, Mexico City, DF, Mexico

By the time I found Eme at another terminal, I was already starving. We grabbed a cab and headed toward our digs in the Condesa neighborhood. We were fortunate enough to have friends staying at a mansion so we were able to live large there for a few days while attending the Material Art Fair. Which by the way was amazing. You'll read more about that later. We have tacos to talk about.

We dropped our bags on the first floor of the mansion and headed down the street for tacos. Conveniently, there is an El Tizoncito, just blocks away. Tizoncito claims to be the inventor of Tacos al Pastor. We arrived to the marinated slices of pork loin stacked in the shape of a spinning top. The name comes from the "style of the shepherd" and is cooked very similarly to shawarma and gyros. The meat slowly spins and roasts and then thinly sliced onto tacos. At the top of the meat is a piece of pineapple that gets richly sweet as it cooks and a thin slice is added to the tacos. It's just enough subtle sweetness to compliment some of the spicy salsas.

Salsas at El Tizoncito, Mexico City

After we were seated, we were seated by a very friendly waitress and an even more friendly tower of chips and salsas. There were four very different salsas - a tomatillo with green chile, pure serrano, chile de arbol and morita chile. There were liquified beans also served which helped cut the heat when needed. The michelada (beer with lime juice and salt) also helped mellow things out.

Al Pastor Tacos at El Tizoncito, Mexico City

And then... the tacos came. Tender roasted slices of al pastor, pineapple with white onion and cilantro. Perfection on my plate. The taste was delicious and I couldn't get enough. I stopped after six. Only because I knew I was having churros later.

Visit El Tizoncito website for menu and locations.

Beautiful Squash Blossoms at the Mexican Market

Squash Blossom at the market in Mexico City

While shopping at the tianguis in Mexico City I came across some gorgeous squash blossoms, - or flor de calabaza as they are know here. They are the flowers that will one day turn into a squash. They often make squash blossom quesadillas here, which is one of my favorite street foods. I decided to buy some but have never cooked with them and have no idea what I'm going to make. There are several squash blossom recipes for things like squash blossom soup, stuffed squash blossoms and fried squash blossoms. So you're going to have to see what I do with these edible flowers.

Watch Tina Fey and Jerry Seinfeld Take a Ride in a Snazzy Volvo for Coffee and Cronuts

Tina Fey and Jerry Seinfeld cruisin' through New York

I love Tina Fey, not as much as coffee, but almost. If I watched TV I would just watch her and Discovery Channel. I wasn't really into Seinfeld when it was on. That's probably because I've never really been into TV. I spend most of my free time cooking or eating or drawing while eating. Tina Fey loves eating too. I'm guessing she would probably love me as much as I love her after I fed her some of my delicious treats.

Tina Fey sipping on the syzurp Wheat Puff Juice

 In another episode of "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee", Jerry Seinfeld and Tina Fey roll in a sweet, red Volvo to Floridita in Harlem for a cup of coffee. Where in fact they end up getting a "Wheat Puffs Juice". What is that you may ask? It's not fresh juice as the waitress describes, but it is amazing. It's cereal blended into a milkshake. I'm totally going to make it. I'm sure it's not as delicious as the avena (oat drink) I enjoyed in Colombia, but it will definitely pass as an Americanized version. Very much like a Taco Bell taco. Which we all know is nothing like a real taco!

After making the mistake of not getting the Guanabana juice, Jerry drives Tina to the Dominique Ansel Bakery where Tina tries her first cronut! Everyone's nuts for cronuts... I have yet to try one.

"Pine & Crane Noodle Co" Taiwanese Food Restaurant Opening Soon in Silver Lake

Pine & Crane Noodle Co. Logo via Facebook

I'm very excited for Pine & Crane Noodle Co to open in Silver Lake. It's next door to the cafe, Morning Nights in the Sunset Triangle, where I often sit to sketch and get inspired by neighborhood friends. I've seen the construction going on since the end of last year and I'm getting anxious for the opening of this Taiwanese food restaurant. It's going to bring some new flavor to our hood. We have plenty of Thai, Vegan, American options. I don't think I've ever had Taiwanese food per se. I've had Chinese but I know Taiwan is an island that likes to think of it's self as an independent.

According to About.com:

Mainland China's position on Taiwan is that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of China; the People's Republic of China is awaiting reunification of the island and mainland. However, Taiwan claims independence as a distinct State.

With a mix of Chinese, Japanese and aboriginals, Taiwanese food is bound to have some interesting flavors.

Beef Noodle Soup Spice's via Pine&Crane Facebook

The owner is a young Tawainese woman. I've only met her breifly, but I've seen her buzzing about like a hard-working bee with her family and friends close behind to help. The facade of the old Cru restaurant along with the space next door is shaping up with a fresh look quite quickly.

Tea Tasting via Pine&Crane Instagram

I think this restaurant is going to be special for so many reasons - it's family owned, supporting sustainable, local, seasonal produce. According to a sign in their window nearly all the produce will be from their very own family farm. The menu will consist of "noodles, dumplings, scallion pancakes, beef rolls, plenty of seasonal vegetables, a few of our signature Taiwanese dishes like Three-Cup Chicken and Twice-Cooked Pork. Beer, wine and Taiwanese Teas served alongside."

Pine & Crane Noodle Co
Taiwanese Restaurant
Silver Lake
1521 Griffith Park Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Pine & Crane Instagram

Pine & Crane Twitter

Pine & Crane Facebook

Note in Window

Yuca's Burrito Love

Mexican food is at the top of my list and Yuca's is at the top of my Mexican food. I was fortunate enough to be near the original Yuca's yesterday on Hillhurst in Los Feliz while doing a little baby gift shopping. So how could I pass up a carne asada burrito, torta or carne asada anything from Yuca's? I almost always automatically go for the Torta there because it is pretty amazing. This time I went for a carne asada burrito. I am never disappointed. The burritos here are so simple, yet so satisfying. Burritos here, unlike Northern California burritos are made with a combination of four simple ingredients, well five if you include love. Each burrito consists of stewed pinto beans, your choice of meat (ASADA!) and their pico de gallo salsa (to give it a little kick) carefully folded into a flour tortilla. When you unwrap your burrito, there is it is - a perfectly wrapped pack of delicious. Don't forget to ask for a roasted jalapeño if you like spicy heat!

Check out Yuca's if you are in the Los Feliz, Silver Lake or East Hollywood neighborhoods. They have two locations:

Yuca's
Los Feliz

2056 Hillhurst Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 662-1214
The original Yuca's is a tiny taco hut on Hillhurst Ave across from the Albertson's Market. Order at the little window and go next door to the liquor store to pick up a beverage and come back just in time for your name to be called. There is a small outdoor patio for seating.


Yuca's on Hollywood
East Hollywood

4666 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 661-0523
The second Yuca's in located on Hollywood Blvd near Vermont across from Umami Burger. They have more food options on the menu and also have indoor seating as well as a patio.

Yuca's on Hollywood is also a MOGL Partner, so if you pay with a credit card linked to MOGL, you will receive 10% cash back on your order. It totally works, I've already gave it a try! Sign up for MOGL and see participating restaurants here.

Panini Party!

Today I gave a Panini Party at Chase Design Group in Los Angeles. It was a surprise for all the amazing designers and staff at one of the best design firms in the universe. Everyone had a grand time and got down on some mean grilled cheese sandwiches. There was assortment of ingredients and everyone got to make their own combinations of bread, condiments, gourmet cheeses and other tasty toppings. People really enjoyed tasting new things and creating their own custom flavor combinations. If you're in the Los Angeles area you can book a Panini Party with me, just send me a message for details!

The full spread! via Xhico Instagram

Panini's on the press! via Xhico Instagram

Todays Menu Choices:

Breads: German Shepherds Bread, Olive Oil Ciabata Roll, Bolillo Roll, Udi's Gluten-Free White

Cheeses: Basil Gouda (Oakdale, California), Le Marechal (Switzerland), Prima Donna (Holland), Durrus (Ireland) - All imported cheeses can be purchased at Cheese Store of Silverlake.

Meats: Lomo (Spain), Spicy Soppressata (Calabria, Italy)

Veggies: Heirloom Tomatoes, Arugula, Basil, Carmelized Red Onions

Condiments: Sarayo, Sarayo Sweet, Wasabi-yo, Apricot-Garlic Spread, Gulden's Whole Grain Mustard, Sundried Tomatoes

Xhico mans the Panini Press. via Paula Instagram