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Tag Archives: Bread

Belvedere – The Peninsula Hotel

16 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by yummcha in American Food, Food

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Bread, Chocolate Parfait, Cioppino, Cucumber Gazpacho, Grilled Watermelon, Peninsula Hotel, Stuffed Eggplant

 

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Even as a very young child growing up in Hong Kong, I had heard of The Peninsula Hotel on the Kowloon side. I knew that it was an expensive and exclusive hotel back then even though I had never even seen nor stepped foot in the establishment.

I left Hong Kong when I was eleven, and it was not until my mid twenties when I went back to work there, that I had finally got a chance to visit the famed Peninsula Hotel and to be impressed by its grandeur and its elegance.

Fast forward to present day Los Angeles. I have been living here for about 20 years now, and even though I had passed by the Peninsula Hotel here in Beverly Hills a number of times on the way to Rodeo Drive, I did not ever think about having a meal there since I figured the price would be so out of my range of affordability.

Fortunately, while browsing through the Travelzoo website, we noticed there was a deal for the Belvedere Hotel at the Peninsula Hotel for $99 dinner for 2 for a four course meal. Though the price was not cheap,  we figured that it might be worthwhile to try since it is The Peninsula Hotel.

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The hotel lobby, while not grand, exuded class and refinement. There was an air of sophistication and poshness.

To be honest, I was rather skeptical about going in since I did not want to be disappointed by these “expensive, fancy” restaurant. To my total relief and delight, I was not one bit disappointed, in fact,  the food and atmosphere exceeded my expectations, all the dishes were top-notched, impeccably prepared, exquisitely and complex in taste.

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Since I was a bit intimated by the not-so-friendly looking waiter when he asked if I wanted something to drink, I reluctantly ordered a cappuccino, and a hot water. The water came in a fancy teapot with a small bottle of honey and lemon slices, and the cup and saucer for two beverages were beautifully designed modern porcelain ware. Being that I had dabbled for a number of years in ceramics, I was much impressed and was admiring the pieces while sipping on perhaps the best and the largest cup of cappuccino I have had.

The menu consisted of a Cucumber Gazpacho, Roasted Stuffed Eggplant, a Silver Queen Corn Pappardelle for my entree, while my companion had the California Cioppino, and a Mint Chocolate Parfait and the Grilled Watermelon Salad for dessert.

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The bread basket came with five different varieties of bread,  all of them fresh, warm, served with a sun dried tomato butter and regular butter. The slightly sweet zucchini bread was the best. The four different types that I tried were all distinct and worthy on its own.

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The Cucumber Gazpacho was rich, creamy, with excellent depth of flavor. The fillings inside the eggplant were slightly crunchy, while the eggplant was moist and delectable. While my pasta seemed like a simple dish, it was flawlessly prepared and the taste was light, yet satisfying, and the poached egg was perfect according to my companion to whom I had generously bestowed the treasure to. I only tried one mussel from the Cioppino, but was told that the seafood were all excellent.

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My chocolate parfait, presented on a bed of ice, was truly impressive in flavor and texture. I love the fact that it was not that sweet, but elegantly rich, and with bits of crunchiness. The chunks of grilled watermelon was probably cut out from the very center of the fruit since they were the reddest, and sweetest tasting.

I must say that the food at the Belvedere exceeded some of the best, and better known restaurants that I had tried in the Los Angeles area, and I am so glad that it is indeed living up to the distinguished reputation of the Peninsula Hotel Group.

The Belvedere: 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90212    Phone: 310-551-2888

 

 

 

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Mar’sel – A Cozy Birthday Meal

26 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by yummcha in American Food, Food

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Tags

Bread, Lamb Shank, Muffin, Oxtail Bolognese, Palos Verdes, Steamed Black Bass

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I had originally thought about going to the famed Spago for my birthday celebration. However, I just did not want to drive the distance that day, so I decided on Mar’sel – an intimate and elegant restaurant up on the beautiful Palos Verdes Hills.

It was probably over a year ago that I had dinner there, and I remembered how spectacular the view and food were then. But believe it or not, it was actually the unforgettable muffin/bread that brought me back here for a second time.

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For the evening, the Oxtail Bolognese that I had ordered as appetizer had plenty of tasty shredded strips of meat mixed in with the pasta. I devoured the dish in no time since I was quite hungry to begin with. The Steamed Black Bass was deliciously moist and came with an incredibly luscious sauce. My friend’s Lamb Shank was quite large, as expected, flavorful and satisfying.

The entire wait staff was great – attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and yet never imposing.

Usually I don’t get very full at this type of high end restaurant, but I was this time, probably due to the fact that I had almost 3 rounds of the warm delicious bread with lots of butter beforehand.

Dessert would have been a desirable ending to the wonderful meal, but I was already filled. As difficult as it was to do, I had to say “no, thank you”, to the waiter when the question was asked. Maybe next time.

Mar’sel – 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275  tel: 310-265-2800

$15- $32 appetizer, soup, pasta.          $30 – $120 entree

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Fig and Olive – Fantastic!

23 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by yummcha in American Food, Food, Lifestyle

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Bread, carpaccio, figs, Los Angeles, olives, Restaurant, Shopping, truffles

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Finally,  I was able to try Fig and Olive. I don’t recall how I first heard of this restaurant, but I was immediately fascinated because I love figs, and somehow I imagined there to be lots of figs in all the dishes. Well, there was no figs in the dishes that I ordered. I saw one fig on my friend’s plate, but I had enough self control not to ask for it.

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Even without the figs, the food was incredibly luscious and amazing, with some of the dishes having great textures and very distinct flavors. The mostly white and brownish modern decor felt clean, cool and harmonious.

Our waitress was spot-on with her prompt, yet attentive service. Everything seemed to flow flawlessly from beginning to the end. Even the lady’s room felt uncommonly comfortable, warm, with such perfectly adjusted water temperature that it did not even feel like water flowing through my fingers. Even the texture of the paper towels right next to the sink felt so unusually crisp and soft at the same time.

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The appetizer, Truffle Mushroom Croquette, was absolutely perfect in texture and taste. The outer crust had just the right amount of crunchiness without being hard, while the middle was an oozing, warm, delicate, luxurious, soft, and amazingly mixture of béchamel, mushroom, and parmesan! My companion’s Beef Carpaccio was the best I have tasted, with a slightly sweet flavor that I had never encountered before, perhaps it was from the 18 year Balsamic.

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My Primavera Risotto with Lobster was exceptionally rich, I found myself quite full even though the portion size was not that big. The only complaint would be that the serving of lobster was a bit too small to adequately share with my eating companion. The grilled lamb from the Lamb Skewers was delightfully tender, and the side of couscous mixed with onion, scallion and tomatoes was truly refreshing.

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The Chocolate Pot de Crème was fabulously rich and smooth, with just the appropriate amount of sweetness. I loved the cherries from the Dessert “Crostini” – a fun treat with Amarena cherry, mascarpone on pistachio shortbread.

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Even the complimentary focaccia bread that came with 3 types of olive oil was excellent – lightly dense yet soft, truly satisfying.

There were ample meter parking spaces outside the restaurant. If money was no object, one can venture into the many high-priced boutiques on the surrounding streets, or simply take a leisure stroll and window shop.

Fig and Olive Melrose Place: 8490 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069  Phone: 310-360-9100

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85° Bakery in Gardena

02 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by yummcha in Bakery, Chinese Bakery, Chinese dessert, Food

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Bakery, Bread, Brioche, Gardena California, Sea Salt Coffee, Taiwan, Tart, Tea

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The opening of 85° in Gardena is almost like a dream come true for those of us who live in the South Bay area who enjoy going to this bakery chain that originated from Taiwan. I don’t even understand exactly why people like me flock in droves to this bakery place as if it was free. With the tong in one hand, and a large tray on the other, I scrutinized each slot and picked up these soft breads and piled them onto the tray.

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With hundreds of people lining outside for hours waiting for all of their grand openings, it makes me wonder what is the reason behind this type of euphoria over a bakery. Whatever the reason is, I was definitely part of that. I had been excited for weeks prior to the actual opening. I was able to go there in the evening of the opening day. We got a free red mug with the $20 purchase, and a free Sea Salt Drink coupon with a drink purchase as well as some key chains.

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As much as some of the selections here are quite excellent such the black Squid Ink Bread, the Rose Bread, and the Berrytale, there are other Chinese bakeries that offer distinguished choices of bakery items that are just as good, and some that are even better such as the Po Tart at Jim’s Bakery.

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Perhaps it is the fact there are comfortable seating areas where one can actually sit down and enjoy the “fresh bread” that had just come out from the oven. Perhaps it is the enticing drink selections which include the famous Sea Salt Coffee and Teas that one cannot get at other Chinese bakeries. Or perhaps it is the idea that one is getting something more authentic being that it originated from Asia. Or maybe just simply that hype produces more hype.

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In any case, I was back again on Thanksgiving Day after lunch. A friend and I sat down for a cappuccino and a Sea Salt Coffee. I got some breads to go: a Brioche, a Mango Bread, a Chocolate Croissant, Walnut Tart, and a Pumpkin Tart. I thought my cappuccino was especially outstanding and large for a medium size, much better than the ones at other coffee houses in town. The Brioche was the best out of the bunch – huge, fluffy, and buttery.

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Since the store did not have my favorite, the Rose Bread, the previous two times, I am already thinking about going back soon to get my hands on the fragrant bread.

85°c Bakery Cafe – 1398 Artesia Blvd. Gardena, CA 90248 

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Simply Splendid, a Fitting Name

11 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by yummcha in Bakery, Chinese Bakery, Chinese dessert, Chinese food, Food

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Alhambra, Alhambra California, Bread, Croissant, Food, Hong Kong, Pastry, Valley Boulevard

I had mentioned previously that I would often go to different pastry shops for certain favorite breads and pastries that are unique to that particular shop. That is exactly what I do at Simply Splendid, a small, modest bakery surrounded by restaurants and shops inside an uninspiring strip mall in Alhambra.

One of my long time favorite is a Hong Kong style bread with the name of Cocktail Bun. Here, this elongated, unassuming looking bun is fully filled with a dense, luscious, buttery coconut mixture that is beyond good. Usually, I have somewhat decent self control when it comes to eating sweet pastries. I often can stop after one or two bites, and saving the rest for later. However, with this bun, which comes three to a package, I have not been able to consume less than two entire buns at one sitting.

Some days the chef would make these little mochi cubes that come in a plastic container with a side of grounded peanuts/sugar mixture. They are some of the softest and best mochi I have ever tried – with the texture being slightly chewy, and a taste that is ever so delicately sweet from the rice.  My son’s eyes would lit up every time I bring them home. The obstacle, however, is that they are not always available.

On a recent visit, I discovered a baked radish pastry that I find to be the best of its class. The flakiness of the crust, along with a moist filling of shredded radish and finely grounded pork, offers a precise combination of savoriness and sweetness, without the often overly salty taste that is associated with this type of  radish pastry.

There are two versions of the plain croissants here that I find I cannot get enough of. One is made with wheat flour and the other one with white. The texture, unlike the traditional french croissant, is not flaky. In fact, they are a bit chewy; but it is that chewiness, combined with the rich buttery taste that I find irresistible.

The mantou, a traditional steamed bun, is offered here in white and wheat versions as well, and comes in a package of four. The wheat version, if available, is the perfect bread for me. The taste might seem bland to most people, but it is precisely that blandness that I find appealing. The steaming process somehow seems a bit healthier to me than baking.

Simply Splendid:  1273 E. Valley Blvd. Alhambra, CA 91801  Phone: 626-308-3277

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Hamada-ya Bakery: Bread and Pastries

03 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by yummcha in Bakery, Food, Japanese Food

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Tags

Baked Goods, Bakery, Bread, Bread roll, Food, Food and Related Products, Mochi, Shopping

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Although I have been buying different varieties of bread and pastries here for years now, I have never really given much thought as to how good this bakery really is until the more I tried other bakeries in the Los Angeles area. To clarify, I am mainly comparing this place to the other Asian owned bakeries such as JJ Bakery, 85°c, Paris Baguette, Simply Splendid Bakery, etc.  I would just say that the items here are consistently delicious and of high quality.

What I find is that most bakeries usually offer a few items that are unique and outstanding to that particular shop. I would often end up going to different shops to purchase favorite items from that individual store. Perhaps I will share with you which pastries I find to be the best from each bakery at a later date.

The Raisin bread rolls and Mochi bread rolls, as well as the Green tea bread loaf are my favorites. The raisins in the bread are plump and juicy with just the right amount of sweetness in the bread. The mochi roll has a soft center with an outer crust that is chewy and slightly crunchy. If available, the green tea bread is exceptional, with its strong and fragrant tea flavor.

The Choco Ring Donut is the best chocolate donut I have tried so far. Perhaps it is not fair to compare it to a traditional donut since it is quite different. The description says that it is dipped in thick, dark french chocolate. The result is that I feel like I am eating a thin crispy layer of a delicious semi sweet chocolate with a donut.

One of their most popular item is the Cream Cornet, which consists of a flaky, slightly chewy outer shell, and filled with a blend of fresh heavy cream and custard cream.  While I like the outside texture and the creamy consistency inside,  I do find it to be just a tiny bit sweet for my taste. The Cherry Tart is dense but moist with the right balance of sweetness and tartness from the cherries.

Thoughts and Question of the Day: While in France, my favorite pastry was “chausson aux pommes”, I have not been able to find that here in LA yet. Why is it so hard to find this particular pastry?

Hamada-ya: 21515 S. Western Ave. Torrance, CA 90501 Phone: (310) 787-1778 (inside Mitsuwa Marketplace)

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