Friday, July 15, 2016

Get Your Hearty, Healthy Munchie On, with Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend and Your Buddies, at Federal Bar in "NoHo" during DineLA Week, Summer 2016 Edition.

By Laura Medina

MCO (Moo-Cluck-Oink) Burger with Sweet Potato Teeter Tots glazed in Maple Syrup.
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

After spending some time at North Hollywood's The Federal Bar (North Hollywood or "NoHo" where the majority of junior film executives or young, budding yuppies are getting their feet wet), this Gen-X noticed this is a "Cheers" for Millennials.

A friendly place to wet your whistle with gallons of cool, foamy beer on tap.  Remember, it's a friendly bar (with an historical lineage) catering to a mostly Gen-X and Millennials crowd, meaning The Federal Bar is also a relaxing, down-to-earth yet gourmand gastropub that matches its cool beers with equally cool meals that fits young professionals' wallets.

Forget Nineties' "Friends" Central Perk, sipping over-priced coffee.

Today's Gen-Xers had moved onto real meals with better ingredients; and Millennials demand more out of their neighborhood hang-out, munchies worth spending money on, yet young adult financially-friendly.

Dinner will become more exquisite, more varied, and more affordable with The Federal Bar's Dine LA Summer 2016 Edition Restaurant Week.  Actually, it stretches into two weeks.  So, you'll have two weeks to enjoy The Federal Bar's three-course dinner, starting this Monday, July 18th until Sunday, July 31st.  This hip three-course dinner menu will be served at 5pm until 11pm, between Monday to Sunday.  That's being fair and both Gen-X and Millennials like fair.

Bell Amber Beer
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

Did this scribe mention the beer?  Did this scribe mention cool and foamy, during July's Heat Wave?

Part of The Federal Bar's DineLA deal is your free choice between 8oz. Draught Beer or Foundation Soda.

For the DineLA Dinner Feast, this scribe was pleasantly surprised Bells Amber pairs well with the candied Smoked Wings, the Beef Short Rib, and sweet but light Red Sangria Poached White Fish...and the MCO Burger...and the Sweet Potato Teeter Tots.
 
Smoked Wings, candied.
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

Bar food standard, The Federal Bar's Smoke Wings were house-smoked jumbo chicken wings, encased in a candied sweet whiskey sauce, catering to Millennial taste buds and Gen-X's value for the money.

 Quinoa & Kale
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

Of course, since it's Summer, the sun-parched and the diet-conscious will pick the Quinoa & Kale, assuming it's a light salad.

Remember, The Federal Bar is a gastropub, quality food in good prices for hearty appetites.  The Quinoa & Kale is another version of a rice pilaf.  Healthy ingredients piled up for hearty cravings.


 House Bacon Mac & Cheese
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

This scribe must had worked up an appetite, anticipating for DineLA Week.

The classic House Bacon Mac & Cheese, shell pasta drenched in three-cheese sauce, topped with a crunchy panko bread crust and dusted with house-made bacon, sure hits the spot.

Again, classic Americana pub food that should not fail and doesn't.

MCO (Moo-Cluck-Oink) Burger with Sweet Potato Teeter Tots glazed in Maple Syrup.
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

It ain't a gastropub; and it ain't Gen-X or Millennial unless you take the basic All-American Burger then soup it up.  That's the pleasure of gastropub fare.  It's simple comfort food done exceedingly well to qualify as "gourmet" in a not-so-snotty atmosphere. Ain't nothing wrong about that.

Since gastropub is an egalitarian place, The Federal Bar caters to both the boyfriend and the girlfriend...and their mates.

In other words, The Federal Bar's MCO (Moo-Cluck-Oink) Burger will please everyone, actually any time.

It may be part of their DineLA Dinner Menu but their MCO Burger, with fried egg topping a beef patty, bacon, lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli on a milk bun, served with an hearty side of Sweet Potato Teeter Tots is going to join those Late Night/Early Morning classics, such as Fried Chicken & Waffles and Ca'Brea's Broken Calzone.  Those necessary In-Between Meals that soak up last night's booze while nourishing the body with protein and carbs and fat to absorb the toxins, first thing in the morning.

The MCO Burger with Sweet Potato Teeter Tots can double as breakfast.  This scribe was somewhat shocked that most fast food franchises don't do this.

Yes, this is what your boyfriend really desires, after slamming a couple of beers and shots...and for your own hang0ver, the morning-after.

The Federal Bar's idea of nourishment.

 Classic, Can't Go Wrong Beef Short Rib
 http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

The classic, can't-go-wrong Beef Short Rib in it's purest form, a real complete meal, not in its current sandwich mode that you see everywhere now-a-days.

This starving scribe was relieved by the classic Beef Short Rib, expertly roasted piled on classic mashed potatoes with grilled vegetables, drizzled in gravy, where sides aren't extras but essentially part of the meal. 

 Grilled Veggie Bowl with Cracked Wheat
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

Fearing you're not getting your above-average vegetables and fiber, you'll be surprised that the Grilled Veggie Bowl isn't a funky salad with faddish ingredients but old-fashion grain and vegetable meant to compliment the Beef Short Rib.

Another twist on a classic rice pilaf.  This time, they replaced the rice with an even more traditional Cracked Wheat that goes deliciously well with Beef Short Ribs and Gravy.  The roasted asparagus, peppers, carrots, and brussels with a lemon-basil vinaigrette, has a striking Fifties taste and texture when paired with the Beef Short Rib.  Tastes and sounds like a retro Fifties Sunday Dinner.  Again, remember, this Dine LA Dinner will and can be served on Sunday at The Federal Bar.


 Light yet Pleasantly Sweet Red Sangria Poached White Fish
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

If all this hearty, beef and two sides are getting you heavy, take this chance during Dine LA and give The Federal Bar's once-in-a lifetime lighter fare of the Red Sangria Poached White Fish resting on a bed of creamy saffron quinoa risotto with English Peas and Carrots.

The sweetness of the Red Sangria Poached White Fish, is different from the candied Smoked Wings.  The Red Sangria serves as a light coating of a glaze whereas the sweet whiskey sauce can afford to "candied" the heavier, richer meat of the house-smoked jumbo chicken wings.

Dealing with White Fish, the Red Sangria is a delicate glaze that doesn't drown or weigh down the delicate fish filet.  Why Red Sangria?  It probably more has to do with the Summer Season when fruits and fruit products are bountiful and doing something with them.  Waste not, want not.

Glazing fish, without frying it, is a difficult technicality but this scribe was surprisingly delighted with light fruit glaze on top and flaky yet moist fish meat underneath.

Equally pleasantly surprised was the quinoa replacing rice in the peas and carrot risotto.  Not one ounce of cream or milk in it.  It's the quinoa that makes the risotto creamy.

The Red Sangria Poached White Fish on a quinoa risotto bed is the most unique and lightest dish during Dine LA Week at The Federal Bar. 

 Warm Rocky Road Skillet with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

Unfortunately yet to be fair, folks can only order one of each appetizer, entree, and dessert during Dine LA.  Darn.

The Federal Bar has two choices to pair with the heavy and the light fares.

Obviously, Warm Rocky Road Skillet with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream is an hearty finish for the: House Bacon Mac & Cheese, Smoked Wings, MCO Burger, and Beef Short Rib. 

Basically, it's an Americana camp-fire dessert to top off an All-American feast. 

Again, it's an improvement over the graham cracker s'mores.

It's a homey but very comforting brownie dotted with marshmallows then baked in a cast-iron skillet then topped with a dollop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

Camp-fire treat but better.

 Caramel Budino with Almond Biscotti
http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/federal-bar-north-hollywood#poi-tabs

You need to fulfill your sweet tooth but you picked the lighter course of: Quinoa & Kale, Grilled Veggie Bowl, and Red Sangria Poached White Fish. 

What to do?

The Caramel Budino with Almond Biscotti is when whipped cream meets vanilla pudding.

Looks are deceiving.  Once you dig in, you'll discover the mason jar is full of Almond Biscottis in the budino pudding and topped with another biscotti.

Basically, The Federal Bar's Dine LA Dinner Summer Series is evenly split between hearty and light but they make sure that you'll wouldn't leave starving while making sure your wallet is still intact.

That's the glory of a gastropub.  It's not a dive bar reeking of stinking drunks nor is it a snotty restaurant where they serve hors d'oeuvres, charging at full-meal prices.  They're well-balanced enough to be fair. 

The Federal Bar is fair.  They care about pouring good quality beer, foaming out of the tap and quality meals to soak up the booze, in a unpretentious atmosphere, where nobody is a jerk.

Remember, Dine LA Restaurant Week is a two-weeks affair for both lunch and dinner with participating restaurants, on http://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela-los-angeles-restaurant-week/

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Retro Chic, Curves Got Back, Curves by Victoria Janashvili and Galina Sobolev's Single Dress Plus.

By Laura Medina

 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/369879254/curves-art-photography-book

As much as this scribes enjoys drawing and painting in Photoshop, this curvy scribe agrees with most celebrities, that the figure and body manipulation and editing has gone too far, that the subject matters don't even recognize themselves.
  
Victoria Janashvili is no outsider looking in.  She's a proven editorial/commercial photographer who shot campaigns for GQ, Men's Health, L'Officiel, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Playboy and many others. Commercially she is working for Target, MiracleSuit, Amoressa, Badgley Mischka, Miracle Body Lord&Taylor and many other companies and brands.

She met ultra-skinny models who still think they're fat and unfortunately, are so skinny that the general public can't relate to them then Victoria met attractive, sexy women with meat and bones in all the right places, who find themselves undesirable because they're not "model issue" or used to be "model issue."

The same time women's morale is sinking, this is coinciding with the rising demographic of normal and plus-size women whose disposable income is also increasing.  This is the same time these rising women are lamenting the lack of style in their sizes and the lack of sizes in the styles they desire.

Victoria Janashvili's "Curves" Art Book and Galina Sobolev's Single Dress Plus arrive at the right moment.

The curvy models in Victoria Janashvili's "Curves" Art Book are reminiscent of the retro, vintage "pin-up girl" naughty, "wink-wink" illustrations of Alberto Vargas, Esquire's "bombshell" illustrator.  He was the precursor and the standard-bearer of Playboy's early center-fold pin-ups, the curvy pin-up, who might be the girl-next-door.

Victoria Janashvili revisits this concept, re-tooled for today, using today's "Girls-Next-Door" as models in her "Curves" Art Book celebrating the real, attainable women...who are also today's "Sex and the City" women with cold, hard cash to burn.


If Victoria can celebrate the real, natural female body, Galina Sobolev guess they're a beautiful form to build her Single Dress Clothing Line, Single Dress Plus on, one of the first fashion brand on Amazon Fashion.

As a veteran fashion designer who has witnessed trends and fads and companies come and go, she knew there are curvy women with natural-born assets who can't find stylish clothes that flatter curvy women and didn't fit on all the right places.

Galina is a fashion designer.  She was trained to tailor in various sizes on up-to-date fabrics.  She knows how to dart and intake on all the right spots.  She knows that curvy women have cold, hard cash to burn; and Galina senses she needs to be her Curvy Single Plus Dresses and tops available to women outside of Hollywood and Manhattan.

Unlike most quick, cheap, and lazy manufacturers churning baggy anything, Galina takes the time to nip and tuck around the waist while enhancing the bust.  What the "Joan Halloways," already know, emphasize what's good about your body and make the designers "design" around you, unlike today when "girls" conform to what designers think is beautiful.

Plus, being comfortable as a curvy women doesn't mean being sloppy, slobby, or baggy.

Galina Sobolev's Curvy Single Dress Plus on Amazon highlights what's good about women's bodies.

What Victoria exposes what is good about the traditional female form, Galina takes advantage of the female form then shows it off in beautiful fabric and good tailoring, an hallmark of a fashion designer.

Oh yeah, real bodies have real money.


 

The Other Red, White, & Blue, Happy Bastille Day from L'Occitane.

By Laura Medina


Here's the other "Red, White, & Blue," Happy Bastille, courtesy of L'Occitane.

In honor of their French heritage, join them in celebrating Bastille Day (July 14th!) with their iconic blue, white and red beauty essentials! From coveted hand creams, to must-have bath time essentials, to ultimate skin-savers, there is a L’OCCITANE product perfect for everyone.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Cole Skincare for Men Primping & Pampering the Athletes and the L.A. Rams for the ESPYS.

By Laura Medina
The Los Angeles Rams getting their facials on, welcome to L.A.

Experiencing Cleansing Facial Pads w/Moisture for Men for the first time.

https://coleskincareformen.com/collections/frontpage/products/cleansing-facial-pads

The Oscars of Televised Sports, The ESPYS, are on tonight.

Last night was where all the real action was, the parties, the gifting suites, and the pampering lounge where real players (the athletes are really decent, down-to-earth guys) were being primped and polished for their close-ups, all taken care by Cole Skincare.


"Cole" behind Cole Skincare is really a lady.  Cole Patterson spent the past twenty years caring for and perfecting the skin of some of the biggest athletes and celebrities in the world including Usher, Larenz Tate, NBA Superstar Jalen Rose, television host Karamo Brown and NBC's The Biggest Loser star trainer Dolvett Quince.  Her multi-functional skincare line for men has been used on many film/television production such as HBO Ballers starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, NBC he Voice, and ABC Blackish just to name a few.   

After dealing with those men, who care about their complexions yet can't deal with 100-steps skincare that women had took the time mastering, Cole Skincare is really pared to five essentials that can be used in three steps, that Clinique has established as basic skincare.  She even pared it even further, down to two steps, for busy men.


These LA Rams were enjoying Cole Skincare's Cleansing Facial Pads w/Moisture for Men,
3-in-1 Foaming Cleanser for Men, and Moisture Balm for Men while getting their first facial and scalp/temple massage.  They're not in St. Louis anymore.
 


Remember, these LA Rams were St. Louis Rams a few months ago.  They're not used to the LA standard of massages and facials for mental health/relaxation.  So, they're forgiven for doing the faux pas of texting while receiving a massage or appearing really nervous while getting a back rub as the therapist explain to you that you should ease up more.  

The massage session is the second part of the pampering after getting their facials.


Men love the final and third step, the manicure.  They're thrilled as hell when it's comes to nail hygiene.
Now these freshly minted L.A. Rams are ready for their close-ups, the night before the ESPYS.


Having professional footballers been giving the Cinderella Treatment was new to them but they appreciate the Tender Loving Care they received from Ms. Cole Patterson. This was the first time Ms. Cole did a pampering lounge for the ESPYS.  This scribe and the LA Rams hope she'll continue this new tradition. 

Are you "man enough" to pamper yourself, like the LA Rams?

Monday, July 11, 2016

Brunch, BBQ, & Blues at Baltarie, B "Cubed."

By Laura Medina

 PRIME NEW YORK STEAK & EGGS
http://baltaire.com/wp-content/uploads/brunch_menu.pdf

Yes, the majority of brunches are decadent and luxurious...and gluttonous in a form of a buffet.

Baltaire's brunch are more of individual square meals that are the "egg-ified" versions of their prime time dinners at...half the price.  Good deal.

Of course, Baltaire's brunch dishes, the Prime New York Steak & Eggs, have enough necessary fats to soak up last night's booze fest; the protein to nourish the brain; and the iron to fortify your brain to recover.

Whenever you order anything with an egg, you can order the egg any way you want, poached, scrambled, or fried.

Miniature baby potatoes, fried in duck fat, usually the brunch dishes, but if you want to like this scribe, you can order their long, skinny crispy fries when the mood strikes.  When the fries do arrive, they arrive with their trio of sauces: ketchup, mayonnaise, and Bearnaise Sauce.

 KING CRAB BISCUITS & GRAVY
 http://baltaire.com/wp-content/uploads/brunch_menu.pdf

Baltaire's King Crab Biscuits & Gravy brings it back home for this Charleston scribe.

This creamy decadent dish brings back the Lowcountry Cuisine of using Charleston native meat, crab, in traditional Southern ensemble of biscuits, sausage gravy, and poached egg.

Baltaire's Brunch is definitely "Surf & Turf."

All that crab meat for $15, drenched in all sausage gravy sauce, not bad for $15.

 SHAKSHUKA BAKED EGGS
 http://baltaire.com/wp-content/uploads/brunch_menu.pdf

Alright, it's California; it's Los Angeles.  Baltaire has to be up-to-date on what's on the brunch radar; and California is swimming in tomatoes.

This scribe first dabbled in this Israeli/North African breakfast at the now-defunct Local Table in Downtown Los Angeles, may it rest in peace.  

This scribe assumed once gone, it's gone.  Luckily, the Shakshuka has resurfaced at Baltaire's Weekend Brunch (yes, they do it every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm) for the vitamin/antioxdiant-starved.

Want to go easy on the meat and the rich creamy sauces but your hangover screams for lycopene, vitamins, and antioxidants, go Shakshuka.

Far from being vegan, it's a cooked dished form of a V-8 (if you want even more lycopene, there's no shame in downing a Bloody Mary and Baltaire's bartenders make damn good ones), topped with an egg for necessary fat to soak up the alcohol.

It's even more fun to sop up the tomato and feta cheese sauce with toast, more than welcomed to.

 CHILEQUILES VERDE
 http://baltaire.com/wp-content/uploads/brunch_menu.pdf

Their Chilequiles Verde is the simplest...and the easiest to make if you want to knock it off yourself at home.

This scribe knows not everyone is a red sauce fan and some can't stomach an heavy, luxurious meal right out of bed (this is why brunch is from 10am until 2pm).  The green chile sauce simple dish might be for you.  It's just green salsa verde sauce, rolled up tortilla flour shells, diced red onions, sprinkles of queso cotija cheese, then topped with one simple fried egg.

 WHOLE WHEAT PANCAKES
 http://baltaire.com/wp-content/uploads/brunch_menu.pdf

Got a sweet tooth?  Ain't nothing wrong with that.  Sometimes, your hangover needs some tender, sweet, loving care, like Whole Wheat Pancakes sandwiching lemon curd with seasonal blueberries.

Sometimes, you can trick the chef into a Strawberry Shortcake (it's Strawberry Season every Summer) when you order scone, strawberries, and whipped cream.

Here's another breakfast/brunch trick at Baltaire but it's not part of their official Weekend Brunch and it's part of their normal Monday to Friday lunch menu only...

Their Omelette of the Day, especially when you had an hard night before.  You can order with fries for a more breakfast feel or with salad when you want it to be more "lunch."

BBQ Trio Plate with a Trio of BBQ Sauces.

Baltaire did a smart thing.  Their cheapest night is the restaurant industry's deadest night, Monday night.

Monday night is done-home Blues, Brews, and BBQ Night.  Stick-to-your-ribs meals for under $35.

Their priciest dish is the BBQ Trio Plate, three meats of 1/2 Baby Back Rib, Pulled Pork, and Santa Maria Tri-Tip, three meals in one.

 
Baltaire's Monday Night BBQ is a regional trip of America's barbeque, from mustard-sauced Carolina pork to California's barbequed steak, the Santa Maria Tri-Tip.

Don't worry, you'll get your olde-fashion two sides of vegetables and carbohydrate with each meal to balance out the meat.

 
BBQ Night isn't all about the meat.  Baltaire's Monday Night is paying homage to Southern Cuisine, one of America's oldest and most popular cuisine.

Their Buttermilk Fried Jidori Chicken pays respect to the fried chicken, the way it should be...tender, moist chicken encased in crunchy crust, spiced in herbs and spices.  Baltaire makes it easier by using chicken breasts, not the usual boned-in chicken.

Again, they pay respect to the South with your two sides of vegetables, collard greens (they're kale before there was kale) and mashed potatoes and gravy, to balance everything out.  A pretty healthy, balanced meal if you ask this scribe.

 Smoked Jidori Drummettes $12.

If you're on a dainty diet...and budget, you can still get fed while keeping your figure and wallet in shape.

The Smoke Jidori Drummettes packed in a lot of flavor in small chicken drums.  This is Baltaire's idea of Buffalo Wings but better, they're fried.  Fried drum legs with spicy Habanero Buffalo Sauce for fire and creamy Blue Cheese Dip to cool down, not bad for $12.

 Wyoming Bison Chili $14.

You can keep it simple with the Wyoming Bison Chili and cornbread, with simple dollop of Jalelpeno Creme Fraiche and sprinkled with Hooks Cheddar Cheese.

Butter Lettuce Salad with Fried Oysters. $13

If you're still hankering for seafood, go Southern with Fried Oysters in Butter Lettuce Salad, dotted with cornbread croutons, pork belly bits, meaty Heirloom Tomatoes, and Buttermilk Dressing. Well-balanced meal.

 Grasshopper Ice Cream Sandwich $8

Grasshopper is not an incest.  It's is mint or if you want to be gourmand about it, it's Creme de Menthe, a sweet, mint-flavored alcoholic beverage, usually green.  Crème de menthe is an ingredient in several cocktails, such as the Grasshopper.

It is also served as a digestif and used in cooking as a flavoring.

The traditional formula steeps dried peppermint or Corsican mint leaves in grain alcohol for several weeks (creating a naturally green color), followed by filtration and addition of sugar.

Since it's used as a mint flavoring, it's traditionally used in desserts when mint is desired, such as mint ice cream and fluffy, crunchy meringues.

Baltaire's Grasshopper Ice Cream Sandwich uses Grasshopper Creme de Menthe in it's ice cream as a filling for it's decadent, chocoholic Dark Chocolate Cake Sandwich.  Nestled in-between two slices of Devil's Food Cake, the Grasshopper Mint Ice Cream's minty-ness is further enchanced.  So cooling on a hot Summer night.  Again, not bad for $8.

Intimated by Baltaire's weekly prime time?  Give their Weekend Brunches and Monday Night Blues, Brews, and BBQ a chance then enjoy the ride, without busting your budget.

 

 



 

 

 

Friday, July 8, 2016

The Broken Calzone at Ca'Brea, It's Good for What Ails You When Done or About to Party.

By Laura Medina

Ca'Brea's Broken Calzone by Chef  GEORGE SARKIS 
http://cabreala.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Breakfast-.pdf
/www.facebook.com/CaBreaLA

For as long as this "party rock foodie" scribe has remembered, there isn't really a decent place to dine before or after a concert at the Wiltern.  Sorry, guzzling a gallon bottle of cranberry ginger ale at Ralph's, doesn't count.

The Wiltern has gained a reputation for attracting and putting on A-list concerts by established cool scenesters, such as Blondie or the hottest geek-chic rockers, OK GO!  Regardless, The Wiltern puts on shows for Los Angeles' culturati, but the surrounding neighborhood never had any decent dining establishment that matches or equals the culturati's taste for quality food before or after the concert...until now....

Like everything else, after being pushed out of the La Brea District due to rising rents, Ca'Brea has landed at 3900 WILSHIRE BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90010.  Ramada Hotel is happy to gain an established Italian restaurant to call as their own home restaurant.  Ca'Brea is happy, in return, for having existing hotel guests as clientele.  Still, they're willing to add more customers to their mix by adjusting to The Wiltern's concert audience hungry for a decent place to eat.

Chef George Sarkis thought of that, what pre and post-concert go-ers and "party hardy" scenesters craving for.

If early twentieth-century Harlem jazz musicians can't make up their minds between a fried chicken dinner and a waffle breakfast, why not have both then invent Fried Chicken & Waffles which has become an American Classic meal. 

Sarkis thought the same way.  Why not combine the best of breakfast, fresh poached eggs with a traditional Italian calzone (or pizza) packed with oozing cheese, cased in hand-made pizza crust into a new type of hip but casual dish that combines the best of both worlds, the Broken Calzone.

It's a crusty, crunchy pizza crust boat nestling a bed of melted, gooey Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, ricotta, and spinach, topped with two poached eggs.  It's a boat of protein sauce with a rich amount of good fat to fill stomachs and absorb hangovers for a reason price of $15.

Sarkis or his chefs will whisk the cheeses and the eggs together into a creamy, cheese sauce cradled in the open-faced pizza crust boat, to make it easier on you while you recover or make it easier for you to slow then savor it.

Sensing the hungry pre-concert crowd yearns more than popcorn and an hot dog (today's kids are better educated in gourmet food, thanks Food Network) then they'll come back for more, after getting smashed on over-priced cheap beer at The Wiltern, Ca'Brea will make the Broken Calzone available for Happy Hour (when it'll be slightly cheaper) before the concert, late night for after the concert, and for Breakfast, when you need something easy and substantial to soak up the alcohol from the night before.

Ca'Brea and the Broken Calzone, welcome to the neighborhood.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

White Party on the Beach and the Poolside with Everything But Water & EOS Lip Balms.

By Laura Medina

 White: The Capsule Collection.https://everythingbutwater.com/products/collection/white-the-capsule-collection

 Everything But Water's first concept store in Beverly Hills, at 238 South Beverly Drive, feature an all-white assortment of swimwear, resortwear and accessories including its exclusive offering, White: The Capsule Collection. The 26-piece collection features styles from top swim designers including Marysia, Mara Hoffman, PilyQ, Karla Colletto, Solid & Striped and Flagpole Swim.

The 1,000-square-foot store features light wood and rattan accents, a nod to the luxe resort lifestyle. In addition to the exclusive white collection, shoppers will also have access to Everything But Water’s extensive offerings, available with free shipping via the in-store tablet.

Beaching in Malibu while hanging poolside is to be expected in Beverly Hills but they also have White Parties and some of the cover-ups can be saved later for Coachella.

 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/pilyq/white-the-capsule-collection/spa-489t/tunic/72721

PilyQ's Crochet cover tunic with V neck and slit sleeves in 100% Modal, can deal with dust and pool come Coachella.

 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/lotta-stensson/white-the-capsule-collection

Lotta Stensson's "Mini Cascade Robe", in 100% Rayon, is an easy to fit silhouette featuring slit sleeves, drawstring tie with metallic ends, and cascading hemline. This style is perfect as a beach cover up, around town, or as a party dress over a slip.

 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/matta/white-the-capsule-collection/kalim-kaftan-paisley/tunic/71443

Matta Kalim Paisley kaftan, in 100% Cotton, is embroidered with thick cotton thread. Each stitch, done by hand, has its weight and follows a path. The body has a nice texture, balanced by pom poms and tie at waist.  This can do double-duty as Spoleto Scene White Party and Coachella.

https://everythingbutwater.com/products/melissa-odabash/white-the-capsule-collection/jaz-ex/tank-dress/72343

Melissa Odabash Button front tank dress, in 100% cotton, with adjustable drop waist tie and flirty skirt. Features all-over tonal embroidery, crochet insets and picot trim.  Something you can slip over your Daisy Duke Denim Shorts, from beach to biking in Folly Beach.  

 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/pilyq/white-the-capsule-collection/spa-469t/poncho/72718

PilyQ Madagascar poncho features a silky-soft fabrication, loose-knit and fringe hem, in
100% Viscose.

 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/pilyq/white-the-capsule-collection/spa-457d/dress/72720

PilyQ's Pom Pom dress with sheer lace overlay. A chic lining gives the illusion of a tube dress silhouette in 100% Polyamide. With opaqueness of the tube dress with the lace overlay in a slim tailoring, makes this ladylike for Southern White Pool Parties.  A surprising choice of athlesuire, done ladylike.

https://everythingbutwater.com/products/rachel-zoe/white-the-capsule-collection/ebwsp16jp42/romper/72480

 You can always depend on Rachel Zoe for conjuring up something sensible and fun.

Rachel Zoe's Eyelet romper features a plunging button down front, mandarin collar with tie, and three-quarter length sleeves. Lined bottom, in 100% Cotton.  Cute enough to romp around shopping and biking from the beach, ultimate resort wear.

 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/twine--twig/white-the-capsule-collection/ex-poncho-ivory/poncho/72542

Twine & Twig EX-PONCHO IVORY Open front kimono created from authentic African textiles. Features vintage cream colored mud cloths embellished with shells or other charms at collar by Twine and Twig.

Every Twine & Twig piece features unique and naturally sourced eco-friendly materials from regions throughout the world.  Small imperfections in the fabric are part of its vintage nature and add to its character.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind and will vary somewhat from pictured image.

Simply put, you can toss this over a bikini/tankini/tank top over jeans and call it easy resort/evening wear, from sand to sidewalk.


 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/two/white-the-capsule-collection/circle-pattern/caftan/71535

Two CIRCLE PATTERN Caftan long sheer caftan features intricate metallic embroidery circle pattern and triangular temple design on border. Hand woven using the traditional Jamdani weave.

Everything But Water Exclusive.  100% Cotton.  49" l x 46" w.  Please note: This piece is handmade, designs and fabrication will vary from piece to piece.  Care: Hand wash in cold water with gentle soap.


 https://everythingbutwater.com/products/two/white-the-capsule-collection/dhaka-white/caftan/71534

Two Dhaka caftan features a deep V neck and intricate embroidery pattern in fine cotton. Handwoven using the traditional, time-intensive Jamdani weave method.

Everything But Water Exclusive.  100% Cotton.  Please note: This piece is handmade, designs and fabrication will vary from piece to piece.  Care: Hand wash in cold water with gentle soap.

You can wrap your lips around these EOS orb lip balms for complete coverage.  These two lip balms are debuting right now...

eos Shimmer Lip Balm Spheres

$5.49 each at Kohl’s, Ulta, Walgreens and evolutionofsmooth.com; launching July 2016
Softens lips while providing a touch of shimmer and shine for a soft beauty you will enjoy and love! Enriched with moisturizing shea butter, jojoba oil and antioxidant vitamin E, count on eos to keep your lips moist, soft and beautiful. The revolutionary shimmer sphere applies directly on lips and features a sophisticated design.
o   Available in Pearl or Sheer Pink in a subtle Vanilla Bean flavor

   eos Active Protection Lip Balm Spheres
$3.99 at Target, Walmart, CVS and evolutionofsmooth.com; launching July/August 2016
Protects the lips during your busy life to ensure a beautiful softness that lasts. Enriched with jojoba oil, shea butter and vitamin E along with SPF protection, the Active Protection Lip Balms keep lips soft, well-cared for and beautiful while providing protection from the sun.
o   Available in Lemon Twist (SPF 15) and Fresh Grapefruit (SPF 30)
 

 http://wurkinstiffs.com/collections/dbags/products/doppel-bag-silicone-ylw

Since EOS orbs of lip balms are water and sand proof, why not plop them and your other essentials in this equally water and sand proof Würkin Stiffs Doppel Bag made with stain and liquid-resistant silicone, this dopp-bag can withstand even the highest levels of turbulence. 

Now, you're ready to party, chill, and relax deep into vacation season.