Red Velvet - Los Angeles!

For those of you who haven't heard the news yet - we're moving to LA in July 2010! I am so excited! Not only does this mean no more snow in the winter (unless we choose to go skiing or something!) it also means I'm closer to many more red velvet cupcakes. While I was out in LA interviewing for fellowship in Sept, I tried to do a quick sampling of the local treats. I compared Sprinkles with Susiecakes.

Sprinkles was delicious as usual. It may not be the "BEST" red velvet cake that I've had, but it is always solid and consistent. The baking mix is available at Williams and Sonoma. Susiecakes gets good reviews but I wasn't all that impressed. I can't remember what it was like but I think it was moist and had a buttercream frosting.

Long Overdue RVC update

So, things have been busy and I haven't been posting. But, I haven't stopped eating and trying Red Velvet Cupcakes so I have a few updates for you all! I will first post the BEST RVC in New England - picked for me for my 30th Birthday by my wonderful husband Jason from the North End (what used to be LuLu's bakeshop) in Boston.

The cake was dense and rich with a luscious cream cheese frosting! Divine! It is a toss up between this red velvet and the one from Truckee, CA.

Ramen as Art

This weekend, I tried out Ippudo - NYC at the recommendation of my friend Rebecca. J and I usually love to eat ramen at Momofuku in the East Village, but Ippudo was amazing, if not even better! I have so much food to post on but had to share this secret to anyone who is lucky enough to be in NYC soon! This young man made a great introductory video - it's a bit dark but check it out!

http://www.ippudo.com/ny/

Red Velvet is Everywhere?

Recently, J and I crashed (we happened to be in the mall shopping for new cookware) the renovated Crate and Barrel opening in Natick - and they had cookies and beverages to celebrate. Look what I found! :) A red velvet mini whoopie pie. The flavor was so-so, but isn't it cute?!

Retired Song of the week: Glittering Clouds by Imogen Heap

This should have been retired a while ago but I'm going to try to be better with my weekly song posts now :)

Fall

Fall has always been my favorite season. I find something incredibly romantic about the season and love walking through the crisp fresh air, admiring the changing colors of the leaves, apple picking, bundling up in warm cozy sweaters, sipping hot cocoa or cider and snuggling.

This morning, I stopped by Wilson's Farm in Lexington, MA. It was a foodie's paradise. For an hour, I walked up and down the aisles of fresh produce and breads - daydreaming about what recipes I would be trying with them. The smell of the freshly made apple cider donuts wafted through the air and reminded of high school when my friend Ellen and I would rollerblade to Wilson's farm to enjoy one of their perfect nut covered candy apples.

Apple cider donuts in the fryer and candy coated apples in the background...
Heirloom tomatoes and mixed basil

My Loot!

Wilson's Farm 10 Pleasant St, Lexington, MA. 02421 (781) 862-3900

Hidden Food Gem - Pacific Puffs

While in SF last weekend, I was determined to get a RVC from That Takes the Cake in the Marina District - since I had a pleasant experience with them in May. After we picked up the cupcakes, we drove down Union St. to the next yummy stop - La Boulange (which I will blog about another day). Something caught my eye....

I gasped with delight, and apparently the salesman/ owner of the store saw my expression through his store window and our car window and beckoned me to check it out! I told Jason to pull the car to the side, and ran into the little store where, I guessed correctly, gourmet cream puffs were sold! There were so many varieties, so I got two even though we were stuffed and already equipped with 3 cupcakes. I justified this to Jason - "You only live once!"
OMG. They were incredible. Jason - who is a big connoisseur of cream puffs declared these the best he's ever eaten! I had previously enjoyed the "Bearded Papa" chain of cream puffs, but these really blew the competition out of the water. They were amazing, the puff was light, and really showcased the delightful cool and melt in your mouth cream.

Pacific Puffs, 2201 Union St (Between Fillmore St & Steiner St), San Francisco, CA. 94123 (415) 440-7833. www.pacificpuffs.com

I think I found my favorite Red Velvet!

J and I have been traveling more or less for the last month and we've eaten and seen a lot of amazing things that I plan on sharing, so please keep checking the blog for updates over the next few weeks! But, first things first - I think I found my favorite red velvet cupcake!!!

Who would have guessed that the popular resort town of Truckee, in North Lake Tahoe would host the most delicious red velvet cupcake I've tasted so far?!

As I was strolling through Truckee last Sunday afternoon, a pink cupcake with luscious frosting caught my eye through the store window. I was a bit skeptical about this "Wagon Train Coffee Shop" - their baked goods weren't the most aesthetically pleasing - the cookies were lumpy bumpy or unadorned, the cupcakes simple and humble. So, when I saw that pink cupcake amongst the others, I wondered - is that a strawberry cupcake? or could it be.... RVC? Devoted to my quest to find the "Best RVC" - I had to ask, and to my surprise and glee - it was indeed a Red Velvet Cupcake!

RVC usually contains a considerable amount of red dye (in fact, so much that in the past, it has stained my fingers and teeth). This one looked, natural and it's pink color actually threw me off. But one bite into it, all my doubts were cast aside. It was moist, with a rich buttermilk yet balanced and nuanced flavor. The cream cheese frosting tied it together beautifully. Once I finished eating it, I doubled back and bought another one for Jason. The salesgirl was pleased, and told me this was her "grandma from New Orlean's secret recipe." Jason agreed. This one was a winner.

I do have to give an honorable mention to That takes the cake - in the marina district of SF. I've blogged about the RVC from them before - so if you're curious, please refer to May 2009. :)

Wagon Train Coffee Shop: 10080 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA. 96161 (530) 587-7574

Everybody know about Maine Lobster- but Maine Doughnuts?!

While celebrating my friend's bachelorette in Maine this past weekend, I discovered the most delicious donuts I've ever tasted.  I've always had a soft spot for donuts - and my favorites are Jelly-filled, Boston Creme and Krispy Kreme Glazed.  However, this local family run restaurant and bakery blew all the competition out of the water.  Each bite I took into their fresh, doughy doughnuts was heavenly.   If you're ever in Wells Maine - Congdon's is definitely worth a stop.  

I stopped to pick up a Maine lobster roll and some New England Clam chowder before heading back to Massachusetts.  Jason and I enjoyed the seafood for dinner. We ate it all before I could take a photograph - it was that good! :)  

For yummy Wells Maine Eats: 

Congdon Doughnuts - 1090 Post Rd, Wells, ME‎ - (207) 646-4219‎

Wells Beach Lobster Pound, 1090 Post Rd, Wells, ME‎ - (207) 646-4219‎

Pollo Campero - Delicious Fried Chicken!

My love for fried chicken began with my first bite of the chicken biscuit at the now RIP, Pies-N-thighs in Brooklyn, NY. It was the most delicious combination of a southern biscuit, honey, hot sauce, fried chicken and pickle. I had never tasted chicken like that before. This was no KFC -  it was transcendent.  It made me swoon.  Ever since they closed 2 years ago, I've been searching for a replacement. With the help of my friend Jess - who enthusiastically scouts and tries new restaurants with me.... we found a winner tonight.... Pollo Campero. 

The chicken was so tender, juicy and moist. The skin was so crispy and flavorful - although it was "fried", it was light and not at all oily. The sides of rice and beans, plantains and yucca fries were delightful. The Horchata and Tamarind Juice quenched our thirst, and refreshed. We ate outside at their festive yellow umbrella covered tables in the cool summer breeze and agreed that it was the best $9 meal we've had in a while. 

Apparentlly, this Chelsea Chicken joint is the 50th store in the United States for Pollo Campero, the world’s largest Latin American (Guatamalen based) chicken restaurant chain. You can find it at 115 Park St, Chelsea, MA 02150.  

Wow- This girl can really DANCE!

I'm incredibly impressed - watch for yourself...

Spanish Tortilla Dinner

I am an incredibly lucky lady. Since we met, Jason has been spoiling me and taking amazing care of me.....but who would have guessed that I'd marry such an AMAZING chef. On one of our first dates, I remember the first dinner Jason cooked for me - chicken breast and red pepper ala George Foreman Grill and microwaved rice.  It was tasty meal,  but we didn't eat until 11:30pm....on a work night! Now, in 30 min time, he can whip up masterpiece! Last night, we had a spanish themed dinner.  A co-worker of Jason's had made empanadas, so he was inspired to make spanish tortilla. 

We rounded the meal out with some marcarona almonds, olives, proscuitto, caprese salad and toasted bread with honeyed goat cheese with fig spread.  Jason's brother was very impressed when we showed him our dinner via Skype. 
We decided to drink our Spanish wine  (we brought this back from our trip to Madrid in 2008 - from our friend Eduardo's little wine shop)
Here is the step by step recipe for Spanish tortilla: 

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/tapas/ss/tortilla.htm

For a tasty lunch treat, we had french baguette sandwiches with a little mayo, sliced left-over tortilla espanola, tomato, basil and proscuitto. Yum!

Wedding's Over and I'm Back with a RVC update!

I've taken a long long break from blogging, but now wedding and all the planning is over - I can start sharing again. The question is....where to start?  Since the last post, I've gotten married, honeymooned in Greece and Turkey, visited NYC and just spent a fabulous weekend celebrating J's birthday in Boston.

It only seems appropriate for me to start up again with a RVC post. 

This one is from Billy's Bakery in Chelsea, Manhattan. I have to say, as much as I love Billy's cupcakes - the vanilla vanilla is my favorite, the red velvet was a little disappointing. The frosting deserves an (A) - it was delicious, creamy, smooth, just the right sweetness but it was a buttercream, not cream cheese and I am a strong believer that RVC tastes best with cream cheese frosting. The RV cake part itself was a little lackluster (B-) - it tasted fresh, yet was somewhat dry and tasted more like a mild chocolate cake than the buttermilky and complex red velvet i was looking for. The Quest continues!!!!! 

South End Buttery RED VELVET cupcake

RVC brings me back again. Things are getting really busy with the wedding and work this summer, but I have been eating well, and will try to put some new reviews and tasty delights up in the next few days.

Only July 4th, Jason and I went into Boston for the fireworks, and chanced upon this Red Velvet Cupcake at the South End Buttery. Although I was still full from the previous day's binge of lobsters, ribs, corn, and pie... I couldn't resist. And the verdict?.....

It was okay. The frosting was cream cheese and tasty with a rich smooth consistency. However the red velvet cake part itself lacked a bit of flavor. It tasted more like a mild chocolate cake than the nuanced red velvet flavor I'm still searching for..... Sigh. The quest continues... if anyone knows of any other RVC spots I should hit up let me know and I'll add it to the list!

A little Racy but I love the Beat!

For the original (not remix) click here 

wow. flashback to teen angst!

I was surfing around itunes - a guilty pleasure I haven't indulged in a while and stumbled across this song.  Although I like my indie/ hip hop/ electronica - I'll admit I'm a sucker for pop music. Wow - has this girl got an amazing voice. Although this is a bit of a sad song, and this is a happy blog, I wanted to share it because I admire the passion she puts into it. :)

Southern Comfort: Uncle Tupelo

Photos don't do it justice. Last night, Jason and I had dinner with our dear friends Miguel and Liv at a hot new spot in town - Uncle Tupelo's in Inman Square. Wow was it delicious.  Southern food has been the latest food fad and I sure am grateful for this. I love my comfort food and now, I can say I love Uncle Tupelo. Yum! 

Fried Grits. Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside. A perfect combo of texture and flavor. I can close my eyes and still taste these delicious little appetizers. Probably my favorite part of the meal.
Fried oysters and green tomatoes. Delicious. I'd have to say, they're pretty good at the other Southern spot, Hungry Mother. But this place has a way cooler laid back vibe. 

Fried Catfish

Gumbo

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler. 

Tupelo is at 1193 Cambridge St. in Inman Square. For more information and a full menu, visitwww.tupelo02139.com. Or call 617-868-0004.

Red Velvet always brings me back!

I have fallen behind in my blogging. I've been busy - working, figuring out my future (which will hopefully include the West Coast in 2010), and planning our wedding.  But don't worry - I've been continuing to eat well, and have not given up on my quest for the *World's Best* Red Velvet Cake.  :)

Although I have sampled red velvet cake (RVC) throughout the country, rarely do I get it near home. The last time I had RVC in Boston was when Jason had one special ordered for my birthday. So imagine this. I was in Boston Friday afternoon getting my hair permed (I think I've posted on the wonders of the "digital perm" previously) and on my way back to the Mass Pike, I kept an eye out for this cupcake shop "Sweet" that Bostonians have be raving about. Just as I was about to drive by, a car pulled out of a parking spot and it opened up. Right in front of the store. It was fate. I knew I had to go in.

The verdict? Beautifully designed, attractive cupcakes. But sadly, lousy taste. So lousy, I can't remember if the cake had any flavor other than the cream cheese frosting, which was good. But I am not a cream cheese frosting critic, I am a red velvet cake connoisseur.  So, disappointed, I'm back to the drawing board. FYI - the cappuccino and carrot cake mini muffins I got were also disappointing in flavor and dry. Two thumbs down for Sweet on Mass Ave. (perhaps the worst rating in my blog thus far). 

I heart SF!

In my limited shop-hopping experience in SF - I have to say they play the BEST music in their stores. While picking up second hand treasures from Crossroads Trading on Fillmore (I totally scored- Shoshanna dress for $23! BCBG dress for $20!), I heard consecutively 3 of my favorite artists - Lykke Li, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and MIA!

I haven't posted any new music (or posted in general for that matter) for a while, so here is a new one by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads will Roll...

East West Red Velvet Showdown

I'm back from my monthlong hiatus - I have to say, every now and then I give up on blogging because 1) I'm just too busy and 2) because I'm not quite sure anyone is reading and wonder about posting into the black hole of cyberspace. But during my trip to SF - my friend Adam commented that he liked the food posts, so reinvigorated and motivated, I'm back to deliver my East-West Red Velvet Cupcake showdown report... NYC vs SF

Dean and Deluca - ? brand. Most, balanced delicate flavor, not too much frosting (maybe it got stuck on the container) but just the right amount as it was cream cheese and very flavorful. Overall, one of the better RVC (red velvet cupcakes) i've had in a while!

This one was from NYC Grand Central Food Hall. I think it was good, but of these 3, the least memorable. It is also not as visually appealing - the frosting was a bit too smooshy.

The WINNER! San Francisco "TAKES THE CAKE!"
http://www.yelp.com/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.that-takes-the-cake.com&src_bizid=tp9mL3Hr3yYmqKAfVLLDfg

I have to confess, I bought the cupcake from that Takes the Cake after a leisurely Friday afternoon shopping stroll from Fillmore (Japatown) to the other end of Fillmore (Union). I was just wrapping up my shopping when I overheard a lady say "Red Velvet blah blah blah..." Immediately, I turned around and asked her what she was talking about! To my delight, she shared with me (and another eager passerby) that this wonderful cupcakery was just a block away. The other lady and me raced to the shop and I purchased this delicious gem! I was going directly to dinner with my friend Adam at La Mar (I will post on this soon!), so I put my RVC in my hotel room (notice the animal print Kimpton bathrobe?) for safekeeping. I woke up at 6:30am this morning (must be the jet lag), and what did I do? I ate my cupcake. And it was OMGoooood! It was moist, deliciately but richly flavored and the cream cheese frosting was creamy and decadent. A++

Fun Short Wedding Dress Photo Shoot

On April 15 th, I did something totally unusual for a Wednesday weekday - I volunteered to model for a short wedding dress photo shoot with a local photographer that I admire - Rachel from www.mergeweddings.com.  I have been a big fan of her stuff for months and have been following her blog, so when she had a casting call for this shoot AND i had the perfect dress from www.etsy.com*, I couldn't resist!

my fabulous hair stylist, Jennifer! If you look closely you can see Rachel with the camera shooting another model in the background! 

super talented makeup artist Jennie-Kay!

Beautiful florals by Erica J (boston area) used in the shoot! Rachel was so generous and let me take one of the bouquets home! 

I don't usually plug vendors, or talk much about wedding stuff on my blog... but today, I met such fabulous and talented women in hair, makeup, florals, and photography that I had to give them all props! If you are interested in their contact info, please let me know and I'd be happy to pass it on! 

Weekend of good eating...

This is a sampling of our weekend of good eating, music and eating! We still have one more meal to go - we're thinking of pho tonight with our friends Monica and Evan...

We've been so busy for the past few weeks, we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at 

One Elevan Chophouse off of Shrewsbury St, Worcester.  

Jason got the Wagyu steak and I got the mixed grill - Yum!

For saturday brunch, we went to Armsby Abbey.

I ordered the Belgian Sugar Waffle- the most delicious breakfast item EVER!

Sat night we met up with Jess and some friends for pizza and beer at Woody's

Afterwards, we headed over to Berklee to see Neko Case.

Wow. She has an amazing voice!!!!

Neko Case

I'm going to her show in Boston tonight! Yay! :) 

Cool new song and Great Pizza

I am so overdue with blog updates but will post many exciting new restaurant reviews and recipes soon... in the meantime, I thought I'd share a cool song I found today, and give props to the best (paper) thin pizza that's definitely worth a trip out to Worcester- Corner Grille. :)

Lobstermania!

Last week, Jason's aunt and uncle left us with some very delicious fresh lobster! We decided to have it two ways  - the weeknight option of the lobster roll (by Felicia), and the fancy grill special (by Jason)

The lobster meat was so fresh and sweet all it required was a quick saute with butter and some seasoned Borsani salt, served on a toasted hot dog roll - Delicious AND easy! 

Hoping that spring is here, we brought our grill out of the garage, and put it back on the deck. What better way to kick off the season than with some surf and turf!  Doesn't it look fabulous?! It tasted even better than it looks! I asked Jason to share the recipe for grilled lobster tails....