Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Now Closed

07 Dec 2015

Thanksgiving at Bouchon – Los Angeles (Beverly Hills)

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We spent Thanksgiving out on the town for the second year running. Last year, The Astronomer and I slummed it at House of Pies in Los Feliz because June was stuck in the NICU. This year, we wined and dined at Bouchon in Beverly Hills. What a difference a year makes!

I’ve wanted to experience Thanksgiving at Bouchon ever since reading about Thomas Keller’s Thanksgiving Feast in Saveur last year. I made sure to make reservations early, because even at $80 a head and with a limited menu, the holiday gets booked up quickly.

Everyone at the table, especially June, loved the fantastic pain d’epi to start. The perfectly spreadable butter made every bite even better.

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Restaurant Review

24 Nov 2015

Adana Restaurant – Glendale

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For those who are totally turkey-, cranberry sauce-, and stuffing‘ed out, meet Adana, a J-Gold recommended spot in an unlikely corner of Glendale. Sarah and I stopped in for lunch a few weeks back and ate our weight in superb Middle Eastern cooking.

Every meal at Adana begins with a basket of pita bread and pita chips. Both are addictive, especially when the hummus hits the table.

Lunch started with a fattoush salad ($9.99), a bed of verdolagas (also known as purslane) adorned with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, herbs, feta cheese, and pita chips dressed with lemon and oil. Sarah liked this plate o’ greens very much.

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Potpourri

17 Nov 2015

June’s “Very Hungry Caterpillar” 1st Birthday

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June was born a year ago today! Yay! We celebrated last weekend with family, friends, and fried chicken, as one does.

Since the weather is so beautiful this time a year, an al fresco party at Garfield Park in South Pasadena was the order of the day. We reserved a gazebo a few months in advance and got to planning soon after.

With the exception of selecting the theme and purchasing candy for the piñata, the entire affair was executed by two amazing and talented friends: Esme and Sarah. Delegation without guilt is truly a Mom’s best friend.

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