Giveaway
17 Nov 2011

GIVEAWAY: Eleven Madison Park Cookbook

Filed Under:

102 Comments

Eleven Madison Park is one of New York City’s most popular fine-dining establishments, and one of only a handful to receive three Michelin stars and four stars from the New York Times. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Daniel Humm and General Manager Will Guidara since 2006, the restaurant has soared to new heights and has become one of the premier dining destinations in the world.

The Astronomer and I dined at Eleven Madison Park this past spring and had a beautiful time. Not only was the food and plating stunning, but the service was friendly yet polished. We can’t imagine a trip to New York without a meal here from this point forward. This place is a gem.

Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook is a sumptuous tribute to the unforgettable experience of dining in the restaurant, where the latest culinary techniques are married with classical French cuisine. The book features more than 125 sophisticated recipes, arranged by season, adapted for the home cook, and accompanied by stunning full-color photographs by Francesco Tonelli.

“Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook” Giveaway

I have TWO copies of Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook to give away to TWO gas•tron•o•my readers. To qualify for the giveaway, please leave a comment with your name and email address in the appropriate fields, and your answer to the following question: What is your favorite New York City restaurant? For two more chances to win, follow me on Twitter (@GastronomyBlog) and/or on Facebook. Then, leave additional comments on this post to let me know.

I’ll be using a random number generator to choose the winner. All entries must be received by Friday, November 25, 2011 at midnight PST. Good luck!

Now Closed
16 Nov 2011

Sotto Restaurant – West Los Angeles

Filed Under:

9 Comments

Sotto - Los Angeles

It just so happened that Lien and I supped at Sotto the same day that Jonathan Gold’s glowing review of the restaurant hit news stands. Using his article as our personal crib sheet, we loaded up on lardo, passed on pizza, and saved room for a cannoli. From beginning to end, it was a memorable and delectable meal, one that continues to linger in my mind even though weeks have gone by.

Sotto - Los Angeles

Chefs Steve Samson and Zack Pollack opened Sotto earlier this year along with restaurateur Bill Chait. The two previously worked at Pizzeria Ortica together and established it as one of Orange County’s top restaurants.

Here, at their first Los Angeles restaurant, the focus is on southern Italian fare. The menu includes Neapolitan pizzas, handmade pastas, and lesser-known regional specialties.

Sotto - Los Angeles

My date consulted with the sommelier for her wine pairings this evening, while I reached for the cocktail menu. I started with “Dem Apples,” a perfectly autumnal creation with bourbon, fresh pressed apple, Clear Creek pear eau de vie, fresh lemon, and cassia-infused honey ($12).

(more…)

Recipe
15 Nov 2011

National Bundt Day: Orange Cardamom Cake

Filed Under:

4 Comments

Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake

Did you know that National Peking Duck Day falls on January 18 and National Escargot Day is celebrated on May 24? Don’t forget about National Pots de Creme day on August 27, National Sangria Day on December 20, and a hundred more edible celebrations recognized throughout the year.

Food-centric holidays like these usually come and go without much fanfare on my part, but I couldn’t let National Bundt Day on November 15 pass by without some love. For the past three years, one of my favorite bloggers, Mary “The Food Librarian,” has baked 30 cakes in 30 days in recognition of the holiday. That’s a total of 90 Bundts! Her passion and enthusiasm for the pan’s round and sexy curves is hilarious and contagious. She makes me wanna be a bigger, bolder, better Bundt baker.

In celebration of my first National Bundt Day, I made an Orange Cardamom Cake. Citrus and spice shine brightly and distinctly in this moist little number. The best part is the freshly squeezed orange juice glaze that’s drizzled over the cake while it’s still hot from the oven. Tart, sweet, and  full of spice, this cake’s got it all.

Happy National Bundt Day, everyone!

For cake

  • Cooking spray
  • 3 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs

For glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake

Preheat oven to 350°. To prepare cake, coat a 10-inch tube pan or Bundt pan with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.

Orange Cardamom Bundt Cake

Make a well in center of mixture. Add 3/4 cup orange juice, canola oil, orange rind, lemon rind, vanilla, and eggs to flour mixture, and beat with a mixer at low speed or manually until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.

(more…)