The Eat My Blog charity bake sale will be taking over the patio of Tender Greens in West Hollywood on Saturday, December 4th from 10 AM to 4 PM. All proceeds from this tasty event will be donated to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. All items will be priced between $1 to $4 for your convenience (and gluttony). Come early for the best selection and bring singles, please. I hope to see you there!
The other day, Chef Debbie Lee excitedly tweeted, “Just figured out my dessert for the Eat My Blog holiday bake sale! Can’t wait.” In response, I tweeted back, “I hope it involves BACON and CARAMEL!” She baked individual-sized bacon coffee cakes with almond butterscotch drizzle for this past summer’s sale, and I was hoping for something deliciously similar.
Somewhere in a nearby corner of the Internet, Kristine de la Cruz of Crème Caramel LA heard my prayers and decided that I had to taste her latest creation: Caramelized Bacon and Salted Caramel Bread Pudding. And thus, a new friendship was quickly formed. Twitter has an amazing way of connecting folks in the food community, especially those with slightly unhealthy bacon obsessions.
On Sunday afternoon, Ms. de la Cruz delivered two still-warm-to-the-touch containers filled with freshly baked bread pudding for me to sample. I gotta say, girlfriend hooked me up fat.
As soon as she departed from my doorstep, I quickly snapped these shots and dug into the goods. Based on appearance alone, I knew this was going to be crazy good. The pillowy tufts of brioche (from The Village Bakery & Cafe) were painted with a glossy caramel sheen, while the pieces of Cajun bacon (from Cast Iron Gourmet LA) were sliced nice and thick. Not to mention, the smells emanating from the little paper containers were completely intoxicating.
It was a red letter day this past Friday night in Pasadena. Of all the neighborhoods the Lobsta Truck could’ve debuted in, they chose to peddle their wares first in my fair city. How cool is that?
The man behind the truck is Justin Mi, a seafood industry veteran and fellow 626 resident. The idea for the truck was born after a recent gut-busting lobster roll tour through Maine. In the span of two days, he consumed half a dozen specimens, and at the end of it all, he was inspired to bring the simple, clean, and satisfying flavors that he experienced to Los Angeles.
The unwrapped Lobsta Tuck was parked near the corner of Colorado and Fair Oaks in Old Town Pasadena. A line ten or so deep was already formed when The Astronomer and I arrived on the scene—it was really great to see Pasadenians coming out to show their support. We took our spots and eagerly anticipated the New England fare coming our way.
While waiting in line, we contemplated what to order. In addition to lobster rolls, the truck also offers crab rolls, New England clam chowder, Cape Cod chips, whoopie pies, and fresh squeezed lemonade. The lobsters, as well as the split-top buns that both the crab and lobster rolls are served on, are flown in several times each week from the East Coast.