Gastronomy Blog by Cathy Chaplin

Potpourri

28 Dec 2017

The Year in Delicious: Top 10 Bites of 2017

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In years past, I rounded up my favorite recipes and restaurant dishes (savories and sweets) to mark the year’s end. This year, I’ve pared down the review to a single list, because truth be told, extravagant home-cooked meals and noteworthy restaurant outings have taken a backseat during The Suburban Years. You know how it goes…

Thank you for reading Gastronomy these past eleven years—it wouldn’t be the same without you. And without further ado, here are the 10 best dishes that I ate this year…

Chinese Sausages from Meizhou Dongpo in Arcadia, California

We were presented with three varieties, each with different degrees of fat and spice. The best of the trio fell in the center of the spectrum—neither too lean nor too fatty and spiced just right.

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“Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo” from Pujol in Mexico City, Mexico

The “Mole Madre,” aged 1,270 days, was deep, dark, and soulful. The “Mole Nuevo” was just as flavorful but with more heat and less heft. Served on the side were warm corn tortillas layered with an hoja santa leaf. The moles were terrific eaten with the tortilla but even better consumed straight up.

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{swoon}

21 Dec 2017

{swoon} Compost Cookie from Milk Bar

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I am really, really late to the Compost Cookie party. Milk Bar introduced it nearly a decade ago, and while I was totally aware of the food world’s obsession, the everything-but-the-kitchen sink treat didn’t make much of an impression on me. Back then, I was more of a Confetti Cookie gal.

After years of not giving a hoot, I finally tried a Compost Cookie last week—and swoon.

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Restaurant Review

13 Dec 2017

Afternoon Tea at The Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room

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On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, The Astronomer’s mother treated me, June, and Auntie Roz (also known as The Astronomer’s sister) to afternoon tea at The Huntington.

Years ago, I had stopped into the Rose Garden Tea Room to scope out the scene. I remember being surprised by the fact that the sweets and savories were served buffet-style from an open-air refrigerated case. I am very much an afternoon tea snob, so I walked away slightly appalled and passed on tea for the time being.

Fast forward to the present. The buffet is ancient history and in its place are gloriously formal tiered serving trays and “fresh offerings made from scratch with local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients,” at least according to the website. The updated afternoon tea experience is much more fitting of The Huntington’s impeccable grounds (and my expectations).

The grown-ups selected the “Traditional Tea Service” ($35), which included tea, a selection of savories and sweets, and a glass of Canella prosecco. June enjoyed the “Children’s Tea Service” ($20), which also included tea, as well as a few ‘kid-friendly’ food options.

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