Sabor's margaritas as big as your head...

Hola mi amigos and welcome to #Sabor Cocina Mexicana in #Thousand Oaks, California! The first time I entered this cantina I was enamored with its stunningly beautiful decor. In the bar, there are  "star" lights glowing overhead, adding ambient warmth to an already inviting and vibrant room - the restaurant feels majestic and is striking with it's unique, glass chandeliers, impressive rustic furnishings, and decorator touches throughout. This gourmet Mexican restaurant has a  courteous, fun, and friendly staff and offers delicious twists on traditional Mexican cuisine with a farm to table approach - and yes, and most importantly...the #margaritas really are as as big as your head!

Try one of their seasonal, muy fantastico, margaritas.

Guacamole beautifully presented - the perfect pairing with my ginormous margarita!

Chicken crepes with a subtle roasted yellow pepper sauce. Deliciously unexpected. 

Chile Chocolate Creme Brulee with Valhrona Chocolate and Guajillo. Incredible!

I'm on top of the world! Takami elevates happy hour -- DTLA oh yeah...

Ok, I'm may have embellished slightly--Takami Sushi's outdoor lounge is more of a penthouse view--breathtaking nonetheless! As you exit the 21st floor into the restaurant, be prepared to fall in love with the spectacular panorama. It has (on a smaller scale) the vibe of a New York rooftop bar nestled amidst two of the tallest skyscrapers in Los Angeles. Downtown's got it goin' on!

 

Now, get ready to fall in love with everything else! Takami exceeded my expectations in all areas,(and for those who know me well--that's no easy feat!) Seriously, it has it all--ambiance, cuisine, libations, great service, and stunning happy hour prices--$4? 7 days a week? WTFun--I am so hooked!

Sushi Trio with Pepper Tuna, Salmon, & Albacore
Tuna Tataki sans avocado (not my doing-my brother is allergic). So FRESH and DELICIOUS!

 

Calamari Arare, coated in Japanese Rice Crackers and served with a Curry Aioli
Popcorn Shrimp with Wasabi Sauce.

The calamari and shrimp were perfectly cooked--so tender and deliciously seasoned. I'm most definitely addicted!--I started craving them immediately after I popped the last one in my mouth!

               811 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2100. Los Angeles, CA 90017. tel. 213.236.9600

 

Looking forward to the next time we meet-- AKross The Table!

Cheers!

乾杯; Kanpai (Dry the glass)

Let's go and have some craic...

...in the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day ( March 17 ) -  Slainte!

AKross Dublin - Castles and Cocktails

At #Finnegan's of Dalkey enjoying a Hot Whiskey. The perfect spirit to ward off the cold on a drizzly Irish afternoon!

Finnegan's of Dalkey and Malahide Castle

One of the oldest castles in Ireland, 12th century #Malahide Castle. Only a quick train ride, just 9 miles north of Dublin.


Dalkey Castle has living guided tours that you won't want to miss. It was one of the highlights on my adventures in Dublin!

#Dalkey Castle, Hot Whiskey and #Guinness of course. Oh and a mysterious hand in the upper right corner...haunted perhaps?

Irish Hot Whiskey

1 measure of Irish Whiskey

2 teaspoons of white or brown sugar

8 ounces (or less) of boiling water

2 slices of freshly cut lemon

6 cloves

Pour whiskey and sugar into a strong heatproof glass.
Add the boiling water and stir until the sugar has dissolved
Embed 3 cloves into each lemon slice and place in glass. Serve immediately.

Sláinte

Sunny side up eggs to brighten those Monday post holiday blues...

As we all feebly return to our regularly scheduled Monday and recover from  what I'm sure was an incredibly indulging, convivial weekend; I thought I'd share a simple breakfast or breakfast for dinner dish that is simple and will right all the wrongs (at least nutritionally) that happened this 4th!

These aren't just your ordinary fried eggs - these luscious eggs have a little somethin' somethin' (hint: a luxurious pan sauce) that will have you wondering why you didn't think of this simple egg hack!

Ingredients for one:

2 farm fresh, organic, free range eggs (crack into a small bowl)

1 1/2 tablespoons European butter, divided

2 tablespoons Lucini Pinot Grigio wine vinegar

Truffle salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method:

Heat a nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and heat until melted. Gently add the eggs to pan, season with truffle salt, and pepper; cook to your liking. Using a spatula, remove the eggs and place on a warm plate. Return the saute pan to the flame. Add the wine vinegar and reduce by half, finish with a pat of butter. Drizzle the pan sauce over the eggs and serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the deliciousness!

Although, I made this for my Monday blues breakfast and served it with crusty bread, orange juice, and strong Irish black tea...

I would be even more excited to have this for dinner with a few tweaks-- how about a French baguette, a simple salad with frisee, baby greens, a squeeze of Meyer lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper? And to insure an even better start to the week, I would most definitely top it off with a glass of sparkling wine!

Bon appetit fellow gourmands! Remember...Friday is only 4 days away!

Cheers,

Allison

Food Truck Friday...happening tonight!

Just a quick post to let you know that #FoodTruckFriday is in Midtown Ventura tonight! They'll roll into the Trader Joe's parking lot (right behind the Pacific View Mall)and are open for business between 6-10pm. If you watch their Facebook page, they'll let you know if the trucks are ready to serve you even earlier...It's a celebratory, carnival-like atmosphere. Enjoy street food under the stars...there's live music, dancing, and a great sense of community. Don't miss out. If you love Maine lobster, claws, tails and all, grab a lobster roll from Cousin's Maine Lobster!

 

Cousin's Maine Lobster...as seen on Shark Tank

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans...

I do! There’s just something about October that gets me longing for New Orleans.  It starts haunting my thoughts…I just somehow begin to feel it, crave it - the food (po’boys, jambalaya, cornbread, beignets), the music (Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans), Halloween costumes, hurricanes (referring to the drink), the people, the vibe. I get the urge to decorate and create a little NOLA in my own home.

Peirano's Restaurant in downtown Ventura must have had the same notion, because they conjured up quite the N'Awlins experience - Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Every Wednesday at 7pm at Peirano's there is an incredible event that you absolutely must do...often! I happened in on their New Orleans pairing dinner and couldn't have been more delighted. Each and every week it’s a new menu, new theme! Each course paired with an adult beverage!

Gumbo paired with Firestone 805 Blonde Ale 

Santa Barbara Prawns paired with Red Stripe Jamaican Lager

Pulled Pork Po'boy on Brioche with a Fried Oyster paired with a Hurricane (Kristy nailed it- Just like Pat O'Brien's)

Pan Seared Catfish over Dirty Rice paired with a Seghesio Zinfandel from Sonoma County

Beignets with Caramel Whipped Cream paired with a not so Skinny Girl White Grape Sangria! But, really, who cares at this point?

Props go out to the entire krew at Peirano's. The chef, Sanaa (the owner who immediately made me feel welcome, like a part of the family), Kristy, their amazing mixologist with an edge, and the entire wait staff for never missing a beat.Truly, something I'd like to experience every week, and the good news is you can. It's affordable, delectable, and lets you become a traveling epicurean without ever searching for your passport... 

bon appetit friends!