Blue Apron... One of the best things I've come across since not being able to eat out as much!

Sooooooo I finally decided that I really need to start blogging again.
I found that it was so much fun when I used to do it, and just lost my umph on my last trip abroad... Well here I am again, so let's see how this goes.

My posts probably won't be as often, but I promise to post anytime I head somewhere yummy that is worth checking out.

For this blog though I thought I would write about this fantastic little food delivery service that I started. Since I don't eat out as much this really helps because it keeps things fun, always different and let's face it the food is fantastic!!!  It also has me making food that I would have never had the guts to try before.  And they do look intimidating, but I promise they are pretty easy to make.
Hopefully some of you will check it out, because honestly it's the BEST!!!

Blue Apron
http://www.blueapron.com/

Blue Apron sends a box of 3 meals a week, all fresh ingredients and some of the most fantastic recipes I've ever tried!
I live alone, and would tend to waste half my groceries that I would buy for the week.  Or I would be running to the store 3 or 4 times to pick up what I was making for dinner.  And with working full time who has time for all of that?!

Well fret no more!  I now get a delivery once a week to my doorstep for the 3 meals that I can make whenever I want.
Some much time saved, it's truly a lifesaver!!!

This is the box that arrives for me every Tuesday... Oh did I mention you chose which day you would like your delivery?  How awesome is that?!

When you open the box you have a letter and the 3 recipes for the week.  All the food is stored in the cooler.

This was all the food that was in my box for the week.  Everything is labeled making is super easy a total no brainer!

Rice Flaked-Crusted Salmon with Miso-Smashed Japanese Sweet Potatoes & Mustard Greens

Chop and prep and it's ready for cooking.

Dinner is served!

Crispy Fish Tacos with Salsa Verde & Red Cabbage Slaw

Chop chop chop and you are ready to cook.  This is a lot of work, but it's part of the fun!  I mean I even made home made Salsa Verde!

Dinner is served!!

Pan-Seared Salmon with Arugula, Candy Striped Beets & Horseradish Sour Cream

Grains of Paradise-Crusted Steak with Preserved Lemon, Eggplant & Israeli Couscous Salad

Cuban Sandwiches with Sweet Plaintain and Kale Salad

Blue Apron has made me a better cook, and with becoming a better cook I love bringing my friends over to share this wonderful food with.
I hope that you try it and if you do please let me know how it is!!
Happy cooking!!!

XO Drea

Hinoki & The Bird… Sooo dark and soooo sexy!!!

Hinoki & The Bird
10 Century Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90067
310-552-1200
http://hinokiandthebird.com/

Hinoki & the Bird is Truly Extraordinary
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-weston/hinoki-and-the-bird_b_2821080.html

Table Talk
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/22/table-talk-hinoki-the-bird-in-los-angeles/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

I feel like arriving to Hinoki & The Bird is like discovering a little secret treasure… You drive up to a dark and small valet driveway with a hidden entry door to this incredible restaurant inside.  When entering you literally have a birds-eye view of the beautiful bar and indoor dining room.  Everything is very dark and very sexy!!!  The outdoor dining room was incredibly large with that indoor outdoor feel.  I fell in love with this place immediately!  It reminded me of a swanky restaurant you would go to in New York.  The ambiance the music, everything was just perfect!!!
So tonight I went with a girlfriend who doesn't eat any meat (boo-hoo) so I decided I would stick to the pescatarian diet as well so that we could share… Cause what's the fun in only trying a couple things on the menu when you could share everything that was ordered?
Sounds like I'm going to have to call one of my carnivorous friends and go back really really soon!
I need to start taking pics of my cocktails which I keep forgetting about… Tonight I had the Hinoki Swizzle (Amontillado Sherry, St Germaine, fresh green apple & Champagne), this one was my absolute favorite!!  Always love St Germaine and Champagne!  I also tried the Gordon's Cup (Gin, muddled lime, cucumber, Szechuan pepper and salt), this was good… But after the first drink it couldn't compare for me.

This is the view that you have as soon as you walk into the front door… Beyond beautiful!

Like always I had to get the oysters, again I was in the mood for trying something new so I opted for my go-to and also a recommendation from our server.  Again I was happy that I ventured out… Might have to stop being scared and just start trying them all!
1/2 dozen oysters, with pear mignonette

I'm always a huge fan of raw fish so this was a no brainer and I knew I  would enjoy it.
Snapper, grapefruit and lime leaf

WOW, I wish I had more room in my stomach for more of this!  Sooo yummy!!!
Chili crab toast, spicy cucumber, coriander

The presentation of this dish was really cool!  It's literally still smoking as it get's to your table!  And it's super yummy!  I went with a friend who is pescatarian so you won't see any meat this time around… Guess I'm going to have to go back REALLY soon and check out the carnivorous side of the menu.
Hinoki scented black cod, sweet potato, pistachio

This dish was incredible!!  I was told by a good friend of mine to get this and boy was she spot on!  It was spicy and the dipping sauce brought the flavors to a whole other level!
Sambal skate wing

YUM YUM YUM!  I wasn't sure about getting a yam as our veggie, but it was really really good!  It wasn't too sweet which I was a little worried about and it was a really good balance with the fish.
Roasted yam, creme fraiche, lardon

So this was really good…Just really hmmm simple I guess.  I kinda wish I would have listened to Steph and tried something a little more adventurous.  
Miso donuts, honey caramel

I literally can't wait to go back here… Even if it's just for one of thier fabulous drinks and an appetizer at the bar!
I really love LA and all the amazing restaurants it has to offer!  I feel like I have an endless list of new places I want to try, and no matter how many I end up marking off, the amount just never gets smaller.
If any of you have any restaurant recommendations please let me know down on the comments below!  I love good recommendations and would love to check out anything that you guys also love!

XO Drea

Maude... Take Home Chef's first restaurant!

Maude
http://www.mauderestaurant.com/
212 S. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA  90212
(310) 859-3418

Maude is a new restaurant that opened in Beverly Hills by Curtis Stone.
I met Curtis a few years back and he has got to be the sweetest and most down to earth man EVER!  And it doesn't suck that he's tall, extremely sexy and has one of the hottest Aussie accents!!!!
So Maude has a monthly menu based around one key ingredient... It's a 9 course tasting menu (MY FAVORITE), and if you're vegetarian or have any food restrictions they will work with you.
For February it was citrus, March artichokes and April peas.
The restaurant is super small, having room for only 25.  So if you want a reservation you have to book in advance.  When I went I found out they are booked till May 1st!!!
I say keep a look out every month and see if the key ingredient piques your interest!  And if it does call right away and hopefully you can get in!!!
The menu for my meal was based around citrus... And I wasn't disappointed by any means!  I think this needs to be added to my top 10 in LA!!

Champagne YES PLEASE!!

Lime Sorbet with orange (I love anything sour so of course I loved this)

Shigoku Oysters with Cavier (I mean…. Do I even have to comment)

Gougere (WOW… This tiny little pastry, probably the size of a quarter around… But the flavor inside was bigger than life!!!)

Onion Bhaji (this reminded me almost of a potato pancake that my mom used to make)

Fried Mussels with Blood Orange Aioli

This was a play on chef's salad with nasturtiums, buttermilk dressing and clementine reduction

Carrot and Orange Soup with Parsley Puree and Serrano Ham Chip (I can't get over how yummy this was… The ham chip with it's saltiness was soooo good dipped into this creamy soup)

Lobster Crudo with Crimson Turnip Cream, Watermelon Radish, Fennel and Compressed Celery

Chicken Terrine Pain Perdu with Mustard Ice Cream (YES I said mustard ice cream… And it was FANTASTIC!!)

Halibut, Gnocchi and I'm not too sure what else.  This was new on the menu so I don't remember everything that was included :(

Duck, Duck Goose.  Duck Ravioli with Duck Mousse and Chard Filing, Smoked Goose Fat and a grating of dehydrated salted duck egg yolk

Abbaya De Belloc (Mustards with Citrus, Semolina Crackers and Cheese which I don't remember the name of)

Cappuchino, I most definitely needed a pick me up after what we just ate!  And to think we just got to the 3 courses of dessert that are on the way!

Homemade Madeline Cookies fresh out of the oven with Salted Carmel Dipping Sauce (OMG!!!!!!!!)

Lemon Curd, Dulcey Creneuz, Yuzu Sorbet, Hempseed (this was like a lemon bar but sooooo much more special)

I don't even know how I was able to eat anymore… But I had to try everything!  And I did!!!!

This is the cutest!!!!  They send you away with this little gift to enjoy later!  Can't wait to enjoy mine!!!

We sat at the chef's counter, I would recommend sitting here if you can.  You basically have a front row seat to watch the Masters at work!

Hope that some of you are able to try this place, it's really worth it!!!  

I can't wait to go back.

XO Drea