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Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

Spooky Halloween Cupcakes

Posted in Food, tagged , , , on October 27, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

My Nephew, Tyler, Frightened by His Own Yummy Creations!

Looking for a fun and creative Halloween activity to do this weekend with your kids? Try making and then happily gobbling up these Party Monsters in your own spooky kitchen.

My uncle Mitch (an amazing cook himself) found these Halloween-themed cupcakes created by cupcake wizards Karen Tack and Alan Richardson and sent the idea to his sugar-crazed family.  My mom and dad (the most delighted-to-be-grandparents around) and my nephew, Tyler beat me to this mouth-watering Halloween activity.  Their creations are admittedly more adorable than spooky, but have inspired me to bake my own finger-licking, ghoulish creations with Charles.

Their Spooky Halloween Cupcakes Proudly Displayed

Believe it or not, these are actually made with everyday ingredients you may even have in your house, such as marshmallows, pretzels, sprinkles, licorice laces and lollipops.  The recipe calls for neon food coloring, but Tyler and his grandparents used normal red, blue and yellow food coloring and mixed their own inventive colors.

Tyler realized the cupcakes he made with his own imagination were his favorite, like the purple one that looks like the movie character Walle.  After seeing pictures of their cupcakes, Charles is already thinking of other creative ways to make his own spooky creatures.

Happy Halloween and Happy Baking!!!!

The Proud Creators: Tyler and Grandma Kimberly (not pictured: Grandpa Keith who is snapping the photo)

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Top 10 Best Eats in Santa Monica

Posted in Food, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Santa Monica Beach - Photo by Betsi Ewing

We are in Santa Monica often….and a girl’s got to eat, right?  These are my favorite places to eat with Charles.  Some of them are not actually in Santa Monica, but worth the trip!

10.  Gladstone’s- Location! Location!  Gladstone’s 4 Fish is directly off PCH in Malibu.  My favorite time to eat here is during stunning sunsets.  Play on the beach while you wait for your food.

9.  Cora’s Coffee Shop – Fabulous farm fresh food, varied menu, and an adorable outdoor patio framed by an iron arbor make this place one of my favorites for breakfast or lunch.

8.  Pinks’s – What can I say….It’s Pinks and it’s Hollywood.  The hot dogs are legendary and the chili is worth the trip!  Do not be discouraged by the line and embrace the experience.  Your kids will thank you for it.  Yum!

Legendary Pink's

7.  Paradise Cove Beach Cafe – This place just makes me happy.  It’s secluded location is worth the scenic drive up PCH and a hit with the locals.  Come, dig your feet in the sand, and watch your kids build sandcastles steps from your table.  I highly recommend the guacamole and fish tacos!

6.  the Trails Cafe - Griffith park = family fun…and when your little ones get hungry, head to the Trails Cafe!  The outdoor picnic benches and woodsy scenery cannot be beat.  I’m obsessed with the Avocado Sandwich and Charles gobbles up the Waffles and Snake Dogs.  I have never escaped without sampling one of their delicious homemade pies or pastries.  Be sure to bring cash!

Food Paradise in Griffith Park

I tried to safe this blueberry muffin for later....it lasted 6 minutes.

5.  M Cafe – Macrobiotic cuisine never tasted so good.  How they make amazing food without eggs, dairy, refined sugars, red meat or poultry beats me, but I don’t care…I eat it.  If this spot were to migrate to Manhattan, I would eat here regularly.  On your way out, grab some nori sesame snacks and chocolate truffles.

The Mouth-Watering Counter at M Cafe

4.  Shima – Don’t let the fact they only roll with brown rice scare you….this sushi is to die for.  So fresh, so buttery, and so delightful. Shima is an Abbot Kinney treasure.

3.  Axe – Yes, please!  I could eat here every night and be the happiest woman alive.  I could eat a mountain of flatbread and spreads.  This is the kind of restaurant that when the food comes, you are jealous of everyone’s meal, but wouldn’t dare change what you ordered.

2.  Huckleberry – Yes, there will be a line and yes, it is worth it!  My favorite meal is breakfast and Huckleberry has perfected the art of pastries, sweet and savory breakfasts.  This is my kind of joint!  You arrive, stand in a line to order your food, sit and wait, and then indulge.  You will want to go back for lunch and dinner as well.  Check out the chalkboard for daily specials inspired by local farmer’s market produce.

Poached Eggs on Seasonal Veggies

1.  Capo – Perfection.  I dream about this place.  It’s our first place we go once our plane touches down and the elegantly rustic neighborhood dining room welcomes us back each time.  No other restaurant can get pasta, steak and fish done so right.  I am obsessed.  My favorites are the heirloom tomatoes and burrata starter, the fire-place grilled steak, and the blackened salmon.  And you can’t go wrong with any of the desserts.

If your kids get tired of playing on the Santa Monica beach, treat them and yourself to one of our favorite eating spots.

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My Top 10 Food Moments in Stockholm

Posted in Food, Specific Destinations, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 13, 2010 | 1 Comment »

The kids' dessert that I wanted to eat.

I ate my way through Stockholm, Sweden!  Here is my top 10 child-friendly restaurants for this city.

10.  Erik’s Gondolen – Get a bird’s eye view of the city from your table.  Although we had to wait a bit for our food, the view is amazing and so was the food.

Erik's Gondolen Menu

9.  Cafe Pettisan in Skansen – Before you could see the cafe sign beside the cobblestone street, you could smell the warm sugar and buttery pastries.  Hooray for desserts!  And this place got it right!

Oh, the sugary goodness at Cafe Pettisan.

8. Restaurang JT – The entire menu spoke to me.  I wanted the elk burger, the reindeer roast, the grilled fillet of char, but finally chose to satisfy my steak craving with the fillet of beef tournedos.  It hit the spot, but my eyes were still covetous of the other plates exiting the kitchen.

7.  Lisa’s Te Kaffe Choklad in Gamla Stan.  The chocolate creations in this shop were absolute pieces of art made to be savored both with your eyes and taste buds.  I wanted to buy and taste EVERYTHING!

Chocolate Heaven at Lisa's

6.  Huge, Mouth-Watering Food Court: Ostermalms Saluhall.  It’s an indoor market with some great restaurants, the best being Lisa Elmquist, a fantastic seafood restaurant.  I could have spent hours wandering through the food stalls, admiring the displays, sampling the food, and wishing that I had access to a kitchen.

Huge ugly fish at Lisa Elmquist's counter.

5.  Let’s talk some history.   Den Gyldene Freden (The Golden Peace) is apparently the oldest restaurant in the town, dating back to 1722.  Get a glimpse of old world charm in this exceptional building, sample traditional Swedish cuisine, and don’t leave without wandering through the rooms in this lovely restaurant that has changed very little over time.

4. Roda Villan cafe on Stora Fjaderholmen- A combination of good food, great company and a remarkably spectacular setting makes this restaurant experience one of my favorite Stockholm moments.  A 30-minute boat ride took us to the this lovely, artisanal island that seemed untouched by big business.  The cafe with stunning sea views is nestled amongst rocks and trees.  While waiting for our food, the kids got to explore the woods, lay in hammocks, climb rocks and play by the water.  A magical afternoon indeed.

Roda Villan Cafe on Stora Fjaderholmen

3. P.A.&Co. Yum, yum, and more yum.  A friend recommended this cozy restaurant and our stomachs were thrilled we took her advice.  I have never had nettle soup before, but under her instruction, ordered it.  Ohhhh my God…the best soup I have ever tasted.  The food was crazy good.  It was a unanimous decision to come back the following night.

Nettle Soup - So unbelievably good!

If I could only eat this picture, I would. The best lamb chops.

2.  I was not one to resist indulging in the cultural favorites: Swedish meatballs, Swedish pancakes, Swedish ice cream.  One of the young girls we were traveling with said that she would become a vegetarian like her older sister AFTER she had her fill of Swedish meatballs.  Clever girl!  Although, the country’s obsession with Korv (hot dogs) was only sampled by Charles and his friends.  The korv ‘burrito’ concoctions were crazy to see, but the locals swear by them!

Bizarre Corv (Hot dog) Concoctions

1. Grand Hotel – There were two restaurants at the Grand that I could have eaten at for the rest of my life!  First off, The Cadier Bar had a corn-fed chicken on rye bread with feta cheese and avocado that I literally ate 3 times.  So so so good.  The perfect sandwich.   The other obsession of mine was The Food Bar/Matbaren by Mathias Dahlgren, one of the most prominent young chefs in Sweden.  The food and cozy ambiance was so perfect, we went two nights in a row.  It’s the more casual of Dahlgren’s restaurants (both of them designed by Ilse Crawford, founding editor of British Elle Decor), and the menu is very Swedish, simple, and smart.  Love the ‘order as you go’ concept!  The salmon and reindeer sashimi melted in my mouth and the kids had fried chicken that was out of this world crazy good!

I was addicted to this sandwich-Thanks Cadier Bar!

Sashimi of Salmon and Reindeer

Corn Fried Chicken- The kids liked it and so did we!

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Top 10 Amsterdam Kid-Friendly Eating Spots

Posted in Food, Specific Destinations, tagged , , , , on June 27, 2010 | 1 Comment »

No. 1 Restaurant in Amsterdam - De Kas

Almost nothing makes me happier than food; writing about food, reminiscing about food, planning soon-to-be-gobbled-up food AND, of course, eating food.  So I am happy to have finally put together my ‘Best Of Amsterdam’ list for you and your tot in tow after 5 years of sampling this city’s cuisine.   And I love  a good list, so here goes.

  • 10.  Praq - This restaurant takes kid-friendly to a entirely different level, welcoming parents and their tots in tow.  Besides a special menu for kids (served on unbreakable plates) and kid’s furniture, there is a separate playing room where kids can hang out while waiting for their meal.  The food is excellent, made with fresh ingredients and the atmosphere is inspiring and playful.  Take advantage of the terrace, but I suggest making a reservation especially on the weekends.

    Praq Restaurant

  • 9.  De Pannenkoekenboot – You can’t get more Dutch than this!  A genius combination of food, tourism and boats.  A boat tour, all you can eat Dutch pancakes, a ball pit and happy families!  The colorful spread of toppings will astound any child (kid in a candy store indeed)!  We chose to eat lunch before we boarded, so Charles and his friends could make a bee-line straight to the sweet pancakes and skip the savory ones.  I suggest doing the 1 hr cruise.  Great afternoon!
  • 8.  Le Pain Quotidien – Happy day! the first Le Pain just opened up in Amsterdam.  If you are a loyal follower of my site, than you know that this Belgian bakery is one of my favorite restaurants with it’s long, rustic wooden communal tables, cozy atmosphere and a great selection of a la carte options and entire plates.

    Le Pain Quotidien

  • 7.  Panini - This low-key, trendy panini cafe is great for lunch with a tot in tow.  No frills or elaborate menus, just good food that hits the spot.
  • 6.  Incanto – Location, location, location.  Perched above Munt square overlooking the flower markets and canals, this is a perfect place to people-watch or count the passing trams, while eating great Italian cuisine.  A fresh, seasonal, simple menu that satisfies every time.
  • 5.  Villa Zeezicht – Hands down, this is the best apple pie you will have in all of Amsterdam, and quite possibly in your life! So unbelievably good!  Every time we make it to Amsterdam, we debate which day we should hit up Zeezicht for its legendary pie.  This trip…I went twice!  Located on the Singel Canal, Torensteeg 7.

    Wish you could smell this Zeezicht Apple Pie!

  • 4.  Cafe Restaurant Amsterdam – It’s huge! Once a water pumping station, now a delicious, family-friendly restaurant.  While waiting for your meal, check out the historical building, color in the kids corner, or play in the outdoor area.  We eat here every time we are in Amsterdam.  It is popular with the locals, so be sure to make a reservation!
  • 3.  Hotel de Goudfazant – Don’t be confused by it’s name….it is not a hotel, but a huge converted warehouse with tons of character and a surprisingly warm, inviting atmosphere.  Communal tables, old cars and motorcycles, a ping pong and pool table (for restless kids or competitive adults) complete this gem of a restaurant that overlooks the river Ij.  The food is great and your kids will love to eat the whole roast chicken with their hands!

    Tea and Cookies at the Hotel de Goudfazant

  • 2.  Kinderkookcafe – The direct translation is “Child Cook Cafe” and it is exactly that, a place where the kids not only do the eating, but the cooking and the serving!  An absolute MUST for your kids!
  • 1.  De Kas – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!  Everything you find on your plate is either grown on-site, at their farm, or from local farmers….from the garden straight to your plate.  Parents can enjoy amazing, fresh cuisine and kids can burn off energy before or after the meal, wandering through the greenhouse, outdoor garden or play on the wooden playground!  A perfect combination and my ABSOLUTE favorite restaurant in Amsterdam.  In fact, Charles and I (we share the same birthday) had our birthday dinner at De Kas last year.

    Asparagus Starter from De Kas

I guess it’s obvious that I eat well when we are in Amsterdam…in fact it was hard making this list of a mere top 10.  Here are the restaurants that didn’t make the list.  We can call these my notable mentions…Lof, The Terrace of the Film Museum, Pasta e Basta, Dauphine, Winkel, De Tarte Van Mijn Tante, Toscanini, Neva (Hermitage Museum), Wilhelmina-Dok, and of course, High Tea at the Amstel Hotel Lounge.

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Kids in the Kitchen in Amsterdam!

Posted in Food, Specific Destinations, tagged , , , on June 19, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Sally the Sandwich

We came, we cooked, we ate and I LOVED!  You MUST take your kid to Kinderkookkafe if you are ever in Amsterdam.  Kinderkookkafe directly translated means “Child Cook Cafe” and it is exactly that, a place where the kids not only do the eating, but the cooking and the serving!

In my pretend life, I own a place like this in Manhattan and it would be all the rage among NYC mamas!  At Kinderkookkafe, there are 3 options.  You can order “adult” food or pre-made desserts, drop-in and cook/make/bake any item chosen from a picture menu, or make a reservation for a cooking class.  We chose the 2nd option, but don’t think the devilishly smelling cakes were not tempting.  Note: If your group is 6 or more, call to book a party bar (even if you are planning to do the do-it yourself option.

Kids Cooking Class

The cafe is adorably decorated and the ‘help yourself bar’ is designed with your little one in mind.  Choosing from pictures, your child can make carrot and cucumber stick puzzles, pigs in a blanket, sandwiches, milkshakes, and more.  The ingredients, necessary cooking items, and instructions are all at their level too, so parents can simply relax, sip a cup of tea, and proudly watch their child choose, create and cook their own adorable creations.  While your child’s creative pizzas and croissants are rising in the oven, they can play out on the terrace or color in the sun room.

Charles Making a Pig in a Blanket

This place was great and we will be back!  There is also a  bonus: the cafe is located beside Vondelpark, so when Charles’ creative creations were all gobbled up, we soaked up some sun in my favorite Amsterdam park!

I'm All Smiles!

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Will Travel for Macarons!

Posted in Food, tagged , on June 16, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

I'm Going to Eat You! - Photo by Betsi Ewing

With each city I leave, I bring a tastebud memory with me that beckons my return.

Although with this trip to Paris, I have neglected to hear the call of the Laduree macaron.   These ridiculously addicting and sumptuously satisfying clouds of heaven never touched my lips.  Those who know me, know that my cravings aren’t often overlooked, but instead fervently satisfied with a crazed obsession.  How could this have happened?  Time flew by and I found myself already packing for Amsterdam.  It is 11pm here, I am in my pj’s and all three of the Laduree shops are sadly closed.

Photo by Betsi Ewing

Since our flight is tomorrow, I will have to wait until July to taste these killer treats.  Until then, I am sure I will dream about this divine gluttony:  The classical but effective chocolate, long live the salted butter caramel, the exquisitely perfect pistachio and of course the delight in every bite of the raspberry.

You MUST experience these! So for future reference, here are the locations of the Laduree Tea Salons in Paris:

The most enjoyable:
Ladurée Bonaparte
21 rue Bonaparte
75006 Paris

Closest to the Apartment:

Ladurée Royale
16, rue Royale
75008 Paris

The + Tourist:
Ladurée Champs Elysées
75, avenue des Champs Elysees
75008 Paris

Opening Soon:
Ladurée Le Bar
75 avenue des Champs-Élysées Paris VIII
ou 13 rue Lincoln Paris VIIIT

BON APPETITE!

Sinfully Delicious

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It’s a Hoot Sugar Cookies

Posted in Food, tagged , , , , , on June 9, 2010 | 1 Comment »

I found this recipe and thought it fit perfect for Charles’ Harry Potter themed birthday party.  These owl faces are ADORABLE and super easy to make and decorate.

Ingredients: Makes 20 cookies

  • your favorite sugar cookie recipe
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 20 whole cashews
  • 1/2 cup frosting (favorite recipe)
  • candy pieces (I choose chocolate chips, plain and peanut M&M’s)

Directions:

1. Divide dough in three sections. Knead the flour into one piece of cookie dough until smooth, set aside. Combine the remaining 2 pieces of cookie dough and knead in the cocoa powder until smooth, set aside.
2. Form the lighter colored dough into a 1-inch round log about 10 inches long.  Roll out the chocolate dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10 x 4-inch rectangle.  Place the log of cookie dough on top of the chocolate rectangle. Wrap the chocolate dough completely around the log.  Pinch edges to seal and roll the log smooth. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.  Cut the cookie log into 1/4-inch slices. Place 2 slices, side by side, on sheet pans.  Press a cashew into cookie at the point the slices touch. Bake for 8-11 minutes.  Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack.
4. Use the frosting to pipe eyelashes and a dot to secure candy eyes.

Piping Hot Cookies Right Out of the Oven

These cookies are simple to make, fun to decorate, adorable and yummy!  The kids loved these creative cookies which were an absolute hit at the party.  They are a HOOT!

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