Paella Nights at Gasolina Cafe 05.13.2016

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I’ve had Chef/Owner Sandra Cordero’s paella at my son’s 10th birthday party. When she mentioned she’s having another pop up for May I decided to invite a dear friend who also happened to be my son’s second grade teacher.

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It was a beautiful evening, not too hot nor cold out. Just perfect. And we started with this  toast beautifully topped with tomatoes. Perfect for a late spring evening.

#gasolinacafe #paellanights It was followed by an amuse of salad with frisee, peach and honeyed lardons. The sweetness from the peach and honeyed lardons balanced out by the bitterness of the frisee.

#gasolinacafe #paellanights

I personally had the Black Seafood Paella and it tasted exactly like Chef Sandra prepared it during my son’s birthday. I love squid ink myself so I enjoyed it very much. The rice is cooked with squid ink mixed with fish, shrimp, squid and clams topped with lemon. I think it’s a must to add lemon juice before eating as this rounds up the dish. I find it wonderfully light perfect for spring and summer.

#gasolinacafe #paellanightsEveryone else in my group had the Paella de Carne. It’s a heartier, meat version. The taste makes you want to curl up your toes and relax. It’s my comfort food, Spanish style.
#gasolinacafe #paellanights

Our paella night ended with coconut flan. I had to apologize for the quality of this phone. When I reviewed it last night I honestly thought it was clear. It was perfect blend of tart and sweet.

#gasolinacafe #paellanights

Chef Sandra’s paella will always be a winner in my book and I will always come back for more.
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If you’re a big fan of Spanish food please visit Gasolina Cafe. And if you haven’t had paella ever…well now’s the time to head out to the Valley. They are just off the 101 freeway De Soto exit.

Hope to see you there.

xo, Emilie

GASOLINA CAFE,
21014 VENTURA BLVD,
WOODLAND HILLS, CA, 91364
818-914-4033
INFO@GASOLINACAFE.COM
http://www.gasolinacafe.com

Blu Jam Cafe (Sherman Oaks, CA)

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We are not strangers to Blu Jam Cafe in Sherman Oaks, CA. We have been here several times but never really took pictures. So here are some of our faves from this Hollywood-famous brunch spot.

This forever packed place seems to be the perfect spot for that perfect brunch or a quick lunch. There’s a nice little patio on the side that feels like somebody’s side garden (without the abundance of plants), the indoor space is cozy but breathable and there’s a covered sidewalk/al fresco that’s also available.

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Kamil’s Breakfast | pan-roasted macaroni scrambled with eggs, smoked bacon, ham, garlic, chives, and cheddar cheese | $13.95

Kamil’s breakfast is the grown-up’s breakfast version of the mac and cheese although kids can have it too and enjoy it.

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Bacon Grilled Cheese | grilled sandwich with melted mozzarella, Montchevre goat cheese, cheddar cheese, and sliced tomatoes on sourdough bread with bacon |$9.95 plus $1.95 for bacon

 

Who does not like grilled cheese? All the good things that make you curl your toes packed in one sandwich. Yes please.

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Brunch Carbonara | arborio rice with crispy smoked bacon, green peas, parsley and parmesan, topped with two poached eggs and herb pistou | $13.95

This gluten-free option is beyond delicious. Amazing. I can eat this all day, everyday. But I can’t for health reasons. That’s how yummy it is. Breakfast-y, check, lunch-y, check and dinner-y, check. Order for yourself or share with someone and split a breakfast dessert and call it a day.

They also serve a variety of other deliciousness so check them out. Create your own juice blend or coffee or tea.

Blu Jam Cafe
FB & Twitter /blujamcafe

Hollywood
7371 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90046
323.951.9191
Hours: 8am-4pm
“No dog” policy due to our small patio (service animals are exempt)

Sherman Oaks
15045 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, California 91403
818.906.1955
Hours: 8am-4pm
Dog-friendly

Woodland Hills / Calabasas
23311 Mulholland Drive
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
818.222.1044
Hours: 8am-4pm
Dog-friendly

x, Emilie

Trois Familia

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UntitledI have been wanting to hit this brunch spot since it opened. Birthday weekend came and I thought what a perfect reason to go. So we did. When we arrived, sign-up was already on the second page, meaning we will not be seated on the first wave and we have other things planned so we left. Well, we finally did make it and we were third in line. Perfect!

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It’s located in a strip mall along Sunset Boulevard in LA’s Silver Lake area. They open at 10 am every day but they don’t take reservations. If you’re brunching, it’s best to arrive early and have your name down on a clipboard situated somewhere next to the door. There are benches outside or you can grab coffee or take a nap in your car.

UntitledThe kids opted for soda and a very delicious horchata. I opted for the housemade limeade which was refreshing.

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poached egg, chorizo ham, potato mousseline, marigold flowers $10.85

One of the dishes we shared is the poached egg, chorizo ham, potato mousseline, marigold flowers dish. One word comes to my mind. DIVINE. You have to take small bites with the three major components in the spoon and just let it roll around your mouth. Tasting each component separately and together. It’s just wonderful.

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poached egg, chorizo ham, potato mousseline, marigold flowers $10.85

You can see in the picture above, hiding under the potato mousseline is the poached egg and chorizo ham.

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duck confit, leche de tigre, sweet potato, basil $19.50

This duck dish did not do it for me. I do like duck I guess just not this way. Maybe if it were boneless then maybe I would have a different opinion but the flavors were alright.

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double decker potato taco, lime, creme fraiche, carrot pico de gallo, jack $12.50

The dish above has to be the star of our brunch. It was amazing. Dare I say life changing? Yes, for me at least. See I never liked soft taco. The taco that I like and grew up with is the Filipino kind. It’s the one sold in Greenhills in the middle of a shopping mall in the Philippines. It’s a hard shell taco with shredded lettuce, ground beef and cheese. That’s it. I never liked the soft version, and being in LA, believe me I have tried. Well, I guess this one is a hybrid(?). As you can see it has both a hard and soft shell. I took a bite and I was hooked. I mean, I still think about it. I want to go back really bad. Maybe I should…just by myself or have those to go. (Now I’m just rambling LOL!)

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Galette crepe: egg, ham, comte, avocado milk $15.25

Galette crepe was suggested by one of the staff. And I can see why. Ham and cheese. Who does not like? I’m sure there are people who does not like but you know what I mean. The avocado milk adds a different touch to it. Maybe even safe enough for those who do not like avocado.

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salted caramel crepe $5

We had the salted caramel crepe to finish off our brunch. It was simple and good. Not too sweet.

Would I come back? Of course! Do I recommend? Of course!

xo, Emilie

Trois Familia
3510 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
323-725-7800
info@troisfamilia.com
press@troisfamilia.com

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Peaches Truck at Creme Caramel’s Food Truck Fridays

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#peachestruckI’ve had Peaches Truck before but never wrote about them. Well, I had such a good meal yesterday it deserves a post. So here I am, crawling under my protective rock and posting pics and what not. Food at Peaches is straight up comfort food. Even their waffle fries is perfectly crisp on the outside and moist and hot on the inside. I mix ketchup and their spicy bbq sauce and I’m curling my toes. Check it out…

#peachestruck

Pulled Pork Sandwich

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Patty Melt

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Smoked Brisket Sandwich

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Waffle Fries and Cole Slaw

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Peaches Truck definitely has FTA’s stamp of approval.

The Melt | Burbank, CA

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I couldn’t catch the truck so off we went to Burbank for some comfort food.

The Melt on San Fernando Blvd

totally love the drink selections

totally love the drink selections

The Mac Daddy Combo

The Mac Daddy Combo

The Swiss with Bacon

The Swiss with Bacon

Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup

brie cheese with apple honey and bacon on country French bread, along with the Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup

brie cheese with apple honey and bacon on country French bread, along with the Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup

My thoughts…

  • great place for everybody
  • aesthetics is very clean, minimalistic, bright
  • simple menu with options for pretty much everybody
  • totally in love with the sugar cane soda options
  • quick service
  • perfect for a quick bite or something to tide you over until the next meal
  • not really your place if you are ready for some major feasting

So have you been to any of The Melt around town? What do you think?

xo, Emilie