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February 28, 2007
Masterpiece Dining with the James Beard Foundation
As you read this entry, think "Masterpiece Theatre" for the music, but think Masterpiece Dining, because that's what we're talking about.
The James Beard Foundation newest event, Beard Presents: Masterpiece Dining, is a series of fundraising dinners at the James Beard House in New York. The first one, on March 30, will feature Barcelona-based chef and neurologist/neurophysiologist, Dr. Miguel Sanchez Romera, owner of L’Esguard restaurant in Spain, bringing his restaurant cuisine to America for the first time. Tickets are $1,200 per person (for non-members -- what, you're not a member?), and seating is limited to 44 people.
Future dinners include Chez Jacques on May 10 and A Night at Rao’s on May 15. Tickets for each are $650 per person (non-members). Go to the James Beard Foundation site for more information.
-- Written by Natalie Haughton (cheeky portions added by Steven Rosenberg)
Photo: James Beard ... back in the day.
Posted by Steven Rosenberg at 3:37 PM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2007
"Go-gurt": Disgusting, or just plain creepy?
Everytime there's a party at our daughter's school, a couple of parents are enlisted to bring Go-Gurts, those yogurt-in-a-tube thingies that come in such disgusting flavors as bubblegum and cotton candy. Ilene is at ground zero with this issue -- she even got GOOD, ORGANIC yogurt in a tube, but it was poo-poohed by the teachers.
Now, I'm all in favor of yogurt in a tube that's easy to eat but not loaded with chemicals. Let me tell you, we are NOT buying Go-Gurt. Stonyfield Farms offers this natural alternative, Squeezers, which is what Ilene bought -- and which is what kids should be eating, dammit. Go to the Stonyfield page for nutrition information (direct link doesn't work -- damn Javascript). 
And for comparison's sake, here is the Go-Gurt nutrition information (minus the ingredients list, which is suspiciously absent).
Posted by Steven Rosenberg at 3:39 PM | Comments (0)
February 6, 2007
The health department said, "SHUT IT DOWN"
My apologies to catch-phrase utterer Gordon Ramsay, but here's a list -- courtesy of Kevin Roderick and L.A. Observed -- of all the L.A. County restaurant and other food-selling business closures between Oct. 19, 2006 and Jan. 19 of this year. Reasons run the gamut, from no potable water to rampant vermin. Some of the closures lasted a day, others longer. Caveat emptor.
Among the closures:
Adobe Cantina of Agoura
Amazon Bar & Grill of Sherman Oaks
Arturo's Pizza of North Hollywood
Bailey's Pastry and Baklava Factory of Encino
Birriera Guadalajara of Pacoima
Capriccio of Encino
Del Mar Mariscos of North Hollywood
Donut Baker of Sun Valley
El Buen Gusto of North Hollywood
El Castillo of Sun Valley
El Cubano Market of North Hollywood
El Michoacano 2 of Pacoima
El Paraiso Rancho Meat Market of Reseda
El Taco Loco of North Hollywood
Elli's Catering of Canoga Park
Encino Deli & Restaurant of Encino
Fantastic Donuts & Croissants of North Hollywood
Fatburger of Studio City
Friedel Caribbean Cuisine of Studio City
Gloria's Meat Market of North Hollywood
Mandarin Pavillion of Van Nuys
Maykedah of Encino
Golden Hunan of Northridge
Good Earth Restaurant of Studio City
I eat at the Good Earth on a semi-regular basis and wondered about their B rating recently ... so here's the entire listing:
Date Closed: November 30, 2006
* Date Reopened: December 04, 2006
* Reason for Closure:
Prevention of entrance and harborage of vermin
Vermin infestation
(now on with the list)
Gyu-Kaku of Sherman Oaks
Ice Cafe and Hookah Lounge of Montrose
King Express of North Hollywood
La Buffet of Northridge
La Moneda Bakery of North Hollywood
Los Galleros del Tenampa of Panorama City
Lotus Inn China Bistro of Woodland Hills
Mandarin Pavillion of Van Nuys
... and his list ends at "M" ... so everybody else who got shut down is safe ... for now ... until I go to the county's Web site on my own (or Kevin gets there first).
Posted by Steven Rosenberg at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)