New Italian Favorite: Pomodoro Trattoria

With the windy weather lately, Los Angeles has been pretty chilly and feeling a lot less like Southern California. But during these cold winter nights, it's great to cuddle up with a loved one, curl up with a good book next to a sleeping cat, and eat comforting foods that warm the stomach and heart.

One of my new favorites is a cute little Italian trattoria, Pomodoro Westwood. Independent and not affiliated with the Pasta Pomodoro chain, this quaint and casual restaurant is an absolute find that locals seem to love.

MS and I stumbled upon this Italian gem when we planned to eat at neighboring Sprazzo Cucina Italiana, another great Italian restaurant we like that's a little bigger in size but just as good in taste, service, and ambiance.

Pomodoro's seems to be a little more casual with paintings and posters of tomatoes and scenes from Italy all around its walls. Not to mention, its precarious ficus tree next to the door and a small table for two which was decorated like the Italian flag for Christmas. MS and I sat at this little nook table when the rest of the restaurant was full to the brim and others were turned away.

My recommendation: Go early for a good table or call ahead for a reservation - but ask for a table away from the door on cold nights.



Last night, we called a little past 6pm and were told that it wouldn't be a problem to be seated for two. Lucky for us, we didn't have to wait or eat at the crazy tight table by the tree but after about 15-20 minutes, there were no more seats to be had.

We started with a small Caesar salad to share between the two of us so we'd have room for dessert. MS ordered the Pizza Quattro Formaggi (Four-cheese Pizza) with mozzarella, gorgonzola, goat cheese, parmesan [9.75], which was heavy on the cheese for him. He preferred the Pizza Margherita [9] he ordered the last time.

I had the Gnocchi ai Funghi (Gnocchi with Mushrooms) [10.75] during our first visit and wanted to try something different. Made fresh daily, the gnocchi were pillows of doughy goodness in a rich, creamy pink sauce.

This time, though, I tried the Risotto con Pollo e Melanzane [pictured above, 10.95] - arborio rice cooked to perfection with savory grilled eggplant in a tomato, garlic sauce sprinkled with fresh basil, grilled chicken breast, and parmesan cheese. It was the perfect dish on a cold night that warmed my famished spirit. I think MS had dinner envy, so I shared a few bites of my rice dish with him.

We finished our dinner date out in Westwood with some Italian Lavazza coffee [2/ea] and a plate of Panna Cotta [5.5], Northern Italian silky cream flan served with a raspberry puree sauce. Light and sweetened with the fruit coulis, this dessert is a great ending to a comforting and large meal of bread and pasta.

A new Italian favorite for me, Pomodoro is a great find on the Westside and one that I'll go back for more Buon Appetito!

Pomodoro Trattoria
street: 1393 Westwood Blvd | Westwood, CA | 90024
tel: 1.310.445.9998
h: lunch | 11.3a - 3p M-F
dinner | 5p - 10p M-Sa
closed sunday

web: www.pomodorowestwood.com

Thinking of Christmas This Year

"I'll be home for Christmas, You can plan on me..."

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It's the holiday that brings my family together. The house gets decorated with vibrant red poinsettias, stockings all hung with care, and ornaments collected over the years.

On my Parisian vacation, I purchased a set of beautifully handcrafted Christmas Russian nesting dolls which now adorns the family faux fireplace mantel.

It's a tradition that has been passed down from one of my closest Aunts - collecting cherished ornaments with sentimental memories and living the spirit of Christmas in our family.



"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

Another childhood memory that revolves around Christmas is that of hot, roasted chestnuts from the local farmer's market. I loved to crack open the chestnuts with my nails, peel the shells from the rich and soft nutty center, and pop each little morsel into my mouth. I especially loved the roasted flavors that really seemed to warm you up during the winter months.

So when I found the above chestnut street vendor in Paris, my nostalgic senses overwhelmed me and I bought a big bag for five euros. It was such a treat!



"Hey Santa, can you bring me something sweet..."

But an even sweeter treat was in all the wonderful chocolate shops all along the city. I must have stopped in all that crossed my way, including my new favorite - Pierre Herme.

There was a line out the door for artfully crafted chocolate treats and holiday macaroons. I happily carried home a box of colorful macaroons sandwiched in pastels and a variety of exotic flavors like White Truffle.

I preferred this package of "Mendiants Chocolat Noir" - also known as Beggars Dark Chocolate discs with candied dry fruit and nuts. The citrus peel and sweet, sugared ginger were a great complement with the rich, smooth chocolate and crunchy textures of hazelnuts, cashews, and pistachios.

After having one small chocolate disc, I could not help but have another. And another. Until they were gone.



"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas..."

But the best part of Christmas is not about all the decorations, the good eats, or the presents under the tree.

It's about being with the ones you love and giving more than you receive.

My special treat to my family this year are these homemade Chocolate Christmas Sparkle Cookies. Soft and light, these little cookies are flourless and taste more like airy, truffle goodness. Here's the recipe shared from a friend:

Chocolate Christmas Sparkle Cookies
From the LA Times

+ 1/2 pound semisweet chocolate
+ 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
+ 2 eggs
+ 1/3 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
+ 3/4 cup ground almonds
+ Powdered sugar, for extra sparkle

1. Melt the chocolate with a double boiler. Remove from heat and cut butter into the chocolate. Mix until melted. Set aside.
2. Beat the eggs with a mixer and gradually add the sugar until ribbons form. Fold in chocolate-butter mixture. Gently add the ground almonds. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours.
3. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray for non-stick.
4. Form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in granulated sugar and place on baking sheet about 2 inches apart and immediately place in oven.
5. Bake until center of cookie is no longer wet, about 10-12 minutes. When slightly cool, lightly dust powered sugar on cookies.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
~ BoLA

Spending the Holidays in the City of Light

"Do you want to come with me to Paris for Thanksgiving?"

That was all that was needed. And with a quick mouse-click on Expedia, I had my plane ticket on Air Tahiti to Paris. Without a second thought, I would be whisked away to the City of Light.

It's been a while since I lived spontaneously, on the edge.

Signing up for skydiving at the last minute and jumping out of a plane with the air pressing against my lungs in high velocity...

River rafting on the Kern with a group of relative strangers and staying at what seemed like the Bates Motel...

Flying to Paris on a moment's notice.

I was the first to arrive into CDG airport and took a cab to my hotel with a Cambodian transplant in Paris. He was incredibly friendly and talked of his daughter in Long Beach and mother in Orange County, and was shocked to hear that I was almost 30 years old.

I think I was more shocked to find out that my cab ride cost me almost 75 Euros and about two hours!

The mad Paris traffic was probably due to the local transit strikes at the time. So when I saw the meter hit 70 Euros, I got out early and walked the rest of the way.

By then, it was around lunchtime and I worked up a hungry appetite.

I walked to Eric Kayser's little boulangerie, BE after reading about it on Clotilde's Chocolate and Zucchini food blog in Paris. With cute little pastries, fresh baked breads of all kinds, and beautifully encased sandwiches, I knew I was in for a real treat.

I ordered three mini sandwiches for about 2.50 Euros each, as suggested by Clotilde:

* Duck on Tomato bread (my favorite with tons of flavors!)
* Tomato and Pesto on Basil bread (my 2nd favorite, a classic!)
* Olive Tapenade and Cheese on Olive bread (my least favorite because of the strong olive taste but otherwise, still very good!)



I also ordered a mini passionfruit mousse tart in a buttery, flaky crust which was deliciously sweet and creamy.

One bite, and I knew I was in love.

Paris - the city in which one loves to live, and I was living in another world and loving every moment.