Got Milk?®Stopping by the Milk Shop

I may suffer from lactose intolerance but am a sucker for anything made with dairy - especially ice cream.

About a year ago, I was introduced to a wonderfully sophisticated, little milk shop in Los Angeles called Milk. And I can't get enough!

Owner Bret Thompson, who was the former corporate executive chef of Patina, always greets you with a smile and welcomes you into his shop like you're family. His ice cream and milk sensations, along with more "grown-up" menu items like his soups and salads, are refreshing and always a treat.

Last week, I stopped in with a friend for a late night dessert. I didn't see Billy Crystal at Milk this visit, but was able to talk of Parisian walks with Bret and learn more about his life abroad and his family at home. Truly, a down to earth kind of guy who instantly becomes your friend.

With our lattes, we had some cookies and milkies - my favorites being the Ooey Gooey Double Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, and the Chocolate Chip (all of the above!) cookies and the bite sized chocolate covered ice cream bonbons. Affectionately known as milkies, they were the perfect ending to our dinner out.

For dairy lovers and ice cream aficionados, Angelinos can get together and enjoy these delicious creations at Milk's Open House. Partnered with the Got Milk® team, Bret will share his creamy concoctions on Tuesday, May 20th from 5 to 7pm.

I look forward to tasting his Latin-inspired Berry Tres Leches and learning more about his secret ingredients that make up his milk inspirations!

Please Note:
This invitation is open to Southern California bloggers.
So if you have a blog and a love of all things milk, then RSVP like me and check out the invitation on the right for more information. Make sure you have time to find parking along Beverly or any of the side street meters.

See you there!

Milk
street: 7290 Beverly Blvd | Los Angeles, CA 90036
t: 323 939 6455
hours: Su-Th: 9a-10p | F-Sa: 9a-11p
Curbside Pick-Up & Takeout Available All Day
Delivery from 11a-3p (free for $20+, otherwise $3 charge)
Web: www.themilkshop.com

Reminiscing the Highs

Nothing is scarier to someone who is deathly afraid of the plummeting fall to my death down a flight of stairs, than being the last person to deplane.

One by one, bright orange suits are thrown out of the open door into the roar of the wind.

And I was the only one left.



But the freefall down to earth was exhilarating! Adrenaline was pumping, my heart racing, and the air pressing against my lungs. All I could do was smile, hold my breath, and take in the sights.

After all, what better way to see the world than from flying high up in the sky?

Three years ago, I was able to cross skydiving off my bucket list. And I wonder, what's standing in my way from accomplishing the rest of them?

And is there anything else I should add to the list?

Tandem Skydiving
California City, CA

Inspiration at the San Francisco Ferry Building

We had a few hours before our florist interview, so DT and I took a morning trip into the City to take in the colors, scents, and tastes of the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building. And it proved to be fun, tasty, and an inspiration as I think of my own flower ideas for the Big Day.

Vibrant oranges...


Bright summery reds... soft, dreamy lavenders with green...

But there's plenty of time to figure out the details of planning a wedding, and even more time for some good eats. So we stopped along each of the different stands, sampling and chatting the morning away with...

Almond brittle with dark chocolate...

Slices of navel oranges...

A spoonful of yogurt...
... which was the most refreshing yogurt I've ever had!

So I purchased a small ceramic jar of the Saint Benoit Lemon flavor for $4.00, and loved every bit of citrus rind and lick of yogurt.

And was even more surprised that after I finished my little container of lemon delight, I was able to trade my empty jar for $1.25 off of the following:



Cowgirl Creamery's Clabbered Cottage Cheese!

And it was definitely well worth the $8.50/lb! Not to mention, it felt as if I was doing my little part in helping the environment by recycling and using biodegradable spoons.

Now typically, I hate the lumpy texture and what I think is the bland taste of cottage cheese...

But this soft cheese behind the glass counter was smooth, silky and full of light creaminess. An award winning cheese with a blue ribbon from the American Cheese Society in 2005, it was indeed "pleasantly addictive."

With fresh fruit like strawberries, grapes, and peaches, it was a delicious and healthy alternative to cupcakes!

San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
Sponsored by the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA)
Saturday: 8am-2pm
web: www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Saint Benoit Yogurt
www.stbenoit.com

Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Shop
1 Ferry Building, #17
San Francisco, CA 94111
1.415.362.9354
Open 7 days a week
www.cowgirlcreamery.com

Love at First Bite Cupcakery & Bakery

"You are the devil and I hate you..."
...is what I should have said instead.

While on my trip to Berkeley, I was easily talked into making a U-Turn to stop into this little cupcakery and bakery, Love at First Bite.

I purchased four while ML ordered two to go. Here's my play-by-play:

Hummingbird:
- a delicious Southern cake with bananas, pineapple & pecans, topped with cream cheese frosting [pictured above]
Pretty in Pink:
- a delightful strawberry cupcake with blushing pink strawberry buttercream, made with real strawberries
Lemon Kiss:
- light & fluffy lemon cupcakes kissed with lemon buttercream frosting
Mud Pie:
- devil's food chocolate cake with whipped mocha frosting, topped with Oreo cookie crumbs

And yes, I did eat them all. The hummingbird reminded me of homemade, moist banana cake with a hint of sweetness and nutty crunch. My favorite of the bunch was the strawberry babycake - full of fresh berries mixed into the frosting and batter, this one was a keeper! The lemon kiss was refreshing and had a lemon zest kick with each bite. And you could never go wrong with chocolate - especially one with an oreo topping!

The cakes were so good, I drove back the next day for more - as a gift, of course!

Although they were sinfully delicious, heavenly happiness most definitely can "come in the form of a pretty frosted cupcake!"

Love at First Bite Cupcakery & Bakery
1510 Walnut Street, Suite G | Berkeley, CA 94709
Phone: 1.510.848.5727
web: www.loveatfirstbitebakery.com
closed mondays

My Lunch with Alice at Chez Panisse

I told my server that whenever I am in the Bay area from Los Angeles, I always try to stop by and eat at Chez Panisse.

Earlier that morning, I called for a table for one. After a quick drive into Berkeley, I was the first to arrive a little before the doors opened at 11:30am for the lunch crowd. I sat at a bench and watched as other patrons started to line up by the door.

A nicely dressed, tall and slender, older gentleman who spied through the glass on the door, and who disappeared around the corner to try to find his way inside.

A group of three, two men who worked together with one of their moms visiting. It was her first time eating at Alice's famed restaurant, and her excitement was reminiscent of my own first visit a couple of years ago.

And me, sitting patiently on the wooden bench, with my stomach ready for an afternoon treat.

As I was seated to my usual table for one in the corner, I spied the older gentleman sitting across from me with none other than Alice, herself.

This was indeed a treat!

I perused the daily specials on the menu, and knew right away that it was going to be a great day.

Here's what I ordered:

Started with the Escarole Salad dressed with fresh herbs, beets, and avocado
Entree of Chicken Breast with a side of frittes and vegetables
Ended with the sweet Mascarpone Panna Cotta with fresh strawberries

That's when my server asked if I was from the area, and I replied that I'm from Los Angeles but that I always try to stop by and eat at Chez Panisse when I'm in the Bay area.

And here's what I'd like to think of as a fantasy come true.

As I placed my order, patrons were slowly starting to fill the tables when I saw that Alice Waters was looking at me from her table.

I smiled and nodded, as anyone would do. But was pretty much beside myself when she approached my table for one and asked if I would join her at her booth.

I tried very hard not to appear too starry-eyed, and replied that I would be honored.

She was everything I thought her to be - personable and charming with a smile and laugh that just brightened the room. We talked of our love of food, about the education system today, and what inspires her to continue her work.

As I savored each course, I wondered about life and love, and how food has weaved its way throughout. I asked myself, "How did I get here?" and "What adventures lie ahead?"

With a sip of my coffee and a last scrape of my panna cotta, I laughed in reverie as my server asked if I'd like another dessert. And with that simple question, I was back at my table for one and my musings of what my lunch with Alice would have been like, had she asked me over.

My afternoon lunch was deliciously dreamy and full of wonderful surprises. The next time I visit, though, I may muster the courage to ask Alice to join me at my table for a real conversation over lunch.