Mrs. Cubbison's Stuffing New Packaging!!

Check out the new packaging (food styling by me, photography by Ryan Beck Photography) on boxes of the famous California Stuffing, Mrs. Cubbison's.   Learn about Sophie Cubbison and her famous recipes for your Thanksgiving and holiday table.

My Yuzu tree is ripe with fruit!

We all like to go to a Japanese sushi restaurant and sometimes order a dish that come with ponzu sauce. Well Yuzu is the ingredient that makes soy into ponzu! It's a citrus that originated in East Asia. The fruit looks like a small grapefruit, goes from lime green color to bright yellow when ripe. Either use the juice or zest/grate the skin for a different citrus taste to dishes.

Mine is a dwarf tree in a 15-gal. container which I transplanted in May from a 5-gal pot. The fruit started out lime green and finally last week turned yellow signaling their ripeness. This first crop is about the size of a tennis ball, with bumpy textured skin. I'm so excited and looking forward to cooking with this exotic citrus variety.

Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant-Santa Barbara

This Saturday I needed a day-trip so I drove up the coast to my favorite lunch spot before hitting the beach in Santa Barbara. Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant is just moments off the 101 freeway/Garden off-ramp. This gourmet deli counter has wonderful sandwiches, soups and salads. Great cheese, charcuteries, wine, beer and a separate wine room. Terrific gourmet food items from olive oils to slab salts to eclectic pastas all top drawer! Eat in or on the patio, or make up a picnic box and take it to the beach and enjoy! It's such a delightful and relaxing place. Great owners and staff.

Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant

216 East Yanonali Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.899.2300

M-F 8:30am-6:00pm

Sat. 10am-4pm

Never on Sunday

Petrossian Paris Boutique & Cafe

Cool evening at Petrossian Paris Boutique & Cafe in West Hollywood. Guest of Executive Chef, Ben Bailly (formally of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon-Las Vegas). Handful of "think they know-it-all" food bloggers (snipie-chickie blew me off-no excuse for bad manners, honey!), West Hollywood sous chefs and waiter friends of Ben. Stylishly tasty bites, drinks & gracious staff. Look forward to experiencing new seasonal menu. Thanks Ben, for your hospitality. Great location and vibe for lunch, dinner. A definite go-go!

Address: 321 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
310.271.0576
lunch & dinner

Epicure Imports/ Gourmet Warehouse Sept. Sale

Sept. 25 & 26 ONLY This is where West coast celeb chefs order their imported staples. I know for a fact that Las Vegas restaurant, Joel Robuchon utilizes their services! Just in time for the upcoming holidays, Epicure Imports opens its doors to the public for its quarterly warehouse sale. Get everything from Valrhona chocolates, truffle oils, vinegars, dried pastas, olives, French butter & cheeses, jam, honey, mustards, charcuterie and wine at wholesale prices. Go hungry: Sampling is mandatory! 6900 Beck Ave., North Hollywood, California 818-985-9800 Friday 1:30-6:00 pm, Sat. 9:ooam- 2:00pm.

The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Hi-DEf Event

NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies present "The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Hi-Def Event" featuring the first ever High Definition presentation of "The Wizard of Oz." This One Night Event will take place on Wednesday,September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. (local time). In addition to the feature presentation of "The Wizard of Oz," this exclusive event will include a special introduction by Robert Osborne, a classic film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, followed by “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” a look into how L. Frank Baum’s classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and rare musical outtakes. Whether seeing it for the first time or the 100th time, it is only fitting that audiences nationwide will have the chance to enjoy the 70th Anniversary of this multi-generational favorite in movie theatres for an exclusive One Night celebratory event.

09.09.09 My Birthday!! Am I feeling Lucky?

09.09.09 Today is my birthday along with a zillion kids who's parents had MORE that a Happy New Year's Eve or Day celebration!!! In California, early 1970's when personalized auto license plates were up for purchase, I thought it would be fun to "apply for" VIRGO 9 for my first car (used Red 1969 2002 BMW). Check out the original blue plate and newer white style. And, yes I have to pay more in fees to have a personalized plate. Happy Birthday to all my Virgo friends.