UMAMI URGES

When I get the urge, which is not often,  the craving can only be satisfied then and there.   There is a problem though.  I am not physically where that particular satisfaction can be easily gratified.

Let me explain the urge. 

I have a sweet tooth and anything chocolaty, sugary caramel, sends me in an ecstatic oblivion.  The other three tastes, piquant savory dishes do the trick just as well as sour tamarind sauces. The bitter qualities of Campari has got to be my favorite aperitif.  But when I discovered Chef Escoffier’s and Ikeda’s Umami, the fifth taste that was dismissed by Democratius, Plato and Aristotle, there was nothing more to be said.  I was in another gastronomic world of  culinary ecstasy.

It was the Umami Burger,  that had me swooning and dreaming and salivating when I think about having a burger.   Nothing compares with the Umami burger in California.  

 I’m not sure what magic they put into their burgers or for that matter the definitive choice of meat.  The mysterious ingredient captured by these awesome chefs just eludes me. 

Preparation is the key.    Little breakfast and hardly anything for lunch  will arguably be the best preparation to sit down, hungry as a wolf, perusing over their wonderful menu at dinner time.

I always go for the Umami burger piled high with Shitake mushroom, caramalised onion, roasted tomatoes and the mysterious Umami house spread.  There’s also Port and Stilton burger, Hatch burger and the Cali Burger.   

To accompany my order, the handsome waiter suggested sweet potato fries, tempura onion rings and a small salad, I didn’t say no – drooling at both the thought of my dream burger and the dream hunk. 

Nothing can describe the delicious, soft and moist burger full of flavor and great texture.   I am spoilt now for I can no longer manage to consume any other food described as a hamburger any where else in the world.  

If it is their magic ingredient, I would not try to imitate it at home but will await patiently for my next visit to Los Angeles at their La Brea's branch for the ultimate in burger cuisine that no one can match. 

FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Food for the Soul

Sharing scrumptiously delicious food in equally enchanting surroundings has to be one of the most enjoyable times of any social gathering.

This is by way of allowing the reader to get a taste through words, the wonderful world of delicious culinary experience. The senses exploding in a pungent aroma of garlic, succulent tastes gulped down with the best Pinot Noir on offer.  Sweetness enveloping the taste buds to round off any meal.

To have great food, it has to start with an abundant market bursting of fresh produce   and Hollywood’s Sunday Farmers Market on Ivar and Selmar Avenue has everything you could wish.  It just happens to be summer so fresh fruit and vegetables were plentiful. Bright red and succulent mounds of luscious Strawberries on my left, white peaches to my right, big juicy blueberries a little further and beyond that,  all species of tomatoes from gargantuan beefsteak to miniscule cherry tomatoes picked at their optimum, so luscious and appealing.

The market was divided between fresh produce to cooked products.  Jams and honey stands intertwined with home made cakes and pies. Food trimmings consisting of Olives, Hummus, Pesto, flavored cream cheese dips, garlic mouse just completes the variety. This walkabout at the market achieved nothing but hunger. 

Back home the armful of bought fruits and vegetables were only to be dumped in a bowl.  Brainwashed by Mediterrenan and Middle Eastern flavors at the market seemed to have stirred up salivating taste buds.  This prompted the use of my new Restaurant Finders Mobile App to make the right restaurant choice.   Decision made, tonight is the night for Redbury’s Cleo at Hollywood and Vine. 

The noveau Middle Eastern cuisine’s aroma hits you as you enter the door. 

A table reserved for four was centrally located for all to see and be seen.  Named stars dotted around the dimly lit restaurant and the conversation flowed together with wonderful cocktails that tickled the appetite.   Cleo’s Kiss and Clementina  and a Processco was delivered whilst we perused over the tempting and enticing menu.. 

Martinis

It is hard to fathom even as we sit on Hollywood and Vine’s fancy eatery, questionably very Californian, I ask myself if this is as good as I used to have in the good old days of Beirut.  The first gulp of Cleo’s Kiss undoubted my reserve and from then on, everything seemed to flow into ecstasy upon ecstasy of taste.

Humus Dip

Small plates of amazingly delicious tasty Mezzes of Brussels sprouts, babaganoush, humus, sweet bread, seemed tastier than the one before.  Followed by lamb with pomegranate sauce. Beef Kofta, endless plates of sausages and ending with Moussakah. However, my sweet tooth was gnawing at me and as always, there is always room left for dessert.  A variety of sweet selection so tempting, my childlike persona was disobeying my adult restraint.  The waitress offered what was special of the day – so the meal ended with a selection of  different kinds of baklava and stuffed dates.

The ones with pistachio came equal first with the almonds soaked in orange blossomed honey.  The stuffed Kejoul dates would allay my captors from killing me, if Scheherazade Nights were true stories. 

If Cleo was capable of transporting me  from the Hollywood trivia to Arabian nights, then they have achieved the accolade if only every night was as authentic as tonight.

Stuffed Dates