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Archive for December, 2009

Valerie Confections: Interview With Valerie

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

valerie

Los Angeles based Valerie Confections is known for its refined and sophisticated creations. From richly flavored chocolates to delicate petit fours, you can stop in for a treat or splurge and gather your friends for a decadent catered afternoon tea. We recently had the opportunity to stop by and sample some of their scrumptious indulgences including a brand new Almond Fleur De Sel chocolate bar we can’t get out of our minds. We are huge fans of this up and coming chocolatier and are thrilled to give you a little glimpse into Valerie’s world.

What are your most popular products or services?
Almond fleur de sel toffee, rose petal petits fours, Blum’s coffee crunch cake.

People may be surprised to know…
Losing my job inspired me to start my own business.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I try to learn from everyone in my life.

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Creating products I don’t believe in.

How do you spend your free time?
Free time? I own a business and have a two year old….

What is your indulgence?
Fantasizing about free time.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Back to the “free time” theme…let’s see…Canele for dinner, BLD for brunch or a decadent afternoon tea.

What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
I CRAVE quality and consistency.

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Dining Out During the Holiday Season

Friday, December 18th, 2009

eatoutla

You’ve spent the whole day in the kitchen on Thanksgiving, now head out on the town and have someone do the cooking for you. L.A. offers so many different restaurants for all different tastes. Here are some hot spots we recommend you check out.

Josie Restaurant (josierestaurant.com)  in Santa Monica has been around for 9 years creating progressive American cuisine influenced by France, the Mediterranean, and local Farmers’ Markets. Chef Josie’s menu is a reflection of her healthy approach to eating as well as her flair for flavor-rich combinations. Enjoy dishes like Grilled Sonoma Lamb Chops, Kabocha Pumpkin Soup with curry-toasted walnuts, or Grilled Quail Wrapped in Applewood-Smoked Bacon. You can turn to Josie for all of your holiday needs; private parties, catering at your place, dinner on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve and gift certificates.

Jar (thejar.com) is a modern chophouse in the heart of Los Angeles. Chef Suzanne Tracht’s signature dishes include Pot Roast, Kansas City Steak, award winning French Fries, market-fresh sides and perfect martinis. Enjoy Crab Devilled Eggs, Prime Rib-Eye, or Lamb Shank. Everything on the menu sounds mouth watering. You can also make your reservations online.

Enjoy upscale, modern Mexican food in a vibrant setting at Border Grill (bordergrill.com) , the hip, urban cantina from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. Border Grill takes Mexican food to a whole new level! Catering is also available if you want to try something new for the holidays with some Mexican eats. Try anything from Roasted Lamb Tacos to Chili Cheese Tamales.

For some French cuisine visit Chez Mimi (chezmimirestaurant.com). Chez Mimi is considered one of the loveliest places in town. “Once you pass through the gateway, it’s hard to remember you’re in California and not in the south of France…” – L.A. Weekly. Chef and Owner, Micheline “Mimi” Hebert creates fabulous dishes for Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Brunch. Have your private holiday party at Chez Mimi.

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Yule Logs, Pumpkin Spice Cakes, Gingerbread Cookies…Oh My!

Friday, December 11th, 2009

treats_la

Tis the season for scrumptious holiday treats! Bakeries around town always introduce signature holiday treats around this time of year. Whether it’s an autumn favorite like pumpkin or a winter favorite like egg nog, you’ll be sure to tickle your taste buds with delicious decadent desserts from these local shops.

Stop by Kiss My Bundt Bakery (kissmybundt.com) for the “best cupcake in LA”. This season they are featuring a Pumpkin Spice Cake. With pureed pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and more warming spices, topped with your choice of cool cream cheese frosting or cinnamon spice glaze, this cake will warm you up from the inside out. Kiss Your Bundt will have this cake every day until at least December 1, so hurry over and pick up yours!

Susina Bakery (susinabakery.com) is a European and American Café with Coffee, Tea, Desserts, Catering Wedding Cakes, Cookies, Candy, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Check out their holiday menu for their holiday yule logs like their Vanilla Rum Buche de Noël: vanilla sponge cake brushed with rum and filled with chocolate mousse covered with meringue mushrooms and almond paste decorations and the Chocolate Coffee Buche de Noël: chocolate sponge cake brushed with coffee liquor and filled with whipped cream and covered with chocolate mousse, meringue mushrooms and almond paste decorations. Sounds delish!

Bakery desserts made with organic ingredients, no eggs, unbleached flour and sugar and they still taste amazing?? YES! At The Fakery Bakery (thefakerybakery.com)  you will find the delicious cupcakes, cakes, pies and more all made for vegans. Some of their seasonal items include Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, two pumpkin cake cookies with thick cream cheese filling. They also have Pumpkin Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting on top.

Looking for any gift ideas? How about a gift basket of holiday cookies, brownies and more? Sweet Dreamery Bakery (sweetdreamerydesserts.org) is the place to go! They have holiday gift boxes as well as sensational holiday inspired treats like their cinnamon chiffon cake, gingerbread cake, cranberry cake, spice cake, and vanilla buttermilk cake. They also have seasonal items like fudge kahlua nibblers, chocolate peppermint nibblers, vanilla bean sandwiches, gingerbread cookies, pumpkin cookies, iced maples, almond shortbread and more!

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