Fashion Intel Eats

September 6, 2011

Downtown L.A. Food & Drink on Refinery 29

Today on Refinery 29 L.A. you can read all about my favorite spots to grub and get my drink on in Downtown L.A. Having lived and worked in Downtown for quite some time, this part of the city holds a special place in my heart. See my Downtown L.A. food guide here.

If you’re digging the article, please feel free to leave a comment and use the “like” button to share with your Facebook friends. Maybe even a tweet? I would truly appreciate your support, as would the super cool establishments I featured.

Posted in: Food, LA, Refinery 29 | Tagged: Downtown L.A. Food Guide, Fashion Intel Eats, Food, Refinery 29 L.A. Food

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September 2, 2011

Frutería Huerta, Alhambra

Fruteria Huerta, Alhambra, California

Rumor has it that summer is coming to an end, but then again, this is Southern California and we most likely have lots of bright days with warm air ahead. When it got particularly hot these past few months there was only one thing on my mind: agua frescas. This vibrant Latin American drink is simple and delicious, made with fruit, water and sugar. Next to the Vietnamese soda chahn, this is no doubt my beverage of choice.

I am thankful that Huerta Frutería aka Huerta Produce in Alhambra is just minutes from where I live. Run by an all female staff (!), this shop whips up some of the best drinks in town. Always on the agua fresca menu is melon, naranja, y mango (cantaloupe, orange, mango) and fresa y platano (strawberry and banana) but there are days you’ll catch a freshly made batch of sandia (watermelon). If you’re not feeling agua frescas on your visit – are you nuts- then you still have plenty of choices on their giant menu of licuados, raspados, and jugos. Many of these drinks also list what ailments they’ll help ameliorate. Fresh juices are good for, didn’t you hear? ha.

Fruteria Huerta, Alhambra, California

Frutería Huerta
1705 Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA. 91803
(626) 576-5467

Posted in: Food, LA | Tagged: Agua Frescas, Fashion Intel Eats, Fruteria Huerta, Huerta Produce Alhambra

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August 30, 2011

Früute, West Hollywood

Araguani Tart: chocolate in a chocolate crust topped with an edible rose and gold leaf

Since being invited to savor delicious tarts at Früute in West Hollywood, I have not stopped wishing that this unique bakery was right around the corner from my house. Nestled in the newish Pavillions shopping center on Santa Monica Boulevard, just blocks away from a 90210 memory-inducing “Welcome to Beverly Hills” sign, this creative corner space is serving up some of the best desserts in Los Angeles.

Offering “classic flavors” for the purists and “curious flavors” for the audacious, Früute combines the best of both worlds in a special treat that fits in the palm of your hand. Having had the pleasure of trying every single item on the menu (I had help from the boyfriend) I can say without pause that each tart is a little piece of magic in your mouth. Being the fruit and berry lover that I am, my favorite tarts were undoubtedly the Yuzu (pictured bottom), Passion Fruit, and Three Berries. For those who prefer chocolate, the Araguani (top) is the perfect choice, which also happens to leave you a fragrant note of rose lingering on your tongue.

Tarts are $3 each, $12 for a box of four or $24 for a box of eight.

Früute
8951 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. A,
West Hollywood, (310) 786-9983

Posted in: Food, LA | Tagged: Best Desserts L.A., Fashion Intel Eats, Früute West Hollywood

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August 19, 2011

Tacos Chavez, Tijuana

Glorious fish tacos! The moment my friend Melissa mentioned her uncle owned a fish taco stand – Tacos Chavez - we made that one of our priority destinations while in Tijuana, Mexico. I love me a delicious taco de pescado y taco de camarón as you might remember from my Refinery 29 Eastside Fish Taco roundup. Crispy fried battered topped with crema, pico de gallo and chile, all held in one’s hand in a tortilla, feels like a gift from the universe. If you’ve ever eaten a fish taco in this form (often called Ensenada style) then you know what I am talking about.

We arrived at a busy street corner on a Sunday afternoon. Obviously a favorite of the locals by the look of the line, we took our place and tried to scope out where we’d be eating this tasty meal, as even the standing room seemed limited. We did what any professional taco eater would do and took our plates over to the trunk of the car. My official order was 1 taco de pescado (fish), 1 taco de camarón (shrimp) and 1 taco de marlin. I should’ve really looked at the size of the tacos because 3 ended up being way too much for me; thankfully, my boyfriend eats whatever I can’t.

grilled marlin and cheese tacos

nothing beats a Mexican Coka-Cola, made with real sugar!

Tacos Chavez
Corner of Negrete & 3ta
Tijuana, B.C., Mexico

Posted in: Food, MEX, Mexico, Travel | Tagged: Eating in Baja California, Fashion Intel Eats, Mexican Coke, Tijuana Fish Tacos

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August 16, 2011

Taqueria La 6ta Faena, Tijuana

Tacos! Tacos! Tacos! That’s what our Tijuana party of 3 was chanting as we drove across the USA/Mexican border. We had tacos on the brain and growls in our stomachs that only freshly made tortillas packed with juicy meats could cure. Tacos in Tijuana, Mexico are unlike anything you can eat here in Los Angeles, seriously. After cruising Revolución (a popular street for shopping and nightclubs) we walked a couple blocks south and let our noses do the decision-making. My senses finally led our group to Taqueria La 6ta Faena where we enjoyed a delicious meal for about $8.

If you haven’t sucked on grilled spring onions before (like the photo above), I recommend you do so as soon as possible. The taste is so fresh and with each bite your mouth enjoys an audible burst of flavor. From my gastronomical experiences in Mexico, taquerias always have fresh ingredients on hand and are ready to serve you up something tasty. Never have I been disappointed. Just take a look at those spectacular radishes!

Al pastor has become my choice as of late; my eyes and stomach cannot say no to juicy meat turning on a trompo (spit). I seek out tacos that make juices stream down my face and when I ate these beauties, I achieved that high. Juicy slices of pork paired with cilantro, onions, chile and avocado makes for a happy young lady.

Taqueria La 6ta Faena
Corner of Flores Magon/6TA
Approx. 2 blocks South of Revolución
Tijuana, B.C., Mexico

Posted in: Food, MEX, Travel | Tagged: Al Pastor in Tijuana, Fashion Intel Eats, Taqueria La 6ta Faena, Tijuana Tacos, Traveling to Mexico

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August 5, 2011

Watermelon Granita

One of my new favorite food blogs is Kelseys Kitchen, and luckily for us all, she also has a show on the Cooking Channel called Kelseys Essentials. Having just returned from an incredible getaway in Baja California where I consumed my weight in sandia (watermelon), I have found that my desire to eat all things watermelon has only multiplied by the days. I enjoy making agua frescas, paletas or just chomping on a cold piece of bright red fruit, but I wanted to add something new to my routine. Thankfully I stumbled upon Kelsey’s watermelon granita recipe just in time!

How To: Watermelon & Lime Granita
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
6 cups roughly chopped seedless watermelon (about 2 pounds)
1/2 cup sugar
1 lime, zested

In a blender, blend the lime juice and watermelon together, creating watermelon water. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer to remove any seeds.

Place 1/2 cup of the watermelon water into a saucepan and add the sugar and lime zest. Bring the mixture to a simmer to dissolve the sugar and infuse the liquid with the lime flavor. Set aside to cool.

Pour the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. Place the dish into the freezer to chill. Every 30 minutes, scrape the mixture with a fork to break up the ice crystals and to keep it light and fluffy. Continue scraping every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours.

Photo & Recipe via Kelsey’s Kitchen

Posted in: Food | Tagged: Fashion Intel Eats, Kelseys Kitchen, Watermelon Granita

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July 19, 2011

Muddled Lemonade

Palm Springs, California

The Parker Palm Springs is one of my favorite places to stay while in the desert. Having frequented this Jonathan Adler clad hotel, see here & here, I am have become privy to their cheeky emails which offer terrific rates throughout the year. In the last “monthly buzz” The Parker got my taste buds excited sharing their Muddled Lemonade cocktail recipe, which you can so happen to try at their festive lemonade stand.

Does this sound like the perfect summer drink, or what?

How To: Muddled Lemonade

16 oz. cup Ice
1 muddled lemon (about 4 lemon slices)
2 oz. Citrus Vodka
2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
2 oz. Sprite

Then shake it well!

Posted in: Food | Tagged: Fashion Intel Eats, Palm Springs, Summer Cocktails, The Parker Palm Springs

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July 19, 2011

Muddled Lemonade

Palm Springs, California

Does this sound like the perfect summer drink, or what?

How To: Muddled Lemonade

16 oz. cup Ice
1 muddled lemon (about 4 lemon slices)
2 oz. Citrus Vodka
2 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
2 oz. Sprite

Then shake it well!

Posted in: Food | Tagged: Fashion Intel Eats, Palm Springs, Summer Cocktails, The Parker Palm Springs

Comments (12)

June 23, 2011

Summer Has Arrived

Eating horchata and banana something ice cream at Scoops

Summer is F I N A L L Y here! I am beyond thrilled that the sun has finally decided to come out here in L.A. and that temperatures are rising. I think Summer 2011 is going to be the best yet, don’t you think? So far my plans are to drink as many iced vanilla lattes, hang with my friends, and take a stellar trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Oh yeah, I’ll also be keeping busy with my 98302740239 projects I have up my sleeve.

This photo was taken at Scoops for an upcoming article I am writing for Refinery 29. I’m sure you can take a guess. I promise that you’ll love it and it just might be your summer bible.

What are your plans for a spectacular summer? What do you enjoy most this time of year?

Posted in: Summer | Tagged: Fashion Intel Eats, Natalie James Refinery 29, Scoops Ice Cream, Summer Ideas

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June 6, 2011

Gilt Taste

Gilt Taste recently launched and I find myself swooning over their photographs of food. If there is something I can do all day it is definitely looking at shots of beautiful prosciutto or an aged cheese. How incredible are these images?

I did not know what to expect when I had first heard that Gilt was jumping into the world of gourmet food. Then I read that Ruth Reichl – one of the most incredible women alive - was attached to the project, and I was hooked. Reichl is the editorial advisor and to no surprise I am loving everything I see on the newly launched site (still in BETA). Now, if I only had someone to buy me all the delicious treats I have been drooling over.

P.S. If you want to see a photo of Ruth Reichl & I click here, my cheeks lost all muscle control as I was so happy!

Posted in: Food | Tagged: Fashion Intel Eats, Gilt Taste, Ruth Reichl, Ruth Reichl Fan Photo

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