Brussels Sprout 8-Ways And Great Seafood at Tapenade (West LA)

New restaurants keep popping up on Sawtelle Blvd and they're not all Japanese. Tucked inside the Olympic Collections is Tapenade, which all brussels sprout lovers should visit.

The chef, Ressul Rassalat, also loves it so much he serves it multiple ways at his restaurant. They're all prepared the same style and crispy, but with different flavors. Currently I'm counting eight different flavors of brussels sprout on the menu, and he will either rotate or add more! I had to order the "Indonesian" (because I am one, in case you didn't know) even though that was not one of the waitress' recommendations. This latest addition is made with pineapple, cashews, lime and chili ($9).

It wasn't quite typical Indonesian flavors but it was spicy and tropical. I want to try the Moroccan one next, which comes with lamb, olives, goat cheese, and red wine vinegar.

Goat cheese tapenade, brioche bread ($10)

I had to try a tapenade because of the restaurant's name! I liked its creaminess (and wished there were more bread).

I especially enjoyed the seafood dishes here, where I think the chef's classical training really shows. Try the Seared scallops, New England chowder ($14)

I thought New England chowder was the white, creamy ones and that the red one is a Manhattan chowder? Well, anyway, the scallops were perfectly cooked and fresh, and the light chowder broth had a lot of of flavors.

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Giveaway: Oktoberfest at Fairplex in Pomona

It's Oktoberfest time and time for another giveaway! I'm a bit late to this since the Oktoberfest at Fairplex in Pomona had already started on October 10, but it's still going on until the 27th so you still have time! The events are happening Thursday-Saturday 6pm to midnight and Sundays from 12-6pm.

There will be domestic and local beers, bratwurst, burgers, pretzels, and King Taco. Various cover bands are ready to entertain you with songs from traditional German "Oom-pah" to Journey and Queen. Tickets are normally $5 each with beer and food for purchase, but you can enter this giveaway for a prize package!

The prize package includes: two admission tickets to Oktoberfest, two 16oz beers, two meal tickets, and a souvenir hat.

To enter, just leave a comment below with your contact/email info.
Get an extra entry by tweeting: "Win a prize package to #Oktoberfest @Fairplex from @gourmetpigs! http://bit.ly/1alTZ2C"

I want to give you enough time to get to Pomona, so the giveaway will end at midnight this Thursday, Oct 17!

Scarpetta: The Best Happy Hour in Beverly Hills

Who would've guessed that Scarpetta at The Montage in Beverly Hills would launch the best happy hour deal around? From 4-8pm (Monday through Saturday) all the cocktails and food on the happy hour menu are only $8! And we're not talking boring cocktails or skimpy food portions. Just keep reading to see what you get (chicken liver pate? lobster croquettes?) !

Scarpetta has tapped mixologist Rob Floyd to design the cocktail menu. Even for the skinny drinks he made (for that LA crowd), he wanted the ingredients to be all organic. The Fortuna (peach vodka, St. Germain, peach puree) uses puree made with all organic Japanese peaches. Did I mention it was sugar free? He uses STIR sweetener, an organic sugar substitute.

For a refreshing gingery drink, try the Amalfi: Crown royal with mint, lime, bitters, topped w fever tree ginger beer. Rob told us that Julep came from an Arabic medicinal drink, called Golab which originated in the 15th century.

Much like the name, the Passione (aperol, gin, sambuca, lemon) is made with fire and a delight to watch. I personally love aperol and really enjoyed this lighter drink.

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