September 28: Trattoria Neapolis One Year Anniversary Celebration (Pasadena, CA)

Trattoria Neapolis is one of my favorite places in Pasadena, both for food and drinks, and they're celebrating their one year anniversary next week! On Saturday September 28, starting at 7pm, the different rooms and balcony will turn into different tasting areas with food from Chef Bryant Wigger, wine, beers, distilleries, and Stumptown coffee. Since the menu is not posted on their website, I wanted to share it with you here!

Tickets are only $60 (advance purchase) and looks like it will be a great value! Plus $10 of each ticket purchase will be donated to Foothill Family Service. You can purchase the tickets in advance by calling (626) 792-3000.

Here's the menu and the list of wineries/breweries/distilleries!

TASTING MENU:

A few bite-sized versions of dishes will include:

Vitello Tonnato

Veal Tenderloin, Frisee, Caperberries, Grana Padano

& Ahi Tuna-Caper Aioli

Wood Grilled Baby Octopus

Crispy Potato Torta, Cerignola Olives & Lemon

Arancini

Crispy Lobster Arancini, Sweet Basil, Mozzarella

& Lemon Aioli

Barolo Risotto

Braised Oxtail, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

& Castelrosso Cheese

Rabbit

Rosemary, Roasted Garlic, Chestnut Farrotto

& Crostini Toscano

Tiramisu

Roasted Bartlett Pears, House Made Ladyfingers, Mascarpone,

Buttered Pecans, Pear Moscato Sorbetto

& Salted Caramel

Bombolini

Pumpkin Spiced Mini Italian Donuts, Limoncello & Pumpkin Crema,

& Candied Pecans

PARTICIPATING

VENDORS:                               

U.S. West Coast Wineries

Duckhorn Vineyards

Stags Leap Wine Cellars

Northstar Winery

Erath Winery

Antica Napa Valley

Rutherford Ranch

Stolpman Vineyards

Frog’s Leap Winery

Italian Wineries

Antinori

Tormaresca

Castello della Sala

Col de’ Salici

Donnafugata

Maculan

Villa Sandi

Cantele

Tenuta

Luisa

Suavia

Moretti Omero

Riseccoli

Tenuta Monteti

Tenuta Argentiera

Distillers & Spirits

Bourbon

Buffalo Trace

Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark 46

Rye Whiskey

Templeton Old

Overholt

Knob Creek

Vodka

Tito’s

Scotch

Famous Grouse

Black Grouse

Single Malt Scotch

Auchentoshan Three Wood

Bowmore Islay

Limoncello

Limoncello Originale

Orangecello Blood Orange

Beer

Eagle Rock Brewery

Bootleggers Brewery

Telegraph Brewery

The Bruery

Coffee

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

WHEN:                  Saturday, September 28^th

                             7:00 p.m.

WHERE:                336 South Lake Avenue

Pasadena, California 91101

Fishing With Dynamite: The Bomb in Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach dining scene is blowing up. Following his success at M. B. Post, Chef David Lefevre opened up Fishing with Dynamite just a few doors down, this time focusing on seafood.

Not to miss at Fishing with Dynamite is their raw bar selection, including (of course) a great selection of eight different oysters. My recent favorite is the Sweet Petite (Cape Cod, MA). Like the name suggests, it's one of the sweetest oysters out there!

Think you know scallops? Hold that thought until you try the Peruvian Scallops ($22/dozen), perhaps the most unique item on the raw bar menu. Small yet succulent and sweet, perfectly accented by the grapefruit.

We also had Littleneck clams ($26/dozen) and Atlantic Lobster ($20 for half), both excellent.

Uni lovers (that would be me) shouldn't miss the special and aptly named Bomb.com: hand harvested Santa Barbara sea urchin ($15)

You can choose two of these sauces: mignonette, cocktail, ponzu, pico de gallo, yuzu kosho mayo, saffron aioli, remoulade. Which one you should get depends on what raw items you're getting!

Cocktails are also great here and designed to go with the seafood dishes and there are options for all palates from martini lovers to those who like richer, sweeter cocktails like flips. If you want something spicier, try the Regalo de Dios (Hacienda de Chihuahua sotol, Combier, strawberry-rhubarb puree, serrano, rhubarb bitters).

Those who prefer more aromatic drinks should opt for Through the Looking Glass (No. 3 gin, Tio Pepe fino sherry, Cocchi Americano, orange bitters, Dolin dry vermouth rinse).

There were also a couple of specials on the menu that day:
Hamachi, avocado, ponzu, radish, serrano, shiso ($16)

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"Naanstrami" And Comfort Food at The Belmont (West Hollywood)

The Belmont on La Cienega has a long history but now there's a new ownership and a new chef in charge, and things are looking pretty fun. Sports fans can sit inside with the large screen TV and enjoy some beers, or you can sit outside for a quieter dinner. Either way, these days the beer selections are getting more interesting and so is the food.

They now have items like the Naanstrami (pastrami, swiss cheese, spicy chipotle slaw, naan bread - $14) - yes, that is a pastrami sandwich on naan bread!

The naan makes a pretty good vehicle, as you can taste more of the pastrami, but there's still that nice char. I liked the little kick from the spicy slaw here also.

It's not all new menu items here, they kept the popular Original Belmont Mac n Cheese (crab, scallion, bacon, tomato, cheese - $13)

I mean, it's crab mac and cheese with crispy, crumbly top. I don't think I have to say too much about it, do I? It's rich but so good!

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