GIVEAWAY: $50 Gift Card for The Hollywood Corner

This Giveaway is Now Closed. Congrats to Lynda! :)

Last June, I was invited to the Hollywood Corner Restaurant and hosted for dinner by Christina Manzur, who is doing freelance PR for this neighborhood restaurant. Before Christina's invitation, I had never even heard of the Hollwood Corner, so I was interested in giving it a try.

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After arriving, checking out the menu and asking for Christina's opinion since she's dined there quite a few times, we ended up sharing 6 dishes. Our starter was Deep Fried Dill Pickles. I remember having this once before at another restaurant and I didn't care for it that much. They just didn't taste right. Well, either my tastebuds have changed or they just do Deep Fried Dill Pickles better at the Hollywood Corner. Their version was light and crispy on the outside with the pickles having just the right amount of tang and sourness so that you weren't squinting your eyes and/or puckering up your lips while eating them.

Following the pickles, our Half Manouche Herb and Half La Falta Pizza arrived. The first thing I have to say is that I really loved the crust, which is more like a crispy flatbread than pizza dough. I really enjoyed the fact that it was light, crispy and even a little crunchy. No dough-y, bread-y crust for me.

The Manouche Herb half is referred to as a "Brain Booster" on their menu, although I'm not sure why, and its ingredients include wild thyme, roasted sesame seeds, sumac and olive oil. Sumac, for those of you who didn't know, is a Middle Eastern spice, that adds a lemony taste to the food it's added to. I liked the Manouche Herb pizza, but felt like it needed some fresh vegginess to it and that's what the La Falta half gave to me.

The La Falta half of this pizza has an interesting story. It's actually the Mancouche Herb Pizza, but with the addition of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. Apparently, one of their new cooks got the recipe wrong, but it actually turned out to be a pretty tasty pizza with these toppings. However, don't look for it on the menu. It's an off-menu item that you'll have to ask for if you want it. I have to say that I was really digging the La Falta. The combination of nutty, lemon-y, aromatic flavors along with the acidity of the tomatoes and the mildness of the cheese was a definite hit with me. I was happy that Christina shared the tidbit about this secret dish.

Along with the pizza, we ordered their Flat Iron Steak Salad with grilled flat iron steak, grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, goat cheese, roasted tomatoes and served on a bed of mixed baby greens topped with potato chips and herb balsamic dressing. I wasn't feeling this salad too much. The steak could have been a little more tender and perhaps cut in smaller strips. It just seemed a little ungainly on top of the salad. I did like the dressing and thought the house made potato chips were light and crispy. I could easily eat a bowl of those potato chips, especially if they were seasoned with a little chili powder or paprika or something spicy.

The salad was followed by their Smac and Cheese, which had shrimp, applewood smoked bacon, grilled corn, roma tomatoes, scallions and an in-house made velvet three cheese sauce. I really enjoyed the flavors. The corn added a nice hit of sweetness which complimented the shrimp. Of course, bacon is always good in my book. My only nit pick is that I would have liked more cheese sauce and instead of the dried cheese topping, I would have preferred if additional cheese was melted over the macaroni. I also have to say that I'm a cheesehead and when it comes to macaroni and cheese, more cheese is always better to me.

As for dessert, we shared two mini cakes. One was their Red Velvet Cake and the other was their Hummingbird Cake, which was a banana cake with cream cheese frosting. Both cakes were more on the dense side; yet, were still moist. I also liked that the cream cheese frosting on both cakes weren't too overly sweet. All in all, a good way to end the meal.

Just based on 6 dishes, I would make a return trip to the Hollywood Corner. If nothing else, I'd want more of that La Falta Pizza and would love to try some of the other pizzas they have on the menu as well. That crust really did it for me.

The Hollywood Corner
1156 N Highland Ave
Hollywood, CA 90038
(323) 463-2220


PRIZE GIVEAWAY!

Now it's time to enter for a chance to get a $50 Gift Card to The Hollywood Corner and to check it out for yourself.

Here are the ways to enter!

Mandatory 1: First, check out the Menu at the The Hollywood Corner. Then leave a comment and tell me what dish you'd order if you won the $50 Gift Card. (Please leave your email or some kind of information on how I can contact you. Spell your email address like abby at pleasurepalate dot com). If I can't find a way to get a hold of you, I'll choose another winner.

Optional 2: Tweet: Win a $50 Gift Card for @hollywoodcorner via @pleasurepalate http://bit.ly/cRz4QU

Optional 3: Follow The Hollywood Corner on Twitter

Optional 4: Join The Hollywood Corner on Facebook

You can have up to 4 total entries each; however, please note that you have to comment back and let me know which of the actions you took, so that I can keep track of them. This is especially true for 2 through 4. If you don’t let me know which actions you took, then I won’t count them as entries.

Contest ends Monday, September 6 at 11:59 AM, PST and one winner will be randomly chosen from all entries. Good Luck!

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The Fabulous Off-Menu Thai Burger and More at Jitlada

Last May, I read about the off-menu Thai burger from Jitlada in an article by Jonathan Gold. As soon as I finished, I knew that I had to have that burger. It took a couple of months for it to happen, but wow, was it worth it and thanks so much to Jazz, owner of Jitlada, for making my burger wish come true. As mentioned, this burger is not only off-menu, but also involves a lot of preparation on Jazz's part.

First, don't come into Jitlada, ask for this burger and expect to get it that same night. Jazz uses ingredients that may not be available to whip up an impromptu burger. Second, if you really want to try this burger, you'll have to ask for it ahead of time and even then, because of the work involved, Jazz may say Yes or No to your request, depending on her availability. Again, because of the work involved, she may be more inclined to say "Yes" to a regular customer. These are just a few things to keep in mind. Now let's get to the good stuff, the Thai Burger itself.

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This burger usually comes with two patties, like the double-double at In-N-Out, but so much better. Since I had plans for our group to order other items from Jitlada's menu, Jazz kindly dressed up one burger for each person. That one burger was on crunchy lettuce leaves with a slice of tomato, red onions, Thai basil and topped with a sweet sauce. I wrapped the whole thing up in my lettuce, took a bite and was in burger heaven. That burger was definitely spicy, but the sauce helped lessen the impact a bit. The tomato's acidity and the green herbiness of the Thai basil also added wonderful nuances of flavor. I also enjoyed the slight crunch of the burger, which Jonathan Gold referred to in his article.

Overall, I can see why this burger got such kudos. It's definitely worth having over and over again. I almost wish we went all out and enjoyed a full burger, instead of this half portion. All I know is that I hope there will be a chance in the near future that Jazz will agree to a repeat performance and if so, I'll be there, ready for some eating action.

While still glowing in the afterglow of that amazing burger, the rest of our dishes started to arrive, one by one. First, there was the Crispy Morning Glory Salad, made up of deep-fried Chinese watercress with shrimp and a house dressing. If you've never had this dish, make sure you order it at your next visit. I absolutely love the light crispiness of the watercress and it's definitely a different way to enjoy this slightly peppery green.

Our next dish was an Off-Menu Rice Salad. Now there is a rice salad on the menu, but the particular rice salad at our meal was Jazz's variation of the one on the menu. I had the original rice menu earlier in the year and based on my memory, I think this newer rice salad had more of a curry taste to it? I could be wrong, but nevertheless, it was delicious, so no complaints.

As we all know, Jitlada is known for their spicy foods, but now, they also have a spicy smoothie on the menu, too. This smoothie is made up of mango, pineapple and other unknown ingredients that give this drink its heat. Our table actually shared 4 of these smoothies between 8 of us and some couldn't even finish their portion after a couple of sips. Others were drinking water or taking bites of food to cool down their palate. When I drank it, I could taste chilies and then some.

Up next was the Pork Crying Tiger, which was featured on The Best Thing I Ever Ate Show (the Hot and Spicy Edition) on Food Network. The pork itself isn't spicy, but the chili-lime sauce this dish comes in will give you the hit of heat you're looking for. I like how the meat has such a caramelization to its surface that some of the spots have a slightly blackened crust to them. Thsi dish actually reminds me of Filipino BBQ.

Turmeric chicken drumsticks soon arrived and with it came sticky rice and a papaya salad. The chicken didn't have any batter and was fried within the inch of its life, which is how I like it personally. However, for some, the jerky-life texture of the chicken meat may not be as appealing. The only thing I would have liked is to taste more of the turmeric and the pepper. Those spices were just a little MIA for me.

What came next was the spiciest dish of our entire meal, which was the Pumpkin Lamb. The lamb was cooked in a dried curry and with more of a squash than a pumpkin and oh my, it was a dish that lit up my mouth. I mistakenly took a sip of my spicy smoothie, which made things slightly worse. Thank goodness for the iced vegetables that soon hit our table. They helped put out the fire. I still went back for seconds, but this time ate it with bites of rice so that I could better enjoy this dish.

Our last two dishes were seafood items. What arrived first was the Krabee, deep fried catfish (bone-in) with dry chili sauce and fried sweet basil. Even with the chili oil and chili flakes, the fish wasn't very spicy, but fried fish and I always enjoy each other's company so it was still a good dish for me and I absolutely loved the fried sweet basil.

Last, but not least, was the Kaeng Leuang Cha-Om Khai, an acacia leaf omelette and shrimp in a hot and sour curry. When I first saw this dish, I was a little confused. When I think of an omelette, I was thinking something more traditional. Instead, what we got was egg battered acacia leaves and shrimp in a bowl of hot and sour curry soup. After taking a few bites, I actually found myself really liking it. The acacia leaves had a slight bitterness to it that was offset by the egg and the sweetness of the shrimp while I really liked tang of the soup itself. It reminded me of a sour Filipino soup known as Sinigang.

We were contemplating dessert, but decided to opt out. Then we were surprised by an Off-Menu Shaved Ice dessert made by Jazz's sister. I've had my share of shaved ice dessert, but this one was different. This is the first time I tasted rose. I'm not sure whether some kind of rose flavoring was added to the milk or if it was some kind of rose milk, but this dessert was both sweet and floral. Along with palm seeds and jackfruit, there were also water chestnuts encased in some kind of pink tapioca flour. It's a dessert that I'd love to have again.

Overall, this was a delicious meal that started off with the best burger, actually, the best thing I've eaten so far this year and ended with a dessert that took shaved ice desserts to another level. Simply, Jitlada is one of my favorite restaurants and with meals like this, it's easy to see why.

Jitlada
5233 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 667-9809


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The Saban Free Clinic's Extravaganza for the Senses

Extravaganza for the Senses

Food and Wine Event Benefitting The Saban Free Clinic

On Saturday, July 17, 2010, one of the largest and most celebrated food and wine events will be happening in Los Angeles. Currently in its 13th year, the Extravaganza for the Senses will be held at the Sunset Gower Studios benefiting The Saban Free Clinic.

This event will truly be a wonderful experience for your senses. Taste delicious offerings from 40 of the best restaurants in LA. Smell the bouquet from hundreds of wines, representing dozens of different California wineries. See feverish bidding on fabulous prizes during the silent auction. Hear the groove as a live DJ provides lively background music. Enjoy the cooking demonstrations from renowned Chef Suzanne Tracht and a previous contestant on Top Chef masters. While you're having a good time, you'll do so knowing that your money will be spent on behalf of the Saban Free Clinic.

Celebrating its 43rd Anniversary, the Clinic provides a full range of high-quality free medical, dental and social services to the homeless, the uninsured, the working poor, runaway and high-risk youth. This year, the Clinic will provide nearly 90,000 patient visits to the men, women and children who need them the most.

Partial List of Participating Restaurants:
25 Degrees
Jar
Ivan Kane's Cafe Was
Milk
Upstairs 2
Boa Steakhouse
Susan Feniger's Street
Palm Restaurant
Breadbar
Chaya
Rush Street
Bombay Cafe
Buddha's Belly
Takami
Delphine
The Sky Room

Click here to see all participating restaurants!

Partial List of Participating Wineries:
Beaulieu Vineyard
Bisol
Bodegas Atteca
Bodegas Caro Amancaya
Cambria
Castello di Meleto
Cava Blancher
Caymus Vineyards
Coeur Esterelle
Crossings
Domaine Carneros
Gruet
Hebrart
Infamouse Goose
Insoglia
Justin Vineyards

Click here to see all participating wineries!

With VIP Admission Comes Special Perks Including:

• free valet parking
• an additional hour of sampling food and wine
• entry into exclusive VIP lounge where you can taste additional culinary treats from 25 Degrees, Reservoir and the not yet opened Public Kitchen & Bar, coming soon to the chic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
• complimentary massages from Bliss Spa
• automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Ginger Rub Massage from Bliss Spa. The treatment would include a ginger rub, foil wrap, a 20 minute soak and a 100-minute body melting massage!

Ticket Prices are as follows:

Up to June 30
General Admission Tickets are $80
VIP Admission Tickets are $200 and includes everything listed above.

Starting July 1
General Admission Tickets are $100
VIP Admission Tickets are $225 and includes everything listed above.

The Saban Free Clinic's Extravaganza for the Senses
Saturday, July 17, 2010 - VIP (6 pm to 10 pm) General (7 pm to 10 pm)
Sunset Gower Studios
1438 North Gower Street
Hollywood, CA 90028

Click here to purchase tickets!

Things I Learned From Being a Cupcake Judge at the Drink:Eat:Play Cupcake Challenge

Thanks to an invitation from Dan Silberstein of Drink:Eat:Play Events, I got to be a Cupcake Judge for the 2010 Cupcake Challenge where 24 Cupcakeries offered 40 different cupcakes to win the hearts (and votes) of all the attendees. Having done the LA Chevy Cupcake Tour last December where 4 whole cupcakes almost did me in, I definitely wasn't sure how I was going to survive 40 mini ones and in the end, I actually only sampled 38. My method was simply to take one bite, write down some comments to myself and then move on to the next one. In the process, here are some random things I learned about myself.

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I don't get the appeal of red velvet cupcakes.

I simply don't understand why people are so into red velvet cupcakes. Sure, the cake itself could be moist, which is a bonus, but there's really no distinguishable flavor to it. Usually, the only part I like about a red velvet cupcake is the cream cheese frosting and even then, I don't like it if it's too sweet. Interestingly enough, being able to try some variations of red velvet cupcakes one the same day at the Cupcake Challenge just solidified my feeling that red velvet cupcakes are just not for me. Check out some of the ones I tried below.

Jus Minis "Red Velvet Cupcake"

Big Man Bakes "Red Velvet Cupcake"

Southern Girl Desserts "Martha's Red Velvet Cupcake"

I really like floral-infused frosting on my cupcakes.

I think the only cupcakery that did something floral with their flavorings was Sugar Bliss Sweets. They brought Lavendar Vanilla and Rose Petal Cupcakes. Both of the frostings were killer. Unfortunately, the cupcakes themselves were dry. If this was a frosting challenge, they'd win with me, but the cupcakes still need a little more work.

Sugar Bliss Sweets: Rose Petal (Aromatic rose vanilla cake with
rose petal syrup, light frosting and candied rose petals)

Sugar Bliss Sweets: Lavender Vanilla (Lavender vanilla cake with
lavender and white chocolate frosting, dusted with lavender sugar)

I like my beer in a glass, not a cupcake.

Just like chocolates with liqueur fillings, the cupcakes that were beer-inspired were interesting, but just not to my personal taste. I thought the playfulness that probably came about from the creation of these cupcakes was cool, but there were other flavor combinations I liked better.

Meringue Bake Shop: Pigs on Tap (Chocolate Stout Cupcake
with Bacon Topped with Whiskey Bourbon Buttercream)

Speakeasy Sweets: Irish Bomb (Chocolate Guiness Cupcake Filled with
Irish Whiskey Chocolate Ganache topped with an Irish Cream Buttercream Frosting)

I think pumpkin cupcakes rock!

Of course, if the two pumpkin cupcakes I tried didn't taste good, I wouldn't be saying that they rocked; however, both the pumpkin cupcakes from Fairy Cakes Bakery and Blue Cupcake were very tasty! In fact, the pumpkin cupcake from Blue Cupcake was one of my favorites of the event.

Fairy Cakes Bakery: Pumpkin White Chocolate (Spiced pumpkin cupcake
embedded with white chocolate pieces, topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting)

Blue Cupcake: Pumpkin (Pumpkin Bread Filled with Spiced Pumpkin Mousse
Topped with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting and Pumpkin Seeds)

I'm not into super sweet cupcake frosting and or toppings.

I'm actually more of a savory, than a sweet person. If I was offered a bag of potato chips and a cupcake, I'd probably go for the potato chips. As such, I prefer cupcake frosting and/or toppings that aren't too much on the sugary side.

Frandise Pastries: Chewy Coconut Cupcake

Layers Cupcakes: Chocolate Coconut Cupcake

Sweet E's: (L) Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (R) Chocolate Vanilla Swirl

I think chocolate covered cupcakes are yummy.

I have to say that the first time I've ever seen chocolate dipped cupcakes were at this Cupcake Challenge and it definitely worked for me. It's almost like a gourmet version of a ding dong without the cream. I even liked a red velvet cupcake better just because of that chocolate coating.

Two Parts Sugar: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Babycakes: Hot Chocolate Cupcake

The Cake Shop: Red Velvet Cupcake

I lean more towards non-traditional cupcakes.

You can probably already tell based on what I've written so far, but here's a few other cupcakes that I also really enjoyed sampling.

My Delight Cupcakery: Key Lime Pie Cupcake (Pound cake stuffed
with key lime pie filling, topped with a light and fluffy slightly toasted meringue icing)

Blue Cupcake: Sweeet and Salty Vanilla (Vanilla Cake Filled with
Rich Caramel Topped with Vanilla and Salted Caramel Buttercream)

Jus Minis: Caramel Banana Cupcake

Overall, it was a fun event. The most interesting part for me was watching people come in with containers and bakery boxes so that they could take cupcakes home. Now that's smart thinking. Eat what you can and take the rest of home. Considering that there were 40 different cupcakes and it cost $40 to get in, $1 a cupcake is a pretty good deal. I'm not sure if I'd make a return trip next year, but at least, I'd be prepared.

As for the winners, they are as follows:

Best Traditional
1st Place: Big Man Bakes "Red Velvet"
2nd Place: Blue Cupcake "Sweet and Salty Vanilla"
3rd Place: Southern Girl Desserts "Red Velvet"

Best Original:
1st Place: My Delight Cupcakery "Breakfast Cake"
2nd Place: Jus Minis "Caramel Banana"
3rd Place: Two Parts Sugar "Chocolate Covered Strawberry"

Best Overall:
1st Place: Jus Minis "Caramel Banana"
2nd Place: My Delight Cupcakery "Breakfast Cake"
3rd Place: Two Parts Sugar "Chocolate Covered Strawberry"

Click here to check out more Drink:Eat:Play Events!

To end, here a few more cupcake photos to whet your appetite for the 2011 Cupcake Challenge.

Polkatots: Little Penguin (Chocolate Cupcake with
Rich Vanilla Buttercream )

Hollywood Renaissance Hotel: Applewood Smoked Bacon Cupcake
(Canadian Maple Syrup Frosting, Fleur del Sel and Black Pepper)

Urban Sweets: Spiced Apple with Brown Sugar Cupcake

Cupcakes Couture

Tavern Restaurant: Salted Caramel Cupcake

Click here to see all 129 photos!

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