:EDUCATED IN THE WEST

I had the most interesting dining experience last week. It was at a new restaurant called “Animal” just up the street from the intersection of Fairfax and Beverly. The menu is meat-intensive and changes frequently. It was voted by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the best new restaurants in the city, [...]

It wasn’t all just desserts, there were a few entrees and appetizers thrown in, too!
A good friend happens to know the executive pastry chef at Stone Hill Tavern at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Orange County. It’s a Michael Mina Restaurant that caters to the local and vacation crowd in [...]

I can’t believe it’s been nearly two months since I came around here. That’s unfortunate and I apologize for that. I’m alive and at least somewhat active online as those who have managed to find my facebook page can tell you.
So, what’s been happening in life of Tojo over these eight weeks? [...]

For years, the menus at The Cheesecake Factory and its sister eatery Grand Lux Cafe have featured Asian-inspired dishes. Off the top of my head, I recall a menu adorned with whimsical sushi rolls, orange chicken, Thai chicken pasta along with stalwarts like Cashew Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken. Previously, TCF even offered a [...]

Any fans of the BBC version of “The Office” out there?
Well, many of you know that I’m a huge fan of the so-called “British Office.”
For those of you who have seen it, there’s a character called Big Keith. He works in accounts and is slightly overweight. For those who follow the American version of [...]

With Valentine’s day coming up, I’m sure that some readers have been browsing the candy aisles and candy shops looking for a non-traditional take on traditional chocolates.  For the adventurous types, may I suggest these?

They’re chocolate “plaques” from Belgian chocolatier Chocolatt.  I saw them over on MetroMix.

So, I was watching Warren’s astronomy show on the History Channel and I left the TV on after it ended. A show about Krakatoa came on followed by a show about American holiday dishes like Turducken, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, etc. Both shows were interesting, I thought. Among the dishes I’ve [...]

Just a couple things I want to mention today:
1. I just saw Superbad, the latest Judd Apatow flick and I quite enjoyed it. I don’t know if I laughed more during Knocked Up (another Apatow film), but they were both entertaining despite the cringe-inducing profanity. It’s not that I’m a prude, but [...]

Not incongruous enough? Well, then, how about this variation on the sweet meets savory theme?
Reminds me of a McGriddle on steroids.

Who needs Joel Robuchon, Nobu Matsuhisa and Alain Ducasse when you have Frank Sodolak of Sodolak’s Original Country Inn? Sodolak is a “man’s man” who exemplifies the best of America in his own unique brand of Texas country cooking. So, when ankimo with caviar, butternut squash gnocchi, and shellfish veloute’ just won’t cut [...]

The Office of the First Lady has just released the menu for this year’s White House holiday receptions (via Salon.com).
Display of Specialty Cheeses and Winter Fruits (Served with a Bountiful Display of Lavish Specialty Crackers and Spiced Pecans).
Colossal Shrimp Cocktail and Jonah Crab Claws (Served with Ramsey’s Cocktail Sauce and Spiced Remoulade).
Stuffed Turkey Breasts with [...]

I’m alive! More later, but do click the text and pics below.  I recently visited two poles of Southland cuisine: the old-school Clifton’s in the grittiest part of downtown L.A., and the trendy Father’s Office bar located adjacent to the “north of Montana” section of Santa Monica.  Both L.A., but as different as night [...]

I’ve begun the process of putting some of my Chicago pictures into the EITW Flickr album. I’ll eventually organize them into sets and give most of them proper captions. For now, titles will have to do. So far, I’ve put up a few random pics, shots from the outstanding Custom House restaurant, [...]

(Dear readers, thanks for your patience. 15 consecutive days at work and 143 hours billed in two weeks = not a whole lot of blogging. Just know that I’m half asleep as I write this.)
In this age of conflict between the United States and elements in the Islamic world, the phrase “peace through [...]

Well, so I made it out to Las Vegas again this past weekend. The story’s not so different. The ‘rents were out there and that meant a visit was in order. I had one of my father’s friends along. He’s younger than I am and is a fellow at Cedars Sinai [...]

Just a few days ago, I made yet another pledge to myself to get in better shape. After being so dilligent during my year in Sacramento, I’ve fallen completely off the wagon. Well, I guess not completely off since I still feel guilt. I tell you, it’s my gym that’s the problem. [...]

I was browsing over on Chez Pim (see Blogroll) and came across a post about Food and Wine magazine’s list of the “hottest” 376 restaurants in the world (to which Pim is a contributor). Chez Pim is one of my favorite food blogs, but I haven’t had the chance to click over there in [...]