Trying the ALL IN ONE BURGER at The Lake House - LA

Trying the ALL IN ONE BURGER at The Lake House - LA

There comes a time in your life when you have to upgrade your lunch game and order the most epic beauty that you’ve come across.

For that, of course, you bring the talent of the leading food blogger in Los Angeles and Paul Tavakoli Co-Owner/Executive Chef at The Lake House - LA and Executive Chef at Polished Fork,
to create a burger of epic proportions, aptly called the ALL IN ONE BURGER.

For $27, you can share the ALL IN ONE BURGER, which is a six-inch tower of culinary proportions made with:

-Two quarter pound patties
-Onion rings
-Grilled jalapenos
-American cheese
-Bacon
-Smoked tri tip
-Pulled pork grilled cheese sandwiches as buns

For the more sensible burger lovers, Chef Tavakoli has also created a beautiful pair of pulled-pork sliders served on mini pretzel buns and a nice selection of summer favorites. Of course, all can be accompanied by a side of BBQ-style potato salad and hand sliced french fries.

Whatever burger you choose, you can enjoy them at The Lake House - LA casual vibe and indoor / outdoor seating, that is just perfect for the dreadful San Fernando Valley summer.

The Lake House LA also offers a complete bar and diverse seasonal menu made with ingredients from its own garden.

The ALL IN ONE BURGER is currently being served exclusively at The Lake House LA, located at:
6331 Woodley Ave
Van Nuys, CA
Phone: (818) 778-6530

Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 Daily

Lot parking, with no reservations required for this family-favorite hideaway.

Enjoy!

Ana Lydia

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Meet me at 7th and Fig in Downtown Los Angeles

Meet me at 7th and Fig in Downtown Los Angeles

Let me tell you a secret...

I used to work in Downtown Los Angeles in the late 90s...and. I. hated. it.

At the time, there was nothing to do other than work and walk to a handful of very dated and expensive restaurants for lunch; stomach a bad sandwich from the building lunch counter; order from a limited number of dives that would brave the drive to downtown; or, order from what we called the roach coach. This was, as you can tell, Downton pre-revitalization.

Downtown has needed cleaning-up and updating for some time; and slowly, but surely, Angelinos have seen the changes Downtown LA has made to create an urban hub that we can be proud to call our own.

Nothing is more significant in this new era for Downtown LA than the new FIGat7th, a once pitiful corner on, you guessed it, 7th and Figueroa. 15 years after I quit my job in Downtown, 7th and Fig is looking very nice! 

Completely updated with a central courtyard that faces an upscale food court, FIGat7th has become a Downtown open-air shopping & food destination.

Clean, modern and housing a curated food experience for the cosmopolitan nine-to-fiver, FIGat7th has also become a hotspot for local residents not only because of the unique dining options, but also because of the many retailers that have chosen to create a unique Downtown experience at FIGat7th.

On a recent weekday I headed east to have lunch with my friends at FIGat7th, who were just as excited to curate my lunch experience as I was to having an elevated sandwich tasting.

I tried sandwiches that were completely unique to Los Angeles, such as the "Not So Fried" chicken sandwich from Mendocino Farms, and a throwback to my years living and traveling to Mexico, the Poblano Torta, from Loteria's Grill "Torta Company."

To end a perfect lunch, we had Los Angeles-native Sprinkles cupcakes. All yummy, but the S'mores Chai Tea cupcakes both being my absolute favorites.

Kurobuta Pork Belly Banh Mi Sandwich
Mendocino Farms

"Not so Fried" Chicken Sandwich
Mendocino Farms

Torta Poblana
Loteria Grill's Torta Company

Torta Cubana
Loteria Grill's Torta Company

The Mac Daddy
The Melt

Cupcakes
Sprinkles

If you haven't toured the new Downtown LA, I highly recommend that you visit.

FIGat7th is a convenient stop in your excursion of Downtown LA, not only because of it's central location, but for their free seasonal events, and validated parking. (Parking is only $5 with validation or free after 5 p.m., and the metro is a short walk away.)

But the best reason to visit FIGat7th? The food! 

Where else can you dine among the beauty of the downtown skyline and pick your lunch, or dinner, from a selection of eateries unique to LA?

Ana Lydia

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Knott's Boysenberry Festival

Knott's Boysenberry Festival

Southern California is gorgeous, but during the Spring-time it's especially so. 

Seasonal activities, such as attending the Knott's Boysenberry Festival, have become annual rituals to celebrate the beauty of the season.

The annual Boysenberry Festival is a 16-day food and entertertainment event that celebrates the ubiquitous berry created by Knott's in the 1920's, the boysenberry.

Just in case you didn't know, a boysenberry is a cross between a European Raspberry, a Common Blackberry, an American Dewberry and a Loganberry....if you haven't tried it, you must. It's absolutely delicious!

To celebrate the yumminess that the boysenberry is, Knott's Boysenberry Festival created an extensive lineup of boysenberry-focused foods, interactive pie-making, and the Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden. 

The festival also features dueling fiddlers, Jammin' in the Dark (nighttime dance party), vine dancing, and live music.

Admission to the Boysenberry Festival is free with the purchase of a theme park ticket. (According to the LA Times, the best deal for Knott's tickets right now is the online Knott's Berry Farm for the Cure single day advance purchase ticket that costs $39 for ages 12 to 61 and $35 for children, excluding tax and fees.)

Although admission to the Boysenberry Festival is free, you can individually buy one of the more than twenty boysenberry-inspired food, drinks, and treats, or purchase a six food-tasting coupon book for $25, and Wine & Craft Brew Tasting Card for $19.

Both the coupon book and tasting card give you the flexibility of trying different boysenberry-inspired foods and drinks.

Some of my favorites pictured below...

I'm so glad we kicked off Spring at the Knott's Biysenberry Festival thanks to Ms. M for the invitation!

Ana Lydia

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Discover the Ocean-to-Fork Trend

Discover the Ocean-to-Fork Trend

Top Chef Janine Falvo, Executive Chef at SIP Lounge

One foodie trend that is fitting of my Southern California life, is the ocean-to-fork movement that Janine Falvo, executive chef at SIP Lounge is spearheading, in where else? But Long Beach.

Largely ignored as being Los Angeles less attractive sister, Long Beach is really a hidden gem an hour south of LAX. Maybe because of this, Long Beach never feels like it reaches LA status with its food, entertainment, or shopping. But things are turning around, and Long Beach is stepping-up to the plate (pun intended), and dishing out some pretty incredible things-to-do, places to dine at, and shopping. But one thing that has lacked is an upscale lounge close to the City Center, until SIP came around.

Touted as Long Beach’s newest hotspot: SIP, is a modern lounge that celebrates the local flavor in both its food and drinks modernizing the laid back vibe Long Beach is known for.  While the lounge decor elevates the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, which is going through major renovations.

Sitting in the ultra-plush booth felt relaxing; the lighting perfectly complimenting the modern, intimate atmosphere. Other guests nibbled on yummy eats while sitting in the beautifully appointed chaise lounges, leather couches and plush chairs. Although I didn't venture outside, guests mentioned the beauty of SIPs outdoor patio, which has daybed style seating, a fire pit and radiant heated floor. 

With the Pacific Ocean and its countless fresh fish options just a few blocks away, SIPs menu has been revamped with a major focus on seafood. In addition to fresh caught seafood, Chef Falvo’s kitchen also features the finest organic meats, artisanal cheeses and local produce.

SIPs also offers hand-crafted cocktails from the finest spirits, fine wines by the glass, craft beers and other bold flavorful food options that "evoke energy and connectivity," according to their restaurants website. 

Together with other bloggers, including Michael, I was able to sample this new menu, which I would describe anywhere from inventive to surprising. 

From a poached quail appetizer, to a simple shrimp bruschetta, Chef Janine Falvo didn't skimp on flavors while presenting beautifully plated appetizers that complimented our drinks beautifully.

All-in-all, SIP Lounge made the trip from Los Angeles well worth it, and  gave me a reason to spend a beautiful evening, possibly even a future weekend, in Long Beach.

**VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF MY TASTING EXPERIENCE HERE***

SIP Lounge
111 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 437-5900
(Located in the first level of the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel on the corner of Pine Avenue and Ocean Boulevard)

Reservations: Not Necessary

Hours:
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Happy Hour: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.


Parking: Valet or Hotel self-paring

Price: Happy Hour $1-$6 per drink and/or small "tapas-style" appetizer

Cheers!

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