Busy, Fun, Hot Weekend

This is the first week of fall and the hottest weekend of the year so far. It has been an unusually cool summer, however, at five o'clock tonight was was 106 degrees!!! Red-flag fire warnings are in effect due to the hot dry conditions, so I have my fingers crossed that no wild fires break out. I rode early before the heat really set in so as not to torture my horse too much. Poor Kylie has already grown a winter coat. As soon as the days begin to get shorter the hair grows. Time for body clip #1.

We had a nice dinner at Edendale in Silver Lake on Saturday night. It is located in a beautifully restored craftsman-style firehouse, built in 1924. The restaurant is named after the Edendale Valley, a stretch of what is now Glendale Boulevard that was home to some of L.A.'s first film studios. The bar has a really cool hammered-tin ceiling and firehouse doors and sits on what was once the station’s fire-truck bay. We enjoyed the perfect night on the large outdoor patio, which was really charming all decorated in twinkly lights. The food and drinks were good, but it was our good friends that really made the night fun.

This morning we met a friend and her two doggies for the 12th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk fundraiser to benefit the Pasadena Humane Society. Literally thousands showed up to walk around the Rosebowl - a gigantic dog party!!!! It was fun checking out all the other dogs in every possible shape and size.
After the dogs were exhausted we dropped them off at home (in the air-conditioning) and me and my friend headed down to Santa Monica for the gem & jewelry show. I found some GREAT things today. Lots of vintage equestrian themed clasps, charms, pendants, and a few rings.

Murphy beating the heat by enjoying some yöghund, doggie yogurt. He absolutely LOVES it! But then again he loves anything remotely edible.

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Korean BBQ

Korean barbecue, or gogi gui, refers to the Korean method of grilling beef, pork, chicken, or other types of meat at the table on grills that are built into the center of the table itself. We wanted to try something new and different today, so we decided to venture out into Koreatown today and try Korean BBQ. We went to Soowon Galbi Korean BBQ which is tucked away in a plaza of a seedy part of town, but it is modern, clean, and very nice once you get inside.


As a first time Korean BBQer, I really didn't really know what to expect. We opened the menu and had no idea what to order. We asked the waitress and she spoke no english. She sent over another waitress who also had no idea what we were asking. Ok...so we decided on the two person combo which included 3 types of meat; marinated chicken, thin slices of unmarinated beef and pure unadulterated pork belly (similar to uncured bacon), and a bottle of soju. First, they bring you out a bowl of their house salad, and it's bottemless, so you can get more if you want. The lettus is also used in the little burrito wraps explained below.

Then they bring you out lot of these little dishes of different vegetables... kimchee (the floppy looking napa cabbage with the fiery red sauce), Oi kimchi (cucumbers that have been pickled in the same spicy chile paste) , bean sprouts, sweet potatoes, etc. Apparently, panchan (banchan) are side dishes that are standard with every Korean meal. They were all pretty good, but there was one in particular that I really liked and have NO idea what it was. Crunchy white seaweed? Or some kind of noodle?

They bring you a bunch of different dipping sauces, and the waitress did point out (literally) that the course salt/sesame oil dipping sauce (gireumjang) is for the pork, the gochujang (hot pepper paste) is to be put on the rice paper to make mini Korean burritos, and the soy-based sauce with and jalapenos for the brisket. A popular way of eating Korean barbecue is to wrap the meat with rice papers or thinly sliced daikon and add condiments. Yummy!

The waitress then comes over and starts cooking up the meat on the grill. If you order two or more different types of meat and even if both plates of raw meat come together to the table they don't mix the two on the same grill top. They bring a new clean grill top for each type of meat. Can't wait to go back!

course salt/sesame oil dipping sauce (gireumjang)

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Takami and Mazzy

Last night we went out to celebrate Chad's birthday. We went to a very cool restaurant in downtown LA called Takami, which has to be one of LA's most attractive and unique venues. Located on the corner of Flower Street and Wilshire Boulevard, it is 21 floors above LA's financial district with amazing views of the city and beyond. We sat outside on the patio, which was perfect. I loved the rooftop atmosphere. Our server was from Maine and was so friendly, he definitely added to the enjoyment of the evening. He recommended a bottle of Kikusui sake, which I think is a common sake since I recognized the pretty blue bottle it came in. I am surely not a sake connoisseur, I actually cannot make any distinction between different cold sakes, but it was very light and refreshing.You can see the rooftop bar at "The Standard" in the background of the photo.

We had “Takami Edamame,” soybeans sautéed in garlic butter and soy sauce. These were very tasty.

Poki Martini, Spicy Tuna Poki with Finely Chopped Mild Red Onions Fresh Wasabi, garnished with Thinly Sliced Lemons & Cucumber on a seaweed salad. Somewhat bland, not spicy at all. I would say this wasn't anything spectacular.

Oysters on the Half Shell, Fresh Seasonal Oysters served on Ice. Big and juicy. Tasted great. Came with three sauces, which were fun to try, but I have to say horseradish, lemon, and cocktail sauce is still my favorite with oysters.

Soft Shell Crab, Fried Soft Shell Crab with Sweet & Spicy Soy Dressing. Spectacular!

Sashimi plate. Fresh and delicious with a nice assortment.

There were so many other things we wanted to try, so we will have to go back again! The manager, Andrew, came by to check on us, and he was also an east coaster from Annapolis and super friendly. Chad and him exchanged favorite hangouts there.

Afterwards we decided to venture out into the city of LA, which I don't think we've ever done, and checked out the Golden Gopher. On the outside it looks plain jane but then you walk in and you're like "wow, it's cool in here". The music is good, dark atmosphere, old school video game tables (Ms. Pacman, Centipede and Asteroids), urban cocktail lounge vibe. We recognized the bartender from a bar he used to work at in Pasadena. He made us good drinks. They have a photobooth in the bar, and yes, we used it. It also has a unique liquor "to go” counter on the way out, thanks to its still valid 1905 liquor license, issued when Teddy Roosevelt was Commander-in-Chief.

I had a great lesson on Mazzy this morning. She is really coming along. This week she got back shoes on for the first time and that seemed to help support her hind end. Her trot is relaxed and fluid, and her canter is feeling much more solid and controllable. We are working on getting her to step up underneath herself more instead of the strung out, legs going in every direction feeling. It is hard work for her due to her young age, undeveloped muscles and huge size (almost 17 hands at age three), but she is trying really hard to do what is asked of her. We are also working on getting her to travel straight without loosing her haunch to the outside. She is really fun to ride. I am so excited with all the progress she has made and grateful to have such a great trainer. It is such a fantastic feeling to get on her the day after a schooling session and feel a big difference. Makes you really appreciate the professionals!

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Blog Carnival - My Favorite Food

Thanks to Stormy Designs for hosting the EtsyBloggers August 28th Blog Carnival!

I would have to say sushi is my favorite food, at Katsu-ya in particular. I don't go there very often, it is a bit far, it is always packed to the gills with a long wait, the parking situation is terrible and there about 100 sushi restaurants between my house and Katsu-ya, but on special occasions, that is the place. It is by far my favorite. I am going there next week and I am am so looking forward to it!

They have some unique concoctions. Here are some of my favorites....

Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice with Jalapeno - Hands down the best sushi creation ever made! Honestly it is a celebration in your mouth!

Baked Crab Hand Roll - Baked snow crab lightly kissed with Chef’s signature sauce wrapped with rice in soy paper... One taste will leave you wanting more.

Honey Hand Roll. Baked crab, spicy tuna, creamy avocado wrapped in a black sesame-flecked soy paper. Luscious.

Spicy Albacore with Crispy Onion. Packed full of flavor, the textures meld together well.

Crispy Sesame Tuna. Spicy tuna and creamy avocado on a crispy wonton.
Seared Tuna With Japanese Salsa - Seared tuna sashimi served with fresh tomatoes, cilantro and avocado
The weird thing is I don't think I've ever ordered traditional sushi here, thier specials are so delicious I never have room for sushi I can get anywhere else.

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DOMENICO RISTORANTE

Last week I got the chance to have dinner at the new Domenico Ristorante in Silver Lake. Since we got back from Italy we have had a new appreciation for Italian food.

Amazing food, great ambiance and awesome service. It is a small restaurant with fewer than 50 seats, half of them outside. It is beautifully decorated by Italian Designer Vanni Vezzosi and Ahmad Boyer with an all-white interior and stylish chandeliers. On a side note we sat next to Tim Curry, Dr. Frank-N-Furter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Not an utterly huge star, but you can see him in the back of the group shot.
The restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license yet, but you can bring in your own wine with no corkage fee (for the time being). We brought some Italian Wine from the Chianti Classico region. Owner Domenico Frasca, was in the house, and came to talk with us during our meal to make sure that we had a nice experience, he's very friendly and cordial.

We were first served bread and olive oil and then two little deep fried, cheese filled olives--too good!
For appetizers we tried the Calamari e Limoni Fritti (thick, tender strips of calamari served with fried lemons and a savory pine nut romesco),
Capesanti con l’Escarole e Salsa Parmigiano (Plump scallops get a boost of rich flavor from braised escarole and luscious Parmesan cream sauce),

fried zucchini flower stuffed with mozzarella cheese

Fior di Napoli -Imported Mozzarella di Bufala, Organic Tomato and Fresh Basil (buffalo mozzarella in a hollowed out tomato). This was definetly an interesting presentation of my very favorite salad, but the presentation outweighded the taste. I prefer the traditional caprese.

I had the Tuna special, Chad had Cacciucco Toscano - Clams, Mussels, Scallops, Jumbo Prawn and Rock Cod in a Lightly Spicy Tomato Sauce. Mine was great, Chad's was meh. It looked more spectacular than it tasted.

And for dessert...
Torta di Cioccolato e Lamponi - Chocolate Raspberry Tarte served with Crème Chantilly. I love chocolate and raspberries together, pure decadence.
I also tried a bite of the Affogato di Limone e Prosecco - imported Italian lemon sorbet served in a frosted glass bowl, drowning in a pool of Prosecco.
And the Panna Cotta di Miele e Lavande - Honey Lavender Panna Cotta, Pistachio Dust.
Pan di Mandorle e Cantuccini - Traditional Marzipan Cookies and Tuscan Biscotti

Everything was delicious, but the desserts won. It was a great, but pricey meal.

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A nice day...horses, dogs, cat, eating, friends

I'm trying to fully enjoy every last moment I have off of work, because I have a new project starting in the next few days...my freedom will be gone. I am so grateful I have been able to ride everyday.

The reservoir

The dam up the river from the ranch

The San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California are a part of a great barrier that separates the Mojave Desert from the coastlands. They are a transverse range, meaning that they run east west as opposed to the more usual north-south configuration. While James Marshall is credited with the discovery of gold in California on the American River in 1847, it was in the San Gabriel Mountains where the actual first discovery took place. The ranch where my horses live are located in the southern San Gabriel Mountains at the border to Angeles National Forest. Just found that interesting tidbit while searching for why the river that surrounds half of the ranch has been dry the past couple of months. I couldn't find the answer, but I am happy that the river is running again. I love the sound and it is beautiful.

I took Mazzy on a little trail walk to get to the bottom ring. She enjoyed the scenery.
There is Buddhist Monastery across the river from the ranch. Usually there is nothing going on here, but once a year...then the gongs echo through the canyons and and incense fills the air. There are bus loads full of people bouncing down the dirt road where the horses do not think buses should be traveling. The horses aren't too happy on that day.


On the way to pick up Topaz from being spayed we stopped for lunch at The Boiling Crab, a Cajun/Creole restaurant. It was good! The wait is usually absolutely ridiculous (2-3 hrs), but we just happened to get there as they were opening at 3 and got in. Since we had never been there before it was just luck that we avoided the usual crowd, but by the time we left there was a line out the door.
We ordered 1 lb of shrimp and a pound of crawfish, an order of fried oysters and Chad had a cup of Gumbo. Crawfish is a lot of work for very little meat, but they are tasty. The shrimp was delicious. You have no eating utensils (you use your hands) and no plates. Your table cloth is a piece of white butcher paper, and your napkins are a roll of Paper towel. Luckily they give you a plastic bib, which is very much needed. I was covered in garlic and spices. The steamed items arrive in a plastic bag slathered in garlicky red Cajun sauce. We got the 'whole shebang' (cajun seasonings, butter, garlic, and lemon pepper), and you can order it as mild or spicy as you like. The service was attentive and they do swing by around often to check on things. It was a fun, though messy eating experience.


When we got home Topaz was pretty sleepy from her operation, but she was stitched up with disposable stitches and then "glued", so lucky for her she doesn't have to wear one of those cones around her neck.

After we got home, we sat outside and let the dogs entertain us while we tried to figure out how we are going to "remodel" our backyard...

Kora loves her deflated soccer ball!

Then finished off the evening over our friend's house for a glass of wine and some good company. I am packing as much in to everyday day as possible!

It was a beautiful night out. I took this out the car window on the way over.

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