Farmstead~Napa

I've seen this restaurant more than a dozen times while driving highway 29 but never stopped because it always looked crowded.  Luckily it rained Saturday because I finally got my chance to check them out and see what this adorable restaurant looks like in the inside. This restaurant really envelops what a farm to table restaurant should look and feel in a very upscale chic way. Its a very open and lit restaurant which gives you a very nostalgic feeling (for those of you that grew on a farm). :-)
I ordered the steak carpaccio but somehow a steak tartare came out. Im not complaining because it was really tasty!! I love how it was served with an open egg yolk and finishing salt. The argula was dressed perfectly which balanced out the entire dish.
I also ordered the sole fish served with a butter lemon sauce over smashed fingerling potatoes and sauteed spinach. My main entree was recommended by my server Emily. It was a great light recommendation since the gnocchi with ragu beef was sold out.
I cant wait to return.

Palm Springs Get Away with the Girls ~ Restaurant Johannes

This restaurant came highly recommended by my girlfriend (who was with us) that had a great experience a few months ago at Johannes. Unfortunately my experience wasn't so grand! I should have listened to her as she had the duck. Her meal was the only near perfect meal of the evening. I decided to order the Sea Bream which was a disaster. I'll get back to that in a few..... For an appetizer we decided to order the tuna tartare.... It tasted like tuna fish from a can. The smell and taste was so pungent that I just couldn't stomach it. After ordering our appetizer our food came out an hour and half later. Talk about service!! So after our meals were brought to us.... my fish had a million bones. It was supposed to be served on top of lobster which turned out to be langoustines. So they charged me $40 for this c_ _ p.????!!! Not only was it a bad conceived dish it had peas and cream sauce. Just ugh!!! My other friend ordered the scallops which were nearly alive. At this point we were all irritated. I felt really bad for my friend because she had a really good first experience which turned out to be a food bust.

The Chop House Palm Springs

Since our first evening of dining was not a success (for me) we decided to go with a restaurant where we couldn't go wrong. The Chop House was the perfect place to have a solid surf n turf meal on the main boulevard in Palm Springs. The highlight was the oysters on the half shell. My girlfriend Tiff and I were able to convert our friend Miko into an oyster lover as we prepared her oyster with the classic minonette', lemon and horse radish additions. I ordered the king crab legs and made my concoction of lemon, salt, pepper and Tabasco. Boy was I happy! If you're looking for a place where you cant go wrong in Palm Springs.... this is your place.

Monte Carlo Deli - Burbank

I forgot about this gem nestled in Burbank as I was contemplating making home grilled pizzas. However,  if you're looking to buy the best sauce, burrata cheese, sausage, pepperoni and anything authentically Italian this is your place. I also purchased some imported prosciutto and lets just say I will never buy the domestic stuff again. I realized the domestic stuff is chewy. The imported prosciutto melts in your mouth.

Unfortunately I ate the canoli and dont have a picture but it was pretty good. I must admit its not as good as my friends husband mother Chef John Leone. She just has that special touch! But I'm not shunning it all.

The next time I come I plan to have the gelato. Mmmmm

Below is my finished grilled pizza with burrata , kalamata olives, pepperoni and fennel sausage. 

Corned Beef Hash

Well for you last minute folks out there needing to make an Irish meal (hopefully you're off work) but run over to Whole Foods and grab their pre marinated corned beef package.  All you need to add is water, carrots, potatoes and cabbage.  I also purchased some sauerkraut and mustard. You can use a crock pot or dutch oven. Mmmm I cant wait!

Jasmine's Kitchen Sunday Brunch

I decided to have Sunday Brunch at the house. As you all know my friends and family are my guinea pigs. So here are a few tips from my trials and errors that turned out fabulous. My brunch menu: Fried Chicken, Waffles with vanilla bean, fruit salad with habenero-sugar,  apple tartine with creme fraiche, rosemary potato hash cake, bacon and goat cheese quiche with Pico De Gallo, black forest bacon and a cheesecake from Chef Ryan.

Cizano Asti has the best Sparking wine that makes the best Mimosas. You can purchase at Bevmo for $20 or Whole foods for $9.99.

Apple tartine. Only make with golden delicious apples or heirloom.

Do not over crowd the pan when making potato hash or you'll end up with mushy potatoes. I had to make them into cakes and fry. Yes they were delicious! .... but a little time consuming to say the least.

Pictures on Jasmine's Kitchen

I'd like to apologize for all the missing pictures that were linked to this blog. A lot of hard work has gone into making sure that there are pictures with every review and recipe.  Unfortunately I didnt know that Google Plus connected to my blog and linked to Picassa web albums through my phone. I deleted these pictures permanently because I needed room on my phone not knowing that all of these entities linked together. I'll do my best to repost as many pictures as I can.

Xo