Big Sugar Bake Shop - Studio City

I'm not a person that eats too many sweets but this place caught my eye as I was shopping for something for my anniversary. When I first walked in I thought, how cute. The colors are light blue and brown which was very inviting. I appreciated the chic decor with a modern touch to it.
The first thing I see is the "wall of fame" of magazines that I am assuming the shop is being featured in.
First I ordered the lemon bar just to get a feel for the place. My sister makes the best lemon bars so I figured if they were as good as hers then I could possibly order a cake for my special day.
(Their lemon bar was pretty tasty with a nice buttery crust.)
The staff was very pleasant and helped me select a 4 inch personal chocolate cake with vanilla bean butter cream frosting.
How could you go wrong?
Unfortunately, there was nothing special to this cake. I think its a sin when you own a bakery and your cake taste like its straight out of the box. The cake was dry and tasted like water added to synthetic chocolate powder. The butter cream was too light and it was caked on heavily. I could have saved $25 by baking it myself. We took a few bites because it was our anniversary but we both had that look in our eye and stopped eating it. I'm saddened that I will not be returning to this place because it was so darn cute.


Taste 1 out of 5 stars.

CommeCa- Los Angeles

I have been to this place several times for dinner and it has always been a great dining experience for me. I'm not sure who was cooking during the day but I was really embarrassed on how awful the food was.
My brother flew into town for the week and I was bragging on how good the food is. We ordered the steak tar tare, oysters on the half shell, burger & frites and halibut salad.
The only thing thing that was edible were the frites (fries) and oysters on the half shell.
The steak tar tare tasted like raw ground beef with a lot of capers mixed with Dijon mustard and chives. I have never had a steak tar tare taste like this nor look like this.
The halibut was cold and overcooked. It had no flavor and it was rubbery. I could of thrown it on the floor and it would of bounced back and slapped me.
The burger had an over abundance of slaw on it and made the burger overwhelming.
I don't know what happened here but I will never go back for lunch.
However, dinner is much better. I plan to find out if there is a new chef and why the food was not acceptable. I will keep you posted.

lunch- 1 out 5 stars
Dinner- 4 out of 5 stars
ambiance 5 out of 5 stars

Casa Vega Restaurant- The Valley

I used to just come in here for the margaritas until one day I decided to eat. Located in Sherman Oaks, Ca Casa Vega is a local favorite and always hits the spot after a long day of work. For a while I was here every Friday with Business Colleagues and friends. Such good times listening to the Mariachi band table side. This place is always packed during the evening and the crowd is never ending at the bar.
Okay I will admit I am a usual suspect when comes to the menu. I ordered the crab and shrimp enchiladas. What can I say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, my guest had the wet carne asada burrito. Okay Okay it was darrrrnnnn delicious. They cooked the meat perfectly. The flavors were spot on!
I have decided to get out of my shell and try something new next time. :-)

Taste: 3.75 stars out of 5
Ambiance: 4 out of 5 stars
Drinks: 5 out of 5 stars

Pacific Dining Car-Downtown Los Angeles

Pacific Dining Car is a downtown staple where big lobbyist, business men, politicians, locals and foreigners meet to have a great meal. I have never been disappointed or dissatisfied eating here.
After my exhausting trip to Vegas last week I met a business colleague that I haven't seen in a while. The plan was NOT to have breakfast (discuss business) but boy I couldn't resist the crab Benedict on the menu. My colleague decided on the crab hash and we could not help but eat off each others plates. How professional!!! But when you love food, there is no shame.
This place has been opened since 1921 and is 4 generations strong. How can you resist waiters in ties or the old Frank Sinatra feel to the place.
Not to mention it's 24 hours...

taste 4 out of 5 stars
ambiance 5 out of 5 stars
service 5 out of 5 stars

Two Bros Cooking Co.- St. Paul, Minnesota- Best Pastrami Ever

Now who said you can only get good Pastrami in California? Well... there's Two Bros Cooking Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota ready to challenge anyone out there. If you are ever in the St. Paul area check these guys out. You will not be disappointed!!Word around town, The Two Bros Co. makes their very own pastrami with flavors out of this world.

Jasmine's Kitchen gives this place a thumbs up!

Vintner Grill- Las Vegas

It's been a year since gracing the floor of Vintner Grill in Las Vegas. Vintner is located in the neighborhood of Summerlin and is considered one of Las Vegas's finest restaurant off the strip. The beautifully decorated restuarant makes you feel nostaligic while Norah Jones and Frank Sinatra play in the background. I assure you, you will want to dress up coming here and bring a special date or significant other. It's very romantic especially at night.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to make dinner reservations but was able to eat lunch with my best friend. We ordered Proscuitto & truffle oil flatbread, crabcake with tarragon sauce, Salmon and Halibut.
My favorite was the flatbread with Proscuitto and truffle oil. The flavors made a perfect marraige with a hint of micro greens that sprinkled the top. I wasn't impressed with the halibut but it wasn't bad. It just lacked a little salt. My waiter didn't seem to care whether or not that I was pleased with the meal because when I walked away he told my best friend that he ordered the better meal. Honestly, I was a little put off by that and wished that he recommended something else. However, all is forgiven because the food is FABULOUS here!

Taste: 4.75 out of 5 stars
Ambiance: 5 out of 5 stars

Cooking with Friends in Vegas- Lamb Osso Buco & Morel Risotto

Can't always eat at restaurants. I am fortunate to have friends that live and work in Las Vegas. Not only do you get the inside scoop on where to eat and where to go but you also will meet the industries best chef's and mixologists.
We stopped by one of my favorite grocery stores Wholefoods and picked up the ingredients for Lamb Osso Buco and Mushroom Morel Risotto.
Chef LeeAnn teaches me how to make a perfect Risotto while my Osso Buco slow cooks in the oven.

Hash House A Go Go - Las Vegas

"Oh my gooooodnes, Oh my gooooodness... As Shanae-nae on Martin would say back in the 90's. Talkin about pure Glutiny and a guilty pleasure. My guest and I ordered everything under the sun. We started off with a Bloody Maria and a Citrus Champagne drink. After we sat down we couldn't decide what to order so we ordered the Sage fried chicken and waffles, banana & brown sugar flapjacks (this thing could honestly feed a family of four) and the smoked salmon Eggs Benedict. As many of you know I do not like sweet food but the Banana Flapjack were to DIE FOR. I couldn't stop eating it. The bananas were perfectly ingrained into the pancake crusted with the brown sugar. It wasn't soggy nor was it lacking bananas. What I liked about this place is that they were not to0 shy with the portions. The smoked salmon Benedict had a chipotle hollandaise sauce with a yummy homemade biscuit and potatoes and I cannot forget the grilled asparagus.

Can't wait to go back after I lose 5lbs!!!!

5 out of 5 starts

Trevi- Las Vegas

My friend and I decided to make a pit stop before shopping. So we decided to check out Trevi because of its location and the fact that you can people watch while dining.
Trevi is located in Caesar's palace right next to the "Fountain of the Gods". Trevi offers an array of homemade Italian dishes. We ordered the Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio with shallots, arugula and lemon as an appetizer, Lasagna and the Grilled Salmon with Langoustine. The grilled salmon was on the special for the night and was grilled to perfection. However, the langoustine was not edible. I think I was turned off after that. Overall the meal was satisfying but there was something missing and I couldn't put my finger on it. I guess you can't go wrong when you order lasagna because its a safe choice and that is exactly what my guest did.

Rating:
3 out of 5 stars

Naked Fish- Las Vegas

Naked Fish is a local Vegas Sushi restaurant located off the strip. The good thing about this place is that you will not pay nearly as much. We ordered some interesting things off the menu such as the marinated baby conch. It wasn't too shabby but I love it fresh from the Bahamas. There is nothing like Conch Soup!! We also tried the "fo sizzle my nizzle" which a deep fried jalapeno stuffed with crab. It was pretty tasty ( I like hot food).
I am a huge sashimi fan and ordered the halibut delicately sliced. I definately enjoyed the citrus flavors.
Will I go there again...maybe.

3 out of 5 stars overall
price $
staff: great

Tasty Escapes- Boudin Bakery San Francisco

Jasmine's Kitchen Travels to San Francisco and bakes at the World Famous Boudin Bakery located on Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf. Check out our new video the first of many video blogs that I will be presenting.
This is a new and exciting adventure for me and can't wait to taste my way through Los Angeles, California, America and eventually the globe!

Julia & Julia

Jasmine eats at Church & State restaurant in Los Angeles in 2009-escargot


Jasmine memoirs through France in 2008


I am so glad that food and cooking is becoming more popular here in the states. I thank God everyday for the Food Network. Indeed, this has inspired a whole new generation of at home cooks, aspiring chefs and googly eye people that have eyes bigger than their stomachs. As my grandmother would say, "Long Guts"... lol'z
Okay to the point. Julia & Julia new movie came out on August 7th and I can't wait to go see it. I thought I may be a loner on this one but I am awaiting a friends arrival from vacation to see this movie. I also read on rottentomatoes.com that this movie is funny and a must see!
The movie follows Julia and Paul Child through Julia's memoir, "My Life in France". After visiting France and tasting their delightful food I can't wait to enjoy 123 minutes on a movie about Julia and Food.
I am also glad to hear that after her museum at The Copia in Napa was closed down this year that her precious items are going to the Smithsonian Institute. That is a true honor!

Beef Recall- Again!

According to the USDA website an outbreak of Salmonella has been associated with ground beef products here in California and other neighboring states. I would definitely check out their website for more detailed information if you have purchased ground beef in the past few weeks.
Salmonella can be life threatening especially to those with weak immune systems. Be sure that your meat has an internal temperature of 160 degree Fahrenheit.
Well I hope this all passes soon so I can go back to making burgers.

Make your life easier with these cooking gadgets

Over the years I have tried many products to reduce time in the kitchen. I would like to share of few of these items with you so that cooking becomes more enjoyable for all you busy people out there.

1. Mini food processor- saves counter space! Use it to mince garlic, chop onions, bell peppers, make pesto sauce, salsa etc... yields 3-4 cups. $10-$40

2. Chef's Knife- A modern chef's knife is a utility knife designed to perform well at many differing kitchen tasks, rather than excelling at any one in particular. It can be used for mincing, slicing, chopping vegetables, slicing meat, or even disjointing large cuts of beef or ham. $89-and up. I prefer Wustof and I am glad I made the investment.

3. Crock pot/Slow Cooker- allows unattended cooking of pot roast, stew, and other suitable dishes. There are thousands of recipes out there for the slowcooker. $25-$40
I have even used it for an ice bucket!

4. Rice Cooker- Who wants gooey rice or undercooked rice. Easy to use and saves you a lot of time in the kitchen. $10 and up

5. Garlic Peeler- I just purchased my first garlic peeler at the garlic festival for $3 and it was well worth it. Not only is it easy to use but my hands don't smell for days. All you have to do is place the garlic clove in the middle of the roller and roll. It rubs all the skin off in a matter of seconds!

Blog has been added to Jasmine's Kitchen website

Jasmine's Kitchen Blog has been officially added to website








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