Flowers, Sweets and Good Eats: Mother’s Day Dining in the 818
April 29, 2010 by Karen
Filed under Featured, Food, My Daily Find, Restaurants
BY KAREN YOUNG
There are many ways to make Mother’s Day special for Moms or any mom-like figure. To those honoring the moms— take over the chores, clean the house, clean her car, prepare a picnic, sing her praises for at least 24 hours, send her for spa pampering or on a shopping spree, give hugs, say nice things, don’t bicker…say “I love you.” Looking for a special dining treat? Check out these select dining options around the San Fernando Valley.
Flowers, Sweets and Good Eats this Mother's Day. Photo: Karen Young
TEA TIME
This quaint tea house feels like a home away from home, tucked away on a side street just south of Topanga in Woodland Hills. High Tea Cottage is offering a special Mother’s Day High Tea on both Saturday and Sunday with three seatings each day at 10 am, 1 pm and 4 pm. Saturday features four courses complete with tiered service include cheese, pate, organic salad, tea sandwiches, scones, chocolate cups, petit fours, chocolate mousse and select teas. $30 adult, $15 child. Sunday’s celebration is five courses: $45 adult, $30 child. 21938 Costanso Street Woodland Hills 818 887-2117. www.highteacottage.com
This cozy gourmet chocolate emporium in an Encino strip mall is a delightful surprise, offering two seating times for a luscious tea service that includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, fresh strawberries and a tempting array of sweet treats along with a spot of tea. Two seatings — 2:30pm – 4:00pm and 5:00pm – 6:30pm . The price is $35 per adult and $15 per child (ages 10-5) . 17312-A Ventura Boulevard, Encino (818) 784-7714Reservations Required: Call (818) 784-7714. www.thechocolatebaronline.com
MUSEUMS AND A GARDEN
Mother’s Day at Descanso Gardens
The Patina Group (Pinot) offers a three-course menu in the Rose Pavillion, including house made danish, tomato tart, Classic quiche Lorraine with apple wood smoked ham, gruyère and sweet onion, French toast with caramelized bananas, pecans. Saturday and Sunday seatings: 9am, 10:30am, noon, and 1:30pm $50 for adults; members for $42; kids under 12 for $17. 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge. Reservations: 818-790-3663. www.descansogardens.org
Zeidler’s Cafe at Skirball Cultural Center
Zeidler’s Cafe is offering a Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch, including smoked salmon benedict, rack of lamb, french toast and more from 11am-3 pm.$27.95 per adult, $13.95 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Admission to museum not included. Reservations required: (310) 440-4575. 1100 12:30 1-2:30 310-440-4515. Side Note: Presented in honor of Mother’s Day, the Skirball is having a special tour at 2 pm, Jewish Women in History, which looks at relevant exhibits within the Skirball’s core exhibition, Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America. 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
The Golden Spur Cafe at The Autry Museum
Celebrate Mother’s Day with Women of the West at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park with a brunch including pastries and unlimited champagne at the Golden Spur Cafe. $20 adults. Kids menu available. $27 with admission to the museum, Home Lands: How Women Made the West. Sunday, May 9, 2010, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. No reservations needed. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles (323) 667-2000 www.theautry.org
A RESTAURANT AFFAIR
Sit in the beautiful garden-esque dining room recently featured in “Valentines Day.” Choose three-courses of Bistro Garden favorites including Maryland Lump Meat Crab Cake, Eggs Benedict,Cold Poached Salmon and the famous Bistro Garden Soufflé in Chocolate or Lemon. Cost is $48 adults, $30 kids. Reservations 818.501.0202. Menu available at www.bistrogarden.com 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 818.501.0202
Sit outside on the Tuscan inspired patio and imagine dining in a Siena courtyard at this valley mainstay. The three-course menu includes antipasti selections, such as zucchini blossoms, parma proscuitto and white asparagus soup. Entrees include pumpkin ravioli, Black and White Linguini and Braised Short Ribs and Profiteroles for dessert. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:30p.m. to 9:00 p.m. $34.75 per person www.cadelsole.com
It’s a weekend celebration Italian style with Chef Fabio and a Italian guitarist to serenade your meal. The regular menu is a la carte. Complimentary champagne and rose for all mothers on Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch. 4212 Lankershim Blvd. Toluca Lake. Call for more information and reservation: 818-760-7081. www.firenzeosteria.com
Celebrate in this serene haven, surrounded by trees and a trickling stream. The extensive buffet includes an array of hot and cold entrees and salads, waffle bar, bagel bar, fruit bar, pastry bar, raw bar and fish bar.
Adults $60 full buffet/ $57 vegetarian. Children: 5-13 $1.75 x age . Under 4 Free. 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road Topanga 310.455.1311. www.innoftheseventhray.com
The classic, yet modern French bistro offers a three-course brunch featuring saffron risotto, grilled hanger steak, mustard-crusted roasted chicken & brioche chocolate pudding. Adults $42; kids under 12 $15 12969 Ventura Blvd. Studio City. www.patinagroup.com (818) 990-0500
This casually elegant hideaway in a large strip mall is offering an eclectic three course brunch menu, including Sweet Carrot and Ginger Soup, Build Your Own Omelette, Poached Egg Florentine with Baked Parma Ham, Seared Ahi Tuna, Pork Shop Milanese and Filet Mignon. Adults $32, Children under 12 $14. www.tuscany-restaurant.com/riviera/whatsnew.html 23683 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas For reservations: 818-224-2163
This Woodland Hills restaurant has one of the most beautiful garden patios in the San Fernando Valley. Enjoy an a la carte brunch menu with such entrees as Eggs Benedict, Eggs Dungeness, Brioche French Toast. Salmon Salad and Buttersquash Ravioli. Make it special with free flowing champagne for an extra $12. 22160 Ventura Boulevard. Woodland Hills, (818) 704-1185. www.villapiacere.com
Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of My Daily Find Email: karen@mydailyfind.com
A Murder Mystery and Artisan Chocolates at Encino’s The Chocolate Bar
October 27, 2009 by Karen
Filed under Featured, Food, My Daily Find, Restaurants, Sweets, spotlight
BY CAROLE ROSNER
My family loves chocolate. It’s one of the main food groups in my house. We have the bittersweet, the semi-sweet, the chunks, the chips and the bars. When I bake cookies my husband wants me to add so much chocolate that he cries (in both joy and fear). Now just imagine the reactions I got when I told my family I’d been assigned to write about The Chocolate Bar — an entire shop devoted to all things chocolate. All I can say is there was some jealously in our household that day.
The Chocolate Bar owner LaTonja Simpson. Photos: Carole Rosner
LaTonja Simpson and her sisters had a dream of opening a premium, artisan chocolate store that encourages the customer to take time to savor the specialties. The Chocolate Bar, an all female, family run shop located in the back of an Encino mini mall, models itself after a famous chocolate lounge in Chicago. With tables and chairs, flat screen TV’s and comfy couches, it’s a great place to share a treat or enjoy some quiet time.
The Chocolate Bar, open since May 2009, offers small batch, top quality chocolates produced by hand from France, Switzerland, Brussels and the United States. Popular choices include caramel mushrooms (a caramel “stem” with praline and nougat covered in dark chocolate), dark chocolate covered truffle fudge (made in Los Angeles with French grey sea salt), Mendiants (a traditional French confection with a solid chocolate disc, hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds and candied orange peel) and an emerald green dark chocolate caramel that’s infused with rosemary . There are adorable holiday themed chocolates too.
The Chocolate Bar offers top quality chocolates produced by hand from France, Switzerland, Brussels and the United States.
Chocolate-dipped Oreos, shortbread cookies and in-house-made chocolate covered s’mores are also on the menu. LaTonja told me customers ask “Can you dip my…??” She said The Chocolate Bar would dip anything as long as it’s not alive!
Three types of fondue are also offered and it’s such a generous serving that “no one has finished a bowl yet.” Chocoholic drinks can be ordered too—frozen hot chocolate (four different types), Italian sipping chocolate (very thick and rich) and dark chocolate Chai tea to name a few.
Dark chocolate covered truffle fudge made in Los Angeles with French grey sea salt.
If you’re watching your waistline, The Chocolate Bar does have a selection of sugar free chocolates from Brussels. There are also lots of unique chocolate themed gift items that’ll satisfy your sweet touch without adding any extra calories.
The Chocolate Bar carries chocolate specialties from candy to drinks and gift items.
17312-A Ventura Blvd Encino, CA 91316 (818) 784-7714 Open Weekdays 10am-7pm; Sat 9am-7pm Closed Sundays www.thechocolatebaronline.com
“Chocolate and Murder Event”, 8pm Friday Oct. 30. $35 per person. Interactive murder mystery where the guests are part of the show. Includes chocolate appetizers and desserts.
Carole Rosner is a native Valley Girl who has lived in Studio City for the past 11 years. She is a strong supporter of her local public schools and an active volunteer in her neighborhood. Some of her favorite things to do in Studio City are to celebrate 4th of July at CBS Radford, walk along Ventura Blvd. and browse through the racks at Crossroads Trading Company.
