The Divine Dish

Dinner at Lago D’Argento, Silverlake

Lago D'Argento, Silverlake

Located next to Barbarella Bar in Silverlake, Lago D’Argento is a new modern open mellow trattoria serving up very affordable and delicious salads, sides, and signature pizzas.

Inside

Inside

The ceilings and walls are huge chalkboards with assorted written messages while down below is a cozy atmosphere with comfy red leather booths and banquettes, hardwood floors, plenty of candles and one big communal table.

Chef Jay Mendoza

Chef Jay Mendoza, formally the pastry chef at Churchill and Ortolan, is running the kitchen and doing a great job.  He invented Lago’s signature pizza dough, which is made of a secret combination of much more than flour and water.  That’s why the pizzas here are just as delicious as those costing three times as much over the hill at Mozza.  What makes Lago such a gem is the quality of food for the price – big tasty pizzas start at $9 and their specialty pizzas run up to $13, much less than most pizzerias and one of the best pizzas I have tasted.   Here is what my friend Monica and I sampled while we dined at Lago D’Argento:

Lago Chopped Salad

We started with the Lago Chopped Salad with salami, mozzarella, garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes and ricotta salata cheese over mixed greens with a tangy sherry vinaigrette.  Very tasty.

Charred carrots

Next came out some delicious charred carrots – a top seller at the restaurant.  Farm fresh charred carrots are topped with creamy burrata, toasted almonds and fennel, mint and brown butter and honey.  We loved this side dish.

Bianca pizza

Chef Mendoza sent out a tasty Bianca pizza with fontina, mozzarella, smoked gouda and parmesan cheeses and crispy sage.  Enough to feed three hungry people and only $9.  What a deal!  The dough on all pizzas is made fresh daily and is delicious.

Diners can also choose from a variety of pizzas including pear, gorgonzola and arugula; duck sausage; truffles; and fig jam and goat cheese to name a few combinations, all $13 or under!!

spinach gnocchi

We also were sent out a lovely spinach gnocchi topped with lamb ragu and ricotta cheese.  Also delicious.

Ginger cucumber martini

Drinks are also a great value at $10 for huge glasses.  Monica had a nice ginger cucumber martini with vodka, muddled cucumber, ginger syrup and lemon juice.    We also sampled their sangria which had notes of cinnamon, also very tasty.

Monica, enjoying the bianca pizza

We ended our meal with Chef Mendoza’s signature white chocolate bread pudding.

white chocolate bread pudding

We loved this dessert – white chocolate sauce and mixed berries over a yummy savory bread pudding.  It’s well worth a trip to Silverlake to taste Chef Mendoza’s signature pizzas (and special dough) and other delicious dishes.  I don’t know another spot where you can get a great meal for under $20 for two people.   You’ll save enough money for a walk  to LaMill for an after dinner specialty espresso.  Reservations recommended, 323/300-5500, Lago D’Argento is located at 2611 North Hyperion Avenue.

IllyCaffe Launch in LA

Illy issimo new drinks

Two of the world’s great beverage brands, Coca-Cola and Illy, launched illy issimo premium ready to drink coffe products to LA area coffeehouses.

Now Angelenos can enjoy Caffe – with full-bodied character, bold and energizing, Cappuccino – intense, illy espresso blended with milk and dark cacao, and Latte Macciato – energizing smooth illy espresso with milk

I received some sample cans in the mail:

Illy issimo samples, in my kitchen

I tried these with my neighbors and we liked all of them, the favorite though was the latte macchiato.

These new beverages are available at prestigious retailers and coffeehouses in LA.

Langham Holds Wine Dinners

Wines at Langham/Mission Wines dinner

On February 24, the Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena teamed with Byron Kosuge Wines, Kingston Family Winery of Chile and  South Pasadena’s Mission Wines for a wine tasting dinner.  The dinner was the first in a series featuring wines from renowned winemakers.  We were among approximately 40 others to share in this lovely dinner showcasing the winemaker’s finest wines.  The evening also included a discussion about the winemaking process and the distinctive traits of each wine.

Nicole and lots of wine glasses

I took my good friend Nicole, above with our yummy glasses of wine to pair with Chef de Cuisine Craig Strong’s delicious tasting menu.

Crab croquettes

After a brief champagne reception and appetizers, we were given crab croquettes as our first course to pair with our only white wine, Kingston Family vineyards 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Cariblanco (from Chile).  Our first red wine was a 2006 Pinot Noir Alazan, also from Chile.  the crab croquettes came with baby lettuce, olive oil dressing and strawberry romesco sauce.

Cannelloni Swiss Chard and Lobster

Next came a nice cannelloni of swiss chard and lobster with a tasty rhubarb herb sauce.  This was our favorite of the night.

Chef de Cuisine Craig Strong

Chef Strong came out and talked a bit about the menu.

Byron Kosuge

Byron Kosuge spoke about the wines he choose, from Chile and California, and interesting characteristics of each wine.   He also came to each table to answer questions and talk more about his tasty wine choices.

Guinea Hen

Next came this beautiful smoked guinea hen with brown butter risotto (Nicole’s favorite), swiss chard, corn froth and cassis sherry vinegar jus.  yum.  This was paired with a delicious 2006 Pinot Noir (The Shop) from Carneros and a tasty 2006 Pinot Noir (Manchester Ridge) from Mendocino, both from Byron Kosuge Wines.

Venison

The heaviest course was the venison, served on bacon bread pudding with briased lingonberry red cabbage, poached quail egg and grande veneure sauce.  This was paired perfectly with a 2005 Syrah (Bayo Oscuro) from Chile from Kingston Family Vineyards and a 2006 Syrah (Dry Stack Vineyards) from Bennett Valley from Byron Kosuge Wines.  Mission Wines of South Pasadena provided the wines for the dinner. I highly recommend attending one of these dinners for any food or wine lover – we learned alot about wine and also got to eat Chef Strong’s great food.

Two more wine tasting dinners are coming up at the Langham – on March 10, Celia Masyczek (Food and Wine’s 2008 Winemaker of the Year), maker of Scarecrow, DR Stephens and Corra Wines will be featured and on April 29, Eric Kent from New Cult Wine will be featured.  Each event begins at 6:30 with a reception and dinner is served at 7:00 pm.  For reservations, call 626/585-6218.

The Langham Pasadena Announces Spring Packages and Specials

Langham Hotel, Pasadena

The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa announced their Spectacular Spring Packages and Specials.  They feature the opportunity to indulge in the amenities of your choice at the hotel, offering guests the opportunity to experience culturally enriching activities in Pasadena; to partake in the timeless tradition of afternoon tea; and to enjoy a lavish Easter celebration. Offering luxury and added value, these packages are sure to enchant and delight guests this spring.

Spectacular Spring Packages:

Egg-Stravagant Easter Package – includes overnight accommodations, a lavish Easter brunch for two adults and two children, Easter baskets filled with goodies for the kids and our legendary Easter egg hunting festivities in the Horseshoe Garden and petting zoo with chickens, goats and bunnies for the kids. Package starts at $499 and is valid April 11-12, 2009.

Omelet station at Sunday brunch

Invitation to Indulge Package – includes overnight accommodations and $100 per night to spend toward additional elegant amenities in the hotel. Savor an exquisite meal in The Dining Room, enjoy a lavish Sunday brunch in The Terrace or splurge with a relaxing treatment in the Huntington Spa.  Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed to indulge! Package starts at $299 per night and is valid through June 30, 2009.

Beauty Awakens in Pasadena Package – includes overnight accommodations, a full American breakfast for two in The Terrace and a tour of the Huntington Library and Gardens, where you can view rare manuscripts, appreciate the vast art collection and wander through 120 acres of botanical gardens. Perfect for couples, families or girlfriend getaways! Package starts at $259 per night and is valid March 1 through June 30, 2009.

Tea in Wonderland Package – includes overnight accommodations and Langham’s Signature Afternoon Tea, which features a selection of tea sandwiches, scones, decadent desserts and a variety of the finest teas. Langham’s Signature Afternoon Tea dates back to 1865 when the Langham, London initiated the timeless tradition. We invite you to share this legendary experience with us! Package starts at $299 per night and is valid Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June 30, 2009.

For more information or to make reservations, please call (626) 568-3900 or visit www.langhamhotels.com.