Posted on Dec 18, 2010 under Archives |
Main dining room
Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani’s Firenze Osteria specializes in regional comfort cuisine. Divided into three warm yellow and brown eating areas, diners can enjoy specialty cocktails and appetizers at the long bar, get a glimpse of the celebrity chef cooking in the open kitchen from the main dining room, or share an intimate meal in the back dining area. The extensive simple rustic Florentine menu includes a variety of choices.
Bar area
I recently sat down to speak with Fabio about his thoughts on cooking, his experiences on Top Chef, and his upcoming projects (see last blog to hear interview). After we spoke, he cooked a wonderful tasting dinner for me – here is what I sampled.
duck and truffle pasta
Chef Fabio started us off in traditional Italian style with the pasta dish first. We were delighted to devour this tasty pasta dish made with duck and truffles. We could have eaten an entire pasta pot of this dish. Yum.
mozzarella with parma ham and sun dried tomatoes
Next we got a special treat – mozzarella with parma ham, sun dried tomatoes and 25 year old balsamic vinegar. The mozzarella was the best I have tasted since my last visit to Italy. It was creamy and rich and the parma ham provided a nice salty flavor to the dish. I would come back just to eat this dish with a nice glass of wine. We both loved it.
dumplings
Our next dish was the spinach ricotta dumplings in a warm brown butter sauce with fried sage. My friend Todd and I loved the crispy sage and rustic dumplings, a comforting dish I thought about and craved after leaving.
Lamb with braised pistachios
Our next to last course before dessert was the clever lamb and braised pistachios, Chef Fabio’s take on pork chops and beans. The dish appears as if two pork chops are resting on a mound of baked beans, but the ingredients are really perfectly cooked lamb and braised pistachios. This exemplifies why Fabio was one of the last chefs standing on his season of Top Chef, very clever, delicious and perfectly executed.
lemon cheesecake
Dessert was a nice little lemon cheesecake with raspberry sauce.
Me and Chef Fabio
Lucky for me I live just around the corner in Toluca Lake and can visit Chef Fabio and dine on his delicious food regularly. I would highly recommend a visit to Firenze Osteria for outstanding rustic Italian dishes, reservations recommended, 4212 Lankershim Boulevard, 818/760-7081.
Posted on Dec 10, 2010 under Archives, Chefs, Interviews |
Chef Fabio Viviani
Italian chef Fabio Viviani was born on October 10, 1978 in Florence. There, he trained in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine at IPSSAR Saffi. He is best known for appearing on season 5 of Bravo’s reality series Top Chef and earning a place among the final four contestants. Before he was eliminated from the competition, he was named Fan Favorite.
Aside from his stint on the show, he works as the owner of Cafe Firenze in Moorpark and Firenze in Toluca Lake. He is also an endorser of a variety of food products and is starting up a non-profit to promote healthy eating for children.
You can now see Fabio competing in Top Chef All Stars every Wednesday night on Bravo.
I visited Firenze in Toluca Lake for an article for AOL’s Toluca Lake Patch and sat down with Fabio for a short interview after he made us a great tasting menu (pics in next post). We talked about his views on cooking, managing two restaurants and all of his endorsements, and his experiences on Bravo’s Top Chefs.
Posted on Dec 10, 2010 under Archives, Interviews, Other interesting people |
Mark Alan Harmon
Mark-Alan Harmon has worked as a personal shopper and wardrobe stylist in nearly every part of the country, as well as with nearly every type of person. He brings people’s style and comfort together in a way that’s easy and fun. I spoke to him about his upcoming event, Botanic Bling, at the Descanso Gardens and a bit about upcoming fashion trends and what every girl needs for her closet.
Descanso Gardens presents Botanic Bling featuring celebrity stylist and TV personality Mark-Alan Harmon on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11-12.
Botanic Bling is a trunk show of wonderful botanic-themed accessories, including jewelry and scarves, from a diverse collection of independent vendors and craftspeople. Many of the items are handmade and one of a kind.
The theme of this year’s Botanic Bling is “Holiday 2010: What to Give and What to Get.” Harmon will offer tips on selecting and wearing chic accessories with an eye toward picking out the perfect present (but no one will tell if you keep it for yourself!) Harmon’s presentations are at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. both days.
Botanic Bling will be in the historic Boddy House at Descanso Gardens. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission to Botanic Bling is free with Gardens admission.
Posted on Dec 10, 2010 under Uncategorized |
The Cheap Bastard's Guide to Las Vegas
Last weekend, Borders Glendale hosted a booksigning for my new book, The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Las Vegas. You can buy the guidebook to Sin City at most bookstores and online through Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, and all other online book outlets. I want to thank everyone who came and showed support. Here are some pics from the event.
George, Karen and Angela
With my friend Sachi
Signing some books for my friend Ross
With my friend Monica
With my neighbors and friends Todd and Ray
with my friend Professor John McNeil
Check out the pants! That's Vegas bling.
The tennis gang
Again, thanks to everyone for coming. We sold about 35 books!
