The Divine Dish

Interview with Chef Cory Bahr

Posted on Feb 12, 2013 under Archives, Chefs, Interviews | No Comment

Chef Cory Bahr learned to cook from his grandparents.  While growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, Bahr spent many hours in the kitchen helping with the family catering business.  He waited tables as a teen and eventually migrated into the kitchen.

Two local ladies who admired his cooking asked Bahr to run a restaurant they were planning to open in Monroe.  In 2007, at age 30, he was approached to open Monroe’s Restaurant Sage as executive chef.  In 2011, Bahr was crowned King of Louisiana Seafood, and fulfilled his ‘royal’ duties by acting as a national spokesman for the Louisiana Seafood Board’s Chef Council.  And in June 2012, just six months after opening his own hometown restaurant, Cotton, Cory Bahr remained cool as a cucumber on the Food Network’s Chopped! handily winning the cutthroat competition with his skill, speed, and ingenuity.  He has been named “Chef to Watch” by Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine.  Bahr was in town to host and cook for the annual “Only in Louisiana” brunch honoring Grammy nominees from Louisiana.  I sat down with the young chef to talk a bit about southern food, Louisiana culture and upcoming projects.

 

Dinner at Herringbone, La Jolla

Posted on Feb 07, 2013 under Archives | No Comment

As part of my trip throughout the Golden State for January’s Dine California month, I visited Herringbone in La Jolla.    Herringbone is one of 21 restaurants that participated in San Diego’s restaurant week.

The restaurant is Top Chef Brian Malarkey’s 5th restaurant in San Diego county.  The six indoor olive trees, brick walls and glass walled kitchen converts a warehouse environment into an indoor garden.  The menu is divided into categories including cold and hot fare (appetizers) , greens (salads), crusts (pizzas) and plates (main courses).

Chef Amanda Baumgarten, also a Top Chef alum, heads the kitchen with a menu strongly focused on seafood.  Here is what I sampled:

I started off with a tuna and beef carpaccio accented with pistachio and lemon juice.

My main course was the Maine diver scallops with chorizo, Fuji apple, almonds and watercress.

Dessert was a take on s’mores, a parfait with chocolate ice cream, hot fudge and roasted marshmallow foam.  Herringbone is a great place to relax with a drink and enjoy a great seafood dinner.  Located at 7837 Hershel Avenue in La Jolla, call 858/459-0221 for reservations.

Dinner At The New Fleming’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills

Posted on Jan 20, 2013 under Archives | No Comment

Beverly Hills has long been a meat-lovers’ destination, with CUT, Lawry’s, Maestro’s, and Ruth Chris’s restaurants all known for their steaks. The selection recently got a bit bigger with the arrival of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar on North Beverly Drive.  I visited Fleming’s for a media night tasting.  Below are some pics of what we tasted.

My friend Dalbert came along.  We had dirty martinis in the big wood bar before settling in for our tasting.

Warm bread was served with both cheese and sun dried tomato spreads.  Very yummy.  Appetizers are inventive, from the breaded brie to the sweet chile calamari. The huge seafood tower for two is piled with fresh lobster, shrimp, crab and oysters.

We were lucky to get the massive chilled seafood tower, chock full of delicious crab, shrimp and lobster.  We gobbled up most of the crab.

Our salads were the traditional wedge with iceberg lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onions and crumbled blue cheese and the classic Fleming’s salad with candied walnuts, tomatoes, dried cranberries and onions.

We also got a yummy bite of pork belly with a cherry sauce.

Fleming’s is known for prime steaks , chops, seafood and side dishes that could be a meal by themselves. The main attraction is the meat, hand-cut by chefs daily in house. Chops, lamb, veal and steaks (rib eyes, filet’s, porterhouse, prime rib and other options) take the lead with cuts as big as 22 ounces. Chicken, salmon, sushi-grade tuna and lobsters from Australia are a few of the other choices.  We had the rib-eye with sides of grilled asparagus and the Fleming’s potatoes with cream, jalapeno and cheddar cheese.

If I was not at a tasting dinner picking a side dish would pose a challenge. To start, there are a large variety of baked, mashed and fried potato options, as well as creamed corn and spinach, mac n cheese, and a variety of vegetables.

Fleming’s also offers what is probably the best happy hour deal in town, their 5 for $6 promotion.  Diners can choose from 5 cocktails, 5 wines by the glass, 5 signature appetizers plus a huge prime cheeseburger for only $6 each from 5 to 7 pm.

Design Development Company created Fleming’s overall design concept, featuring a striking two-story all-glass wine display tower at the center of the space, a second-story mezzanine dining room, and an exterior patio including a  dramaticfloor-to-ceiling glass window.   Highlights of the space include the original 1940s bell-truss ceiling, exhibition kitchen, recycled wine barrel wood floors and alabaster chandeliers.  To make a reservation, call 310/278-8710 or go to the Fleming’s website at www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

Weekend at Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes

Posted on Jan 20, 2013 under Archives | No Comment

I recently visited Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes for a story I am working on about romantic places around LA.    Nested above the ocean on the Palos Verdes Penninsula, the resort includes 582 guestrooms and suites with bungalows, casitas and villas, most with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

The view of the ocean can be seen from the entire resort and is especially inviting from the lobby.  Outside of the lobby is a large sitting area and a huge fireplace.

The resort sits on 102 well manicured lush acres and houses a nine hole golf course, two miles of hiking trails, three swimming pools and a 25, 000 square foot spa.  There are over 200 fire pits and fireplaces scattered around the property.

Terranea’s hotel offers 326 guest rooms and 34 suites that range from 450 square feet to the 1,800-square-foot Presidential Suite.  Contemporary features include rich linens, stone baths and amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and Wi-Fi access.

For added space and privacy, guests can choose from 20 two-bedroom bungalows, 50 three-bedroom ocean view casitas and 32 villas that range from 1,850 square feet to 2,800 square feet. Each offers spacious kitchens and living areas.

The award-winning Spa at Terranea is a 50,000-square-foot oasis set amid sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.   The view from the spa is spectacular.  The spa houses 25 treatment rooms, separate men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, 25,000 square feet of outdoor space including a private spa pool and hot tubs, a fitness center with a yoga and Pilates studios, and a spa cafe.  It’s worth a visit to Terranea just to go to the spa for the day.

Catering to an international palate, Terranea’s eight dining venues range from gourmet cuisine to casual fare – all set against the Pacific Ocean.  Mar’sel (Spanish for “sea” and French for “salt”) is their signature restaurant and reflects a modern twist on California cuisine.  A seasonal, gourmet menu from award-winning Chef Michael Fiorelli spotlights local ingredients alongside herbs and produce grown on property in the chef’s garden.

We dined inside mar’sel by the massive fireplace.  The setting was cozy and romantic.  Mar’sel also offers patio dining where diners can take in the majestic view of the Pacific Ocean.  Here is what we sampled at mar’sel:

We started with a lovely squash salad and enjoyed a branzino and steak and tortellini course before dessert.

Other eateries include the Asian inspired Bashi, Nelson’s for casual dining, Cielo Point, the Lobby bar, sea beans coffee and sweet store, the spa cafe and Catalina Kitchen.  I stopped by Catalina Kitchen for breakfast and enjoyed eggs benedict al fresco overlooking the pool and ocean.

Terranea is offering a variety of packages for Valentine’s Day.   The Date Night package are perfect for families and  includes a casita or villa accommodation with a living area, kitchen and dining room.  Parents can enjoy a romantic dinner for two at Catalina Kitchen while the kids can visit the Tide Pool Kids Club for the evening.  The His and Hers package includes two nights, two rounds of golf, and two 60-minute treatments at the spa.  The spa is offering a few special packages, including the Love Yourself package which includes a full day of pampering with a massage, facial, and mani-pedi.  Included is a glass of champagne, lunch and chocolate covered strawberries.  You can find all packages and make reservations at 1-866-802-8000 or via the website at www.terranea.com.