Casablanca: LA Restaurant Review

Disclaimer: This was NOT on our original list, but it should’ve been! Why? When I first arrived in LA to visit Fit’s family, on the way home from the airport, I remember her mum pointing this place out and saying, “they have the best tortillas ever.” I’ve heard that dozens of times over the years and we finally had the chance to try them out! (Fit went here from time to time while growing up.)

Next up in our Must-Visit LA Restaurants of 2018 project is Casablanca! So, a little more background before we talk food at Casablanca… our friends were in town and were nice enough to let us know! When we asked where they wanted to eat, one said that her brother recommended this spot since they were staying in Venice. I was thrilled to finally have the chance to test out Casablanca’s tortillas and I was NOT disappointed.

Even though we strolled in right around the start of peak dinner hours, they were already nearly full, but we were seated immediately. It is a very interesting spot: imagine a Hollywood-inspired building from a past century that transported you to Morocco and served you Mexican food. While it probably belongs closer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it fits in Venice very well. It’s been around forever. Warmth builds in the tight dining room with what feels like a low ceiling, especially when you notice the tortillas being made a few feet away and realize that the piano is behind played behind your back. This place has a lot of character.

Jan242018

The Impossible Burger

Intriguing. When you think about it, that isn’t a word that you would normally associate with food. You might think, ‘wow, this is intriguing’ at first, but after some thought, you’d find a better-suited word. Sometimes for better and often for worse, we have a tendency to give more credit than is due when it comes to food. Just think about the hysteria that erupts when well-known foods (such as poke and ramen) are brought to areas where the population aren’t familiar with them. Hysteria.

Then, there are the few times that you really are truly intrigued by what you’re eating. The thought of it is so complex, so mesmerizing that you can’t help but learn more about it. And no, we’re not talking about a sushirito here (aka a sushi burrito) or any other nonsensical scheme to be different, cool, or earn money fast–we’re talking about the true gems out there.

Dec092017

The Best Pizza on Earth is No More

As Hungry prepares for yet another trip back east, the preparation comes with the painful awareness that one of his favorite places in the whole world of food will not be there. Tony’s Pizza, née Tony’s Italian Kitchen, was a local favorite in Midland Park (Hungry’s hometown). In such a densely populated part of Northern New Jersey, the level of pizza competition easily rivaled that of any part of New York City, some would even daresay Arthur Ave. While residents of Bergen County would be split between Kinchley’s thin crust, Nelly’s wide selection, and Brother’s stellar toppings, Hungry knew at an early age that Tony’s was his favorite, by far.

Sep212017

Simple Summer Recipes with Al Fresco

Of course we know what you’re thinking! After all these years, we have a pretty good idea what you’re looking for…Summer recipes on (nearly) the last day of Summer… isn’t it?! Really?! Well… don’t fret too much. It’s an idea you probably haven’t had before but what if some delicious Summer-inspired recipes could be replicated inside your home. Sure, it might be too cool or too windy to fire up the grill, but you don’t need to! After all, when you use your noggin, we all know that anything is possible.

Hot Dogs can (and often do) sketch a lot of people out. We’ve all heard the horror stories about what exactly is in that hot dog, but instead of opting for a Hot Dog in a Bun, turn things a lot fresher and a little more fun with this healthier sausage based twist. Honestly, there’s only one thing you’ll need since it is the base of this concept and that is…Sausage.

Now, we’re pretty darn particular when it comes to grocery store sausage offerings so we’re going with Al Fresco’s for a few reasons.

1. You can’t find it in every grocery, so it’s just a touch on the higher end. (Which is a good thing!)

2. It is easy to remove the “casing” from the sausage, which we’re going to do to help cook it.

3. It tastes good! That means… flavor and texture. It basically makes your mouth dance a little.

Here is the “recipe” for this dish, which is going to be more of a “how-to” since we want you to do the hard part!

Aug072017

Our Last Week in Pics

We moved! Here’s some pictures from our craziness.

Been a lot of meals out until we got our kitchen set up

Jul012017

Sharky’s: A Local Chain We Can Get Behind

You know… there’s something special about chains. There’s this attraction to Subway and McDonald’s. No matter where you are, you feel that magnetism around something familiar and it draws you in. Whether we’re driving cross-country or I’m studying in Korea, I know that there is something I like here, but dang, do I feel bad eating it. Imagine there were chains with that sense of familiarity and comfort, that you didn’t feel bad visiting?

Fortunately for all of us, those chains are emerging and while they might not have 100 billions customers served yet, they’re steadily growing. One of those chains, for those of us in Los Angeles is Sharky’s. In short, Sharky’s provides you with healthy and delicious Mexican food options so that you can enjoy all of the classics at their many convenient locations, without worrying about eating unhealthy.

Jun212017

Easy Protein Ball Recipe

Yesss! Another easy, delicious protein recipe! These are some of my favorite snacks. I snagged this protein ball recipe from Carrots n Cake, one of my favorite fitness bloggers. I love this protein ball recipe because it’s customizable. You can use any protein powder you want, you can add any spice you desire, you can add hemp seeds, or almond butter, or whatever! Then, you just keep them in the fridge and they’re a great quick pop-in-the-mouth snack. This helps keep you away from the unhealthy snacks. People usually eat unhealthy snacks because they tend to be a lot easier. Sometimes, healthy snacks take a while to make, or you really have to think about it, or it’s inconvenient. Having this in the fridge can be a lifesaver!

Jun202017

How to Convert Leftovers into a Masterpiece

So you’re sitting there thinking, how the heck am I going to make this leftover restaurant food taste good? First, don’t you dare put that fish in the microwave. Or those fries. In fact, I’d avoid the microwave when reheating leftovers (especially from take-out/delivery/etc) because it’s going to have an awful texture. Fried food won’t be crispy, just saturated in oil. Proteins won’t be juicy, just rubbery. No one wants to eat a tire.

While this might only be one recipe, it should inspire you think about what you can do with those leftovers to… make them even better than when you first had them. That’s our goal at home and my challenge every night. For this particular recipe, we had some spinach & artichoke dip from a crummy pizza delivery night, but we turned it into a fine dining experience. How? Here you are.

Jun052017

Our Last Few Weeks in Pics

The previous weekend….we helped mum with the yard

May242017

The Top 3 Vegan Food Trends in 2017

2017 has been an exciting year for vegan food. Here are some of this year’s hottest vegan food trends.

Protein-centric foods

As part of a wider food trend, much of the focus on healthy eating has been on high-protein foods. Proponents argue that high-protein foods keep you fuller for longer, meaning there is less chance of snacking on unhealthy foods between meals. Some of this year’s hottest vegan ingredients include:

Amaranth – Similar to quinoa, amaranth is a much smaller seed. However, this tiny seed is packed with nutrients including iron, B vitamins, and magnesium. Just one standard cup of cooked amaranth contains seven grams of protein.
Tempeh – Another trending ingredient in 2017 is tempeh which is a fermented form of soy. One standard cup of cooked tempeh contains up to twelve grams of protein, as well as being high in probiotics, making it a great alternative to yogurt.
Edamame – Edamame is full of protein, fiber and other nutrients. One standard cup of cooked edamame contains up to seventeen grams of protein! It can be eaten in its natural state or roasted to make a great alternative to chips!