DIM SUM IT UP - CHINESE NEW YEAR BRUNCH AT STREET

I firmly subscribe to the idea that brunch isn't as much a time as it is a state of mind. Unless, of course, brunch is being laid out in honor of the Chinese New Year at Susan Feniger's restaurant Street. And, when Chef Feniger and Chef Kajsa present us with a Vegan Dim Sum brunch, we set our alarms, chug some joe, and get our booties to brunch at a reasonable hour.

Feast your eyes on this beauty of a menu:

The place was packed tight - and rightly so. As usual, the Street chefs did not disappoint and made every dish worth the early Sunday morning rising. All elevated interpretations of classic dim sum fare, the dishes were elegantly plated and complex in taste. Even what appeared, at first glance, to be the more pedestrian of dishes, had unexpected kick and depth of flavor. Behold, the glory:

Cantonese-Style Radish Cakes (that chili sauce - mmmm)

Sesame Fritters (I'm such a sucker for bean paste, so this was happiness in the shape of a ball)

Mushroom Shu Mai (earthy mushroom filling and tangy souce)

Vegetable Potstickers (spicy goodness)

Jackfruit Bao (I was so into this; though, there is rarely a jackfruit dish that I don't like)

Mung Bean Crepes (seriously considering begging for the crepe recipe - perfection)

Fried Rice (had some unexpected and pleasing heat at the end)

Youtaio Donuts (churro-like with extra sugar and soymilk for dipping - yes, please)

Coconut Tapioca Pearls with Shanghai Fruit (as a coconut and lychee fanatic, this may have been my runaway fave)

Rice Batter Pancakes (the black sesame syrup and cream was to die for!)

Both Chef Feniger and Chef Kajsa were in the house and were adorably hospitable, making their way around the tables and chatting with the customers.

From left to right: me, Jackie, Jules, Jessica and her little munchkin :)

Lovely friends + spectacular food = amazing Sunday. Here's to the Year of the Snake - it's off to a delightfully tasty start.

Now, please pardon me while I lapse back into my blissful food coma.

xx Love to all! 

NYE 2013: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I rang in the New Year with dangerously high heels, electrifying funky music, wonderful friends, and (as I do) some sensational vegan comfort food.

A few snapshots from the last night of 2012 and into the morning of 2013:

Keepsake dress, My Delicious Jones pumps and Zoya Monka nail polish

Organic Prosecco and donuts from Babycakes.

The sinfully delectable (and festive) nachos from Real Food Daily for dinner.

Sweet jams from Vintage Trouble at The Roxy. #killingit

Dinner part deux: banana pancakes (I had them add chocolate chips - duh) from Swingers. The detox starts tomorrow...

Throughout the evening of festivities (and noshing with a vengeance), we took some time to discuss our wishes for the new year. Earlier in the day, my yoga instructor had asked us to reflect on our intentions (she felt "resolutions" carried a harsher connotation). As I shared with my friends, here are my mantras for 2013:

• Fear and procrastination are not an option.
• Honor and explore creative impulse.
• Ere on the side of simplicity.
• Commit time to travel, as well as the study of language and music.
• Write at least one line everyday.
• Remember to breathe through pain, both literal and figurative.
• Focus on health, health, health!
• To meet this world with respect and compassion. 

Beautiful people. So very glad you're all in my life. 

Cheers to peace, health and compassion in the New Year!

xx So much love to all

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Wee Ones

Let's be honest: indulging your inner-child is oodles of fun. And what better way to do so than to shop for the bundle of joy in your life? Here are a few presents to set your rambunctious, young-at-heart self all aflutter:

Because your munchkin's finger paintings exhibit the makings of the next Van Gogh.

To bolster their literary genius.

This will add to the already awesomely hipster decor of the nursery.

'cause the thumb they're sucking is all green.

Monopoly ain't got nothing on this (educational!) game.

Is it wrong that I kind of want all of these for myself?? Cheers to never growing up.

xx Love to all kids and big-kids out there.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Glamazon

It can be intimating to shop for the girl who has everything. The utter sophisticate, she's the first to sport the latest trends and is primped to perfection. Fear not! Here are some items that will give her decadent taste level a run for its money:

No fashionista should be without the LBB (little black bag)

She can never get too much Hollywood Retro.

Because her palette is equally as discerning as her taste in clothing.

Her bare nails haven't seen the light of day since she was 15.

Give this only on the condition that she swears to never make the Olsen duck-pout in photos.

xx Here's to a dazzling holiday!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Mountain Man

This charmingly unkempt man often sports some facial hair, loves his hiking and can be caught wearing plaid on any given day. Ruggedly handsome and devilishly adventurous, he seems impossible to shop for. Lo and behold, here's a gift-buying road map to help you on your quest:

A rucksack for all of his manly accoutrements. 

Added bonus: $10 from every purchase goes to the wonderful non-profit Knock Foundation. Learn about how Stone Cloth came to be here.

This jacket - it gets frigid in the great outdoors.

A little somethin' to groom those straying whiskers. 

Because, after all, no meal is complete without hot sauce.

This handy device, for all of his wildlife sightings.

xx Love to all

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Sexy Intellectual

She may not actually work at a library, but this girl always has her head in a delicious novel, is a brilliant conversationalist and is undeniably cute as a button. Here's a selection of gifts to match this bibliophile's dazzling, erudite character:

This gal's Tina Fey hot - as are these frames.

Channeling some serious '30s nostalgia with the Stella McCartney Nathalie Canvas Wedges.

Because she loves to read by candlelight (and this smells so yummy).

For all her bursts of poetic inspiration, she'll toss her Moleskin(R) aside for this.

'cause those late nights at the library can be chilly.

xx And a merry gift-giving season to all!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012: For the Dapper Gentleman

On behalf of all the peeps out there who still have some belated shopping to do (ahem, me), I'll be posting gift guides over the next few days to aid you in this final stretch before the Holidays. 

Here are a few present-giving tips for the delightful dandy in your life.  This chap's winning style and enchanting manners are straight from a page of The Great Gastby.

A classic staple of every debonair ensemble: the bowtie.

A snappy pair of oxfords.

The secret to every man's heart: a jar of handcrafted pickles.

Four-eyes.

No self-respecting gent can resist a good grooming product.

xx Happy Holiday shopping!

SNEAK PEEK: Holiday Sample Plate at Hugo's Restaurant!

I can't seem to get enough of all the festive grub of the past month and, fortunately, I don't have to shelf my cravings just yet. Several restaurants in the Los Angeles area have added a special holiday-themed plate to their menus for the month of December, and I'm more than happy to partake. 

The other day, I continued my indulgence in the season's merriment with the Happy Happy Holiday Platter at Hugo's Restaurant. With both omnivore and vegan variations (make sure to specify), the plate delivers up all the classic fixins. 

DISCLAIMER: The amount of food seen in the photo above is only about half of the actual serving. I didn't have the restrain to snap a picture before diving into the delectableness. 

The star of the show is the sliced veggie patty covered with mushroom herb gravy. The plentiful trimmings include harvest vegetable cornbread stuffing (made with GMO-free corn), mashed maple yams, sautéed leafy greens, corn cakes (so, SO good) and cranberry sauce. Not too shabby for this girl, I'll tell you what.

Hit that platter up before it's too late!

xx Happy vegan eats

A VERY MERRY UN-TURKEY DAY TO ALL!

This year's Thanksgiving was riddled with oh-so-much champagne, scrumptious food and - most importantly - wonderful company. I came equipped with an array of vegan, gluten-free goodies: sparkling Moscato, cornbread stuffing, mushroom gravy and a raw lemon blackberry souffle tart.

The first of several rounds.

My darling hosts whipped up some vegan nosh, including cooked greens, spicy sweet potato patties, miso-marinated tofu and creamy non-dairy mashed potatoes. As my multiple trips back to the kitchen for seconds (and possibly thirds...) proved, it was all beyond tasty.

Here are some more visuals of the delectable bounty:

Cornbread Stuffing

With the Mushroom Gravy

Lemon Blackberry Souffle Tart

The recipe called for raspberries, but I ended up substituting blackberries.

We ended the day in a happy - and very full - stupor, lounging on couches with peppermint tea and a romantic comedy marathon.

A respectably messy kitchen = the markings of a successful Thanksgiving dinner.

Wishing you all a belated happy un-turkey day!