FoodieCuisine.com

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Caprese

Market City Caffe in Burbank, California, is a large restaurant that offers plenty of items to please most American-Italian tastes.  You will find most of the entrees expected along with several pasta and pizza choices and a daily special which always pleases.  The restaurant has a casual atmosphere and features a large salad bar where you can load up on your favorite salad and cold pasta items.

For my last visit I tried the Salmon with a pesto sauce and had a starter of the mozzarella with tomatoes.  The tomatoes were not quite ripe yet but I enjoyed the fresh mozzarella and basil.

Salmon with Pesto

The salmon was cooked a little too done for my tastes (I like it Medium-Rare) but the pesto added nice herbal notes to the fish and the salmon itself was not overpowering.  The potatoes were nothing special but seasoned well enough and the lemon helped round out the dish.  Overall I always enjoy going to Market City Caffe and recommend it if you are looking for a quick and casual meal.

By Todd Barron @ FoodieCuisine.com

Strippaggio Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegar

If you love to cook, or like to eat and know someone who cooks, there is a great new place for you in the Chenal Promenade Shopping Mall called Strippaggio!

It is locally owned and opened very recently next to Perfume Max. The owners, Ron and Lynda McDaniel, import olive oils based on when they are crushed and also offer many types of balsamic vinegar.

The best part about Strippaggio is the oils and vinegars all taste very good and they have sampler cups that allow you to take a sip of any variety you desire.  The next best part is everything is reasonably priced and as economical as buying from grocery stores.  There really is no reason to not go to Strippaggio the next time you need EVOO or Balsamic Vinegar.

Personally, I really enjoy the Serrano Honey Balsamic, the Mission Fig Balsamic, and the Hojiblanca Olive Oil.  I bought the Chipotle Olive Oil but have not had a chance to use it yet.

They also offer specialty mustards, spices, and a few other that are worth browsing while shopping.  Go check them out now and tell them you hear it from Foodie Cuisine!

Hot and Sour Soup from Far East in Little Rock

Far East Bar replaced Hunan on Cantrell in Little Rock, Arkansas, and serves typical American-Chinese fare. You know, twice-cooked pork, orange beef, etc. It tastes “ok” but I really wish they would open a “real” Chinese food locally.

French Onion Soup at Bistro Provence in Burbank, CA

I had dinner at Bistro Provence, a French Restaurant in Burbank California the other day.  I really enjoyed the French Onion Soup, the Ravioli, and the Lemon Curd Dessert.  The waiter recommended the Lobster Pot Pie but I found it very bland.

Homemade Lasagna

One problem I have when I make lasagna is that it ends up as a mess on the plate.  The hours spent reducing the sauce and making the pasta are ruined from a visual standpoint as the layers slide all over the plate when served.  The other day I tried something different and it worked perfectly!  How?  It’s easy really….

When you assemble the layers, do the following:

1. Put olive oil in a thin layer on the bottom of the cooking vessel.
2. Add a layer of pasta and ensure it completely covers the bottom of the pan.
3. Add thin slices of fresh mozzarella on the next layer and place spoonfuls of ricotta in various places.  Leave 1″ gaps between the cheeses.
4. Repeat Steps 2-3 until you get to the top layer about 1/2″ from the edge of the cooking vessel.
5. Add a layer of pasta and ensure it covers everything.
6. Add a thin layer of marinara sauce and ensure it covers the last layer of pasta completely.
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake at 425F until the internal temperature reaches 175F

To Serve:

1. Let the lasagna cool after you remove it from the oven.  This should take about 20 minutes.
2. Place 2″ squares of the lasagna on plates.
3. Spoon hot marinara over each serving.
4. Serve!

In the picture above I used the method mentioned and did not have a single visual disaster!  Every piece stuck together well and tasted great.

Portobello Mushroom Bisque “Cappuccino”

I recently had the Portobello Mushroom Bisque “Cappuccino” soup from Napa Rose in Disneyland, California and really enjoyed it.  It is very light, with indiscernible pieces of portobello mushroom in it which you can see and taste, but not feel.  It also has a Thyme “Froth” on top, which reminds me of a Cappuccino but tastes like mushroom soup!  The soup is deep in mushroom flavor but feels like you are eating something very light.  I recommend it.

Roasted Venison Loin

I normally do not eat venison but the bartender at Napa Rose in Disneyland commented how great chefs know how to cook it. He went on about how good it was, so I decided you only live once and ordered it.  I was pleasantly surprised as the venison was very tender, flavorful, and not “gamy” at all.  It was paired with a potato puree and topped with a “salsa”.  All of it was amazing and something I would order again.

Carnitas, Veggie, and Skirt Steak Tacos

Local Lime is a casual restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating (which is closed-in and heated during the winter,) with booths, tables, and a bar.  The bar is in the middle of the fray and I have never seen an empty seat at it.  Also be aware of wait times as it is not uncommon to wait an hour or more for a seat during “prime time” hours.  Send someone ahead of your arrival to book a table and you will receive a text message when it is ready.  You can always shop at the outdoor mall while you wait!

They have several appetizers to choose from, quesos, local nachos, and more, and also have a variety of taco plates to choose from.  You can either have three of the same kind of taco, with two sides, or you can go alacarte and buy them individually for $3.85.  It is cheaper to buy the plate of tacos but I personally don’t like any of them enough to have three of the same kind.

Their “specialty” is the margarita, which is very good.  It is not tart at all and goes down more easily than it should.  Be careful or you may find yourself on “just one more” when you should abstain!  They like to push the frozen version but I prefer mine on the rocks.

I ate lunch at Local Lime in Little Rock this weekend and tried three different tacos: the carnitas, the veggie, and the skirt steak. I liked the skirt steak taco the most, followed by the veggie, and finally the carnitas. I recommend either the steak or veggie if you try them.  Also of note is their queso, which comes with fresh corn and jalapenos in it, and their margaritas on the rocks.  The only thing I have tried there which I do not like are the fish tacos.  They are okay but lack depth of flavor.

They have a simple menu, are more expensive than many, but offer quality food in return.