The First Harvest of the Urban Garden!

It has officially been two months and 20 days since the first seeds were planted into my small plot of dirt outside my back door in my urban garden. It was a bit slow at first, but I am happy to say I had a first harvest last Sunday from the aromatic and happy small bundle of cilantro. It didn't take very long for the first sprouts to appear from the ground, but it did patiently take it's time to grow up big enough to be cut.

The aroma from the freshly cut bundle filled the entire kitchen, and I couldn't get it off my hands after handling it. It made some of the tastiest salsa I have ever made from scratch, and I know it is all thanks to the home-grown care and love.

A further update on the garden:

FOUR potato plants
SIX tomato sprouts
lots of shallots
lots of chives
FOUR serrano chile sprigs
lots of thyme
FINALLY a small sprout of basil

Stay tuned for more pictures and updates!!!

Happy Urban Gardening!!

Soft Opening of Bottlerock Downtown Tonight!

For those of you familiar with the recent Culver City renaissance, you surely know about Bottlerock. Sitting quietly (well, not really "quietly" on busy nights...) and unassumingly along a side street to the hustling and bustling Culver/Washington gateway, this wine bar has probably titillated your wine-loving taste buds a number of times.

This little establishment has just grown up so fast right before our eyes!! Within just a few years of opening up on the westside, a new eastside sister is soft opening tonight in Downtown. The official sign will be lit and ready for business on Friday the 15th. So make the more than worthy drive to 1050 S. Flower Street and find the second installment of a not-so-quiet busy and palate tempting purveyor for some great little bites, cheese and a bottle of your favorite whatever. You'll never be so happy to drive around the one-way streets looking for a parking meter.

Haute Cuisine at LA County Courthouse

Our tax dollars can't afford decent snacks for the jury??

And yes, that's a half drunk bottle of water in the display case presumably for sale. I'm hoping the sandwich is half-eaten too... What a treat...

For the people, by the people...
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Bring the Kentucky Derby Party to Your Home!!

It's that time of year again when the big beautiful hats and ensembles appear on parade, the bourbon and mint juleps flow freely, and the thoroughbreds capture an audience of millions. Why not join in the fun and have a Louiseville-style party of your own with friends tomorrow? The folks from Churchill Downs have partnered with Bobby Flay to create the ultimate destination for your own Derby party, including recipes, games and even a portal for wagers on the race.

At the very least, you can brighten up your weekend with some real Southern cooking and imbibe like the audience in Louiseville. And you should DEFINITELY pull out your big hat for the day!!