4 Course Vegan presents:

Shaun and I went to 4 Course Vegan on Saturday. The last time I went was back in 2003 and wonder why it has taken me so long to return! This was the dinner club before there were dinner clubs. It was great to see and eat the quality food, vegan food that Chef Matteo puts out. Incredible. He's a Chef I believe in, one that can inspire meat eaters too! See Chef Matteo featured here (also a link to past and future 4 Course Vegan Dinners) on CNN in'08. The segment starts with Oprah, "I never imagined meatless meals could be so satisfying."

Satisfying is 4 Course Vegan! Not only is it vegan but Chef Matteo features fresh ingredients from NYC's Green Markets so he cooks locally, organically, seasonally, and sustainably. We sat with one foodie couple from Brooklyn, a couple visiting from San Francisco, and another about to set off on their way around the world using money she won from online gambling!

The Menu follows:

Saturday, April 18th, 2009
4 Course Vegan presents:
6 Years of Fine Dining in Williamsburg

Spinach Dumpling with
Caramelized Onion and Basil Broth
*****
Artichoke Croustade with
Baby Greens and Kalamata Herb Dressing
*****
Red Lentil Beignet with Oven-dried Shiitakes
and Sun-dried Tomato Sauce
*****
Fuji Apple Tart with
Meyer Lemon and Maple Almonds
--

Matteo sells treats like lavender shortbread, but my favorite to buy for my four legged friends is, Winston's Nuggz.

Beer Table, Brooklyn

Since we didn't make it for Shaun's 30th, Beer Table remained on the list! We assumed there would always be crowds but gave it a shot on a rainy night. We got space for two at the end of the table and could not have ever anticipated the delicious, memorable food that would come out of one of the smallest kitchens! I must say I am a little jealous of owners Justin and Tricia Phillips, both under 30, but want to support them all the same. They maintain the most interesting beer list of bottled beers, but I just chose wrong tonight! I chose an IPA from England that was just ok but would like to go back for a Gueuze and Wintercoat when they have it. The food was simple, interesting and yummy. We had smoked eel with horseradish cream, parsley, apple, red onion AND roasted almonds, ricotta, pear, maple syrup, black pepper and sea salt with bread.

Beer Wars

LA Beer Fest and LA Eats '09 Journey

I was lucky to plan my trip to LA around the first LA Beer Fest held at Sony Studios. This Beer Fest will always be memorable because it was here I was introduced to The Bruery, and was quite impressed. I didn't make it to The Bruery in Orange County this trip, but it's first on my list for '10. LA was a great break from NYC, I soaked up the west coast vibe. I continued my training by running in Culver City, slow but steady and also enjoyed biking AND running on the beach, the life! Got to spend time with Kelly for her birthday in Santa Monica with the Oakdale boys at Father's Office and spent Easter on my own at Pizzeria Mozza with Clam Pizza! I also got to spend quality time with Rocky. Happy Engagement Larry! Thanks Christel and Jon!

BEERS FROM THE FEST:
The Bruery from Placentia:
Orchard White
Black Orchard
Plus:
Left Coast Hop Juice
Ballast Point Big Eye IPA

EATS:
Alibi Room (Kogi):
Kimchi Sesame Quesadilla and Vegan Sesame Leaf Tacos with tofu and asian pear- CAN'T EVEN PUT WORDS HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS FOOD. I COULD EAT IT EVERY DAY.

Leaf Organics:
Collard Greens wraps with sprouted Lentil Croquettes- AWESOME RAW PLACE!

M Cafe de Chaya:
M Chopped Romaine and Mixed Greens, Avocado, Cucumber, Chickpeas, Herb-Baked Tofu, Scallions, Umeboshi Pickled Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Tamari-Roasted Almonds, Crumbled Tempeh Bacon, and Tofu-Peppercorn Ranch Dressing- I AM OBSESSED

Rustic Canyon, Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica:
Roasted Root Vegetable Shepherd's Pie - THE BEST VEGETARIAN DISH AT A NON VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER HAD!

Drew Barrymore at BLD!

"Guess what? Two guesses." It only took him two. You saw Drew Barrymore, he said. "YES!" I was awestruck.

Todd H. was nonchalant, "There's Drew Barrymore." I couldn't fathom those words! Drew walked in to BLD just as we were seated for lunch. Day, time, place. All was aligned!

Drew was more beautiful in person than I had ever imagined, she was quite petite and had the most perfect complextion. She looked confident, serious and content with her lunch guests. Exciting time for her right now. Drew's face and name are all over town, promoting the HBO Film, Grey Gardens.

Williamsburg. It feels like a small town to me too.

Keith Wagstaff of The Feedbag, "The neighborhood itself feels kind of like a small town; everybody seems to know everybody and people often don’t feel the need to leave for Manhattan to socialize. In this faux-small town we see a utopian vision for America’s actual small towns and suburbs: small restaurants, run by owners who live nearby and seem to know all of their patrons, churning out very competent, and even sometimes excellent, contemporary American cuisine with low price points and local ingredients. It’s our European fantasy, to live like the French (or how we collectively imagine the French live) with delicious neighborhood bistros in every quaint town with nary a McDonald’s or Applebee’s in sight. It is a charming neighborhood to eat in, and despite lacking the ethnic diversity or Thomas Keller-level culinary mastery of some other neighborhoods’ dining scenes, it is chock full of unique restaurants with familiar faces and simple, well-executed, local cuisine." See entire post here.