On Monday, March 8, ABC aired the wedding of Jason and Molly, the couple from season 13 of “The Bachelor”.

I’ll be quick to admit I don’t watch the show. When this episode aired, I wasn’t really interested in the bride and groom, any past drama they had, or the details of their ceremony. I was very interested, though, in the location of the ceremony.

The wedding – which was filmed in February – took place at the South Bay’s own Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Located on the site of what used to be Marineland of the Pacific, Terranea is a 102 acre resort that sits on top of a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean. Terranea is also home to several restaurants including their signature Mar’sel.

Sadly, I haven’t had a chance to check out any of the dining options there. Back in September, Josh of Food GPS did a review of Mar’sel and had me eager to check the place out. Now after seeing the display on “The Bachelor”, I’m wanting to see the grounds and put everything into perspective.

If you’ve stayed or dined there let me know! What did you think of the food, service, and location? Did you go before or after you saw Terranea on TV? If it was after, did it live up to your expectations? Hopefully, I’ll be answering these questions for myself soon!

Oh yeah, This is the second time in two weeks a South Bay location has been featured on a network television show. Last week, Fox offered an inside look at Lido Di Manhattan on Kitchen Nightmares. Is this a trend!?

Watch full episodes of “The Bachelor” — including the two-part wedding episode — online at http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelor.

Terranea Resort

100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 265-2800

Photo Credit eoshea and koshalek

Subtle hint of things to come in the Manhattan Beach Target.

For the past couple months, Target stores in the South Bay have been shuffling stock from one part of the store to another, only to move it back a couple days later.  What’s all the fuss about?  They’re making room for groceries.

Target stores already carry many staple items like milk, bread, and canned foods.  The new mini-grocery sections will add fresh produce and additional frozen goods.

Signs around the Manhattan Beach and Gardena stores — both of which are in the middle of remodelling — report fresh groceries will arrive in April.  The Redondo Beach and Torrance stores are also adding new grocery section although construction has not begun at the Torrance location near Del Amo mall.  As for the two Carson locations, I haven’t been there in a while and wasn’t able to get anyone on the phone

“The Street” is saying that Target is adding groceries to its list of big-box-store items in an attempt to beat the on-going recession.  Others say that Target is trying to compete with Wal-Mart for more discount shoppers.  Granted, both of these articles are from 2009, but they still have some truth to them as household budgets continue to shrink and new grocery sections open in stores branded with a bullseye logo.

As for me, I’ll be happy I can get my contact solution, laundry detergent, and fresh fruit all in the same place.

Will a grocery section in Target make you more likely to shop there compared to a regular grocery store?  Knowing their marketing and pricing style, do you have any opinions on how Target’s grocery might compare to Wal-Mart’s or a regular grocery like Ralph’s or Albertson’s?

South Bay Target Stores

Target has several stores in the South Bay area.  These are the ones that I know have grocery stores coming to them.  Ask the manager at your local store if your neighborhood Target isn’t listed below.   Find more info online at Target.com.

Last July, Gordon Ramsay brought the crew of Kitchen Nightmares to Lido Di Manhattan for business as usual: to see what’s wrong with the place and fix it.  Along the way, of course, there would be tears and cuss-words of frustration along with cheers of triumph as the restaurant careened forward on the path to greatness.

Sadly, I didn’t get to see too much drama, but I did get to try some tasty food while getting a “behind the scenes” look at this neat show.  Follow this link for my review of that experience.  I’ll be sharing a review of the show as well.

Set your DVRs and keep an eye out for me.  I might be on screen for all of 15 seconds !  hahaha!

Lido’s episode of Kitchen Nightmares airs on Fox this Thursday, March 4 at 9 PM Eastern Time.

From what I gather via LA Weekly’s update, Lido will be having a viewing party for this event.  Click here for reservations and more information or call (310) 536-0730.

The folks at Whole Foods are at it again with a great deal for diners interested in gourmet foods and well crafted beverages, offered at a reasonable price.

This Sunday, February 28, Whole Foods at Plaza El Segundo will be serving a select beer from Ballast Point Brewery with each course of a a four course meal.

Based in San Diego, Ballast Point Brewery has been making craft beers since 1992.  They have consistently won awards locally and internationally for their quality brews.

For just $40/person, Whole Foods is lining up the following menu to compliment beers from Ballast Point:

1st course
Yellowtail teriyaki with sesame-peanut slaw
Paired with Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale

2nd course
Scallop and bacon pot pie with Seaside English Cheddar
Paired with Ballast Point Amber Ale

3rd course
Coffee rubbed filet of beef with wild mushroom ragout and Borough Market Stilton
Paired with Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter

Dessert Course
Pumpkin and orange crème caramel
Paired with Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat Beer

For reservations, contact Whole Foods at Plaza Elsegundo by email at sppchmarketing@wholefoods.com or call 310-333-1900.

Four Course Beer Dinner at Whole Foods Market, Plaza El Segundo

Sunday, February 28th at 6pm

760 South Sepulveda Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245-4717
310-333-1900

[photo courtesy of Speaking Of Beer]

The setting inside Cafe Pierre was both cozy and classy. Their moderately sized dining room of 70 seats was filled with families sharing big plates, couples out on dates, and a big group of ladies jubilantly celebrating a birthday.

The gang's all here! Getting ready to dig in at Cafe Pierre

After our group was all present and accounted for, we got down to business sampling some exquisite French food. Actually, before the food there were cocktails! I opted for the Whiskey Smash, a refreshing mojito-like drink made with Jack Daniels, fresh lemon, fresh mint, and simple syrup. There were many more artisan cocktails on the menu that I’ll have to return for,

Whiskey Smash

As a sort of “pre-appetizer”, we dug into various jars of interesting ingredients. Among them were Duck Rillettes; Pig Trotters; a buttery and spicy Foie Parfait; a Head Cheese; and my favorite, a hand cut Beef Tartare.

Jar with head cheese and pickles on the side.

Appetizers followed and yes, there were some snails also known as escargots. They weren’t as garlicky as I hoped but were pleasing just the same with a wholesome, earthy flavor.

Another interesting starter was bone marrow. Served warm inside the bone, the seasoned marrow was a bit gelatinous. I’d never had bone marrow served that way so it was interesting to look at and sample.

Warm bone marrow served in the bone.

After the jars and appetizers, there were still entrees to explore. Each plate was placed in front of a diner and then shared with everyone family style. Among the entrees were Veal Breast and Veal Sweetbreads — which is neither sweet nor bread!

Fortunately, the plate initially given to me was the 70-Hours Beef Short Ribs, served with spinach, steak fries, and a tremendous red wine sauce. The meat was tender, flavorful, and slow roasted to perfection.

Braised short ribs with spinach and thick cut fries.

Entrees on the menu that I didn’t try — but look forward to going back for — are the Braised Rabbit and the Roasted Jiordi Chicken.

Of course, there was desert. We were served a phenomenally good chocolate bread pudding. After such a wonderful and adventurous mean, a few bites of desert was all it took to call it a night!

If you’re thinking of going to France for the food, save yourself the airfare and take a trip to Cafe Pierre. With a delightful mix of modern style and old-world charm, delicious French cooking is as close as Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Cafe Pierre

cafepierre.com
317 Manhattan Beach Boulevard,
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-5316
(310) 545-5252‎

With all the talented journalistic folks that shared this meal with me, I’d be doing you a disservice is I didn’t offer you their views as well. Their details and pictures — some great pictures, in deed — are likely to include something I missed or failed to mention. Please take a look at these other reviews of our meal at Cafe Pierre:

E*Star LA
Shop Eat Sleep
South Bay Rants ‘n’ Raves
Food GPS
LA OC Foodie
Sinosoul
Weezer Monkey
LAist

Mediterraneo is located just yards from the Hermosa Beach ocean, but the waves found in this authentic restaurant come straight from the European Seas, bringing to shore the freshest seafood and ingredients.

You don’t have to make a sole decision because the assortment of tapas will satisfy your hunger for variety and allow you to get your fill of this universal spice. These small platters define delicious, and the mixture of cultural dishes include chicken brochettes, a potato omlette, grilled sausage with grapes, bruschetta, seafood salad, caprese, hummus, and baba ghanouch.

Sail into these bright blue waters, where the happy hour tide comes in between the hours of 5pm-7pm, Mondays through Fridays. This current carries half price draft beer, half price red and white house wine, and two for-one-tapas. You don’t want to turn your back to this ocean on Tuesday nights, because the two-for-one tapa deal will keep your finances and appetite afloat until closing.

Experience a coastal phenomenon at Mediterraneo, and get splashed with a multitude of spices and a rippling happy hour!

Mediterraneo

www.mediterraneohb.com
73 Pier Ave.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-318-2666

Photo credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/southbayguido/

On Saturday, February 20, Aykrod will be at the Manhattan Beach BevMo! store offering samples of Crystal Skull vodka, a Canadian made ultra-premium spirit known for its fancy bottle.  He’ll also be autographing the decorative bottles for folks that decide to buy the $45 liquor.

The distinctive glass bottles are modeled after the fabled “Crystal Skulls” and hold 750 ml of top shelf vodka.  Aside from the looks of the container, word on the street is the flavor of the beverage is that of a well crafted spirit with excellent traits.

Referring to the distillation process, their website says the vodka “is made with water from a deep aquifer in Newfoundland, Canada and a proprietary blend of specifically selected grains to give our Vodka a creamy and slightly sweet taste on the finish.”  Oh, they filter it through diamonds too.

Crystal Skull Vodka is available at BevMo! and online at BevMo.com for ~$45 per 750 ml bottle.

Dan Aykroyd Bottle Signing, Saturday, February 20, 2 – 4 PM at BevMo!

BevMo! Manhattan Beach
1700 Rosecrans Ave, Suite B
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[photos courtesy of Baltimote Magazine and BevMo!]

Every party leprechaun needs to put these establishments on top of their pub crawl agendas so they can click their heals in a lively and affordable tavern. This atmosphere offers a quick trip to Ireland with the great beers, burgers, and sandwiches and authentic meals like Irish nachos (made with potatoes instead of chips), fish and chips, corn beef and cabbage, and flatbread appetizers. The Hermosa Beach location provides the added riches of a large outdoor, dog-friendly patio and a rooftop deck with an extensive coastal view. Go up top for a drink or meal to heighten your enjoyment, and witness the beauty of nature’s wealth.

Hennessey's Roof Top Patio in Hermosa Beach. (Courtesey of hennesseystavern.com)

Regardless of your nationality, you can experience the Irish luck through Hennessey’s happy hours. Their multiple discounted offerings are like an endless field of four leaf clovers, and if you arrive at this green pasture between 4pm-7pm any day of the week, you’ll find the treasure of Early Bird Dinner Selections. This offers either a grilled flat iron steak, Jameson’s pork filet, lemon pepper tilapia, chicken pasta or Salisbury steak for only $10.

This isn’t the only pot of gold to be found.  Every Monday through Friday from 4pm-7pm there are $3.00 shots with the purchase of any drink, domestic draft beer for $2.50, $1.00 off craft and import draft beer, and house wines by the glass.  There’s also a $5.00 CaboRita with Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila, delicious shots for $3.50 made with Tuaca and Bailey’s, and a large pint for $13.00 (with the bonus of keeping the 64oz souvenir glass).

For those who really want to party like the Irish, a late night happy hour is available Sundays through Thursdays from 10pm until closing. And since a tavern would never ignore the biggest party day of the week, you can undergo Martini Madness on Saturdays; from 5pm to close, a martini is included with a dinner entrée. Come and get lucky on Two-Timin Tuesdays, and purchase a breakfast item or burger and get another one free. If you’re feeling exceptionally fortunate, order a Lucky Irish Dinner Entrée on Wednesdays and participate in the coin toss. If it’s in your destiny to win, you won’t pay for that providential meal. And don’t miss out on seasonal and special event good fortunes, such as Easter Sunday where a bottle of champagne and fresh squeezed orange juice is $15.00.

Hennessey's Manhattan Beach.

Hennessey’s Tavern

Manhattan Beach
313 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 546-4813

Hermosa Beach
8 Pier Ave
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 372-5759

Redondo Beach
1712 S. Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 
(310) 540-8443

Donating is always a great way to help.  But I’ll be the first to admit, throwing money over the fence leaves me with a feeling of not really having done any “work” to help.  Once Chrystal revealed the master plan that she had brewing, I was excited for the chance to take action!  The plan is called “Stir It 28″.

On February 21st, in Atalanta, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, food bloggers and others in the food industry are teaming up to host events to raise money for Haitian relief.  Each city will host an event featuring the talents of professional chefs, well known restaurants, and skilled food bloggers.

We’re teaming up to do what we know and love — cook and serve — to encourage you to do something you know and love: eat and drink!

In each location, you’re invited to sample tasty treats and sip lucious libations, all donated by bloggers, chefs, and other sponsors.  There’s sure to be some off the wall creations going on!

The benefit of purchasing your ticket and attending — besides tasting all of the goodies — is that 100% of funds raised go directly to YELE & Share Our Strength.

So what’s next?  See the locations below and find one close to you; then buy a ticket!  To RVSP and get more details on each location, click the link to the venue.

To buy tickets, go to Bren’s FlaNboyant Eats or Coco Cooks and click the Stir It 28 Icon.

Los Angeles — Private Residence
6602 Cahuenga Terrace, Los Angeles, CA, 90068. 4-7 pm.
Complimentary Valet parking to 1st 50 guests. $30 in advance; $35 at the door.

Enjoy a wide selection of food from:
Gisele, Owner of Small Pleasures Catering
Austin, Owner of Austio’s Catering
Barrie Lynn, The Cheese Impresario
Chrystal & Amir at Duo Dishes
Michael at Southbay Foodies <– That’s me!
Diana at Diana Takes a Bite
Cathy at Gastronomy Blog
Andrea at L.A. Easy Meals
Esi at Dishing Up Delights
Mary at The Food Librarian
Greg at Sippity Sup
Anisha at Food Is My Nish
Patti at Worth the Whisk
Erika at In Erika’s Kitchen
Cynthia at Furey and the Feast
Krissy & Daniel at The Food Addicts
Josie at Daydreamer Desserts
Jennifer at Domestic Divas
Nastassia at Let Me Eat Cake
H.C. at LAOC Foodie
Nancy at Food Art LA

Cocktails and beverages provided by Grey Goose and Sutter Home: Grey Goose vodka is partnering with Natalie Bovis-Nelsen of TheLiquidMuse.com to create a signature cocktail, “Hearts for Haiti”. Grey Goose’s vodka bar will also feature three specialty cocktails from Christophe Namer, Los Angeles brand attaché. The Liquid Muse’s wine bar will present sangrias featuring Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine and Sutter Home Wine and the Sparkling Pomegranate Snowflake “mocktail” from the book Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be.

Atlanta — Space Atlanta – Eat Drink Enjoy
1310 White Street, Atlanta, GA 30310. 4-7 pm.
DJ Rev Lee spins music and special surprise guest appearance by local performer that will electrify you! Complimentary wine by Montaluce Winery. Cash bar. $30 in advance; $40 at the door.

Chicago — Three Peas Art Lounge
75 E. 16th Street (Between Michigan and Wabash) Chicago, IL 60616. 4-7 pm.
$30 in advance; $35 at the door.  Cash bar & delicious cupcakes for sale.

New York — NYU Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health
35 W. 4th Street, 10th floor, NY, NY, 10012. 4-7 pm.
Advanced ticket sales only: $20 for students and $30 for adults/faculty & staff.
Students must pay via the PayPal General Online Donation button on Flanboyant Eats and Coco Cooks and indicate “NYU student ticket” in notes. Must show student ID at the door.  Street parking and parking garages within walking distance.

If you can’t attend, you can still make a donation!  The links to tickets are accompanied by links to donate via PayPal.

See you on the 21st!  I’ll be cooking!

Since I’m part of the Blackberry crowd, I wasn’t able to take advantage of the gracious invitation from Kokopelli to review the app.  Fortunately, Bianca over at South Bay Rants and Raves is an iPhone user and offered to share her thoughts on the app.  Thanks, Bianca!

Photo Courtesy of Hulu.com

Triple D iPhone and iPod App Review

By Bianca Avelino

The Triple D app is based on the hit Food Network show, Diners, Drive- ins, and Dives.

Launch the app and you will see a column that lists recent shows. Be sure that your location setting is on so that you can see the closest restaurants that were featured on the show.

Tap on one of the restaurants in the “Recent Shows” or “Nearby Restaurants” column and you will see a picture, a map of the location, and episode information including other restaurants featured on that particular show as well as the air date. If you click on the picture, you will find ratings from restaurant and retail review sites and Yelp. You’ll also have the option to make this restaurant your favorite for quick browsing the next time around.

Photo courtesy of Kokopelli Software.

The random feature is great for the indecisive diner in that it picks any restaurant featured on the show. However, that is any restaurant. So you could be living in California, click the random button, and be shown a restaurant in South Carolina. It would be nice if the random button could be geared to restaurants that are local to the user.

A workaround is the search option.  Searching lets the user see what eateries are closest to them by entering their city or zip code. A nice tweak to this feature would be letting the user specify a maximum distance to search from their zip code or town.

One drawback to the Triple D app is that it only features restaurants that have been featured on the show.  Unless they are traveling or planning a road trip, the app might not be of much value to fans of the show in states and cities that the show has not covered. An improvement would be to list suggested diners, drive ins & dives in locations yet to be discovered by Guy Fieri and the Triple D staff.

All in all, the intentions behind this app are good. However, a few changes need to be made before recommending it to everyone. With a few more adjustments, this app will be a go-to resource for iPhone wielding fans of the show.