I love Moroccan cuisine. Pastilla, or meat pies encased in puff pastry and covered with powdered sugar and cinnamon, savory lamb tajines, and hot mint tea don’t even begin to scratch the surface of this complex culinary culture. My food obsession led me all the way to Morocco where I followed my taste buds right into the Moroccan kitchen.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON MOROCCAN COOKING AT CULTUREVIXEN.COM

Zanzibar is an exotic enough destination in itself, but things just got even more interesting. Check out this restaurant on a rock in the Indian Ocean.

Not far from the shore of Michanwi Pingwe beach off Zanzibar island, eating here is a one of a kind experience, with pure 360 degree ocean views.

See more at: The Rock.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

In Seattle hungry eaters in search of gourmet Mediterranean and North African fusion fare swarm to Lola, one of six restaurants that make up the empire of celebrity chef Tom Douglas. Douglas’ popular Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s, and Palace Kitchen restaurants were followed by the ever-popular Lola.

At Lola, Greek cuisine is reinterpreted with zesty inventiveness. Dishing up sophisticated takes on classic Mediterranean staples, dishes are prepared with fresh local produce, the cornerstone of Pacific Northwest cuisine. Located off the lobby of the trendy Hotel Andra in Belltown, Seattle’s foodie hub, Lola is an extension of Andra’s upscale stylishness. At first glance you’ll spot the restaurant’s signature icons: a hanging canopy of red neon flames.

For those in search of classic Greek treats, Lola won’t disappoint. Order the Mezedakia Sampler for an array of Greek tapas, or try the kebabs: wild pacific prawns, lamb with caramelized garlic in a red wine glaze, or squid with crushed chili and chermoula, a classic North African marinade. There’s also a show-stopping lamb burger, and delectable goat cheese turnovers for dessert, with pistachio, mint, and honey. For those craving a North African flavor, Lola’s menu includes tagines: dishes simmered slowly in a clay pot.

The stars of the show however, are Lola’s terrific must-try spreads. Served all day with freshly grilled pita bread, don’t miss the Kopanisti~pistachio with Mavrodaphne. Consisting of a rich base of blue and feta cheeses, this savory spread is layered with chopped pistachios and topped with a light drizzle of Mavrodaphne, a Greek dessert wine. Other innovative spreads include cauliflower~anchovy, kalamata~fig, and tzatziki~cucumber yogurt.

Lola’s breakfast menu is full of classic favorites peppered with off-beat treats like the jalapêno infused vodka Bloody Mary and Tom’s big breakfast, a colorful scramble of grilled octopus, diced yams, spinach, and bacon tossed on a bed of yogurt-based sauce and topped with eggs.

Lola is also the perfect spot for a midnight nosh, with a late-night menu highlighting gyros and kebobs, all accompanied by creative cocktails like ouzo with a hint of orange and rosemary, martinis accentuated with feta-stuffed olives, or ginger sensation, a gin concoction flavored with ginger syrup, lemon, and mint.

Lola is the perfect place to enjoy delightfully daring dishes featuring unlikely combinations of mouth-watering ingredients, right in the heart of the Emerald City.

Lola
2000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle WA 98121
206.441.1430

I just had a complete “ah ha!” moment. Ok, so maybe many of you already know this, but “rocket” is European-speak for arugula! That really connects the dots on all those mystery sandwiches I used to eat in London that listed cheese, baguette, and rocket as primary ingredients. (I assumed it was a type of spread.)

Arugula is my leafy green of choice right now, I just can’t seem get enough of it! I adore its unique zingy punch most of all. It adds a kick to any salad. So I did a little more digging and discovered that it has been used by the French and Italians for centuries (no wonder I love it), and is also known as “rucola“, “roquette” or “ruchetta“. Interesting, no?

Sarah Kaufmann is also known as “The Cheese Lady”. With 16 years of experience working in the dairy industry, Sarah has made the medium her own, carving up notables like a 300-pound gorilla and a six-foot-long cheddar gator for the University of Florida! Although Sarah usually creates her cheese sculptures in her San Diego and Cincinnati studios, she can also be found sculpting cheese in person at festivals, fairs, and other special occasions. I don’t think I could bring myself to bite into one of Sarah’s lovely creations.

If you were born and raised in Wisconsin, surrounded by dairy cows, cheese factories and people who wear orange triangle hats as high fashion, you might think it would just seem…natural! —Sarah Kaufmann

Hong Kong is a foodie paradise, with about a million great dim sum places to try out. One great choice is Lei Garden, with locations throughout the island. The food was so good, I just ate, and ate, and ate all afternoon. What was on my plate? A selection of Ha Gow (Shrimp Dumplings), Siu My (Pork Dumplings), Cha Siu Bao (Barbecued Pork Buns), and Chun Goon (Spring Rolls). This was followed by a feast of Foong Jow (Chicken Feet), Nor My Guy (Glutinous Rice), Seen Jook Goon (Bean Curd Rolls), Noodles, Jean Dway (Sesame Balls), Woo Gock (Taro Balls), Jean Ha My Chong Fun (Shrimp Rice Rolls), Pay Dahn Sow Yook Jook (Preserved Duck Egg Congee), and steamed fish. Delicious!!

Lei Garden Restaurant
North Point, Hong Kong
Tel: 852.2806.0008

Seven Definitive Tearooms Making Steam in Los Angeles

If you are as particular about your tea as I am, you already know that L.A. is a mecca for tea lovers. From rose petal elixirs served in tearooms on Melrose Avenue, to sleek tea-based cocktails you’ll discover out on the town, L.A. is stronghold for both unique and classic tea spots. The following are a sampling of the city’s steamiest hot spots:

1. Jin Patisserie

Jin Patisserie takes afternoon tea to the beach—Venice Beach, that is. Nestled behind an orange door on eclectic Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Jin Patisserie’s tranquil garden welcomes tea goers with soothing sounds of fountains and urban forests of bamboo. The owner, Kristy Choo, hails from Singapore and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Her teahouse is a fresh blend of Asian aesthetics and fusion pastry concoctions.Imagine classic ingredients like caramel, truffles, chocolate mousse, mascarpone cream, pistachio, and marzipan, paired with traditional Asian flavors like lychee, ginger, jasmine, green tea, and chrysanthemum. The outcome is an artful synthesis of spices.

Choo’s über-fancy creations shine like gems inside the pastry counter. Try the Lavender Gateau, a lavender-infused cake filled with buttercream and chocolate ganache. Or sample Tropical: coconut and mango mousse with caramelized pineapples and hints of cinnamon, anise, and vanilla. Another surprise is Ye Yek, a traditional shortbread cookie from Choo’s homeland.

Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA
310.399.8801

2. The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

At the Ritz, you’ll sip your tea with the ocean breeze in your hair, gazing at the lovely panoramas of the marina from your table. The Ritz Royal Afternoon Tea is a swanky occasion, where classic fare is transformed with a contemporary twist. Your afternoon tea can be paired with champagne or a tea-infused cocktail. The tea sandwiches are culinary gems. You’ll find Smoked Salmon and Caviar with Dill Crème Fraiche on Brioche alongside Smoked Chicken, Goat Cheese Mousse, and Truffles on Wheat Bread with Grapes. Plus the classic finger sandwiches are all present, albeit elegantly dressed-up.

The pastry course showcases a creative sampling of fruit tarts, cakes, and cookies. Show-stoppers like raspberry pistachio eclairs and chocolate-coffee macaroons accompany fresh-baked scones in creative flavors like lemon-blueberry.

The Ritz-Carlton
4375 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
310.823.1700

3. Rose Garden Tea Room, Huntington Library and Gardens

A ticket of admission to The Huntington is required to visit this busy tea house, as are reservations. Perhaps a big part of the allure here is that the afternoon tea is served buffet style with plenty of fancy finger sandwiches and pastries to go with your pot of tea and scones. Beyond the usual tea menu, fresh salads and a selection of cheeses beckon, accompanied by crackers and spreads like hummus and olive tapenade.

Perched in the middle of The Huntington’s rose garden, this popular tearoom is lined with grand picture windows that show off a sea of roses. It’s the perfect setting for a post-meal stroll through L.A.’s best botanic gardens. Standouts include the expansive desert garden, the traditional Chinese garden, and the Japanese garden—a Hollywood film favorite.

Huntington Library and Gardens
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
626.405.2100

4. The Peninsula, Beverly Hills

Often touted as the best spot for afternoon tea in L.A., I wouldn’t be one to disagree. This classic five star hotel located in the heart of Beverly Hills commands upscale elegance from the moment you step through the fancy double doors. Afternoon tea is served in the Living Room, named for the casual arrangement of plush sofas and coffee tables where you take your tea, creating a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly compliments the swanky setting. Tall windows overlooking a garden fill the space with sunshine, and on weekends a harpist strums away. Four tiers of afternoon tea are offered here, and the exquisite Imperial Tea includes champagne and caviar on top of all the regular trimmings. Need I say more?

The Peninsula
9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310.551.2888

5. Rose Tea Cottage

If you fancy being waited on by a butler in a tux and white gloves, then this is the place for you. You can rub elbows with British dignitaries who often frequent the joint (when I last visited the British consulate general was sitting down to his afternoon tea). Authentic to the core, the Rose Tea Cottage has been serving traditional English fare for nearly 30 years. The owners, Edmund and Mary Fry, often wait on you personally, and are very attentive—keeping your tea cup full at all times. Both the cuisine and the decor are traditional English, and there is also a well stocked gift shop where you can buy imported English specialties and cookware. By reservation only, Rose Tea Cottage is a formal dining experience, and an unforgettable one.

Rose Tea Cottage
801 S. Pasadena Avenue
Pasadena, Ca 91105
626.793.3337

6. Scarlet Tea Room

Step inside the Scarlet Tea Room, and you’re enveloped by live piano music. Lit with red and white crystal chandeliers and draped in red curtains, this seductive tea room serves both full meals and afternoon tea. Located in Old Town Pasadena, the Scarlet Tea Room’s 5-course Scarlet Tea Ceremony begins with sorbet, followed by the arrival of a classic 3-tier tray filled with goodies: finger sandwiches, scones with all the trimmings (the ginger scones are delicious), fresh fruit, and assorted pastries. The grande finale is Strawberries Romanoff, a pile of chopped strawberries drenched in orange liquor and awash in a sea of whipped cream. You can also add champagne or wine to sweeten the deal, and the tea menu has a large selection of fruit-infused teas. Best of all, afternoon tea doesn’t end early—you can enjoy it well into evening.

Scarlet Tea Room
18 West Green Street
Pasadena, California 91105
626.577.0051

Weekend Trip: Off the Beaten Path

7. Penelope’s Teas & Gifts

Penelope’s is a must-go destination for serious tea lovers who have exhausted all the hit L.A. haunts. Located between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo on the central coast, Penelope’s is a great excuse for a weekend getaway. Look for the white wooden teapot on Ocean Street in Old Town Lompoc, California. Inside the decor is charmingly victorian. Mismatched chairs—leather, wood and wicker—are paired with velvet love seats and surrounded by green floral wallpaper, antiques, and a cozy fireplace. Tucked into little nooks and corners of the room, the lace-covered tables are lit with tiny lamps and set with fancy china that is decidedly floral.

Penelope’s tea selection is massive, as Penelope’s sells roughly 70 teas, many which can be sampled. The menu is extensive and includes traditional English fare like Cottage Pies, Pasties, Sausage Rolls, and Ploughman’s plates, along with four options for afternoon tea. With the Elegant Afternoon Tea you get sorbet, tea sandwiches, scones with all the trimmings, plus mixed desserts. Go big and order the Royal Tea, which includes all of the above, plus sparkling wine (with refills!). Or go small with the Light Afternoon Tea, a similar selection with smaller portions. For kids, there is even a Teddy Bear Tea: peanut butter-honey sandwiches, cheese finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, and either tea, hot chocolate, milk, or lemonade.  The food is delicious and the service friendly, making Penelope’s a unique stop on the Southern California tea map.

Penelope’s Teas & Gifts
105 West Ocean Avenue
Lompoc, California
805.736.1122

It’s no secret that Seattle is a gourmet wonderland for foodies. Emphasizing fresh local ingredients, Pacific Northwest chefs are constantly seeking creative combinations of ingredients. Although you’ll fare pretty well in Seattle eating wherever you happen to be once your stomach rumbles, there is definitely something wonderful about staying at a hotel with a restaurant good enough to be a destination itself.

The following foodie hot spots combine luxurious hospitality with gourmet prowess:

Hotel Andra & Lola

For those who love modern design, Hotel Andra is a cozy refuge filled with chic minimalist furniture and trendy design accents evocative of the Pacific Northwest. Located in Seattle’s hip Belltown district, Hotel Andra sits at the epicenter of celebrity chef Tom Douglass’ culinary empire. Tempting aromas of Greek and North African treats waft though the hotel’s sleek Scandinavian-inspired lobby from Douglass’ restaurant Lola. The perfect spot for a late night snack or cocktails, Lola also serves mouth-watering spreads like kalamata~fig and Kopanisti~pistachio all day. Across the street are Douglass’ Dahlia Lounge and Dahlia Bakery, famous for their triple coconut creme pie, and around the corner you’ll discover sizzling pizzas at Douglass’ Serious Pie.

Hotel Monaco & Sazerac

Outfitted with comfortable rooms in the heart of downtown, featuring your very own pet fish, Hotel Monaco is the perfect place to imbibe, with a complimentary wine hour nightly in the hotel’s stylish lobby. The hotel’s next door restaurant, Sazerac serves seasonal organic cuisine from local farmers. Committed to sustainability, chef Jason McClure’s environmentally-sound kitchen also features low-flow water valves, biodegradable cleaning supplies, and energy efficient lighting. All products are recycled, including excess cooking oils which are converted into bio-diesel fuel. Best of all, the food is excellent and affordable, and the ambiance is stellar with exposed brick walls, a warm, rustic color palate, and artistic chandeliers.

Inn at the Market & Campagne Restaurant

Inn at the Market, a boutique hotel located at the entrance to Pike Place Market, is a hot spot for any foodie. Comfortable rooms offer views of the water, and the rooftop deck is a fantastic place to soak up panoramic views of downtown and Elliott bay while enjoying wine and cheese. With one of Seattle’s premier restaurants situated right in the hotel’s own courtyard, guests can enjoy Campagne’s Southern French cuisine prepared with the freshest of ingredients. Chef Daisley Gordon’s creative artistry shines through across perfectly executed dishes and a menu full of tempting choices that will render the hungry traveler utterly indecisive. Additionally, a less expensive alternative is the bohemian Cafe Campagne, the restaurant’s equally delicious cafe counterpart.

The Edgewater Hotel & Six Seven

Located along Seattle’s waterfront with stunning views of Puget Sound, The Edgewater is a rustic retreat within a stone’s throw of downtown attractions. With design highlights like pine furniture, rock fireplaces, and endearing antler chandeliers, this Pacific Northwest gem boasts cozy rooms with unbeatable views. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant Six Seven serves New American cuisine while affording floor to ceiling waterfront vistas. There’s even an outside patio that seems to float right on the waves. From signature seafood dishes like dungeness crab and shrimp cake with lobster lemongrass sauce and tomato jam to gourmet meat specialties like “Oregonzola” crusted Filet Mignon with forager mushroom ragoût, asparagus, potato crisp and natural jus, dining here is sure to be an elegant treat.