Chef Eric's Culinary Classroom

In addition to my passion for eating, I love to spend my time cooking!  As a novice, I'm always looking to improve my culinary skills in the kitchen.  Chef Eric's Culinary Classroom, located on 2366 Pelham Ave. in West Los Angeles, is the premier spot to learn the tricks of the trade.  What might you learn you ask?  Choose from a variety of classes including: French Cooking With Julia Child, Designer Appetizers, Spectacular Sauces, Chicken Connoisseur, Home Made Pasta and Sauce, Candy Making For Sweets Lover and so much more! (For  a complete list of courses, please visit his website at http://www.culinaryclassroom.com/index.html) 

In my first class with Chef Eric, appropriately titled Decadent Desserts, my colleagues and I whipped up:

Ancho Chile Devil’s Food Cake - for those looking for a little naughty mixed with all nice

Chocolate Torte Caprese - simple, sweet and delicious

Milk Chocolate and Cherry Soufflé - sinful yet delicate

Banana and Rum Crepes - an island inspired take on this classic French dessert

Traditional Tiramisu - enjoy the whole bowl of this Italian delight!

If my pictures are not enough evidence, let me reiterate how scrumptious these desserts were!  I also took a Romantic Couples Cooking class with my boyfriend, which truly was a wonderful experience.  Since taking the class, we've recreated our dishes at home!  And they were just as yummy! For a fun and fabulous day out, consider taking a class with Chef Eric at Chef Eric's Culinary Classroom :-)  Classes typically run for 3 hours, and cost on average $85.

POP Champagne and Dessert Bar

All around the Mulberry Bush,

The monkey chased the weasel.

The monkey stopped to pull up his sock, 

POP! goes the...Champagne?

POP Champagne and Dessert Bar, located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena on 33 East Union Street, is one of the only restaurants in Southern California where you can choose from over 100 champagnes and sparkling wines.  It truly is a lovely place to rendezvous for a date with that someone special or a close group of friends.  I highly recommend one of their decadent wine flights and indulgent desserts.  

Sweeter Bubbles ($16)

Three sweet sparkling wines to dazzle your fancy

Soufflé du Jour ($12)

Light, Airy and o-so Delicious!

Chocolate Decadence ($12)

chocolate mousse dome atop chocolate cake, chocolate sorbet

Cookies and Cream ($10)

browned butter chocolate chip cookie, sprinkle of fleur de sal, choc, caramel, vanilla... yummy!

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at POP!; however, I highly recommend you eat dinner elsewhere beforehand.  I didn't include pictures from my dining experience because I really (really) did not enjoy my dinner. (Since the restaurant is located in downtown Pasadena, I'm sure you won't have trouble eating dinner elsewhere!) But...the dessert component was so amazing!  Keep in mind that the space tends to fill up quickly, so come early!  In addition, please note that the food tends to run quite pricey :-/

The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

If I could describe The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills (located on 419 N. Beverly Drive) in one word, it would be gluttony. Consistently, I find myself walking into the store to buy one item, and leave knowing I have over-indulged and over-consumed! Given that it hosts over 500 cheese varieties from all over the world, you could spend hours perusing this mystical shop. In an effort to embark on a journey through eating my way via the display case, I signed up for one of their weekly cheese and wine tastings by the name of "White Burgundies & The French Cheeses That Love ‘Em". At first, I thought spending $60.00 for wine and cheese was a bit too much, but that was before I spent the evening dining in heaven!

Starter:  Bourgogne Blanc (Deux Montille)   '07   $23
Flight 1: Bourgogne Blanc (Ch. De Puligny Montrachet)   '07   $32 
             Chablis (Herve Azo)   '08   $28
Flight 2: Pouilly-Fuisse (Domaine Manciat-Poncet)   '08   $32
             Puligny-Montrachet (Paul Chapelle)   '08   $48
Flight 3: Pernard-Vergelesses (Deux Montille)   '07   $30
             St. Aubin l'er Cru (Ch. De Puligny Montrachet)   '08   $48

Plate 1: Melodie by Laura Chenel (Goat - Loire Valley)
            * This is similar to brie with a layer of ash
            Bucheron (Goat - Loire Valley)
            * Very creamy and rich
            Colombier (Goat - Rhone-Alpes)
            * Rare; Aged 60+ days
            Camebert "Ferme de Jouvence" (Cow - Ille de France)
            * Slightly stronger and stinkier than brie...yum!
            Vieux Cru de Cremiers (Cow - Jura)
            * A fabulous addition to onion soup

Plate 2: Abbaye de Taime (Cow - Savoie)

            * This is similar to Epoisse; Made by monks

            St. Maure (Goat - Loire Valley)

            * Very creamy; Similar to Colombier

            Comte 39 Mos. (Cow - Comte)

            * Rare; Aged 39 Months --> Amazing!

            Chevre Bleu (Goat - Loire Valley)

            * I didn't particularly like this one

            Napoleon (Sheep - Pyrenees)

As you can see, I managed to taste seven White Burgundies and ten delicious French cheeses. In reality, given the price of the cheese and wine individually, the package was a great deal! For those interested in more information, each item was explained by the host with details of its origin and taste. I highly recommend one of these tastings for a special night out! As a side note, please eat a light dinner before hand to avoid debauchery... :-)