Gottegrisar, a LA Swedish Candy Institution!

When I was in the college I dated a lovely gentlemen from Sweden!  During our courtship my roommates were constantly buying me Swedish fish as a joke.  If only Gottegrisar was around then…

Gottegrisar is a Los Angeles based bulk candy store that sells quality confection made exclusively in Sweden to the US market.   And these aren’t America’s versions of Swedish Fish!  Gottegrisar Swedish based wares are GMO, transfat, and corn syrup Free. 

Choices at the Pico Fairfax location include Bildäck, aka salty and chewy licorice tires, Colabåta, aka Cola Boats, and Sorbisar, aka sour Licorice and Raspberry Gummies.

So if you’re looking to extend your world of Scandinavian candy beyond Swedish Fish Gottegrisar is ticket to licorice tires and cola boats!

Here’s to life being delicious and candy to always being exotic!

Salt & Straw Comes to Abbot Kinney!

 

National Ice Cream Day was last month, but for Los Angelenos the celebration continues because Salt & Straw, the iconic Portland-based, family-run ice cream purveyor known for its artisanal, chef-driven approach to an American classic, has just announced plans to open a new scoop shop at 1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd!

Come fall Venice residents will be able to savor Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons and Stumptown Coffee & Compartes Love Nuts at Salt & Straw's new home on the corner of Abbot Kinney and California Avenue.  Yummm!  (With 3 Ms!)

"We've fallen in love with the food community in Los Angeles, and are so thrilled for the opportunity to serve our new neighbors on Abbot Kinney," says Kim Malek, Founder of Salt & Straw. "We are so inspired by the artistic and creative vision pervading the neighborhood, and are so looking forward to becoming part of the fabric of this unique enclave of Los Angeles."

Like Salt & Straw's first Los Angeles outpost which opened in Larchmont Village in September 2014, the Abbot Kinney shop will offer guests a taste of Salt & Straw's staples like Freckled Woodblock Chocolate and Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache; LA-specific flavors like Avocado & Strawberry Sherbet and Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese; and monthly-rotating specials from Head Ice Cream Maker and Creative Director Tyler Malek that reflect the dynamic SoCal food scene and its artisans, as well as seasonal produce from area farmers. Recipes are created with 100% all-natural cream from a local dairy in-line with Salt & Straw's philosophy to source the best possible products available, and all ice creams are churned in a local kitchen in Boyle Heights to ensure optimal quality and freshness.

Here's to life being delicious and every day being Ice Cream Day! ;-)

Fierce and Fabulous Skating at Rave on Wheels

Last weekend Edible Skinny got to experience Rave on Wheels aka Row!  Those crazy creative kids over at Re/creation Cafe took over Circus Disco in Hollywood and turned it into the best pre-Burning Man party on wheels! 

The theme was “We Are Animals” and guests were strongly encouraged to dress for the occasion to “unleash their inner spirit animal” (and in case you were wondering mine was a cat that night… it varies between that and a unicorn!)!

ROW had two stages with sexy electronic DJs mixing beats all night long (including the fantastic DJ Liquorbox), a bean bag lounge for those who chose to go sans wheels, cabanas (where Miss Jordana Reim of Let’s Go 180 and I did acro-yoga at 2 in the morning), and food trucks such as the super delicious Urban Pie.  We missed the free one-hour yoga session for the early birds, but Jordana and I still got our sweat on at their magical make believe roller rink zoo (seriously, there were unicorns, peacocks, and kitty cats whizzing by us non stop!).

Started by Nick Spano Re/creation is the idea that we recreate ourselves through play.  “When we are at play we are in a positive creative space that allows us to discover new ideas, and new ways of being, that help us to better connect with ourselves and with others.”  Re/creation’s goal is to grow a positive, open-minded community, through unique creative events that combine mind and body in a playful world.  Along with roller raves Re/creation has hosted events such as Paint Socials, Goddess Celebrations, Reiki Workshops, and Live Acoustic Jam Experience, where the artist's and the audience make the music together.

Here’s to life being delicious, taking time to just play, and your spirit animal being fierce and fabulous!!

Edible Skinny Does Asbury Park

Edible Skinny is in New Jersey this week!  And yesterday we got to experience a summer at the Jersey Shore with a day to the Asbury Park boardwalk! 

The Asbury Park Boardwalk is located on the shore in Central New Jersey, 60 minutes south of New York City.  This historic shore town features one of the best beaches in the state (but isn’t able to surpass our hometown of Long Beach Island, NJ).  Along with endless sand, great surf and unlimited fun, there’s a revitalized Boardwalk that’s better, and more eclectic, than ever.

The Boardwalk of Asbury Park has everything from waterparks to rollercoasters from a vintage kitsch bowling alley to funky restaurants.  And no Asbury Park experience isn't complete without taking in a show!  USA Today picked Asbury Park as one of the top ten places to listen to music.  The legendary Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen has made numerous appearances, is one of the world’s most famous music “scenes.”  Other venues like The Wonder Bar, the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall have not only helped launch many musicians' careers but they also contributed to the creation of an entire music genre known as the “Jersey Shore Sound.”

Here’s to life being delicious and rock and roll down the shore! 

Something to Check Out: 5th Annual LA Food & Wine Festival

Movie stars in Los Angeles are a dime a dozen, but once a year the culinary stars from across the country descend on the City of Angels!  Edible Skinny is dusting off our shades the 5th Annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival.

Taking place August 27-30^th, the event is a star studded list of James Beard Award winners, and Food & Wine Best New Chefs including Tyler Florence, Curtis Stone, Thomas Keller, and Michelle Bernstein.  Produced by Coastal Luxury Management and presented with founding partners FOOD & WINE and Lexus

Our favorite event hands down is the Lexus Live on Grand featuring tastings from over 30 chefs and 100 wineries. This year Lexus Live will feature a live performance from The Roots, and later that same night the band will be joined by band mate Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson as the festival’s headlining musical entertainment.  Culinary icon Thomas Keller will also be on hand, making an appearance with Chef David Hands and Bouchon Beverly Hills.

Here’s to life being delicious and your food and wine being star studded! 

The 168-Year-Old Old Moisturizer with Thayers Natural Remedies

Edible Skinny LOVES unchapped lips!   We LOVE finding the perfect lip balm that allows our puckers to stay moist during these hot dry days of August, especially for those late night smooching sessions!  

So when we recently ran out of our standard Burt Bees chapstick and came across a product sample from Thayers Natural Remedies in our dresser drawer, by way of the Natural Product Expo in March, we were totally game! 

And all we can say is WOW!!!

Like an ice cream cone for your lips, Thayers Organic Vanilla Bean Slippery Elm Lip Balm offers creamy, dreamy protection against dry and windy weather, slaking your lips' thirst for moisture.  Slippery Elm's moisturizing power is a natural wonder-and your best friend in harsh weather (like August desert heat).  Certified Organic Slippery Elm speeds natural, hydrating relief to the most vulnerable skin on your face, healing chapped, cracked, peeling lips and restoring your radiant smile. 

Thayers Natural Remedies began in 1847, when Henry Thayer M.D., opened a laboratory on Main Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts to produce his newly developed line of herbal extracts for sale to the medical profession.  The company, prospered and broadened its line of products and has been described as the largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals in America at the time of the Civil War.  The 168-year-old company is now the standard in the world of natural remedies.

Thayers throat remedies such as their Sugar-Free Dry Mouth Spray Citrus Flavor and Original Slippery Elm Lozenges have been a source of oral relief since 1847.  Their original Slippery Elm Lozenges deliver healing, protective, natural comfort to the throat and mouth without menthol (that are also vegan-friendly) have been used on television shows such as The Voice and American Idol and have a celebrity following including Justin Timberlake and Sting.

So if you’re searching for moisturize, either inside or outside the mouth look no further than the 168-year-old company of Thayers Natural Remedies. 

Here's to life being delicious and lips always being moist enough for puckering up!

Fine Quality Montepulciano with Talosa Wine at Shutters on the Beach

A little while ago, Edible Skinny was lucky enough to have an old world chance encounter with Talosa wine while at the always beachy classy (and super contrasting) Shutters on the Beach. 

 

Since 1972 Fattoria della Talosa has embarked on the quest for fine quality hand crafted wines.  Talosa started a trend which resulted in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation soaring to grand heights in the world of Tuscan and Italian winemaking.

And one of the only places to grab a glass of Talosa’s 90+ point wines is 6,270 miles away from its historic wine region in the lobby of Shutters on the Beach.  That’s quite a trip for an Italian to check out a Santa Monica sunset! ;-)

Located in the heart of old town Montepulciano, Talosa’s historic cellars dates back to the 16th century.  Located in an underground area between two of the oldest buildings in the city: Palazzo Tarugi and Palazzo Sinatti; its brick passageways contain a series of vaults and niches which are perfect hideaways for sleeping wine.  

Their huge oak barrels, each with a capacity of 115hl, have seen quite a ride as some of the barrels date back to Talosa’s inception 44 years ago!  Within these oak walls Talosa’s Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is aged for two years, or three years for the Vino Nobile Riserva.

During our chance encounter at Shutters on the Beach, our favorite Talosa wine was their 2010 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva, which got a whopping 94 Points on Wine Spectator and was severely underpriced for that rating (like less than $40, totally totally your gain!)  The 100% Sangiovese’s vibrant acidity and supple tannins paired perfectly with the Shutters’ Shishito peppers with lime salt & ponzu!  Yummm (with 3Ms)!!!

 

Here’s to Life Being Delicious and your Santa Monica sunsets having a taste of the Italy with some stellar Talosa wine!

Edible Skinny Does Angel City's Avocado Fest!!!

Edible Skinny was at Angel City's Avocado Festival yesterday and boy did we have a blast!!!  The creamy beer was perfect for beer lovers (Read: Kelly) and non-beer lovers (Read: Me)!  We documented our fabulous time there!  Enjoy!!!

The 3rd Annual Avocado Festival at Angel City Brewery This Sunday August 9th

Green, gold and glorious – all hail the avocado!  And to celebrate this noble fruit in style Angel City Brewery created its Avocado Ale!  And to mark this occasion Angel City Brewery will be having its 3rd Annual Avocado Festival on this Sunday August 9, 12-8 pm.

“Avocado Ale and Avocado Fest have come to be a summer staple for us,” said Angel City’s Melissa Corbin.  “Avocado is the state fruit and a California commodity – and frankly one of our favorite foods.  Using it as the base of a beer recipe seemed like a natural idea.  The resulting ale is delicious and we have a great time both making it and celebrating it.”

Beyond the beer, Angel City has a full lineup of events for the day, including: 

▪        Avocado Ale food pairings by The Surfer Taco, Brewwings, Si Paletas & The Green Truck

▪        Brewer-led tours with a focus on the Avocado Ale brewing process

▪        Live chalk art

▪        Specialty flight bars

▪        Avocado Bazaar presented by Raven Gypsies

▪        Avocado Amusements, including avocado corn hole and an avocado hunt

▪        Avocado photo booth

▪        Gallery exhibit by PJ Andrews

▪        Live music in their beer hall by the likes of Michelle E. Buzz, Team Vendetta, Angeles Flight, Fungame, Seaghouls, Denmantau, The Bloodhounds

The 21+ event, which runs from 12-8pm, will benefit Food Forward, a local non-profit whose mission is to rescue fresh, local produce that would otherwise go to waste, and provide it to people in need, while inspiring others to do the same.  $1 from every pint of Avocado Ale sold at the event between 12-8pm will be tallied up by their handy cash register and donated to Food Forward.

Here's to life being delicious and full of avocados!

The Funk Zone: The Perfect Santa Barbara Getaway

 

Edible Skinny was in Santa Barbara this week prepping for Pin-Ups on Tour Operation Santa Barbara show next week at the Santa Barbara Veterans Building to benefit the award winning non-profit Pin-Ups for Vets!  And boy we’re glad we took the drive up the coast!  

While there Miss Julia Reed Nichols and I sneaked away for a bit to make sure to get in our SB Getaway time by sampling some of the food and wine from Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone!

The Funk Zone of Santa Barbara is an eclectic mix of artists, cafes, wineries, cabinetmakers, museums, bakeries, and small shops blocks away from the water.  The ambiance reflects a simpler time; largely lacking cohesion is what makes this part of town unique in an otherwise homogenous world.   You never know what surprise awaits you down the alley or just painted on the wall in front of you.

Our first stop was The Blue Door, an adorable little shop carrying vintage and modern collection of furniture, artwork, clothing, and accessories.  While in their groovy store we came across some fabulous vintage peekaboo cocktail glasses!  On one side were pretty pinup pictures and on the other side there was a keyhole with a more naughty shot of the model’s backside! Yowza!!!

 

Afterwards we strolled over to Oreana Winery, a ten year old winery housed in a former tire shop.  The winery made miley face wines (aka Project Happiness) for Trader Joes for years before segueing into a more boutique label (most of their varietals run between 200-300 cases in size)!

The name Oreana comes from the grand ranching days of California’s Central Coast.  Oreana is a term used by cattle ranchers for an unbranded calf that strays onto your property and is therefore yours to keep.  Oreana the winery likes to think of it as found treasure or the renegade spirit of this beautiful region and the wines they produce here.

 

Our favorites among their tasting flight including their Verdelho, a varietal that was once Portugal’s flagship white wine, but centuries of market trends left it nearly extinct.  It’s a mouthful of tropical fruit and guava and is the perfect pairing for some late afternoon Thai food!  We were also partial to the 2013 Syrah, which carefully walked the line of earth and smoke, on a tightrope of a hint of cherry! 

Afterwards Julia and I strolled over to Lucky Penny and shared a summer Popsicle!  Delish!!! Lucky Penny is a stand-alone restaurant bedecked in thousand of coin pennies specializing in local, seasonal wood-fired pizza, salads and sandwiches.  Their mornings feature artisan coffee drinks, house made pastry and wood-fired baked eggs.

 

With Popsicle flavors such as Caramelized Pineapple, Blueberry Orange Blossom, and Strawberry Buttermilk we knew we were in for a treat!  We decided on Coconut and revealed in every lick of this creamy summer delight speckled with flakes of hand toasted coconut!  

So if you’re looking for the perfect summer getaway that offers the best of what’s out there in the world of design, wine, and frozen delights the Funk Zone is the place to go!  Plus, it’s within walking distance of Pin-Ups on Tour Operation Santa Barbara show on Friday August 14th at the Santa Barbara Veterans Building! ;-)

Here’s to life being delicious and your Popsicle being cold and creamy!  

Let’s Keep Our Food Free: Stop the DARK Act

Let’s keep our food free!

Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1599 or what we call the Deny Americans the Right to Know – or DARK – Act.  The DARK Act would deny Americans the right to know whether their food contains genetically modified food ingredients.

We need to stand up for American consumers rights!  This bill would make it effectively impossible for America to enact the same kind of mandatory GMO labeling that exists in 64 other nations, and it would overturn existing GMO labeling laws in states like Vermont, Connecticut and Maine.

Nine out of 10 Americans support mandatory GMO labeling, yet this act would block all states from labeling genetically engineered foods, and it would also make it much harder for the FDA to ever mandate national labeling.

According to a report from Open Secrets, a project of the Center for Responsive Politics, the 275 members of the U.S. House who voted in favor of H.R. 1599 received $29.9 million in contributions from the agribusiness and food industries in the 2014 cycle.

But despite the lobbyist’s best efforts, Congress has long recognized that Americans should be given basic information about their food and trusted to make the right choices for their families.

To ensure the freedom to know what’s in our food we need to let the Senate and President Obama know how serious the American public is about GMO labeling. 

JustLabel It has created a petition to let the Senate and President Obama know howserious we are about GMO labeling (and note we’re not trying to ban GMOs in America, only to label them for those who want the Choice!)

The petition is 86% away from its 200,000-signature goal.   My signature was 176,566; will yours be 175,567?

Here’s to life being delicious and full of choices!