Archives for November 2014

31 Days Of Pie

November 30, 2014 by Matt 3 Comments

We talk about pie quite a bit in our house. Probably too much. My feelings on the subject are strong and Adam’s? Even more so. It’s one of those perfect things, even in its imperfect way. It encompasses seasons, history, family, legend, and darnit, it just always hits the spot.

Because our love for pie is never-ending, we’ve dedicated the entire month of December to pie!

What does this all mean? In a nutshell (I mean pie shell), we’re baking a pie a day, photographing it, sharing and eating it. We’re working our way through old favorites, discovering new ones, and covering all the pie bases that include classics, meringues, fruit, and galettes (or crostatas, if we want to talk Italian).

And when we’re done we’ll run on a treadmill for 38 hours. Nonstop.

But in the meantime, join us as we take a small journey on all things pie, and check back daily!

(And to our close friends who come over for backyard dinners and just happened to be at one party specifically, well, you’ll be happy to know there’s no Floor Pie on the menu. Damn gravity.)

The pie show starts tomorrow!

Style Makes The Moment with Lindsay Olives

November 17, 2014 by Matt 2 Comments

When my friend Anita asked if I wanted to participate in a Lindsay Olives holiday promotion I immediately jumped at the chance. With an opportunity to come up with our own idea of what makes the holiday season so special, the word “style” kept popping into my head for a variety of reasons. As much as I love entertaining (you’ve seen my backyard, right?!?), I think it’s best done with a light hand and free spirit but that shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. In fact, identifying the things that you love and elevating them with care and attention is what I call style, and yes, it’s something that’s great for special occasions and the every day.

After all, every day should be a celebration, shouldn’t it?

When it comes to style during the holidays, my attention immediately goes to the table. From now until the end of December we plan on hosting several dinners, a cocktail party, a few last-minute gatherings and opening our home to friends and family. It sounds like a lot (it is!), but keeping your cool and being prepared makes it so much easier. In fact, I’ve got this entertaining thing down and it’s really not that difficult! Here’s how style makes the moment for us.

Sips I always keep a bottle (ok, 3) of really tasty, inexpensive bubbles in the fridge. It could be a great champagne, a prosecco, a bougey cerdon, anything that’s chilled and delicious. Come over and you’ll immediately be greeted with a glass as I believe it sets the mood and lets you know that I’m about to celebrate the hell out of ya. And it doesn’t have to be a fancy glass, mind you.

Music I absolutely cannot exist without music, and this time of year it’s a happy blend of nostalgic holiday tunes mixed with Brazilian jazz classics and even some modern beats for energy. Low and slow in the background, music is another texture in your pad that shouldn’t be ignored.

Table Here’s where I geek out, and not just because it’s my day job. I’m not big on formality at all and prefer some irreverence and surprise when it comes to decorating, and that takes place in many forms. As a big collector of ceramics, anything mixed and matched works well when in the same color story, and vintage napkins and linens add color and charm. Heck, even a roll of butcher paper down the center adds texture, and branches and leaves from the garden can take the place of flowers. And since we’re in So Cal which means dining outdoors in December, every guest gets a fabric throw to wrap around when the temperature drops.

Ebb & Flow Sometimes style ain’t what you do but the way that you do it. More than anything I want our guests to relax and feel at home, and I never micromanage the process. If a new guest feels out of place I don’t hesitate to ask them to join me in the kitchen while I get ready, or I pair them up with one of our closest friends and guests to welcome them into the fold. Entertaining should never be forced, fussy, or uncomfortable. I want to have a good time, too!

So what makes the holidays for you? Lindsay Olives is running a delightful sweepstakes here, and all you have to do is share what makes your holiday special for a chance to win prizes. There are 4 winners, and each winner receives a $500 Visa Gift Card and an “Olive Entertaining Starter Kit”.

The sweepstakes is here, and they’re also accepting entries via Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag “#LindsayMoment”. It starts today and runs through 12/22/14!

Happy holidays!

This post is sponsored by Lindsay Olives.

Devour! Food Film Fest in Wolfville, Nova Scotia

November 16, 2014 by Matt 8 Comments

Brrr! And hello! We just returned from our second trip to Canada in a month, this time to the lovely East Coast to attend the Devour! The Food Film Fest in Wolfville, NS. We spoke about food photography and styling, watched a few movies, ate well, played in the snow, and met such lovely people all around. It was our second visit to the area, and this trip allowed us to spend more time in lovely Wolfville than before. Also: NICEST PEOPLE EVER. But I suppose you could say that about Canadians in general right?

Before I jump into photos, I want to encourage everyone to seek out the film “Famous Nathan” by Lloyd Handwerker. It is the story of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, a NY institution for almost 100 years. Lloyd is the grandson of the founder Nathan Handwerker, and getting to know him made this piece of history all that much deeper. Whatever you do, please please please make sure and see this film! I can’t say enough about it. It’s culinary history, a family tale, the dream of immigrants, and a true American story all rolled into one. I actually consider it an honor to have seen it. You should too.

I also encourage everyone to attend the next Devour! Food Film Fest. This year’s keynote was Anthony Bordain, and I really don’t know how they’re gonna outdo themselves next year. But it’ll happen. I know it. Bonus points for me-n-Adam for being inducted into the Nova Scotia Order of Good Cheer along with Mr. Bordain! Now that’s not something that happens every day!

Photos, anyone?

(sidenote: as a personal challenge I left all cameras at home, determined to only use my phone. All images iphone 6.)

The first thing I had to do was run outside and snap some shots of the beautiful fall scenes. And I’m glad I did because the next day…

It was the first snow of the season, and all I wanted to do is play.

Pre-snow and so much to see.

Train tracks and branches with character!

I’ll probably spend the rest of my life wondering why Americans don’t eat Ketchup Chips. WHY WHY WHY?!??!?! And now there’s this to contend with: Srirachup. Forward my mail and send me my puppies, I wanted to stay.

Two words: Donair Pizza. I really can’t explain, you just need to visit Nova Scotia and try it.

We fell in love with the sweetest little bakery called Slow Dough. Also: BUTTER TARTS. Oh good lord yes. So Canadian, so perfect.

Founded in 1606 (!), The Order Of The Good Time a/k/a Order Of Good Cheer is North America’s oldest culinary group and it was a delight to be inducted along with Adam and many other speakers and attendees. I like to tell myself the paps were there solely for me, but no, Mr. Bordain was standing next to us as he was inducted as well. Sidenote: I’ve always said I’m a good time, now I can officially prove it.

Mr. Bordain signs autographs, Adam samples food. This photo cracks me up on so many levels. Photo from Devour facebook page.

There was a food truck crawl one evening and even through I was freezing my lil brown butt off it was magical to be a part of it. Thank you, Simon and Llloyd and Leslie!

We spoke Friday morning and it was a blast! A wonderful group, so engaged and lovely. If reincarnation exists I want to come back as a Canadian.

As a native Southern Californian, Adam is legally required to do this.

The lovely Blomidon Inn covered in snow. Can you believe that? A 19th century captain’s mansion can be no sweeter than this. Such fun to stay here.

Behind the mansion is a tiny trail, and I stumbled upon this view. IT WAS LIKE WALKING INSIDE A POSTCARD! Geez! So lovely.

On the drive back to Halifax I took a shot from the car. So beautiful.

Giant hugs and thanks to Lloyd and Leslie, everyone who attended our talk and to Simon, Lia and Michael for a fantastic event! We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it!

Cadillac Road to Table in Laguna Beach

November 9, 2014 by Matt Leave a Comment

This post is in partnership with Cadillac

Living in Southern California endears you to automotive culture whether you realize it or not. In fact, I never thought about cars until I moved here, and my personal relationship with them changed forever. Of course, there are those whose interest in them knows no bounds, and whenever I’m with my car friends I love hearing what’s around the corner and what’s new in terms of design and performance.

So when the invitation to attend Cadillac’s Road to Table event came my way, I immediately replied with a resounding YES. Founded in 1902, Cadillac is legendary as we all know, and the novel hook of the event reeled me in instantly. Food and cars? Yes please.

So what was the event about? Cadillac partnered with Saveur Magazine to present their concept of “Road to Table,” which combined a fantastic dinner, a stunning location, and the opportunity to test drive the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan and be chauffeured home in the next-generation 2015 Cadillac Escalade. With events in Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta, and Orange County (where I attended), this was a fantastic way to learn a bit more about the design process, see where the brand is headed, talk about performance, snap some photos, and enjoy a meal at Studio Restaurant located at the Montage in Laguna Beach.

The event began at Seven Degrees, also in Laguna Beach, where we were greeted with small bites and drinks. An entire fleet of 2014 CTS Sedans was waiting, and I was able to test drive a fully-featured model that left me giddy. I wish I could report back to you on the car’s performance (which was nothing short of amazing), but my brain is filled with details of the vehicle’s creature comforts and tech features. Cadillac calls it a “driver-focused interior,” and they certainly mean it. On the model I drove, the heads-up display projected my speed, along with the posted speed limit, directly onto the windshield Since it was a warm evening (and I wore a jacket!), I appreciated the air-conditioned leather seats and was sad when my short drive from Seven Degrees to the Montage was over.

Greeted by glasses of wine, a breathtaking view and the first ever 2014 ELR, Cadillac’s range-extending electric coupe with gas generator, guests immediately made their way to the back patio of Studio Restaurant to take in the views. The sun was setting, so can you blame us? Passed appetizers, more wine, and then a sunset.

After a few words from Chef Craig Strong, we all sat down to enjoy dinner, which started with Hamachi sashimi with kiwi, celery, kaffir lime, and trout caviar; followed by seared swordfish with spicy lentils, okra, amaranth, and piperade sauce or grilled beef tenderloin with maple potatoes, broccoli, and bordelaise sauce; and ended with “Textures of Grapefruit,” which was segments of grapefruit with grapefruit-flavored marmalade, sorbet, granita, cream, sauce and foam. Guests enjoyed the Foley Chardonnay from the Santa Rita Hills and the Montagna Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. And while I tried my hardest to snap some shots of the meal, the sun set rather quickly and you know how I feel about flash in restaurants. It’s a no-no. Let’s just say that everyone was delighted with Chef Strong’s menu and I can’t wait to return.

After dinner, we were all whisked away into 2015 Escalades, and I shall tell you this: I could get extremely comfortable having someone take me home after dinner in a luxurious, spacious vehicle like this. And what a smooth ride! I’m pretty sure the driver had to kick me out . . . but I’ll save that story for another time.

Opening collage and final dessert image credit Greensky, used by permission.

Thanks to Cadillac for a creative, engaging, wonderful way to experience their vehicles and to Saveur for a beautiful dinner. Special thanks to Montage Laguna Beach and Chef Craig Strong for the view and the great hospitality. This post was sponsored by Cadillac.