Embracing my inner Italian

Open my freezer and you’ll likely only find ice. I haven’t bought a loaf of bread or salad dressing in over six years. I go to the grocery store once or twice a week, buying only what I need for the next couple of days. I take daily naps. I believe wine is a food group. When I cook dinner at home, I eat my salad after my main course. A stick of butter lasts me for weeks yet I can go through olive oil by the vat.

These thoughts come to my mind after reading a post on my friend Maureen Jenkins’ UrbanTravelGirl blog about her inner Italian. Maureen and I met a few years ago when we both lived in Italy. Sadly, both of us returned to the States for financial reasons after begrudgingly accepting the difficulties in earning enough money as a freelance writer to live in the manner to which we had become accustomed. And sadly, neither of us found un bello ragazzo to marry and hopefully take care of us. Not for lack of trying and not that it was our priority. But that’s a post for another day.

Sharon Sanders, a friend of Maureen’s, spotlighted Maureen in her award-winning blog “Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel. ” Her blog is for “all those who embrace la bella vita.”  As she writes, “Even if we don’t live in Italy, Italy lives inside of us.” (For me that is so unbelievably true.) At the end of the post, Sharon, who lived and worked in Firenze (Florence) many years ago, asked the question: Has Italy changed your life in a profound way?

That question brings me to how I began this post. It’s about how living in Italy changed my life. I’m still amazed that our stores have oodles of shelves of salad dressing when olive oil (and sometimes vinegar) will do just fine. I don’t believe in buying a shopping cart full of groceries and freezing fresh food. I wonder why waiters look at me strangely when I ask for a wine list at lunch time.

When I left Los Angeles for Italy in April 2003, I did so with the intention of never returning to the States. Or at least now for a couple of decades. Not that I dislike the U.S., although with all of these senseless shootings I do sometimes wish it were harder to buy guns like it is in other countries. I love my country but also get a kick out of growing (not taller because I think 6-foot-1 is tall enough). Outside of prison, where I have no plans to go, there is no better way to learn about oneself and test one’s limit than to live in a foreign country. I just figured I would grow old in Italy, either alone or with a husband, and preferably not someone else’s. Although I didn’t want to return to the States in 2005, I like to think I did so a wiser soul with more patience and tolerance being that I know what it’s like to be an immigrant barely able to speak a country’s language, more of an ability to appreciate the simple things in life and with a polished palate.

I don’t miss living in New York just yet but I daydream about returning to my simple life in Italy, where stemware wasn’t a priority when I drank wine and I really didn’t mind when my heel got caught between cobblestones while walking down a charming, dim street. The other night I had a chance to reminisce about those carefree days when I enjoyed a delicious Italian meal at Cafe Angelino with author extraordinaire Tracie Howard, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when she traveled through Firenze with a mutual friend and others. Tracie, whose latest must-read book is Friends and Fauxs, and her crew sailed through Italy in July 2003. I was still a newbie and under the belief that I was in my adopted country forever, thinking my oh-so-Italian apartment (one of the ones whose windows you see above because my bedroom and living room faced the Arno River) was going to be mine until the end of the time. Or until I married, whichever came first.

Maybe one day I’ll have the chance to move back to Italy, a country full of faults and pleasures. Until then, I have to embrace my inner Italian from here and try not to weep in my vino rosso when I look at old photos like these:

This was my first apartment in Firenze. An American neighbor eventually loaned me an expensive, antique desk from which to work but initially I sat at the dining table, which faced the Arno, and wrote masterful stories. Yes, that is a USA Today on the coffee table!

I lived right next to the Ponte Vecchio, which means “old bridge” in Italian. It used to be full of butcher shops but today has an excessive number of jewelry stores. The Germans spared it, but not the other bridges, during WWII.

This was the very first meal I cooked in Florence, when drinking wine from a tumbler suited me fine. I wish I had that ravioli and sauce now.

Clothes dryers were uncommon in Firenze so I used a clothes rack after washing my clothes in my little washing machine that took hours to go through one cycle.

Lucy’s name was changed to Lucia when we moved to Firenze. She looks evil here but really she loved living in Italy because she likes to hear the Italian language. Just like me!

Precious is easier to treasure than I expected

I first heard about the film Precious: Based on the novel called “Push” by Sapphire while covering New York Fashion Week’s in February 2008. Director Lee Daniels, producer Sarah Siegel-Magness and newcomer actress Gabourey Sidibe were backstage at one of the shows I covered and we were introduced. I already knew Lee from Monster’s Ball, not that he remembered me. His new project didn’t interest me much. Instead, I wondered if Mariah Carey, who is in the film and a good friend of Sarah’s, would show as I had been told she would. Little did I know that the movie I didn’t give a darn about would turn in to what will undoubtedly become one of the most talked about films this year. I attended a screening last night (thank you neighbor Angela) and tell you that this is one you don’t want to miss.

I went into the theater thinking the movie would be too sad and wondering if it would be a box-office flop like Beloved because moviegoers don’t often rush to see depressing films — especially one dealing with incest, physical and mental abuse and a character, frankly, as unattractive as Gabby. We want to feel good, especially when our portfolios no longer do thanks to the economic downtown, and look at pretty people. I never saw a trailer for the film. I just knew what it was about and saw a clip on Oprah when Mariah was a guest recently. And I knew that Lee was the director. He directed Halle Berry in her Oscar-winning (and steamy sex scene with Billy Bob Thornton) performance in Monster’s Ball.  I could only imagine what lengths he would go to to illustrate Precious’ story. But I was shockingly and pleasantly surprised by what I saw on the big screen. I didn’t expect humor to be laced throughout the film. What a relief it was. But in the end, you can’t tie a bow on this disheartening package with humor. It is what it is. An illiterate, no self-esteem having teenage girl pregnant by her father for the second time who lives with a mother who beats the hell out of her and curses her like she is her worst enemy. Their dismal living conditions in Harlem. The smell of no hope that permeates throughout.

When the film ended, a lady in front of me turned around to say how different the film we saw was from the one she saw four or five months ago. That one, she said, was so raw and vivid that it left everyone speechless at the end. She walked out and went right to McDonald’s to get her two Happy Meals to cheer her up. She needed it, she said, after seeing a film that showed more of the rapes than what we saw. I won’t write what takes place but it’s safe to say I was enthralled. It’s a good sign (and a rarity) that I never reached for my BlackBerry to check the time during the screening and that I didn’t want it to end when it did. But you’ll have to check it out for yourself when it opens on Nov. 6.

I will say Mo’Nique should receive an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of the abusive mother. If you think she looks scary in this photo, just wait until you see her on the big screen. I hope that what I’ve read about Mo’Nique demanding money to promote the film is not true. Usually when an actor signs a contract to make a movie, they also agree to promote the film.

It wasn’t until after the film was in the works that heavyweights Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry signed on as executive producers. Their power will undoubtedly help marketing efforts by Lionsgate.

Cheers to the best brunch in Los Angeles

I told Chef Jose Andres that he’s lucky he’s married, because otherwise I’d propose to him. I had just finished devouring his delicious brunch at the The Bazaar by Jose Andres at SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills yesterday and was caught up in the delectable culinary experience that I imagined him serving me the exact same brunch in bed every weekend.

Okay, so it won’t happen. That means I’ll just have to become a regular at brunch, offered on Saturdays and Sundays. I first met Chef Jose (and his lovely wife and three adorable daughters) in Aspen at the Food & Wine Classic, where I interviewed him for a story in USA Today. At the time I hadn’t been so lucky to eat at his restaurant, which opened about a year ago. (He has several in D.C. as well.) But since June I’ve had the pleasure of dining at The Bazaar not one, not two but three times! It is my new favorite restaurant in Los Angeles and the one I send everyone to when asked to recommend a restaurant.

Because pictures tell 1,000 words and I want to keep this post short, here’s what we sampled at yesterday’s media brunch. We started with a snack:

Cotton candy foie gras and bagel and lox cone with salmon roe and herb cream cheese

Air bread with smoked salmon tzatziki yogurt

Cava mimosa; with modern traditional olives in the background. The olives burst in your mouth and are beyond description.

Then it was on to tapas:

Watermelon and tomato skewers Pedro Ximenez reduction, lemon dressing

We also enjoyed free range Iberico ham, Catalan style toasted bread, tomato and Escalivada Catalan style roasted red pepper, onion and eggplant but I didn’t take photos. I was too busy watching this being made:

Made table side, it’s a blood orange screwdriver frozen with liquid nitrogen

Here’s how the blood orange screwdriver looks when served. Yes, it’s frozen!

Next it was time for the “brunch” portion. Since we already had mimosas, then we moved to another morning favorite:

Bloody Mary made with freshly made tomato juice and celery-wasabi foam. Spicy and good!

12 tiny eggs sunny side up; huevos a la Cubana “Andy Garcia”

Eggs Benedict “New Way” with Fermin Iberico ham (above)

Olive oil pancakes with bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup and season mixed berries. Best pancakes I’ve ever had!

Tortillas de Patatas potato foam, egg 63 and caramelized onion puree

Gin and tonic with a spherical ice cube was served at some point.

We dined on the beautifully-decorated terrace overlooking La Cienega Blvd. I don’t have the details on the design.

And then we adjourned inside for high tea

There were so many goodies on this table that I finally had to step away — but not before I gobbled down caviar buns, foie gras sliders and other delicacies.

Anyone who wants to treat me for brunch at The Bazaar let me know.

Ah, the joys of being 6-foot-1

There are pitfalls of being 6-foot-1, such as theater seats, flying coach, shopping for pants and anything with long sleeves, not wanting to rock a pair of 6-inch Christian Louboutins for fear of being stared at even more than usual and being hit on by diminutive men who are unable to stand on their money and see me eye to eye. And then there are the benefits: not having to torture myself in a pair of 6-inch Christian Louboutins, standing above most armpits, automatically distinguishing myself in a crowd and my newest fave benefit: two glasses of red wine a day.

For a bon vivant like me, it was music to my ears when Dr. Madaiah Revana, a Houston cardiologist and the man behind Revana Family Vineyard in Napa Valley, Alexana Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and another winery in Argentina, told me that because of my height I could consume two glasses of red wine daily and not have it adversely affect my health. Take that you 5-feet women who should stick to one!

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Dr. Revana during a fabulous media dinner the other night at Belvedere, inside The Peninsula Beverly Hills. It’s a sin to nurse one glass of wine over a multi-course, fine dining experience and this group was not about to sin. We started with an amuse bouche of duck confit risotto with butternut squash, compliments of the talented Executive Chef James Overbaugh, then moved on to Dungeness crab chowder and Dungeness crab souffle (paired with the 2007 Alexana Pinot Gris) . The next course was pan roasted veal sweetbreads (paired with the 2006 Alexana Pinot Noir) followed by braised lamb shoulder and roasted lamb loin (paired with 2005 Revana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon). We finished with a plate of pistachio ice cream with strawberries, and a healthy serving of chocolate but by then no more wine was necessary.

Revana, planted in 1998, is fairly new on the wine scene  but already making news and selling out its limited production yearly. It’s no wonder why. Be sure to catch Dr. Revana discuss wine and its health benefits on the radio show I co-host, “What’s Cookin’ with the Bikini Chef Susan Irby,” on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. PT on KTLK AM 1150.

I can’t wait to visit Revana Family Vineyard in St. Helena!

If I were not already towering over everyone then I would rock these. But I already get a backache bending down to chat with short folks at gatherings when I wear two-inch heels.

Did the lone black couple have to be so stereotypical?

I’ve become a huge Vince Vaughn fan over the years so when the opportunity came to check out his new flick Couples Retreat last night, I jumped at it. I liked what I saw in the trailer and once I was at the theater I screamed with laughter. The script was a little disjointed but what do you expect?

The only thing that really bothered me is how the lone black couple was portrayed.  The man (Faizon Love) was grossly overweight, broke and had bad credit. His PYT was ghet-toe, 20 years old, worked at Foot Locker, was the only woman shown cursing and let it be known that she gets around with older men. I know it’s progress that a black couple was even cast in this movie for race was not relevant and I did not see a minority face during the 15 minutes worth of trailers of upcoming movies shown before Couples Retreat. And I’m not saying that every on-screen black couple has to be as idyllic as Cliff and Clair Huxtable or Barack and Michelle Obama, but it seems like there should be an in between, especially when the lone minority couple is featured so prominently and none of the three white couples shared the negative profile of Faizon and his lady (Kali Hawk). The only other black person with a speaking role was Faizon’s estranged on-screen wife (Tasha Smith), who has a small part near the end.

I have close friends of all races, in all shapes and sizes and whose credit ratings range from poor to outstanding with ethnicity not being a factor. I only wish that my diverse world was reflected more on the big screen. Or am I being too sensitive to this lack of balance? Did you see the movie? What did you think?

Am I an alphanista?

I know I should be working or coloring my hair but my mind keeps wandering back to an email my friend Carol sent me the other day. It read:

Are you on this distribution list. I think of you every time I read the blogs of other women… You are after all an alphanista!

I had never heard of the word “alphanista.” Self-explanatory as it was, I couldn’t help but click on alphanista.com to see just what it’s all about. As it turns out the site, dedicated to the alpha female perspective, is the brainchild of an author, Maryann Reid. On her about page, she writes:

Alphanista™ focuses on provocative content that you won’t normally find on other blogs.  Known as someone whose opinion differs from the masses, I wanted a site where people can come to and breathe.   Understand that they are not alone, that it is okay not to be perfect, or follow a set of etiquette rules for achieving success.  Topics covered include dating, relationships, sex, careers, food, news, and any little thing that can spark new thought or perspective.  So many times, what we read is about how to be perfect, how to change ourselves, when in reality life will always be a continuous process of change.  It won’t ever stop.  You can come here for fresh ideas on how to keep moving your life forward from where you are right now by focusing on the “alpha” or stronger self inside you.  You’ll also find stuff to make you angry and laugh at the same time.

Alphanista™ started as an idea when friends and I kept complaining about the same  ‘ole magazine articles and wanted something provocative.  How many times are you going to be told, “Make This Your Best Year Ever!” when you just really want to make it the best day ever.   I’ll take the best day because everything begins in the present.  I don’t want to delay my good.  I want it today.  Or what about “Become A New You!”?  What if you like “you” and you just want to know how to get along better with her?

Through research, I found out that other women were getting bored and uninspired, too. Just interviewing women, I learned that there was a crop of them who would never read those magazine articles because they’ve been there, done that.  They want more meat to chew on.  Yes, sometimes you sleep with the boss because you want to.  Grown folks do, what grown folks do.  Yes, sometimes you get pregnant by mistake.  Yes, sometimes you just want to be left alone.  Yes, sometimes you want to move to Italy, eat cheese and flirt with Italian men.  Yes, sometimes you’re in love with the wrong person.  Yes, sometimes, your mouth gets you into trouble.  Yes, sometimes you just don’t know anymore.  That when bad things happen, it doesn’t mean it’s the end, but the very beginning of something new.  Alphanista™ is about taking risks, walking the path less traveled, and defining life on your own terms making new rules all the way.

Let’s see now,  I’ve never slept with a boss but then again I’ve never worked for David Letterman or a politician. I’ve moved to Italy, eaten cheese and flirted with Italian men but where did that two-year stint get me? More entrenched in life as a singleton. Why didn’t I marry a Count? Ah yes, because one stood me up on my birthday. My mouth (or sometimes my fingers with email) have gotten me into trouble.  And there are a lot of times I just don’t know, although for many years it seemed like I knew everything. What happened?

So I guess I am an alphanista. Love the new term! Kind of like a fashionista with substance and control. Thanks Carol!

Pigging out but avoiding the pig

I’m just home from the American Wine & Food Festival.  The first thing I did when I walked through my door was turn on ESPN to catch up on  today’s college football games scores (congrats Trojans!!!). With nothing else on until the 11 p.m. news, I decided to watch the Food Network for the first time ever. REALLY.

I know there are many people addicted to the Network. People who have no interest in cooking find it therapeutic to watch cooking shows and they’re chef groupies. I’ve been a foodie for years, have written about fine dining trends for a couple of years, co-host a food-related radio show and have attended a few food festivals over the years. But I have never felt any more compelled to watch chefs cook on television just like I’ve never had a desire to watch my favorite clothing designers sketch any designs. Just give me the finished product, whether a dish or a dress, and that’s the best way to satisfy me.

I do love to get to know the chefs and was in heaven at tonight’s event, held at Universal Studios Backlot to benefit Meals on Wheels programs of Los Angeles through the Puck Lazaroff Foundation. I couldn’t help but gush when I saw Nobu Matsuhisa. That’s him above (right). I told him how honored I was to eat a spicy tuna roll personally rolled by him. And he truly seemed to appreciate my comment. Then I had two of his Kobe beef tacos and a chunk of black miso cod. I had a time getting Laurent Tourondel to remember me. Then I reminded him that I gave him hotel suggestions for Antibes and he remembered our exact meeting at one of his New York eateries. Wolfgang Puck asked if I had grown taller since he last saw me in his Spago Beverly Hills restaurant three weeks ago. He’ll never forget me. He had so many restaurants set up that I can’t remember what I had at which one but everything was sensational. I introduced myself to Patina’s Joachim Splichal and told him I’ve quoted him before in my stories. “Quote me again,” he said, handing me his card before I gobbled down his oh-so-fab ravioli with mango. I recognized Thomas Keller, whose mussels, clams and Louisiana sweet shrimp were so delicious, although he doesn’t have his name on his chef’s jacket like most others. And as much as I think he’s a rock star in the kitchen, I didn’t introduce myself to him. I only wanted his food. I wanted to meet Gino Angelini just because he’s Italian but I was pretty full by the time I found his station and wasn’t in the mood to chat.

By then, I was ready to go home having eaten more meat than I should have considering I just finished 10 days on the Master Cleanser. But I did avoid all wine and pork, including this little fella:

You can’t cheat the Master Cleanser

In case you’ve wondered how come I haven’t Twittered or Tweeted about or posted a photo of my latest, greatest dish while on L.A.’s dining scene, it’s because I haven’t eaten since Tuesday. Well, that’s not entirely true.

I started Stanley Burroughs’ Master Cleaner, a.k.a the Lemonade Diet, last Wednesday so I could get rid of my nagging belly — again. I did it two years ago and loved the results. And I was soooo good two years ago. I never cheated. This time? Well, not so much.

Day 1: I grew a little hungry at night and since I hate to throw food away with so many formerly middle-class people starving these days, I decided to have the last tomato and avocado in the house. I drizzled a little olive oil over it and that was it.

Day 2: I grew a little hungry at night while reading. I had to interview Isadore Sharp, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Four Seasons  Hotels and Resorts, the next morning at 8 o’clock and figured it would be wise for me to read his book, which was quite fascinating, in its entirety. Ever trying reading a 278-page book in one sitting without eating? It’s hard. A third of the way through I went to the kitchen and microwaved a small bag of popcorn.  Two-thirds of the way through, I went back in the kitchen and found a small box of raisins. As I neared the end of the book, I wanted to jump in my car and go through the drive-thru at the 24-hour McDonald’s near my house even though it was 1 a.m. But I reached deep down and found my discipline. I could deal with cheating with a 100-calorie package of popcorn and 130-calorie box of raisins. I would have beaten myself up if I ate Mickey D French fries and a cheeseburger while trying to cleanse.

Day 3: I grew a little hungry at night. By now I figured if I just stuck to the box of raisins and maybe added a handful of raw almonds that my stomach would still be flat in a few more days. So I indulged.

Day 4: Now I was hungry during the day.  No surprise considering I went to the gym in the morning and did 20 minutes of ab work then a 60-minute turbo kickboxing class. Maybe it was imagination but while watching myself in the mirror at the gym, I think I saw the abs I’ve known all along were hiding under my belly fat. Hoorah! I was on my way. When I got home, I knew I’d be on my feet for a concert all night and figured, well, maybe I should have my box of raisins and TWO handfuls of almonds while I worked on my book in the afternoon instead of waiting until nighttime. So I did. After all, I didn’t want to pass out at Common’s concert and have to have that hunk of a man give me mouth-to-mouth.

Day 5: By now I’m convinced I have completely fooled the Master Cleanser. I ate two boxes of raisins and two handfuls of almonds while writing.

Day 6: Today is the day I should have a flat belly, based on how long it took me to achieve my desired results the last time I did this crazy thing. I got up this morning, looked in the mirror and gasped. I look like I’m five months pregnant again! Where did this belly come from? I’ve eaten nothing except an avocado, a tomato, a small package of popcorn, a few boxes of raisins and maybe a cup or two of almonds since Wednesday. I haven’t consumed any alcohol since the pomegranate margaritas at Rosa Mexicano’s a week ago. Only water, my lemonade concoction and my morning salted water for cleansing purposes.

Now I’m back to where I started and I’ve learned my lesson. This morning I vowed to be good. When darkness falls tonight, I am not giving in to cravings. I put the remaining raw almonds and raisins in the cabinet so I can’t see them. I was looking forward to getting off the Master Cleanser on Wednesday but judging by the way I look, I think I better stay on until Thursday or Friday.

Of course Saturday I’ll be at Wolfgang Puck’s annual American Wine & Food Festival at the back lot at Universal. I doubt any of the booths will have raw almonds and raisins but I’ll eat wisely. Or at least I’ll try. For now, it’s time for another glass of lemonade.

Lamar and Khloe’s wedding shamamony

After waking up to overcast skies, it appears that today is going to be another gorgeous day in L.A. The perfect kind of day for a wedding. But not for Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian!! Someone please stop these two from making perhaps the biggest mistake of their young lives.

It’s not that I don’t believe in love at first sight. I do. I know there are couples out there that have celebrated golden anniversaries although the husband and wife barely knew each other when they wed. But I am most positive the husband did not play in the NBA and the wife was not well, just what is it that Khloe does? Ah yes, she stars in a reality show with her sisters.

For the life of me, I can’t figure out what these two gain from this sham of a marriage. From what I understand, Lamar wants to get into entertainment. Okay, I get that. So did Rick Fox. That’s why he chose less money to come play for the Los Angeles Lakers and it probably had something to do with him marrying Vanessa Williams. I give it to Rick though. He married a woman who has something going on although it probably didn’t last because it’s just hard for pro athletes to resist the temptation surrounding them.

Khloe Kardashian? Lamar, what are you thinking? Lamar Odom? Khloe, what are you thinking? I’ve only chatted with Lamar once and we didn’t talk long enough for me to find out if he’s a bright guy but if he goes through with today’s vows then I’ll have my answer. I’ve never talked to Khloe. I ran into her in the bathroom at an event last year but didn’t chat with her. I completely ignored her while I fawned over her beautiful sister Kim. And maybe that’s the problem.

My neighbor Angela brought up a good point as we discussed the so-called happy couple as we walked home from the gym yesterday. Angela figures this marriage is a way for Khloe to step out of Kim’s oh-so-gorgeous shadow and finally capture some attention. Big sis Kourtney is knocked up so she’ll be in the news for a while. Kim, who already has been down the wedding aisle with record producer Damon Thomas, has firmly made a name for herself in the celeb world after dating Ray J and Reggie Bush. And then there’s Khloe, the least unattractive of the clan and who has been lost in the shuffle until now. Posing nude for a PETA ad didn’t give her enough attention.

I just figure there has to be a better way than jumping into a marriage with a guy, an NBA player at that, whom you hardly know. Even if he is a wealthy guy. Khloe is playing beat the clock since the Lakers’ training camp opens in a couple of days. I can understand not wanting to marry a guy while his season is in progress, but would it have been wrong to wait until AFTER the season? Maybe Lamar would have come to his senses by then or fallen in love with one of the many women chasing him around L.A. and on the road.  Has there even been time to draw up a proper prenup? Don’t ask Kobe Bryant, the best man at today’s shamamony. Kobe went against the wishes of his family and married Vanessa — and I think without a prenup. His stubbornness cost Kobe his immediate family for a while but Kobe and Vanessa are still going strong thanks in part to a $4.3 million, 8 ct. purple diamond ring he bought her as a guilt, er, gift, after his sexual assault scandal.

Lamar said he was more mature after his tragically losing an infant son in 2006. Could have fooled me. Liza Morales, who gave birth to three children by Lamar, including the one who died of SIDS, said she and everybody is shocked by Lamar and Khloe tying the knot. He was always a commitment-phobe. Well, not anymore. Though I for one think he should have remained one.

Let’s just hope the soon-to-be newlyweds have the good sense not to bring a child into this world until they celebrate their three-year anniversary. How long will  you give this marriage?

We have lobster clam bakes in L.A. too!

I went to my first clam bake Wednesday night and I didn’t even have to board a flight to Martha’s Vineyard. Surprisingly, it took place right here in downtown Los Angeles at the fabulous Water Grill, my fave seafood restaurant.

The restaurant recently launched its Sunday Lobster Clam Bake and I was included in the lucky group of media  invited to sample the menu, as well as some of the new items on the lunch menu.

We began the evening with Chef David LeFevre, a “seafood geek,” demonstrating how to delicately remove the uni from a sea urchin (above photo).

The sea urchin with ponzu sauce was to-die-for.

Then he taught us how to tell the difference between oysters from the Pacific and the East coast. I used to be a huge fan of raw oysters but a few years ago decided I had had enough of the slimy creatures and stopped eating them raw though continued to eating them cooked. Two years ago when I was in Knysna, which I think is the oyster capital of South Africa, I felt compelled to eat the raw little devils again. I can’t say I missed them. Then last night I decided to give them another go and now can’t figure out why I initially had stopped eating them. These were just scrumptious! (Sorry no photo.) I guess I just needed a break. The same thing happened when I moved to Italy. I ate so much prosciutto during my first year in bella Italia that there came a time when I literally started to gag when I tried to eat the meat. I can now enjoy prosciutto again, just like raw oysters. But I digress.

Next we moved on to the shrimp.

I know lobster rolls are huge in the Northeast but I don’t come across many places in this area that offer them. Now they’re on the lunch menu here.

Finally it was time for the Lobster Clam Bake. Considering the high quality of the seafood at this restaurant, the three-course meal is quite a good bargain for $55.00, even in today’s economy. While some people may think a starter salad is unnecessary, the black river Gorgonzola and peach salad I had was quite magnificent. I gobbled it down before taking a photo.

Then came the stars of the show: a one and one-quarter lb. lobster, so succulent and cooked to perfection

And the dish of clams, mussels, Weiser farm potatoes, sweet corn, carrots and linguica, which I couldn’t stop eating.

I opted for the homemade root beer float over the strawberry rhubarb cobbler with vanilla ice cream and was pleasantly pleased. Chef David makes his own root beer. Now that’s impressive. I didn’t try the cookies. After all, the Emmys are Sunday and I have to fit comfortably into my outfit.