L’origine du monde

I happened across this "only in Paris" moment captured on a Parisian English-language blog, and had to share. A mural-sized and EDIBLE version of Gustave Courbet's "L’origine du monde", considered "the artistic gold standard of female genetalia portraiture" has been installed in Paris by the artistic duo Zoom. It is a highly pixelated version of the painting composed of dark and white chocolate, cheese and bread. Inspired by the 1866 original hanging nearby in the Musee d'Orsay, the artists wanted to "titillate ALL the senses while experiencing art." It's hard to improve upon such a celebrated piece, especially such a beautiful form, but chocolate always adds a certain thrill...! Check out the video below that accompanies a serendipitous meeting.

Ode to Cheese

Went to Andrew's Cheese Shop on Montana yesterday for the first time, and fell in love. Both Andrew and his many cheeses are so delightful, and I'll be going back soon!

I got some cheese to go with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon I had and those chocolate caramels with the salt on top. I think they are made in Seattle. Anyway, the cheese is of the Langres variety and here's what the little notecard Andrew gave me reads:

"Very rare washed-rind cow's milk cheese from Champagne, France. Pretty flavors of fried eggs and butter. Dump some Champagne into the concave top before you eat this cheese if you want to freak out."

Ah, who doesn't want to 'freak out' over cheese?! Andrew is a doll - he even makes his own mozzarella. I'll be going back for some of that...

Today I was running errands for work around Cedars and stopped into Petrossian for lunch. I've been meaning to go there for a while now, and knew the minute I took a look at the menu that I was in heaven - I ordered the 321 Salad with smoked salmon, avocados and burrata. Splendid!! Savored every bite. Kind of pricey, but so worth it. It felt so decadent for lunch, especially when a chocolate truffle preceded the bill.

Los Angeles, I love you.

Food-Related Thoughts

Picked up a short stack of peanut butter cookies at Malibu Kitchen today... almost $6! They were good, but for some reason, I always leave MK a little unsettled. Not the best customer experience... Everything in there is overpriced. It has the potential to be a nice spot, but for whatever reason, the management doesn't really work to promote an atmosphere conducive for hanging out... I always just want to get in and out and not linger on the patio area.

Before this, I had a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich at Coogies (having abandoned my plan to attend the Grilled Cheese Invitational). It was good, but reinforced my position on sourdough bread - Somehow or other, sourdough deviates from the typical bread experience... it's not yummy and I would never eat it in a bread basket. My waitress was nice, though, and I read "Still Life With Woodpecker" while I waited. It's windy and a little chilly today, though, so I didn't linger long there, either.

Thursday I had "Sunny Toast" at Banquette Cafe on Main St. downtown before going to the Nokia Theater. It was cozy and surprisingly bustling. And, they serve breakfast food all day!

400 South Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013-1314 - (213) 626-2768

I did end up going to CorkBar, and while my wine was good (I got something red from Justin) and the mac n cheese was terrific, I didn't really like the neighborhood. It's in the generic part of downtown right by Staples and it's mostly surrounded with faceless newer buildings and men overzealously directing you to their $7 parking lot. I prefer the areas from Spring to Main and 5th to 7th.

Little Radio is planning to have regular programming in the theater on Main and talk of opening a cafe is in the works. I think that would be really cool! Hope it goes through.

Food/Freshie places I want to check out

So far my list of places to check out includes:

1. Ice Pan, West Hollywood | www.icepanusa.com

Review: Amazing! You get to pick the type of "milk" it's made from... whether it's whole, 2%, non-fat or soy. Then you get to pick the flavor and what toppings/add-ins you want. On my first visit, which was very pleasant (1st hour free parking in the lot off of SM Blvd. in Weho), I had banana flavored soy milk with almond slivers and chocolate chips. As they were making it, the nice girl at the counter offered to add fresh strawberries (I accepted) and even chocolate or carmel syrup on top (I passed) for free! Not only was it soooo tasty, it's actually good for you, too! I wish there was a location on the Westside... though it is definitely worth the drive. :) Thanks to Jenna Phillips for recommending!

2. Funnel Mill, Santa Monica | www.funnelmill.com

Haven't been yet, but I looove tea and I always like to try new kinds. Thanks to GreenLAgirl for recommending!

3. Bubalus Bubalis Mozzarella, Gardena | www.realmozzarella.com

Have been meaning to check this place out! It's the only factory that makes Buffalo Mozzarella in the United States! I believe it's sold at various stores and restaurants, but I kind of want to check out the factory... I wonder if it's open to tours. Rather inconveniently though, I have given up dairy for Lent.... partially for Lent and partially to see whether I have a food allergy (I'm a bad Catholic). But - I wonder if buffalo milk counts as dairy? Does goat milk? What's the concensus here?

4. Huckleberry Cafe & Bakery, Santa Monica | www.huckleberrycafe.com

This place JUST opened and it sounds wonderfully fabulous! Can't wait to try all their delicious pastries. Thanks to Tiffany Stone for reminding me to check it out... and Daily Candy!