beverly hills

Located on Beverly Blvd, Hatfield's is the product of husband and wife team, Quinn and Karen. My friend and I decided to check it out after reading some buzz about the chefs in a magazine article. Reservations are required, as the restaurant can only accommodate about 50 diners, inside and out.

To start, they brought out English pea soup with tarragon and deviled eggs with smoked trout to sample. Both were tasty and in just the right amount. Next came the rolls--perfectly buttered and toasted with Emmentaler, my new favorite cheese. The very attentive and knowledgeable staff answered all of my questions, even about the items not listed on the menu.

We had a hard time deciding what to order. Nothing on the menu really jumped out at us. My friend was going to order the market menu, which is a fixed three-course meal that changes weekly. That is, until our server told us that pork belly, the main entree, was marbled fat. That didn't sound very appetizing, so she ordered the foie gras and rack of lamb instead. We weren't crazy about either one. The foie gras was baked and lacked the strong flavor that we're used to and she didn't care for the date and mint glaze. We both loved the croque madame. The contrast of crispy toast with ham, cheese, and raw hamachi was delicious and satisfying. With all the dishes, the elements tasted better eaten together than individually. The first bite of my hanger steak was mediocre. This was disappointing because the first bite of steak is usually the best, but I found it much tastier when I ate it with the pearl onions and pureed smoked potatoes. I have to learn how to make those potatoes, yum!

We couldn't leave without sampling one of Karen's desserts. We ordered the peanut butter truffle cake. This rich cake oozed with runny peanut butter sauce. She does not skimp on taste; every flavor was distinctive. We liked it very much, but were not able to finish it before the salted caramel ice-cream melted. Overall, it was a very good meal, but not worth the price. I can see why Taste-Buzz recommends it as a detour and not a destination.

spotting my doppelganger

There's someone running around with my face. Yesterday, I met a guy at work who asked if we had met before. I hadn't, but I looked familiar to him. Then, that evening, a girl asked me if I went to her high school. I said no and she turned bright red. Poor thing. I don't know why she was embarrassed. I told her people ask me that All The Time. Once, this guy told me I looked like one of his friends. He showed me a picture. I didn't think I looked like her, but she was cute, so I wasn't offended. He said maybe it's because I have a classic Chinese face. What's that? Round?

Another time, I was on a road trip with my family. We stopped at a fast food place in Truckee. When I came out of the restroom, my brother said, "What, you're here? I thought you were over there! There's a girl who looks just like you!" Later, "Look over there! It's your evil twin." My other brother quipped, "I think [Amysan's] the evil one."

So, have you seen her?

ojai

I had heard of Ojai from the show "Brothers & Sisters," but had never been until now. On Saturday, I attended the wedding of one of my dear friends from high school. It was a beautiful sunset ceremony overlooking the valley. Short and sweet, just the way I like it :). Two classical guitarists performed the accompaniment. It was so fitting and lovely. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour and reception. Dinner and dancing with my friends. Always a good time.

mushroom risotto on a bed of spinach was served before the salad

mystic tanning

To prepare for my friend's wedding, I went to get some color. Growing up in southern CA, I had my share of UV rays, so now I stay out of the sun and/or wear sunblock. This accounts for my translucent skin.

Anyway, I love mystic tanning! No UV rays and no tan lines ;). The first time I went, I was very impressed. The lady was professional and informative over the phone. She told me that before I came, I should exfoliate and moisturize from head to toe. Dry areas, like elbows and knees, absorb more tanning solution. The whole point is to tan more evenly, so you don't want some parts looking darker than others. On the initial visit, the place I go to gives a questionnaire about skin type, how sensitive you are to the sun, etc. I think this applies more to the tanning beds. For the mystic tan, they show a video demonstrating the process. You undress and put on a cap to cover your hair, apply lotion to some areas so that they don't absorb as much tanning solution, such as toes, cuticles, in between the toes, tops of feet (due to gravity, a lot of solution ends up on the tops of feet), fingers, and palms. Some people use goggles and nose plugs, though they may leave tan lines. You go into an enclosed space, like a shower stall, push the green button, and a mist sprays out moving from top to bottom. It stops, you turn around, and the spray continues to cover your back side. Everyone asks me if it's like what happened to Ross on "Friends." I don't know. I haven't seen that episode, but I heard it was hilarious. After you step out of the booth, you pat dry any excess solution and lotion. The second time I went, the entire process took only about 5 mins. Next time I will use the goggles and put cotton in my nose. The mist lasts for a short period of time, but I can't help feeling like I'm being gassed. Both times I opened my eyes and started sucking in air and solution, bleah. Definitely not recommended for claustrophobics.

There are 3 levels of mystic tanning from which to choose. Level 1 is the lightest ($10), then Level 2 ($20) and 3 ($25 or 30, I forget). I am happy with level 1. Not too dark, just enough to reduce the glare :P. This time, I wasn't very good about exfoliating my hands and feet after I got home, so my cuticles and the dry skin around my thumbs got a little too dark. Oh well. It just looked a little dirty. The tan lasts 3-5 days.

dining in

Yesterday, I went to a tea party. I showed up an hour early by accident, but it worked out because the hostess needed help baking. I started by making the filling for the cupcakes. Neither of us found raspberries at the store, so we substituted with strawberries. People also made apricot, chocolate, and cranberry scones; lemon chiffon bundt cake; biscuits; chicken and spinach wraps; cheese and crackers; and ice cream sandwiches. Delicious!

After that dessertfest, I went to my friends' house for dinner. Steak and grilled veggies. My friend was impressed that I like my steak kinda red. I have become somewhat carnivorous in the last few years. I'm sure I've been influenced by my foodie friends. I once told my cousin about a guy who ordered a steak well-done at dinner. She said, "Ewww, gross! Get rid of him!"


strawberry cream cupcakes. really a fabulous recipe


scone with creme fraise and fruit


the vegetarian option--peppered tofu

her own backyard

I went to my friend's surprise birthday party this weekend. It was gorgeous--complete with a DJ, bartender, goodies from Porto's, flowers, and balloons. We partied like we were 21, though some of us are not as flexible as we once were :).

america

How blessed are we to live in America? In other countries, people are persecuted for their beliefs, but here I'm able to walk into a church I've never visited and worship freely--that is, openly and without cost. Last Friday, I was unable to make the Good Friday service at my regular church, so i went to one on my way home. There were no spoken words used (i.e., no sermon). Instead, there were words projected on two screens, a choir, a ballet dancer, traditional worship songs, a movie clip ("Jesus of Nazareth"?), communion stations; and a guy who, in the span of 2 songs, painted a giant portrait of Jesus on a canvas using his hand as a brush. Under each seat was a pencil and piece of paper on which we wrote a sin we wanted to confess to nail upon a wooden cross. It was contemplative and powerful, a great way to prepare for Easter.

vegas

... you know how the saying goes ...