Note: I post daily (@MyLastBite) on snapchat, instagram, twitter and facebook!
I@MyLastBite My Last Bite Food Travel Writer Blogger Jo Stougaard
Tag Archives: food
American Airlines New 1st Class Menu
Last week American Airlines (AA) invited me to an exclusive menu tasting in Texas. They have new, seasonal food and wine menus rolling out in July for selected Domestic and Transcontinental First Class Flights, as well as new snacks in their Flagship Lounges.
The event took place at LSG Sky Chefs in Irving which is near the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (AA HQ). Along with media were several of the airlines most loyal frequent flyers, who were on hand to share their input. The fun kicked off with a round of champagne as we listened to airline executives talk about improvements for the AA passenger experience.
I was surprised to see a familiar face as we began tasting food. Celebrity Chef Sam Choy was there showcasing his new transcontinental menu, which included spicy crab, steamed sea bass and wagyu meatloaf (photos below). AA wine consultant Ken Chase entertained all with his spirited presentation, and noted how important it is for wines to compliment the regions where AA travels (Malbec in Argentina for example), and that it also exposes passengers to new wines as well. His pro tip: To stay hydrated while flying, drink three glasses of water per one glass of wine.
I travel often, and when I visit my folks in Scotland I usually fly economy. American Airlines is a partner to British Airways, so at least one of my flights (either to or from London) are on AA. If I get the chance for an upgrade (it happens!), it’ll be interesting to experience it all with a new point of view. The majority of the dishes I tasted were fantastic and I’d happily order them in a restaurant. Only one seemed overly salty, which is normal (in food prep) when serving at 30,000 feet since “taste buds and sense of smell are the first thing to go”. I did mention it and was told they are still working on adjustments.
As the only L.A.-based writer invited, I was asked to simply share the experience on social media, which I did on twitter, instagram and facebook. The new American Airlines campaign is called #GoingForGreat, and my main takeaway from the afternoon was a truly sincere effort by the AA team.
Photos:
Menu
Peruvian Causa with west coast Dungeness crab, ahi amarillo, basil and cilantro oil (South America Flagship Lounge Snack)
Mac & Cheese Fritters (North America Flagship Lounge Snack)
Edamame Hummus w toasted garlic baguettes by Chef Sam Choy (Transcontinental 1st class)
Steamed Sea Bass with soy glaze and ginger cilantro pesto rice by Chef Sam Choy (Transcontinental 1st class)
Spicy Crab w sushi rice, avocado and wasabi aioli by Chef Sam Choy (Transcontinental 1st class)
Wagyu Meatloaf with sriracha ketchup, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and candied onions by Chef Sam Choy (Transcontinental 1st class)
Vegetarian option: Lentil Chili, Polenta Cake (Domestic 1st class)
Shrimp & Grits (Domestic 1st class)
Beef Filet, Lobster Mac & Cheese (Domestic 1st class)
This paired so well with the Malbec (Domestic 1st class)
Salted Caramel Ice Cream (Domestic 1st class)
Wine tasting
American Airlines Wine Consultant Ken Chase
Chef Sam Choy! We totally bonded over our love for Okinawa (my birthplace).
Thank you for having me American Airlines!
Event date was June 22, 2015. All photos here.
Round trip flights from Los Angeles to Dallas were provided by American Airlines.
I met some really nice folks at the event, including Benet Wilson and Jeanne Hoffman. Read Benet’s recap of the event Airways News. Jeanne blogs at Le Chic Geek.
Filed under Travel
Josef Centeno Crawl
Peter and I both love chef Josef Centeno‘s cooking. With four restaurants in downtown L.A., we often have a hard time deciding which one to eat at. There’s Baco Mercat (home of the bäco) and Bar Ama (with the best queso in town). High-end Orsa & Winston is currently offering a fantastic Yakitori-Ya menu (through March 2). Josef’s newest eatery, Ledlow, recently won a rave Jonathan Gold review. All the restaurants are within walking distance of each other at 4th and Main, and all are simply fantastic.
After twenty years together, it’s not easy to surprise my husband of 18 years. But for his birthday last month, with the help of Josef and his fiancee (my friend) Betty Hallock, we did just that. I joked to Betty that I wished I could take Peter to all of Josef’s restaurants for his birthday and she said they had actually been thinking of organizing a restaurant crawl.
I was thrilled when Josef offered to select the evening’s menu, which included two dishes and a drink at each location. To make things easier, since it was four different kitchens and staff, I paid for the evening ahead of time and left a tip at each (45 minute) stop. Many thanks to Betty and Josef for helping me surprise Peter!
Photos from our December 2014 “Centeno Crawl” below:
STOP 1: Bäco Mercat
Peter was shocked and so thrilled to find the first “Happy Birthday, Peter” menu waiting at our first stop, which was Baco Mercat.
The Moxie Cocktail at Baco Mercat: Bourbon, cynar, lime juice, agave, mole bitters.
Caesar Brussels Sprouts with Pecorino, Anchovy, Garlic at Baco Mercat.
Hamachi Crudo, Avocado, Hash Brown, Abkhazian Chile Spice at Baco Mercat.
STOP 2: Orsa & Winston
The menu waiting at Orsa & Winston.
Breakfast In A Shell with Coddled Egg, Pancetta, maple syrup at Orsa and Winston.
Satsuki Rice with Parmesan Cream, Geoduck and Uni at Orsa & Winston.
Clos du Tue Boeuf Chenin Blanc at Orsa & Winston.
STOP 3: Bar Ama
Peter’s birthday menu at Bar Ama (stop 3).
The Nacho Cocktail (tequila blanco, chile-lime shrub, campari, citrus, honey) at Bar Ama.
Slow Roasted Beef Belly with Pomegranate, Cotija and Tomatillo at Bar Ama.
“Mom’s Green Enchiladas” with Tomatillo & Chicken at Bar Ama.
STOP 4: Ledlow
Final stop for birthday cake & soufflé at Ledlow.
Grand Marnier Soufflé at Ledlow.
Pastry chef Margeaux Aragon made a birthday cake too! Chocolate Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting at Ledlow.
20 Years Together (we met in Nov 1994). Happiness Selfie (Dec 2014).
Filed under Eating Out
Terrine Brasserie Opens 12/12/14
Read my report at the L.A. Times here:
Filed under Eating Out, L.A. Times
Mac-O-Licious (Scouting Report)
It’s TRUE… there’s a Mac and Cheese restaurant in the San Fernando Valley!
Read my scouting report in the L.A. Times
Filed under Eating Out, L.A. Times
Perfecto Rocher’s Paella
I can’t stop thinking about this lobster paella by Perfect Rocher. It’s only available on Sundays at Smoke, Oil, Salt on Melrose in Hollywood.
Read Jonathan Gold’s review here, and do go if you’ve never had authentic paella. It’s simply life-changing!
Paella de Llamatol with Patagonia Shrimp, Garlic Lemon Aioli, Bomba
Photo by Jo Stougaard
Filed under Eating Out, Little Bites
My Delicious Summer Read
I first read it on my iPad (the moment it was released)…
Then again when the hardcover arrived…
At a recent book signing, I picked up another copy as a gift…
Where I inadvertantly discovered my new favorite taco…
It was a magical (though scorching) afternoon sipping chilled rosé with the author…
and a few friends…
I even got to discuss my “fantasy cast” (Emma Stone should play Billie Breslin!)…
And talk about how the book hit so close to home…
Delicious! A Novel by Ruth Reichl is a wonderful, heartwarming and FUN summer read (and yes, I’m reading it again)!
More photos from the book party.
About the book:
Billie Breslin has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at Delicious!, New York’s most iconic food magazine. Away from her family, particularly her older sister, Genie, Billie feels like a fish out of water—until she is welcomed by the magazine’s colorful staff. She is also seduced by the vibrant downtown food scene, especially by Fontanari’s, the famous Italian food shop where she works on weekends. Then Delicious! is abruptly shut down, but Billie agrees to stay on in the empty office, maintaining the hotline for reader complaints in order to pay her bills. (more on RuthReichl.com)
Follow @RuthReichl on twitter
Filed under Little Bites
Tipple & Brine
My latest Jonathan Gold scouting report is up on L.A. Times! Tipple & Brine is a terrific new spot in Sherman Oaks. Read my report (with photos) here.
All my Tipple & Brine photos here.
Links to my other scouting reports here.
Filed under Eating Out, L.A. Times, Little Bites
Orsa & Winston
My Orsa & Winston scouting report for Jonathan Gold and the L.A. Times is here. All photos on Flickr. Enjoy!
Filed under Eating Out, L.A. Times, Little Bites
Chef Ludo’s New Show!
What a lineup! Ludo stars along with two of my long-time culinary heroes… BOURDAIN and NIGELLA!
Four culinary masters get down to what really matters, The Taste! Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre & Brian Malarkey will each coach a team of 4 cooks, consisting of professional chefs and home cooks whom they will hand pick based on a blind taste challenge. Throughout the season, their mentors will prepare them for challenges in creating dishes that will ultimately be judged by the superstar chefs in blind taste tests. One cook will be left standing to take home The Taste trophy along with a new Ford C-Max and $100,000!
Premieres Tuesday, January 22 at 8|7c on ABC!
LudoBitches will be live-tweeting during each episode. Follow us at @LudoBitches!
Follow The Taste on Twitter
Follow Ludo on Twitter
Follow Bourdain on Twitter
Follow Nigella on Twitter
Follow Brian on Twitter
Photos via The Taste
Filed under Little Bites
my last bite... 