High-end restaurants on a tightrope of economic uncertainty Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Celebrity chefs behind Melisse, Anisette, Craft and other deluxe dining spots try to lure recession-wary diners.
PEOPLE always have to eat, but do they have to dine out? That's the question Southern California's top chefs are facing after the last few weeks of grim economic news.
Mix and match to create a spice blend all your own Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Whether it's a Cajun or charmoula combination, add a fresh dimension to a traditional blend of herbs and spices with your own flavor pairings.
Bold Cajun blends, Chinese five-spice powder, Caribbean jerk, garam masala garam masala from India, Middle Eastern baharat , Thai green curry paste -- each of these blends of spices and herbs has its origins as a cornerstone of a regional cuisine. Traditionally developed over time and honed through generations, spice blends are calculated combinations of fresh or dry ingredients that create a symphony of flavors. Walk the spice aisle of any store and commercial variations abound.
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Sorry, Charlie, but your Costa Mesa restaurant needs help.
Dear Mr. Palmer: I've recently dined at Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza several times and I'd like to suggest that before planning further expansion of your empire, you might want to get your new Southern California restaurant onto a more secure footing.