The Sensitive Baker

I checked out a brand new bakery in Culver City today called The Sensitive Baker. The word Sensitive refers to gluten allergies. All baked pastries are gluten, dairy and wheat free. I think this shop will be a heaven for those whose bodies cannot tolerate gluten. The selection was sparse, but she had many items on the cooling rack ready to go on display. I bought 2 cupcakes, chocolate and coconut. The chocolate was good (considering there is no wheat flour in it – apparently some of the flour substitutes they use include rice flour and tapioca flour). The cake was dense, and only slightly sweet. The coconut was the better of the two. The vanilla cake was much lighter, with a less dense crumb and the frosting was just sweet enough. I also sampled a piece of bread, which had the appearance, flavor and texture very similar to brioche. It was quite enjoyable – I can only imagine how wonderful it would taste to one who has had to omit wheat flour from their diet. The pastries I sampled reminded me of pastries from Mani’s (sugar-free) Bakery; you know there is something different about them, but you enjoy them anyway. If you do not have any wheat sensitivities, I encourage you to try this bakery just for the adventure of trying something new.



The Sensitive Baker
10836 1/2 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310-815-1800

Father's Office in Culver City - Coming Soon, Part 3

Sign's up! Ground broken! I took a peek inside and it will be much larger than the original in Santa Monica.

My Favorite Tarte

DJ Olsen at Lou makes the most wonderful zucchini tarte. He starts with a pate brisee, adds a layer of a ricotta mixture, sliced zucchini and goat cheese. Wonderful, buttery, cheesy goodness. Try to have just one.

Lou
724 N Vine St
Hollywood, Ca 90038

My Favorite Breakfast

My favorite breakfast is called the Petite Breakfast, served at Metro Cafe. It is two pieces of toasted baguette with a hint of garlic, topped with soft scrambled egg, Parmesan cheese and a sprinkling of walnuts. So good.

Metro Cafe
11188 Washington Place
Culver City, CA 90232

K&L Grand Opening Event

Last Saturday I assisted my friend, DJ Olsen, executive chef at a Lou (a wine bar on Melrose and Vine with a small, carefully crafted menu, including prix fixe dinners on Monday nights), prepare and serve some hors d'oeuvres at K&L Wine Merchant's grand opening wine-tasting party. Participants milled about in a tent set up in the parking lot, and sampled generous pours of many wines, nibbled on (actually, devoured) cheeses and meats from The Cheese Store, Off Vine, and our offerings. We served a green peppercorn and pistachio pate (that DJ makes in-house) with wild arugula and radish, wild salmon gravlax on dilled cucumber, and pizzettas with Sicilian tomatoes, mushrooms, goat cheese and smoked mozzarella, which disappeared within one minute out of the oven. I kept cutting thinner and thinner slices, but they still flew faster than I could cook them.





Lou
724 Vine St
Hollywood, CA 90038
323-962-6939

K&L Wine Merchants
1400 Vine St.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-464-WINE

Lunch in Taormina

Taormina was my favorite town we saw on the island of Sicily. Nestled on the northeast coast, it is Sicily's answer to the Amalfi Coast. Tiny streets, steep incline, beautiful views from any point, and many charming restaurants, including the best pizza we ate on this trip. Here are photos from one lunch we had in Taormina. Tuna tartare with olive oil and blood orange, gnocchi, pasta alla Norma, squid ink pasta, and a digestivo of grappa.