Culinary SOS: Your recipe requests answered

November 11, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Black bean soup at Las Brisas

Dear SOS: Could you possibly get the recipe for the black bean soup at Las Brisas restaurant in Laguna Beach? They have the most delicious black bean soup I've ever tasted!

November 11, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Petto di pollo con Gorgonzola at La Finestra

Dear SOS: If you could obtain the recipe for chicken Gorgonzola with spinach from La Finestra restaurant, we would be forever grateful. This entree has to be the most delicious chicken recipe ever!

November 4, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Honey-walnut shrimp at Typhoon

Dear SOS: Could you please get us the recipe for the delicious, mouth-watering Honey Shrimp with Walnuts at Typhoon restaurant at Santa Monica Airport? It's to die for.

October 28, 2009

CULINARY SOS

'Gin'-ger basiltini from the Girl & the Fig

Dear SOS: I had the most refreshing cocktail at the Girl & the Fig in Sonoma called a "Gin"-ger basiltini. Described as "cucumber-infused gin, muddled basil, ginger simple syrup & fresh-squeezed lime juice," this would be a delicious brunch libation.

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Lucques' grilled cheese sandwich

Dear SOS: One of my favorite late-night meals has been sitting at the bar at Lucques on Melrose, snacking on the grilled cheese sandwich and washing it down with a gin gimlet. I can make the gimlet but can never duplicate the combination of crispy bread and several cheeses. Help.

October 21, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Curried chickpeas from Joan's on Third

Dear SOS: I am utterly obsessed with the curried chickpeas at Joan’s on Third. They are the best curried chickpeas I've ever had. Every time I go there I order them as part of the salad trio (a selection of three salads from their daily specials on the marketplace menu). I should know by now that I should order just the chickpeas because they're all I ever want to eat (well, that and a number of things from the bakery).

October 14, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Palate's chocolate pudding

Dear SOS: My family had dinner at Palate in Glendale, and it finished on a very high note -- the chocolate pudding. It will be really great if you can get the recipe from Palate.

October 7, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Chilled banana and pistachio rice pudding

Dear SOS: My trips to Santa Barbara are not complete unless I have the rice pudding with bananas and pistachios from Pierre Lafond. I would love the recipe. Hope you can help. Thanks.

September 30, 2009

Recipe: The bacon potato salad at Cole's

Dear SOS: Cole's at 6th and Main streets in historic downtown makes a fantastic bacon potato salad. Can you get the recipe?

September 23, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Euro Pane's lemon squares

Dear SOS: Many lemon bars are either too sweet or much too tangy. Euro Pane's is just the perfect combination. The base is crumbly yet firm. They also serve really large portions. I always love picking up a couple and putting them in the fridge. They taste so much better cold, well at least for me. There have been many times when these bars run out, so I always have to call to make sure they can set aside a couple. I'm sure this bar will become a staple in dessert menus in many homes. It will in mine.

September 16, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Currant scones from La Provence in Beverly Hills

Dear SOS: I discovered the best currant scones at La Provence in Beverly Hills. Even the shape is special: free-form and crispy.

September 9, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Cucumber, pineapple juice and ginger agua fresca from Akasha

Dear SOS: While having a lovely lunch at Akasha, I tried their cucumber, pineapple juice and ginger agua fresca. What a refreshing fabulous drink. Just what you want on a hot summer afternoon.

September 2, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Boudin Bakery's brownies

Dear SOS: Could you possibly get the recipe for the brownies at Boudin Bakery near South Coast Plaza? They are the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted!

August 26, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Ad Hoc's rice with roasted cauliflower

Dear SOS: I'm not a fan of cauliflower, but on a recent trip to Napa I dined at Ad Hoc and had the most amazing side dish of rice with roasted cauliflower. I would love the recipe.

August 19, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Huckleberry's banana poppy seed loaf

Dear SOS: Yesterday was my fourth time to Huckleberry. I am addicted to their daily flatbread. However, I tried the banana poppy seed bread, and I found it quite extraordinary. It's not too sweet.

August 12, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Organic Panificio Cafe's sweet corn and parsnip soup

Dear SOS: The Organic Panificio Cafe in Marina del Rey has a delicious sweet corn and parsnip soup. I ordered a bowl, and when my husband tasted it he ordered one for himself.

August 5, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Stella! Sazerac

Dear SOS: Stella! in New Orleans makes the most divine Sazerac with Cognac and absinthe. The drink is smooth with honey overtones making it a perfect elixir for a hot summer night. I would love to re-create a bit of New Orleans here in L.A. Would you be able to get the recipe?

July 29, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Bin189's red and green Caesar salad

Dear SOS: My husband and I recently went to Lake Arrowhead resort and had a great Caesar salad at Bin 189. My husband loves Caesar salads and will always order it when we eat out. . . . If you could get it that would be great. Thanks!

July 22, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Kaya Toast from Susan Feniger's Street

Dear SOS: A friend of mine and I were extremely lucky to go to Susan Feniger's Street during a soft launch day. The one thing that stands out from that day of culinary exploration was the Kaya toast, a simply toasted piece of white bread topped with the most delectable coconut egg jam/cream we have ever tasted. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a recipe on the Internet for it, but both the source and measurements sound dubious. Please help!

July 15, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Mani's Bakery's high protein muffin

Dear SOS: Have you ever tasted the muffins at Mäni's Bakery on Fairfax Avenue? They are huge, delicious, healthful and so satisfying. There is a particular favorite of mine, a high protein muffin that, when eaten, makes one glow inside and feel healthy all day. Do you think they would share the recipe for home baking? Thank you.

July 8, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Model Bakery's ginger molasses cookie

Dear SOS: There is a wonderful little bakery in St. Helena, Calif., called the Model Bakery. They make a fabulous molasses ginger cookie. Although all their baked goods are terrific, it is that cookie recipe I covet. Here's hoping you can get it for publication.

July 1, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Spicy mac and cheese

Dear SOS: This past week I dined at the Purple Palm restaurant in the Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs. One of their appetizers is "Spicy Macaroni and Cheese."

June 24, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Warm chocolate bread pudding dessert

Dear SOS: Ocean Avenue Seafood in Santa Monica has a delicious warm chocolate bread pudding dessert. Can you get the recipe?

June 17, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Pizzeria Mozza's marinated beets with horseradish

Dear SOS: I've recently fallen in love with beet salads of all kinds, but this beet/horseradish antipasti from Pizzeria Mozza takes the cake. This dish on their menu is called marinated beets with horseradish. If you could help me find this recipe, I would be eternally grateful.

June 10, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Riva's carrot cake

Dear SOS: I'm hoping you can help me get a recipe. We went to the new Santa Monica restaurant Riva last weekend. Dinner was great, but I was particularly impressed by the carrot cake. Normally, carrot cake is dense, but this cake was light but still had that great carrot cake taste.

June 3, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Pizzeria Ortica's budino di cioccolato

Dear SOS: I recently dined at Pizzeria Ortica in Costa Mesa and although the food was delicious, the budino di cioccolato (chocolate creme layered with caramel) was absolutely fabulous. With its creamy layers . . . it was the big star of the night. I would truly appreciate it if you could obtain the recipe for me. Thank you.

May 27, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Cioppino from Castagna restaurant in Portland

Dear SOS: I am a huge fan of cioppino and have tried many versions in restaurants far and wide. But the best Italian fish stew I have ever tasted (which I don't think would qualify as cioppino, as it didn't have a tomato-based sauce) was served by a wonderful restaurant in Portland, Ore., by the name of Castagna. The broth was ambrosia. I would be eternally grateful if you could discover and share their recipe.

May 20, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Soupe à l'oignon gratinée

Dear SOS: Some 40 years ago while in Paris, four of us made a late night trip to the Halles [produce] market. The workers were huddled around this stand that was selling onion soup and we ordered some to warm us up. It was fantastic! I hit upon Comme Ça and was delighted to find their soup.

May 13, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Apple-brie soup at Bistro du Soleil in Playa del Rey

Dear SOS: As an occasional special of the day, Bistro du Soleil in Playa del Rey serves an especially tasty apple-Brie soup. In fact, a friend sent an e-mail to the restaurant saying that she was coming to celebrate her birthday with friends and asked if it would prepare the soup for that evening. The restaurant obliged, and I had a serving of the most delicious soup. Do you think the restaurant would further oblige and provide the recipe?

May 6, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Pistachio madeleines

Dear SOS: Years ago there was a recipe for (pistachio) madeleines in the newspaper. I have misplaced the original and would really like to make them again.

April 29, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Root vegetable shepherd's pie

Dear SOS: I recently dined at Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen in Santa Monica. I had the root vegetable shepherd's pie with butternut squash purée main course. It was wonderful.

April 22, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Ojai Valley Inn's apple-wood-smoked bacon and farm-fresh egg risotto

Dear SOS: Four of us recently went to the Ojai Valley Inn and had the best risotto! It was a bacon and egg risotto and had an egg yolk on top, which you broke open over the risotto before digging in. It was so good we all wanted more and could have licked the plate clean! If chef Jamie West would give us the recipe, we would be very grateful.

April 15, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Julienne's graham cracker chewy bars

Dear SOS: Julienne's bakery in San Marino has delicious graham cracker chewy bars dusted with powdered sugar. Can you get the recipe?

April 8, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: El Cholo's chiles rellenos

Dear SOS: I grew up loving the chiles rellenos from El Cholo. I remember going to the Western Avenue location as a kid when it still looked more like a house than a restaurant.

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: La Grande Orange Café's Brussels sprout salad with mustard vinaigrette

Dear SOS: La Grande Orange Café in the historic Santa Fe train depot in Pasadena has the most incredible Brussels sprout salad. Do you think that you can get the recipe from the restaurant? Thank you.

March 25, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: LA Mill's sweet pea soup

Dear SOS: The coffee at Silver Lake's LA Mill is outstanding, but the real standout is their pea soup. Delicious! It's dark green, with a deep, earthy taste. I could eat it every day, which is why I'd love the recipe! If you can get it, I would surely appreciate!

March 18, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Harris Ranch buttermilk biscuits

Dear SOS: I recently ate at Harris Ranch Restaurant (located off Interstate 5 at the Coalinga exit) and was very impressed with their biscuits, as they reminded me of happy memories of my childhood. I wanted to buy some to take to my sisters, but the restaurant/bakery does not sell biscuits to the public. I would appreciate it if you can obtain the recipe for me. Thank you.

March 11, 2009

CULINARY SOS

BLD's hot fudge brownie sundae

Dear SOS: BLD's brownie sundae is the BEST brownie EVER! Please get the recipe!

March 4, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Goulash from Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose Avenue

Dear SOS: I'm a first-generation Hungarian American born and raised in Los Angeles, and I recently had the pleasure of eating at Blu Jam Cafe on Melrose Avenue.

February 25, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Oatmeal raisin cookies from Auntie Em's Kitchen

Dear SOS: I was at Auntie Em's Kitchen in Eagle Rock today for the first time. While they are known for their amazing cupcakes and fantastic food, today I had the best oatmeal cookie I've ever eaten. It was thin, chewy and crispy at the same time, with subtle hints of spices. Absolutely delicious! I'm sorry I didn't bring home a few more. Do you think they might share the recipe with us?

February 18, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Bar Pintxo's paella de mariscos

Dear SOS: The paella at Bar Pintxo, Joe Miller's restaurant in Santa Monica, is better than the paella I've had in Spain! Do you think you could get him to share his recipe?

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Tortona chocolate cookies

Dear SOS: Please, please could you possibly get and publish the chocolate cookie recipe from Massimo's Delectables in Marina del Rey? They are frequently done in heart shapes and it seems to me that there are ground nuts plus cocoa in the dough. They are not very sweet and are somewhat like a butter cookie. I've never tasted anything like them. I'm drooling just writing this letter to you!

June 25, 2003

CULINARY SOS

Now all you need is the view

Dear SOS: I had lunch at the Restaurant at the Getty Center recently and had the most amazing Cobb salad that I have had in a long time. It was sort of a combination of a traditional Cobb and a Waldorf salad, and was beyond delicious. I would love to have the recipe for this fabulous salad.

January 28, 2009

CULINARY SOS

AOC's black kale dish is a savory feast

Dear SOS: Last winter, my sweetheart and I went to AOC early in the evening on a gloomy, chilly day. We polished off our feast, and although everything was delicious, the cavolo nero was so melt-in-your-mouth tender and elegantly simple that I swear I can still taste it. I've tried to replicate it several times (my family and I have definitely enjoyed my black kale experiments), but none of them has quite come close to Suzanne Goin's version. If she would share her recipe, I'd be eternally grateful.

January 21, 2009

CULINARY S.O.S.

Recipe: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon's sardines on toast

After a recent trip to Las Vegas, there are two things deputy Food editor Betty Hallock still talks about: the white tigers at the Mirage and this beautifully layered sardine appetizer from L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. "The fresh sardines were plump and juicy, and the concentrated tomato flavor of the concasse was rich and unctuous, offset by the vegetable crunch of slivers of cauliflower," she says. "I especially love the thin slice of butter on top -- amazing!"

January 14, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Milk's ooey-gooey double-chocolate cookies

Dear SOS: The best cookies I've ever had -- ever, anywhere -- are the ooey-gooey double-chocolate cookies at Milk. Can you persuade them to part with the recipe?

October 29, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Rustic Canyon's cranberry orange cornmeal cake

My newest favorite Santa Monica restaurant is Rustic Canyon. The pastry chef, Zoe Nathan, has created the yummiest dessert ever, cranberry orange cornmeal cake served with an elegant scoop of homemade ice cream.

January 7, 2009

CULINARY SOS

Gordon Ramsay's Pineapple soufflé with Thai curry ice cream

They may be light as air, but these tender soufflés -- flavored with fresh pineapple purée and topped with a small scoop of spiced Thai curry ice cream -- are rich in color and flavor, and make for a dramatic presentation.

November 12, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Sage on the Coast's Asian beef short rib appetizer

Dear SOS: My wife and I had dinner last week at Sage on the Coast in Newport Beach. The Asian barbecue short ribs were delicious. I'd like to make them at home. Could you get the recipe for me?

October 15, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Banana crepes with Nutella from Savannah in Burbank

Dear SOS: I would love the recipe for the chocolate banana crepe at French 75 Bistro, now called Savannah, in Burbank. It's my wife's favorite!

September 24, 2008

CULINARY SOS

La Golondrina Cafe's flan

Dear SOS: I recently had dinner at La Golondrina Cafe on Olvera Street. Their flan was the best I have ever eaten. Would it be possible to get their recipe?

August 13, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Clementine Bakery's banana cake

Dear SOS: Is it possible to find the recipe for Clementine's banana cake with frosting?

January 30, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Joan's on Third's lemon bars

Dear SOS: A friend of mine absolutely loves the lemon bars from Joan's on Third. Any chance of getting the recipe? Thanks!

January 23, 2008

CULINARY SOS

The cheese course, but cooler

Dear SOS: Chef Kris Morningstar does a goat cheese ice cream at Blue Velvet. I would love to see a recipe for that!

January 16, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Blackberry scones from the perfect N. Calif. getaway

WHAT'S the perfect Northern California getaway? Beautiful views, rambling beachfront garden and, of course, delicious blackberry scones served with breakfast. The scones at Alegria Oceanfront Inn & Cottages in the coastal town of Mendocino are a big draw for columnist Russ Parsons. "These scones have the perfect texture: firm, but slightly crumbly," Parsons says. "And the flavor is just sweet enough without being overpowering."

January 9, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Lemon pie with Italian meringue ... that's amore

Dear SOS: I had the best lemon meringue pie at Nick & Stef's in downtown L.A. and wondered if you might be able to get the recipe. The lemon filling had something other than the standard pudding mixture, and the meringue tasted more like marshmallow cream and was about 3 inches high. Unbelievably good.

January 2, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Cayenne Cafe chicken dish puts spotlight on pomegranate

Dear SOS: There is a neighborhood restaurant on Beverly Boulevard, just west of La Brea, called Cayenne Cafe. An outstanding dish is its grilled chicken with pomegranate-walnut sauce. It is the most delicious sauce -- I could eat it alone. I would love it if you could get the recipe and publish it.

February 13, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Square One Dining's French toast

Dear SOS: Square One Dining in Hollywood serves the most amazing French toast I've ever had. Could you persuade them to share the recipe?

February 27, 2008

CULINARY SOS

With a little drizzle dazzle

AT Canele in Atwater Village, chef Corina Weibel serves a perfectly-seared snapper fillet perched atop a striking, delicious pile of vegetables and house-made croutons -- a bread salad of sorts. It recently caught the attention of staff writer Amy Scattergood. Each fillet is seasoned with fresh herbs and lemon and orange zest. The "salad" is a vibrant display of grilled sweet Italian peppers tossed with cracked Picholine olives, cherry tomatoes, parsley, shallots and those crispy croutons, finished with a drizzle of good olive oil and red wine vinegar.

March 19, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Amaranta Cocina's hibiscus enchiladas with chipotle sauce

Dear SOS: I recently checked out Amaranta Cocina Mexicana at the Westfield Shopping Center in Woodland Hills. I'm not a vegetarian, but our server made us try these amazing hibiscus flower enchiladas that were truly life-changing. Do you think you could get that recipe? Thanks!

March 12, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Shortbread longing

THESE delicate lavender shortbread cookies from Akasha in Culver City are just as delicious as they are wonderfully fragrant. They're melt-in-your-mouth tender, not too sweet, and flecked with pretty lavender.

March 5, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Auntie Em's coconut cupcakes

Dear SOS: Whenever I get out to L.A., I have to stop at Auntie Em's Kitchen in Eagle Rock for a cupcake fix -- specifically, for a coconut cupcake with coconut cream cheese frosting. It's a miracle of a baked good. Do you think you could get the recipe for a Bostonite who's stuck on the East Coast dreaming of this confection?

April 2, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Valerie Confections tea cakes

Lemon-myrtle, lavender-Earl Grey, hazelnut-orange -- the selection of tea cakes from Valerie Confections screams spring.

June 4, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Chefs' salad secrets revealed

ALTHOUGH Southern California menus are filled with salad options year-round, chefs often find renewed inspiration as warm weather arrives. Readers of our Culinary SOS column, which brings requested restaurant recipes into The Times' test kitchen for adaptation to home kitchens, have been asking for all sorts of salads lately. Three recent requests were for burrata salad from Murano Restaurant, Bar & Lounge in West Hollywood, shaking beef salad from Gingergrass in Silver Lake and roasted red and gold beet salad from Canelé in Atwater Village.

June 11, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Buttercake Bakery's marble cake

Dear SOS: I absolutely love Buttercake Bakery in West Los Angeles. I especially love the marble cake. It's comfort food in cake form. Do you think you could print the recipe?

July 11, 2007

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Shiro's chocolate torte soufflé

Dear SOS: I went to Shiro restaurant in South Pasadena, and the chocolate torte soufflé was out of this world. Is there any chance chef-owner Hideo Yamashiro would share the recipe?

June 18, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Traditional Japanese pork dish gets a timely twist

Dear SOS: Ita-Cho restaurant on Beverly Boulevard makes the best buta kakuni [a Japanese pork dish]. My family just loves it. Any possibility of getting the recipe?

July 30, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Recipe: Le Pain Quotidien's quiche Lorraine

Dear SOS: The quiche from Le Pain Quotidien with ham and leeks is the very best. Do you have the recipe?

December 10, 2008

Culinary SOS

Recipe: Creamy mushroom and roasted onion soup

Total time: 40 minutes, plus 1 hour roasting time for the onion

CULINARY SOS

Culinary SOS: Traxx crab cakes

Dear SOS: I hope you can obtain the recipe for the great crab cakes I had at Traxx in Union Station. Hope they're not too difficult to make.

July 16, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Orso's Romano pizza

Dear SOS: Orso on 3rd Street has the best thin-crust pizza in town. Their Romano pizza is my favorite. It has just the right blend of cheeses and no tomato sauce. I'd love to know how it's created!

July 2, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Café des Artistes fillet of sole Provençal

READER Phyllis Stewart wrote requesting the recipe for the baked fillet of sole from Café des Artistes in Hollywood. We love the simplicity of this fresh and colorful dish -- tender, light fillets baked quickly in a hot oven, then topped with a warmed Provençal-style salsa of Moroccan olives, capers, tomatoes and fresh basil.

October 8, 2008

CULINARY SOS

Hans' ginger scones

Dear SOS: Now that Hans Röckenwagner is no longer making ginger scones for sale, perhaps he will share the recipe. I really miss them.