VILLA BLANCA

I love The Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Lisa is my favorite.
She and Ken own Villa Blanca where we had lunch yesterday.

Ken was at the entrance and greeted us. Fantastic.
He was charming and fun.
Ken then pointed to a table dead center where Lisa
was seated with a large group. A film crew I believe.

I gave him my HF card.
We were then seated next to Lisa's table. Perfect.
Now if you have no idea who these people are,
it's okay, but when in Beverly Hills you must go to
this wonderful restaurant.

The food is lovely with an extensive and interesting
menu. Our appetizer consisted of four mini tacos,
generously filled with lobster salad. The tacos
were crisp, the lobster meat sweet. Really good.

The house rose was a perfect compliment to the appetizer
and our classic chopped salads.

The room is bright and filled with
exquisite floral arrangements. You can also dine comfortably
outside in the heart of Beverly Hills.

The staff were friendly and very attentive. I
suppose they are now use to the added attention
brought on by the shows popularity.

Before we left, Mohammad came in for a bite and I
spotted Lisa and Ken's son in law.

The only one missing was Jiggy!

I'M GETTING NERVOUS

I am going to Manhattan Beach, California for a few days.
I recently wrote about the dinner party my friend and I
would be giving. Well, I realized half of my 4 day
visit would be devoted to food shopping and cooking
so an email was sent out explaining we will probably have
"delivered cuisine".

Now, some of you who know me are rolling your eyes.....
She's done it again just like the not happening
New Year's dinner I had posted.

Well, the next hurdle is the upcoming Easter weekend luncheon.

Not looking too promising.

The dinner was to be some what on the semi formal side with a fresh ham.
I wrote about that as well. Hhhmmmmm. I see a trend.
Perhaps writing is more fun than doing.

I've started to think about pulled pork and sliders.
I did write about my pulled pork so now you will see it.

I have just decided what my Easter menu will be.

I will make it and photograph it. This time I'm going all the way.

But, just to be safe maybe I'll check to see
if Chinese food delivery will be available that day.

SHOW TIME!

I appeared on a local TV show today to speak about the Hampton Foodie.

The interview will be aired the week of April 8 on Chanel 20.

We discussed posts I had written and then turned to upcoming pieces

focused on local products, interviews I will be doing with various guests,

and of course stories about upcoming summer parties and events.

The LTV studio in Wainscott is a fun and interesting place.

They produce a lot of quality and interesting shows, including ones focused
on cooking.

Stay tuned. HF

SPRING PREVIEW

I don't need the weather underground.

Whittendale's have put their spring pansies outside ready for sale.

Fabulous.

For me, it's the first true indication of spring.

OOPS

I invited a very nice man whom I have gone out with a few times, yes I'm still trying to find the right guy, to dinner.

I asked him what he would like and he responded,  "pork chops".

Fab I thought...simple and easy. I have lots of recipes and I knew it would be good.

Wrong.

The problem was we got into a wonderful conversation over a glass of wine while the meat was cooking, and having prepared this meal many times I did not think to set a timer.

Wrong.

Let's just say the chops were inedible and could have been used as door stops.

If nothing else, it did instill a few laughs.

If you're new to the HF, this is about food, entertaining, and eating out with an eye towards the Hamptons where I live. Hopefully it will give you some new ideas or if nothing else make you smile when I reveal the inevitable gaffs that can occur when you are a host or hostess. My feeling is so what and move on, but I digress.

After I realized dinner was ruined he graciously suggested we order in and he would treat.
I always am grateful for delivery no matter what the reason.

Being a modern woman, I am inviting him out to dinner.

I will make sure there are pork chops on the menu.

In truth, I hope we have as much fun as the evening when the meal was ruined.

BUY LOCAL

I try to buy local products whenever I can. They are frequently organic and I
know where they are from and usually something about them.

The other day I was in need of honey.

I went to my local IGA on North Main Street in East Hampton
and there it was....pure honey with a comb inserted in the jar.

It is from Don Sausser apiaries (a place where bees are kept for their honey,
generally consisting of a number of hives) in Southampton.

The jar states that the honey has not been filtered, pasteurized, or flavored.

It also tells you..."comb honey is nature's original candy and can be chewed".

When shopping here try to make a point of selecting those
items that are grown and or produced on the east end.

You will enjoy exceptional quality and will be supporting local purveyors.

Don's label says it all... "straight from the bees to you".

EVERY KITCHEN

Chalk boards have been part of my kitchen's decor ever
since I had a kitchen of my own.

Their only job is to send a message.

It does not necessarily pertain to a menu,

Frequently it's just a welcome or a "happy"  .......  .

I recently received a wonderful gift of canisters with chalk board labels.

So much fun.