Festive holiday table setting for our Yuletide Brunch!

A Yuletide Brunch with Friends: Drinks & Décor

December 17, 2016 by Veronica Kablan in At Home

With just a little over a week away until Christmas, it feels like magic is in the air! Lines at the post office are out the door and around the block. Neighbor's doorsteps are stacked high with Amazon packages. A once drab, familiar street now glows bright with thousands of tiny twinkle lights, and the She & Him holiday album is playing in pretty much every store you go in to.

This year, we learned that holiday decorating doesn't have to be expensive to be pretty. In fact, for our recent Yuletide Brunch, we did most of our decorating using office supplies, found and pre-owned objects, and a few key pieces from the Dollar Store (yeah, you heard me!) - and the end result was just as impactful as if we had spent hundreds at a high end store!

Cocktails and new friends at our Yuletide Brunch

We wanted our decorating scheme to reflect the overall theme of the brunch - simplicity. We chose a few straightforward, handmade tasks to take on, and got crafty with how we used some inexpensive, festive storebought additions. For our color palette, we kept it bright: mostly white in the form of paper snowflakes, twinkle lights, and taper candles, with hints of the most classic holiday colors, green and red.

To begin, we started with a base layer of existing Christmas decorations: a tree decked out in white lights and a mish-mash of ornaments amassed over many years, a faux pine garland and knit stockings above the fireplace, and a set of white-and-silver snowflake pillows and a throw blanket from Target.

Next, we added the most time-intensive of our decorating endeavours: the paper snowflakes. For a few weeks before the party, we kept a stack of printer paper and a pair of scissors nearby so we could craft a snowflake or two whenever a free moment appeared. The first ones looked a lot like the ones you may remember making as a kid - skinny lines of not-quite-round holes intersecting each other with a scalloped edge and a lot of white space. But after some practice, the snowflakes became more and more intricate and interesting. They are actually a lot of fun to make, and can leave you feeling like a Picasso when unfolding each tiny masterpiece.

To attach the snowflakes to the windows, we employed some scotch tape and fishing line, and very simply strung them in rows of four. It would be even lovelier to make double the amount, and create more of a blanket of snowflakes, like this beautiful tutorial we saw. Goals for next time!

Festive table setting for our Yuletide Brunch

Finally, we added some inexpensive finishing touches. For napkins, we repurposed white and red placemats we picked up in the bargain section at Target. As a charming place setting, Johnna created little Christmas wreaths out of rosemary sprigs tied into a loop with twine.

Little wreaths made from rosemary and twine

To add a natural, rustic feel, we picked up some cut greenery and pinecones and laid them down the middle of the table. We had a mix of different types of pine, holly, and greens with red berries for a pop of color. To add a some height and a warm glow, we mix-and-matched candle holders from the dollar store and our local craft store, and arranged them throughout the greenery. The end result was a bright, festive, and welcoming space that was perfect for celebrating the season!

Also helpful for celebrating the season? A nice brunch cocktail. We wanted to go with something lively, fresh, and bright, with a holiday twist - a Cranberry Mimosa was the perfect solution!

Adding the Prosecco to the Cranberry Mimosa

This vibrant, fizzy tipple is layered with orange juice, real cranberry juice (not the sweetened "cocktail" stuff), and prosecco, and is garnished with sliced oranges, pomegranate seeds, and whole cranberries. How festive and beautiful is that? We especially loved how gorgeous it looked before we stirred it to combine - almost like a sunset!

For a little extra "something," we made some pretty snowflake ice cubes using a molded tray, and added pomegranate seeds and a touch of cranberry juice to the water before freezing. This kept our drinks cool and added a bit more visual interest in the wide champagne coupe glasses.

Snowflake Ice Cubes with Pomegranate Seeds

The measurements for this drink are flexible, so you can adjust it to your own taste. We used approximately 1 part orange juice, 1 part cranberry juice, and 2 parts prosecco. Garnish with as much fruit as you like, and stir gently before serving.

We hope these suggestions offer some inspiration for your next holiday event! We learned that even just a little bit of holiday cheer can go a long way, and you don't have to spend big bucks to bring a some holiday magic into your home. And, simple can be beautiful!

Drippy wax on our candlesticks as we savor some delicious brunch!

Happy Holidays, Brunchers! We wish you a wonderful holiday season, full of friends, family, and lots of delicious food!

Baked brie with blackberry compote and spiced pecans

A Yuletide Brunch with Friends: The Food

December 14, 2016 by Veronica Kablan in At Home

That magical time of year is upon us: trees and homes are lit up with tiny twinkling lights, fireplaces are festooned with swags of pine and ribbon, and old friends gather to make merry and share fond memories of Christmases past.

December is a month in which you really don't need an excuse to host a fête. There is so much to celebrate this time of year, you'd be a bit of a Scrooge if you didn't attend a holiday party or two. So, it's really no surprise that the Brunchographers assembled once again to hold a festive brunch for our wonderful gang of thoughtful ladies.

Our theme this time around, you ask? Well, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Our motto was "the simpler, the better." Throwing a party can be a lot of work, especially amidst a season that is exhausting in and of itself - so we thought, why put more stress upon ourselves? Let's keep it simple, keep it yummy, and have some fun.

Perhaps the most effective way we enacted our "the simpler, the better" rule was through pre-preparation. By breaking down our recipes and identifying tasks that could be done in the days leading up to the party, we were able to keep our day-of preparation to a minimum. This gave us plenty of time to focus on the details without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, and the food was just as delicious as some of our more ambitious brunches have been.

Topping off the Overnight French Toast with powdered sugar

We kept the decor bright, simple, and classic (and we'll be posting more on those details later this week), and chose an casual buffet-style setup for the food. This allowed guests to pick and choose which dishes they wanted to sample, and made it easy to come back for seconds if desired.

As a light and sweet treat to start, we set out some cranberry scones with whipped herb butter. Friends could nibble on them while they chatted and waited for everyone to arrive (or, cough, waited for us to stop photographing them). These were just the right amount of sweet, with a light, buttery texture. The herb butter - deceptively simple and rich in flavor - offered a perfect compliment to the sweet pastry dough and the tart cranberries.

Next, a warm and wonderful indulgence: baked brie topped with blackberry compote and toasted pecans. Can you imagine a prettier appetizer than this? The cheese absolutely liquefied into a warm cheesy pile of heaven, and it was perfect atop those incredible rosemary crackers from Trader Joe's (you know the ones). This recipe, which we found on a blog called Foolproof Living, is so simple yet looks very impressive - definitely one to bookmark for your next gathering!

baked brie topped with blackberry compote and toasted pecans and crackers

If you recall, we have a very important brunch rule that we take quite seriously: whenever possible, include some greens with your meal. Winter is the perfect time for greens, as the nutritious, dark leafy varieties are in season. For this salad, we started with a base of roughly chopped kale, layered on slices of roasted acorn squash, sprinkled the top with slivered almonds, pomegranate seeds, and ricotta salata, and finished with a light vinaigrette. The end result was a wonderful combination of vibrant winter flavors that looked just as festive as it tasted - and doesn't it look a bit like a Christmas wreath dusted in snow?

Salad with kale, roasted acorn squash, pomegranate seeds, almonds, and ricotta salata

The first main dish was the epitome of easy - overnight french toast casserole with cream cheese and blueberries. There is nothing more wonderfully lazy than waking up in the morning and popping a casserole in the oven while you sip your coffee and read the paper. And after about 45 minutes, you get this ooey-gooey, custardy, sweet mess of a reward. Yeah, it's not the prettiest thing we've ever made. But it tastes so good, it really doesn't matter. Make this. Preferably for Christmas breakfast. You won't regret it.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Overnight French Toast with a pecan streusel topping

Check out that sweet slice action on the Overnight French Toast with blueberries and cream cheese!

Next up, another make-ahead gem. These beautiful Eggs in Purgatory only look like you were slaving over the stove all morning - by pre-making the sauce, you'll only need a few minutes of hands-on work to put these together for your guests. These are also an ideal egg dish when cooking for a group, as many of them can be prepared at once in single-serving ramekins, rather than having to individually poach or fry eggs on the stove. This sauce is bright and flavorful with a spicy kick, and it's absolutely sinful when combined with runny eggs and soaked up with a thick slice of toast.

Individual Eggs in Purgatory and thick-sliced toast

Gettin' saucy with some Eggs in Purgatory

No good brunch would be complete without some side dishes, and we wanted to offer a few choices for our guests' varying tastes without over-complicating things. So, we (liberally) took some advice from our culinary idol Ina Garten, who taught us "you don't have to make everything from scratch," and headed to our local Whole Foods. There, we were amazed to find a bacon bar, which included the incredible sweet and savory blueberry bacon. We also picked up some of our favorite roasted baby potatoes, and a package of turkey bacon to fry up for guests who prefer something a bit lighter.

Shortcut sides: turkey bacon, blueberry bacon, and roasted baby potatoes

This menu offered a blend of festive flavors while remaining simple and fun to prepare (no stress-inducing over-complication here!), so we could enjoy our friends' company and laugh together over a delicious meal. The moral of today's story is that sometimes, it's OK not to be superhuman. Trust us, those pre-cooked potatoes from Whole Foods will not make or break your party - so go for it, sit back and enjoy yourself a little bit more.

Stop back in on Saturday for details on a delicious winter cocktail we whipped up and our simple-yet-impactful decorating strategy - much of which can be accomplished with things you already have (hint: we are now perennially covered in tiny shards of printer paper)! Until then, happy holiday brunching!

Recipe Index:

Cranberry Scones
The herbed butter was simple to whip up: soften two sticks of butter and mix with some chopped rosemary (about 1 tbsp) and honey (about 3 tbsp) to taste.
Baked Brie with Blackberry Compote and Spiced Pecans
The salad was inspired by this recipe, though we switched up the squash, cheese, and a few other little details.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Overnight French Toast
Eggs in Purgatory, which was adapted to omit pancetta as a vegetarian option

Pitchoun! | Downtown Los Angeles, CA

December 10, 2016 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

Los Angeles reminds me of a patchwork quilt: a vast collection of different neighborhoods sewn together to make up one impressive and beautiful design. The contrasts between neighborhoods can be striking, each one wildly different from the next, their differences making the pattern of the quilt that much more beautiful. One of the most unique and constantly changing areas of our great city is the Downtown area. Once a bustling city center, later a dilapidated shadow of what it once was, it is now home to what some call a “renaissance” (and what others might call gentrification). No matter your opinion on the changes that have occurred in recent years, it is refreshing to see the city streets bustling once again like they did in its heyday. And we Brunchographers can certainly appreciate the fabulous foodie scene that has sprung up here - between Grand Central Market’s mouthwatering food stands and upscale brunches with jaw-dropping views at places like Perch, it’s a bit like a food-lover’s playground.

The busy counter at Pitchoun!, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Somewhere between Downtown L.A.’s casual food stands and upscale reservation-only restaurants lies Pitchoun!, a charming French bakery and café. Coming across this sweet place in the midst of miles of concrete and stone is a warm and welcome surprise, its orange tables lined up on the sidewalk transport you to a place where life is a little bit slower and poets linger all morning over espresso and a croissant. I like to imagine that Pitchoun! is a little bit like a French version of Narnia; the locals wander in all business and seriousness, and come out cheerful and relaxed, bicycling away with a basketful of croissants and perhaps even a beret.

Irresistible treats and seating area at Pitchoun!, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

This wonderfully authentic French feel is undoubtedly a result of its authentically French owners, Frédéric and Fabienne Souliès. Their café is a direct reflection of their upbringings in food-centered families; their respect for food and craft is clear in Pitchoun’s artful and mouthwatering offerings. Each day at 5 am, the Pitchoun! staff begins preparation of their fresh baked breads and pastries using all natural, organic ingredients and fresh, sustainable produce - ensuring fresh goodies no matter what day of the week you pop by.

Pastries at Pitchoun!, Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Inside, Pitchoun! is cozy and unfussy, its warm brick walls and rustic decor beckoning you to order a warm drink and stay awhile. Behind glass are stacks upon stacks of arrestingly beautiful pastries, cakes, and breads, and lovingly packaged cookies and other takeaway treats are lined up on shelves. Teams of bakers and servers buzz around the space, offering smiles and sweets to hungry customers (most of whom appear to be in a state of complete overwhelm, unsure of which indulgence to choose). The café space is equipped with plenty of tables, some cozied up alongside the fireplace, others tucked in a little garden nook outside. There’s enough room to find a seat even at Sunday brunch, though you may need to get creative to arrange a spot if you have a large group.

When it comes to sweets and treats, we’re weak (you know this already), so we started our brunch with their famously delicious Kouign-Amann. This cousin to a croissant was a perfect accompaniment to our coffee and tea while we waited for our entrees to come. It was light, flaky, buttery, and slightly sweet, and with a hint of toastiness at the bottom - I love it when a flaky pastry gets a little brown and toasted.

For our main dishes, I chose a simple classic: the Parisian Omelette. This dish was exactly what I needed - filling without being heavy, with a lovely balance between the rich Swiss cheese and light, fluffy eggs. And bonus points for the side of fresh greens (f you’re a repeat visitor to this blog, you’ll know we love to have some greens with our brunch), dressed with an absolutely perfect French-style vinaigrette.

Johnna opted for the Country Tartine - a slice of house-made country bread topped with ham, brie, cornichons, and unsalted butter. This was another simple, hearty dish that managed that balance between comfortably filling and richness.

Finally, because every good brunch ends with a little something sweet, we shared a gorgeous fig tart. Its crust was perfectly buttery and crumbly, and it was filled with a velvety-smooth cream. On top, perfect fresh figs and the cutest little chocolate coin stamped with the Pitchoun! logo. We’re a sucker for little details like this - and Pitchoun! has details in spades.

If you can manage, step out of that long line at Eggslut or walk away from that fancy brunch buffet at The Standard. Instead, take a respite from your claustrophobic city day and enjoy the comforts of France, whether for a long lunch or just a short stop for bread. Your blood pressure and your stomach will thank you.

Pitchoun!

545 S Olive Street • Los Angeles, CA 90013

Paradocs Coffee & Tea | Los Angeles, CA

December 07, 2016 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Coffee Shops

Paradocs was hiding in plain sight. I'd probably been by it a million times, but somehow its tiny storefront never made it into the fabric of my memory of Little Ethiopia. It's not a surprise really, taking into consideration its inconspicuous, non-illuminating sign on a street that glitters with neon and twinkle lights that beckon you to feast on injera and doro wat. Paradocs keeps a low profile, quietly delighting its regulars with lovingly crafted coffee and a warm, comfortable place to sit. You can imagine my delight upon stumbling upon this little haven, located on a street so familiar to me I thought I could sketch it perfectly from memory. There it was, tucked between Buna Ethiopian Market and a men's clothing store, so narrow and modest that I had managed to look right past it all these years.

Inside, the tiny cafe space is crammed with antique-style furniture, a cozy retreat perfect for spending an hour or two away from reality. Behind the counter, owner Taka (who is somewhat legendary amongst Yelpers for his love of his craft), happily serves up caffeination and pleasant conversation, chatting with his customers like they're old friends. On a busy Saturday, it's a prime people-watching spot - if you can snag a table. A lot of folks come here for the matcha, as Taka is praised for his creative and skillful use of the green tea powder in lattes, cookies, brownies, and croissants.

Outside Paradocs Coffee & Tea, Los Angeles, CA

As tempting as all the beautiful house-made treats were, I managed to stay focused and ordered my classic cappuccino. Served up in a tall glass mug (as Taka and I discussed, there's something really comforting about drinking out of a real mug rather than a paper cup), this was by far the biggest cappuccino I've come across. So large, in fact, I wondered for a while if Taka had mistakenly made me a latte instead. Under all that milk and foam, however, was a delightful espresso that was rich, nutty, and flavorful. To finish it off, there was a delicate touch of latte art like a little feather resting on top.

While this was not my favorite cappuccino (there was just too much milk for my taste), it is obvious that Paradocs is a beloved institution with many devoted followers. The appeal here is clear: who wouldn't love a humble and sincere café tucked into one of the busiest streets in the city, run by a man who is dedicated and passionate about coffee and tea? Paradocs is definitely worth a visit - I know I'll be back soon to nab one of those mouthwatering matcha pastries!

Paradocs Coffee & Tea

1032 S Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90019

Ingo's Tasty Diner | Santa Monica, CA

December 03, 2016 by Veronica Kablan in Los Angeles Restaurants

I have a really soft spot in my heart for diners, most likely a result of how much time I spent in them growing up. On weekends when I was a kid, my parents and I would go to the Aster Diner with some other families from the neighborhood and feast on pancakes, eggs, hash browns, and scrapple (ok, only my dad ordered the scrapple - the thought of it still makes my stomach churn). We kids loved picking songs from the mini-jukeboxes in each booth, or trying our luck at winning toys from the machine in the vestibule, or absconding the sugar packets when our parents ordered coffee (I'm still unclear on why we thought that last bit was fun). The parents probably enjoyed not having to cook - I recall that they had a variety of unpleasant nicknames for the diner ("Geezerville" and "The Aster Disaster" were among them), so I guess they weren't huge fans of the food. But it's not usually the quality of the food that draws people to diners, is it? Folks come for the atmosphere, for a cozy place to spend some time with friends and drink bottomless cups of coffee, all without breaking the bank.

As an adult with a strong interest in food (read: I have watched all of those Netflix food documentaries, and they were terrifying), I am now much more particular about the quality of the food I eat and where that food is sourced from. While it's easy now to find responsibly sourced, natural foods in grocery stores across the U.S., finding a restaurant that serves that type of food is a rare treat.

Menu at Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

So, knowing all this, you can probably guess that I am all about the concept behind Ingo's Tasty Diner. Take one neighborhood diner, dress it up all pretty, and serve awesome farm-to-table ingredients like organic eggs and Mary's chicken - sign me up! Ingo's has been on my must-try list for a while now, and a few weeks ago I finally had the opportunity to visit with some friends from out of town.

Lemonade and The Greyhound, Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

Ingo's Tasty Diner is located in a 70-year-old Santa Monica historical landmark on Wilshire, formerly home to a diner called Callahan's. The diner's bones are still clearly visible here in the curved countertop bar and the cozy booth seats, but it's been given a modern makeover with vibrant art, elegantly simple light fixtures, and a huge chalkboard menu. It's managed to retain that cozy diner atmosphere, but with added polish and flair. Delightfully, on a late Saturday morning, we were seated immediately - a fact that did strike us as a bit surprising given how popular Ingo's seems to be on Instagram and Yelp. But hey, I'm not complaining.

The Greyhound, Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

We began our brunch with some beverages - a lemonade for my friend, and a cocktail for me. The lemonade took us by (pleasant) surprise, shaken with egg white for a light layer of foam on top, and perfectly tart and refreshing. I chose "The Greyhound" cocktail, a lively mix of Ford's gin, fresh grapefruit, lemon, and mint. Refreshing, light, and vibrant, it was a perfect brunch accompaniment.

The brunch menu at Ingo's boasts a hearty selection of breakfast items, as well as a larger lunch-like offering than you'll find on most brunch menus including salads, soups, and burgers. We gravitated toward the breakfast section, lured in by their takes on classic dishes.

Farmer's Market Scramble, Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

The Farmer's Market Scramble highlighted the fresh, local vegetables that the restaurant sources from Santa Monica Farmer's Market vendors. The dish was simple and (dare I say it?) tasty, featuring delicata squash, goat cheese, and swiss chard. And we can always appreciate a meal that includes some leafy greens.

Crispy Chicken and Crepes, Ingo's Tasty Diner. Santa Monica, CA

As a sucker for the sweet vs. savory dichotomy, I couldn't help but be drawn to the Crispy Chicken and Crepes, and it did not disappoint. The fried Jidori chicken was perfectly cooked, crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, and not at all oily. The crepes were delightfully moist and eggy, providing a pleasantly soft texture contrast to the crispy chicken. Seasonal persimmons and berries graced the top of this pile of deliciousness, and a drizzle of local honey added a touch of sweetness to each bite.

Shakshuka, Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

Shakshuka is always an appealing brunch option, especially as we're approaching "winter" here in L.A. Ingo's version of this spiced tomato-and-egg dish includes harissa and lebni, as well as optional merguez sausage. Served with crispy toast to soak up the delightfully spicy tomato gravy and the runny braised eggs, this dish was hearty and offered a pleasant balance of flavors and textures.

Hash Browns, Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

At our server's suggestion, we also ordered a side of hash browns to share, which was absolutely a good move. Baked and served in a small skillet and garnished with sour cream and chives, these were crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. Basically, perfect. Seriously, order them.

Chocolate Chip Cookies at the door, Ingo's Tasty Diner, Santa Monica, CA

Oh, and are you one of those people who loves a dessert after brunch, but forgets to leave room because you're too busy tucking into your delicious egg-stravaganza? I hear you. And so did Ingo's! On the way out, you can cruise by the plate of salted chocolate chip cookies for the perfect bite of a little something sweet.

Friends, Ingo's Tasty Diner pulled at my heart strings. Between that familiar diner feel and the thoughtful, feel-good food, they knew exactly how to win me over. It may not serve scrapple (again, ew) or have a toy machine and little jukeboxes in the booths, but Ingo's is helping to fill that little hole in my heart that appeared when the Aster closed up shop.

Ingo's Tasty Diner

1213 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica