Meg "Mistress of Mischief" M.'s Profile

Ever since I can remember -- all of my friends and family who have planned their weddings... have always said the best part of wedding planning is the cake!

The one thing they neglected to mention - is just how much sugary, sweetness and cakey deliciousness we would need to encounter! LOL.  Last Saturday, my fiance' Colby and I ventured to San Diego for a holiday party and decided to schedule one of the cake tastings we needed to have...

We arrived in North Park a bit early - so we headed to Urban Solace (also our caterer) for a celebratory cocktail while we waited for our appointment time... YUMMY!

Both of us were getting hungry.. we had a small bite on the way down to San Diego - but now, hours later we were famished...and tempted by the incredible menu at Urban Solace... We resisted - not having a clue of what was in store for us... and I think it's safe to say that was the smarted decision we could have ever made.

Upon entering Heaven Sent Desserts - we were overwhelmed by the beautiful cakes in the cooler... we were handed 2 bottles of cold water - and took a seat waiting for the owner, Lachlan to join us.  He joined us a few moments later - and we immediately connected with him.  He is SO nice, creative...and knowledgeable.  He seemed genuinely interested -- and wanted to help us create our dream cake.  We spoke with him for a while - showing him photos and talking about the path we thought we'd like to go on...

And then came the CAKE!

Lachlan initially brought us four HUGE pieces of cake!  Of which we devoured!  Under explicit instructions from Lachlan - we were to pay attention to flavor, consistency... pretty much any/every detail you can think of to describe cake!

There was the Hawaiian cake - a white cake with whipped cream, chucks of pineapple and flavors of Kiwi and coconut... delicious - but not quite right.

Next was an incredible white chiffon cake - with whipped cream and chucks of fresh strawberries.  Just a tad sweet, light and airy - this was an awesome take on traditional strawberry shortcake...

Then came the biggest surprise for Colby!  A light yet perfectly flavored chocolate cake.... with a raspberry gelee and pineapple mousse. Being a fruit and chocolate lover - this particular cake had caught my eye in the front of the store... but Colby cringed when I told him how amazing I thought it'd be.  Colby - is NOT a fruit/chocolate mixer...and yet, we both loved that cake!  It truly was the perfect blend of tangy fruit and sweet cake -- super light, not too sugary or decadent. Pretty much perfect. Different and delightful.

Last was a dark, decadent and super rich fudge chocolate cake with a Peanut Butter mousse.  This cake was Colby's ultimate.  For me - way too rich and heavy.  I nicknamed it the "one biter" lol.  Don't get me wrong - it was incredibly delicious.... but we ultimately agreed the combination might be a little heavy for our wedding guests...although we might just be back to share a piece for date night at some point... :)

Just when we had thought we had our fill... Lachlan brought out one more cake for us to try.  It was a dutch cake - less moist, a bit rougher but still a beautiful chocolate flavor. The cake had a bit of Chocolate ganache on top and the inside was filled with a Bailey's Irish Creme Creme Brulee. Decadent and delish -- just not for us.

All in all it was a super successful meeting and we really loved working with Lachlan and tasting his cakes... they are definitely Heaven Sent and they are definitely a contender!

As for us - I think we are still flying high on all the sugar... although it was well worth it! We still have a few more tastings to go -- and heaven help us - we even have 2 tastings in the same day! We could give new meaning to death by chocolate!  Sugar shock anyone? LOL...

I'm sorry to say that after 5 years of doing my taxes... Tom has is MIA.  I filed an extention this year - and haven't been able to get my appointment rescheduled since it seems he's disappeared.  I tried giving him the benefit of the doubt the past few weeks - but now, I'm left with just a couple of weeks to find a new tax person and get in to get them done....

FYI -

This location has been closed and the Greek Box is now only located up in Los Angeles - in Canoga Park.  The new number is 818-700-8778 and their website is http://www.greekbox.com.

Review to follow.

2 words:

Brulee'd Grapefruit.

AMAZING.

Miceli's deserves 5 stars for their garlic cheese toast alone.  SOOOO ooey-gooey-yummy!

Other than that, it ranges between 3-4 stars.... the pizza is actually pretty decent AND they deliver to my hole in the wall, neck of the woods which is always an added plus...but I'm not a big fan of their blue cheese dressing or their chicken parm sandwiches....but when I'm craving pizza - it's definitely the best delivery option in town.  (Well, at least that will deliver to me!)  Not only that, but they keep your number, address and cc number on file - so all you need to do is order!  Super easy!

P.S. If you're feeling a lil exotic, try the Buffalo Chicken pizza...Chicken, Scallions, Spicy Pizza Sauce and Ranch Dressing will set your mouth on fire, but the combination is priceless!

Whatever you do...don't forget the garlic cheese bread!

Okay, so before I start this - I should admit that I've known Alan - ahem, Dr. Duben since I was 9... we met in the 4th grade and we were friends through high school.  Having said that, I think I've seen him twice in the 15 years we've been out of school (yes, I am dating myself now... )  but I wouldn't say that my judgment is biased because I've known him most of my life.  It's based completely on the experience I've had with Dr. Duben in the last month, as an adult and as a patient who could barely walk because of severe lower back pain.

About 2 months ago, I started feeling some minor pain in my lower back when I bent down....A few weeks later, it had progressed so badly I was uncomfortable sitting, standing, and doing just about anything.  After spending a few hours in the car one day, I could barely walk myself up a small set of stairs, let alone get up from a sitting position....I have never experienced that kind of pain in my life! Even the simplest movement brought me to tears and it was terrifying being so helpless... Since I am not one to let just anyone adjust me, thankfully I had remembered that Alan was a chiropractor from our high school reunion 5 years ago, so I tracked him down and made an appointment.

During my first exam with him, I learned more about everything Dr. Duben does.  Not only does he practice thorough chiropractic - (which works wonders) he also uses applied kinesiology, nutritional supplements and Neuro Emotional Techniques (all of which blow my mind and are fascinating!)

Dr Duben and his staff are courteous, compassionate & knowledgeable and they do everything in their power to heal and promote a patient's health. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have finally been able to move, sit, stand and bend over without severe pain.  I learned about the minerals and vitamins my body is deficient in and have begun to transition my lifestyle into a healthier one with their help. I am just about to start in with the Neuro Emotional therapy - so I'll have to update this another time... but in the materials they've given me to read about it and the conversations we've had about it, I am fascinated -and it promises to be extremely interesting.   All in all, I can honestly say that I would recommend Dr. Duben & his staff to anyone looking for a new chiropractor.  In fact, I drive from Loz Feliz to Westlake Village 2-3 times a week to see him (just about 40 miles each way).  Regardless of mileage, traffic and gas prices - I just wouldn't trust anyone else to adjust me... and after experiencing Dr. Duben's practice - I bet you'd feel the same.

** You can always check out his website for more information too! http://www.docduben.com **

YAY!  Another place that delivers to my area!  

I just moved back to LA  and I am on a hunt to find all the hidden gems in my new neighborhood.  From grocery stores, to coffee shops... and most importantly delivery!!   Ironically, I was CRAVING Indian food the other day when I came home from running some errands - there was a menu for Great India Cafe on my door.  CHA-CHING!

After a very long day of unpacking - I finally realized I was hungry about 8pm...and remembered the golden orange menu I had found earlier in the day.

Since my mom was in town helping me move, we decided to give it a shot... so we ordered waited for the food to arrive.

The Chicken Madras was amazing!  The menu boasts it's (one of the best coconut curry)  and at 14.95 - it was a little pricy for a chicken entree but well worth it with boneless pieces of chicken curry prepared with onion, ginger, mustard seeds and coconut milk... mmmm mmm

The Chicken Tikka Masala was good, but I feel like I've had better... I would order it again - it just wasn't memorable for me... the Chicken Madras was much better.

The Naan bread and Raita were perfect - and super delicious... I think I could live off the stuff... and I was totally in awe of the Saffron rice.  Fragrant and delicious it complemented the dinner perfectly...

Awesome.  The only thing that could make this food even better - was that they deliver!  I can't wait to have it again....

NOT DOG FRIENDLY!

GRR.  

Okay, so I understand that there are health codes.  I understand that not everyone wants to eat at a place that allows dogs.  I get it. I am a rational human being.... but what I don't understand is how 6 different people, all employees of this location of Outback Steakhouse can all tell me that dogs are allowed on the patio....only to be kicked out once we got there for MY MOM'S BIRTHDAY!

Here's the scenario.

Tuesday, March 11th - approx. 11am:  I called this location to see if they allowed dogs on the patio - for my mom's birthday dinner while she was in town.  The answer was yes.  I asked if they were sure? The answer was yes.

Tuesday, March 11th - approx. 5pm: Being that Outback doesn't open until 4pm, I called again to make sure I wasn't talking to a cleaning crew ;-) but again, the answer was yes - dogs were allowed on the patio.

Okay, great.  We have dinner plans... mom wanted a good steak at a reasonable price - so Outback Steakhouse was the place to be.  Being a new dog owner, I understand that there are plenty of places that are not dog friendly... but I also know there are quite a few that are - and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that O.S. was one of them.

Today, Wednesday, March 12th. 4:15pm

Once again - I called to confirm that dogs would be allowed on the patio (could it have been too good to be true?)  and also to put our name on the "call ahead" list since they don't take reservations...
Again - the answer was YES!  Perfect!  I went ahead with the plans and called our friends who would be joining us to let them know it was a go.

Today, Wednesday, March 12th. 6:30pm:  We arrived with our friends, and walked up to the door where the girl with the clip board was waiting.  I walked up, holding Jake and asked the girl about our reservation - she told me to go inside and as I was holding him, I asked her if I was allowed to bring him in with me.  She nodded and pointed me to the hostess booth where we proceeded.

Again, walking in with Jake in my arms, we walked right up to the hostess - where I asked about our reservation for 5 people, on the patio, with the dog.  She looked at her sheet, crossed us off the paper, looked right at me and Jake and said - seating on the patio is open - go ahead and sit where ever we want...

So we walked the short distance to the patio door and took a high top table that seated 8... when our friends came in, we realized a few had flaked - so we walked through the patio to a smaller table.  I plopped Jake down on his lil bed behind me in the corner.  He laid right down and I wrapped his leash around my chair.  Almost immediately, a server was on us - saying we couldn't be there with the dog.  He explained that if a health inspector saw us there with the dog, they'd be closed down... because there is a roof on the patio - it's considered a room, not a patio (even though there are no walls???) I explained how many people I had talked to, on the phone and in person... Then he proceeded to tell me it was MY fault because I should have asked to speak to a manager in the first place!  

WTF?!?!  

You can't communicate to all of your employees the rules and regulations of something SO important that the health inspector can close you down???  It was MY fault that your employees don't know what they're talking about?  To be honest, I think that is really the only issue that really pissed me off.

It's not irrational to think that the health inspector might have issues with a pup on the premises... however, with places like BASIC in effect - who knows!  Anyway - after a several minute discussion about it - they kicked us out.  No apology.  No invitation to come back another time without the pup. Nothing.  And his whole reasoning was that because there was a roof on the patio - it was a room.

Ironically, we called Seau's before we left and they allow dogs on their patio... and get this... THEY ALSO HAVE A ROOF!!!

So... 2 stars for the food at Outback - it is what it is, and it's decent. But the staff at this location should know their pet policy and NOT blame the customer for their mis-information.

In the interest of full disclosure... Matty is one of my closest friends... HOWEVER, that should not discount my opinion of him or his limo services at all.

Having been my "driver" for several years now - my only regret is that he waited this long to provide us with the kick ass ride he has now!  I'm not kidding - this ride is SAWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEET and he always takes amazing care of his passengers!  

Big Matty's Transport is THE only way to ride in STYLE!  Pricing is competitive and well worth a couple of bucks a person when a group of us are heading out to a concert or any place where the alcohol is flowing... Might as well be treated like a rock star and not have to worry about drinking and driving, right?

If you don't believe me, check out his website & the pics of the ride and make your reservation NOW!  He's available in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles.  Trust me, you won't regret it...so the next time you're going out for a big night on the town, a super hot date or a special event... call Big Matty's Transport it's the ONLY way to go!

Mental note to self.

Order bottles of wine instead of by the glass.  Dinner for 3 of us totalled almost $300.00 with tip and when we did the math....we spent $154.00 on wine, and about $90.00 on the food.

WTF!  We didn't drink THAT much!

Most notable dish BY FAR - the Sweet Potato Fritters - rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with sweet creme fresh.

P.S. Don't forget to get the rice balls either...all fried goodness...and worth every last calorie.