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May 16, 2011
WHAT IS THIS? Fatoush salad.  Fresh mint and parsley herb up a classic salad of lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, fresh onion,  and sliced radish.  Top it with Mezza’s tangy, lemony house dressing and you’ve got yourself the platonic ideal of a salad.  It’s perfect with their smoky baba ganouj and charred slices of gyros.WHERE IS THIS? Mezza Mediterranean Grill. 9901 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232. (310) 202-7888. http://mezzamg.com/HOW MUCH IS THIS? $6.99 for the salad by itself, or just choose it as your side dish with any of their entrees or sandwiches.WHO ARE YOU?Jason Kessler

WHAT IS THIS?
Fatoush salad.  Fresh mint and parsley herb up a classic salad of lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, fresh onion,  and sliced radish.  Top it with Mezza’s tangy, lemony house dressing and you’ve got yourself the platonic ideal of a salad.  It’s perfect with their smoky baba ganouj and charred slices of gyros.

WHERE IS THIS?
Mezza Mediterranean Grill. 9901 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232. (310) 202-7888. http://mezzamg.com/

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
$6.99 for the salad by itself, or just choose it as your side dish with any of their entrees or sandwiches.

WHO ARE YOU?
Jason Kessler

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May 07, 2011
WHAT IS THIS? Maple Bacon Donut. Sure, Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland put these on the map, but after one from Dinkel’s you’ll be saying Voowho? Start with one of Dinkel’s famous doughnuts, buttery and oh-so-fresh. A light maple glaze (note, glaze NOT frosting!) and big crumbles of hearty bacon mean each bite includes that perfect salty/sweet mix. As far as I can tell, these are only available on the weekends and usually sell out by 8-9 AM.WHERE IS THIS? Dinkel’s Bakery, 3329 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 281-7300. www.dinkels.comHOW MUCH IS THIS? $2.09, and about a month off your life.WHO ARE YOU?Stacy Kessler

WHAT IS THIS?
Maple Bacon Donut. Sure, Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland put these on the map, but after one from Dinkel’s you’ll be saying Voowho? Start with one of Dinkel’s famous doughnuts, buttery and oh-so-fresh. A light maple glaze (note, glaze NOT frosting!) and big crumbles of hearty bacon mean each bite includes that perfect salty/sweet mix. As far as I can tell, these are only available on the weekends and usually sell out by 8-9 AM.

WHERE IS THIS?
Dinkel’s Bakery, 3329 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 281-7300. www.dinkels.com

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
$2.09, and about a month off your life.

WHO ARE YOU?
Stacy Kessler

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May 05, 2011
WHAT IS THIS?Rickshaw iPad case — I love this is so much because I can just throw it in my backpack and not have to worry about my iPad getting scratched or banged up.WHERE IS THIS? http://www.rickshawbags.com/sleeves.htmlHOW MUCH IS THIS? $30 (although I got mine on Gilt Group for $20)WHO ARE YOU? Aaron Behl

WHAT IS THIS?
Rickshaw iPad case — I love this is so much because I can just throw it in my backpack and not have to worry about my iPad getting scratched or banged up.

WHERE IS THIS?
http://www.rickshawbags.com/sleeves.html

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
 $30 (although I got mine on Gilt Group for $20)

WHO ARE YOU?
Aaron Behl

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May 03, 2011
WHAT IS THIS?Hollywood Park.  Fan-tastic Fridays.  This summer from May through July, they have several horse races every Friday which you can gamble on (or not) for as cheap as 2 bucks.  In addition they have a different band that plays every night after the races (around 10:30).  Plus they have dollar beers ‘til 9 and dollar sodas and hot dogs all night.WHERE IS THIS?Hollywood Park3883 West Century Blvd. 
Inglewood, CA 90303-1003http://hollywoodpark.com/fantastic-fridaysHOW MUCH IS THIS?$15 (but $8 if you join their free club) plus dollar soda and hot dogs all night and dollar beer ‘til 9.WHO ARE YOU?Morgan Beck

WHAT IS THIS?
Hollywood Park.  Fan-tastic Fridays.  This summer from May through July, they have several horse races every Friday which you can gamble on (or not) for as cheap as 2 bucks.  In addition they have a different band that plays every night after the races (around 10:30).  Plus they have dollar beers ‘til 9 and dollar sodas and hot dogs all night.

WHERE IS THIS?
Hollywood Park
3883 West Century Blvd. 
Inglewood, CA 90303-1003
http://hollywoodpark.com/fantastic-fridays

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
$15 (but $8 if you join their free club) plus dollar soda and hot dogs all night and dollar beer ‘til 9.

WHO ARE YOU?
Morgan Beck

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May 03, 2011
2 notes
WHAT IS THIS? Jessica’s Crunchy Kale Salad. This salad is perfect. It’s so good. And it’s very simple - lemon juice, olive oil, sunflower seeds, feta, carrot strips and KALE - but I wouldn’t dare try to make it at home. It’s just too cheap and too easy to walk down the street and get a pre-made bucket. And kale is the super-est of all super foods, so I can eat cupcakes the rest of the day.WHERE IS THIS? Gelson’s Supermarket (Mine is Franklin Avenue at Bronson, Los Angeles) http://gelsons.com/HOW MUCH IS THIS? $5.99 a lb. (Do you know how much kale it takes to make a pound?!)WHO ARE YOU? Claire Coffee

WHAT IS THIS?
Jessica’s Crunchy Kale Salad. This salad is perfect. It’s so good. And it’s very simple - lemon juice, olive oil, sunflower seeds, feta, carrot strips and KALE - but I wouldn’t dare try to make it at home. It’s just too cheap and too easy to walk down the street and get a pre-made bucket. And kale is the super-est of all super foods, so I can eat cupcakes the rest of the day.

WHERE IS THIS?
Gelson’s Supermarket (Mine is Franklin Avenue at Bronson, Los Angeles) http://gelsons.com/

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
$5.99 a lb. (Do you know how much kale it takes to make a pound?!)

WHO ARE YOU?
Claire Coffee

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May 02, 2011
WHAT IS THIS?Tsubo: The most comfortable-yet-fabulous shoes you’ve ever owned. Between us, my husband and I own 5 pair, from sneakers to heels. They are the shoes we wear most. It was a revelation to find heels I could march around in without hurting.WHERE IS THIS?Online at http://www.tsubo.com/. In Santa Monica, you can get them at Bertini Shoes, 120 Broadway 90401, just off the Promenade. HOW MUCH IS THIS?A lot more than Payless, a lot less than Manolos. Most styles are $100-$150; boots are more like $200. You can wear them for years and years. They’re sturdy and because they’re funky & different, they don’t go out of styleWHO ARE YOU?Sarah Spivack Larosa, owner of 35 pairs of shoes.

WHAT IS THIS?
Tsubo: The most comfortable-yet-fabulous shoes you’ve ever owned. Between us, my husband and I own 5 pair, from sneakers to heels. They are the shoes we wear most. It was a revelation to find heels I could march around in without hurting.

WHERE IS THIS?
Online at http://www.tsubo.com/. In Santa Monica, you can get them at Bertini Shoes, 120 Broadway 90401, just off the Promenade.

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
A lot more than Payless, a lot less than Manolos. Most styles are $100-$150; boots are more like $200. You can wear them for years and years. They’re sturdy and because they’re funky & different, they don’t go out of style

WHO ARE YOU?
Sarah Spivack Larosa, owner of 35 pairs of shoes.

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May 02, 2011
WHAT IS THIS?Tortellini filled with ricotta and borage.  Borage?  I know.  I hadn’t heard of it either.  It’s an herb that’s also known as starflower.  This preparation is common to Northern Italy and man is it good.  Slightly floral, mostly delicious and served in a creamy burrata cheese sauce, this tortellini is good enough to have you popping them like Valium after knee surgery.WHERE IS THIS?Locando del Lago.  Right off the 3rd St. Promenade at 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401.  310 451-3525.  http://www.lagosantamonica.comHOW MUCH IS THIS?$23 for now.  It was an Easter special, but soon will be added to the main menu.WHO ARE YOU?Jason Kessler

WHAT IS THIS?
Tortellini filled with ricotta and borage.  Borage?  I know.  I hadn’t heard of it either.  It’s an herb that’s also known as starflower.  This preparation is common to Northern Italy and man is it good.  Slightly floral, mostly delicious and served in a creamy burrata cheese sauce, this tortellini is good enough to have you popping them like Valium after knee surgery.

WHERE IS THIS?
Locando del Lago.  Right off the 3rd St. Promenade at 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401.  310 451-3525.  http://www.lagosantamonica.com

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
$23 for now.  It was an Easter special, but soon will be added to the main menu.

WHO ARE YOU?
Jason Kessler

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May 02, 2011
WHAT IS THIS? Wasa crackers and peanut butter.  Breakfast! Or snack anytime, really. Wasa crackers = high in fiber. Trader Joe’s peanut butter = delicious. And together they make a healthy and super tasty alternative to cereal. Or oatmeal. Or bacon and eggs and sausage and meaty meat meat. Vegan friendly!WHERE IS THIS? Most supermarkets for the crackers, although they are definitely sold at Whole Foods and Sprouts locations. And of course, Trader Joe’s for the PB. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/http://sprouts.com/home.phphttp://traderjoes.com/HOW MUCH IS THIS? Pretty freaking cheap. Wasas are usually around $2.99 per box, depending on the supermarket. Peanut butter is $2.99 at every Trader Joe’s.WHO ARE YOU? Erika Ward

WHAT IS THIS?
Wasa crackers and peanut butter.  Breakfast! Or snack anytime, really. Wasa crackers = high in fiber. Trader Joe’s peanut butter = delicious. And together they make a healthy and super tasty alternative to cereal. Or oatmeal. Or bacon and eggs and sausage and meaty meat meat. Vegan friendly!

WHERE IS THIS?
Most supermarkets for the crackers, although they are definitely sold at Whole Foods and Sprouts locations. And of course, Trader Joe’s for the PB.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
http://sprouts.com/home.php
http://traderjoes.com/

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
Pretty freaking cheap.
Wasas are usually around $2.99 per box, depending on the supermarket.
Peanut butter is $2.99 at every Trader Joe’s.

WHO ARE YOU?
Erika Ward

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April 21, 2011
WHAT IS THIS?The craziest dessert you’ve ever seen.  Spread out on a latex sheet that envelopes your entire table, a chef serves the final course tableside.  Frozen milk chocolate, peanut butter nougat, blueberry, and various other ingredients are artistically strewn about the table.  It’s like an edible Jackson Pollack painting.WHERE IS THIS?Alinea. 1723 N Halsted St.  Chicago, Illinois 60614  (312) 867-0110 www.alinea-restaurant.comHOW MUCH IS THIS?The 21 course tasting menu is $195.  You can’t get anything a la carte.WHO ARE YOU?Jason Kessler

WHAT IS THIS?
The craziest dessert you’ve ever seen.  Spread out on a latex sheet that envelopes your entire table, a chef serves the final course tableside.  Frozen milk chocolate, peanut butter nougat, blueberry, and various other ingredients are artistically strewn about the table.  It’s like an edible Jackson Pollack painting.

WHERE IS THIS?
Alinea. 1723 N Halsted St.  Chicago, Illinois 60614  (312) 867-0110 www.alinea-restaurant.com

HOW MUCH IS THIS?
The 21 course tasting menu is $195.  You can’t get anything a la carte.

WHO ARE YOU?
Jason Kessler