gastronomic table no. 2 // baltimore crab cakes

Jun 14

Food historians have said that evidence of crab cake-type dishes have been around in print since at least 1685 when Robert May included a recipe in The Accomplist Cook.  Back then, he called his version “To fry crabs”, but with eggs, grated bread, and butter, among other ingredients, it was pretty close to today’s standard. While  English settlers are attributed with bringing the recipe to America (though they called them “crab patties”), Maryland is the home of the “crab cake”. Local eateries coined the term in 1889 when they used it to entice diners to stop in. By the 1930s, Baltimore Crab Cakes could be found in recipe books everywhere and to this day, you can throw a stone in Charm City and find a place that serves them up.

For a twist on the traditional recipe, try:

// Crab Cake Sliders with Pineapple Kiwi Salsa // Jalapeno Crab Cakes with Slaw and Salsa // Panko Crusted Crab Cakes with Red Pepper Aioli // Crab Cake Burger with Remoulade Sauce

 

Image courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society

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science of style no. 6 // chambray

May 23

Name derived from: Chambray is a toponym of Cambrai, France, like its fabric cousin, cambric. 
Little known fact: Chambray is actually not a denim. While both are made from cotton, the warp and weft of chambray fabric cross equally in a 1 x 1 fabric structure, whereas a denim is a 2 x 1 twill.
Made popular by: The U.S. Navy in the early 20th century and later by stars like Brando in the 1950s. 
Distinguishing features: Blue, lightweight, soft.

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join us // the boffin society

May 10

To celebrate the coming of summer, may we present to you The Boffin Society, a Los Angeles epicurean club of sorts meant to cheerfully convene friends both old and new. All welcome.

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thinking drink no. 9 // the elinor smith

May 01

Boffin cred: Not only did Smith begin flying lessons when she was just 10, she went on to break various awards, fly under all of New York’s East River Bridges (it’s never been done again), and became the youngest pilot in the world at age 16. In her lifetime, she earned a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale license, a Transport License by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, membership in the American Airforce Association and at the ripe old age of 88, she became the oldest pilot to simulate a NASA landing for the Ames Research Center. In short, she was a pioneering aviatrix with the mind for flying and the fearlessness to take it to new heights—literally. Here’s to you, Elinor.

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compound formula no. 1 // portland

Apr 16

Introducing Compound Formula, our new feature created for seeing a city in one fell swoop. Recently, we traveled to the Pacific Northwest to visit family in Salem, walk the damp rocky beaches of the Oregon Coast, and hike the miles of the Silver Creek Falls trail. We also gave ourselves one day in Portland. One day you say? It can be done. In fact, lay a map over this diagram and you’ll see that the longest distance between these stops is six miles—perfectly feasible. But we suggest you start early. Here’s the formula.

Morning: Fill up on a smoked trout Pytt I Panna (Swedish Hash) or a traditional Aebleskiver (Danish Pancake) with lingonberry jam at modern nordic eatery Broder in Hosford-Abernathy. Then, head north to Burnside and Buckman to gander around at the chocolate wonders of Alma Chocolate, goods at Una and Sword & Fern, and, if open (Wed-Sun), the Nationale gallery. After, make your way up the east bank of the Willamette River to visit the curated collections of homewares and accessories at Beam & Anchor and Lowell. Follow with a quick walk about Mississippi Avenue to Pistil’s Nursery, Backtalk (which carries many local designers’ wares), and Worn Path. Finish the morning by heading southwest on the Fremont Bridge to step into yesteryear at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. (Tip: They carry Falcon Enamelware sans the UK shipping/sales tax).

Afternoon: Travel south to the Pearl District to visit Tanner Goods, also home to the Woodlands shop and after, head down SW 13th Ave. to the must-visit Blue Star Donuts for a Passionfruit Cocoa Nib or a Blueberry, Bourbon and Basil treat. Once filled with sugar, skip down Washington to Frances May, then over to Bridge & Burn’s new brick-and-mortar store, Alder & Co and Canoe after. Finally, settle in for a small midday bite and a two buck mug of pilsner at Tasty N Alder.

Evening: Give yourself time—hours that is— to burrow the 3,500 section/nine color-coded rooms of Powell’s City of Books including the Rare Book Room and, if feeling boffiny, Building No. 2 which houses all things science and math. Brain overloaded, end the day with a proper supper and a Cat’s Pajamas nightcap (scotch, lemon, allspice dram, egg whites) at Clyde Common.

And there you have it. The compound formula to Portland. Special thanks to Hannah Sullivan for being our brilliant local guide.

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visual notes no. 1 // yaquina bay

Mar 29

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travel no. 4 // march in oregon

Mar 26

We’re headed to verdant Portland, Salem and the Oregon Coast this week to visit Ian’s lovely grandmother and family. Though his home state and a neighboring one to California at that, I’ve only driven through on a (roundabout) trip from here to Michigan. Since long overdue, we’ll be sure to document our exploration here.

On that note, we’ve been given a must-see lists of places from Jess, but if you have any recommendations, do tell.

To PDX we go!

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shop no. 4 // shop class

Mar 11

Question: Suppose I don’t want to scour the flea market, but want to find a curated selection of vintage instead. Where do I go?

Hypothesis: Highland Park again for the win. Shop Class, founded by a designer-importer-junker team, is a one-stop repository of edited 20th century ephemera. With a masculine lean towards the curious and boffiny (if we do say so ourselves), the store offers up small collectibles to statement furniture and everything in between. But is this another one of those standard overpriced mid-century marts?

Findings: Refreshingly, no. While there is no shortage of vintage shops in Los Angeles, few manage to price their wares fairly. But such is not the case here. Instead, Sally, Ellen and Jeff’s smarts collide to make their collection both fascinatingly rare and unusually attainable. Where else might you find a smoking sailor painting, wooden airplane propellers, a pair of fossilized horns and a lung vessel anatomy model within reach? Or for the more traditional, industrial lamps, collectible books and Danish teak furniture in pristine condition? Additionally, the team hosts a rotating collection of new goods like Camp Provisions by Morgan Sattlerfield.

As for that “class” part, stay tuned for onsite workshops.

Data: 
Shop Class
(323) 258-2500
5027 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042

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gastronomic table no. 1 // green goddess dressing

Feb 12

Created at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel in 1923, Green Goddess dressing was the concoction of Chef Philip Roemer. Alsace-born and European-trained, Roemer re-imagined France’s sauce au vert—typically mayonnaise with tarragon and lemon juice—by adding other herbs, sour cream, and anchovies for a piquant kick. He aptly named the verdant mixture Green Goddess as an ode to his friend and Palace Hotel-resident, George Arliss. At the time, Arliss, an English actor, was the star of both the play and silent film The Green Goddess (and, in fact, went on to star in the 1930 “talkie” version of the film). For many years after, Roemer’s hit had a place on menus until the 1980s when it was replaced with other dressing standards.

To revive Green Goddess dressing in your kitchen, may we suggest:

// Artichoke Fritters with Green Goddess Dressing //  Green Goddess Potato Salad // Shrimp and Green Goddess Salad // Green Goddess Grilled Cheese

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thinking drink no. 8 // the george w. carver

Jan 22

Boffin cred: Dubbed a “Black Leonardo” by Time magazine in 1941, Carver was a genius of botany and agriculture having developed methods to enrich soil through systematic crop rotation. A graduate of Iowa State Agricultural College, he had a love for peanuts (among other crops) and over the course of his career at the Tuskegee Institute and as an inventor, he came up with 105 recipes and 100+ products that utilized the nut. In his life and posthumously, his achievements included becoming a member of England’s Royal Society of the Arts, being elected into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans and getting his own monument in Diamond, Missouri. Cheers, George!

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