Chocolate Macarons

So in working on the wedding macarons, this is the 3rd flavor.

In case you couldn't tell, it's chocolate... keep in mind that chocolate powder dries up the batter much faster than normal shell batters.

For the filling, I got some nice chocolate from the store.  I, again used 1/3 c of heavy cream, with this chocolate bar (chopped to tiny pieces), 1 tsp of butter.  Again mixed it all in and let sit to cool. 

It dries out and you can tell when you pipe, because those little tips won't fall as a 'wetter' batter would. Not only that, since I used the Trader Joe's Almond Meal, it takes a little shorter time to bake.

I did about 9 mins instead of the normal 10 mins with normal almond meal at 320 degrees.  Keep in mind the chocolate powder is already drying out the batter.  If you kept at 10 mins it will burn and crack your shell.  So adjust accordingly.

At the end it doesn't look too bad, as a matter of fact, it's the first ones to go.  So I'm quite happy with the turn out. ^_^

Kubo's Cafe

I had a day off the other day, and was all excited for a bowl of ramen.  So I drove myself out to Chinatown to Kubo's Cafe, since I remember seeing noodles when I was there last time. 

Except, to my disappointment, they only serve ramen after 5pm on weekdays.  Weekend, I believe they have it all day long.  Sigh... will have to try again another time.

The trip was not totally wasted.  Instead I got one of their bento box.  This is their Yakiniku Bento Box, which has sautéed beef with onions.  As you can see, they were quite generous with the rice.  A side salad with the ginger dressing.  A fried dumpling, some edamame and a broccoli both unfortunately is a tad cold.

They are very much order and sit-down style.  Very casual dining, but the food is good nonetheless.  Good variety, great food, fast service.  I highly recommend it and definitely going back for that ramen!

Kubo's Cafe

9889 Bellaire Blvd
Suite 234
Houston,TX 77036
713.995.4200

http://www.kubos-sushi.com/kubos_cafe/index.html

Afternoon Tea - Langham Hotel

One of the things I love is afternoon tea, anywhere.  

You can see the tea lounge that they have all sorts of mix to choose from. 

When you sit down, they give you the nice menu, with a lovely drawing of the back of the hotel.  Very vintage-y and very classy.

They even have a brief history of afternoon tea and how it came about.

You get a lovely lounge with piano player accompanied your afternoon tea.  If it's not too bright outside, they will draw the curtains open and you will have a lovely view of the back garden.

Remember all those tea back there?  They do have a long list to choose from.  There are 4 of them that are propriety blend, specially made for the Langham, so much so that people often buy them on its own.

This one I've got is the Palm Court, which has Chinese white tea, Hibiscus tea, Rosehip, Pink Rose petals.  It smells good and tasted good too.  It doesn't have much caffeine and it's very light to the palette.

The tea is very much inspired by the decoration on the table...

Of course, what is afternoon tea without the lovely finger sandwiches?!  In the traditional tea set, they have the cucumber and watercress sandwich, pear on potato bread with blue cheese mousse, salmon with caper (ate it before I took the photo), ham and egg and prosciutto sandwich, pesto marinated shrimp.

For the sweet course, we have a chocolate cupcake with raspberry frosting, vanilla macaron, passion apricot gold cone, checkerboard cookie, chocolate creme brulee tart, strawberry and pistachio cake, chocolate white coffee cake.  Very delicious.

Of course you cannot have tea without clotted cream and lemon curd.  

We have the orange tea bread, cranberry scone, and blueberry scone.  Nice and warm.

close up on the macaron, look at how pretty it is!

Yummy chocolate coffee cake... so so so delicious!

They also have another tea set, the Royal tea set has all the Traditional tea set with strawberry and whip cream, and glass of champagne.  On Sundays, they have Chocolate tea, which from what I understand is very popular with the kids.  Needless to say, as the name suggested, you get chocolate everything, including a chocolate fountain.  I wish I had known about it and tried to be there for it.  Can only imagine how yummy that'll be.

They do not have specific seating, you just need to make reservation ahead of time so they have enough food for you.  People usually make an occasion out of attending tea, so there are birthdays, celebrations and what nots.  So just for that a reservation is worth your time.

Tiffin Afternoon Tea
at Langham Pasadena
1401 S. Knoll Ave
Pasadena, CA 91106
626-568-6218
or book on their website:
http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/traditional_afternoon_tea.htm

The Terrace - Langham Hotel

Since I'm 2 hours ahead of California time, it makes enjoying an early breakfast easy and doable.

Since I was lucky enough to stay at the Langham Pasadena, and the Terrance is the perfect place by the pool to enjoy breakfast.  Of course, if the weather is good, you can enjoy breakfast at the patio. 

I had the American Breakfast, which has 2 eggs, hash brown and apple wood bacon, and it was delicious.  I'm sure eating it by the pool in the patio and beautiful ground is just a great way to enjoy life in California.  One mini draw back, because everyone is laid back and enjoying the view and the food, they only have 3 servers and 2 helpers.  So, you may have to wait a bit for your order. 

If you go early, as in many places, you probably don't need a reservation.  Staying at the property has it perks and that is you can easily walk in too.  If you're unsure at anytime, call in advance or reserve online. 

Terrance at the Langham Pasadena Hotel

1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave

Pasadena, CA 91106

626-568-3900

http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/sunday_brunch_theterrace.htm

Rose Macarons

So for the same wedding I was making the Durian cookies.

I made some rose ones... 

Just 1.5 tsp of rose water goes a long way, especially when they are very potent.

I always like it to go with a white chocolate filling.  You do about 3oz of white chocolate chip with 1 tsp of butter (room temp) and make sure you get 1/3 c of heavy cream (heated) and mix it all together with the rose water. 

Let cool before using.  I like to put it in the fridge for a day or two before using it.  Make sure you use saran wrap and have the plastic stick to the chocolate so it won't form a skin.  When it forms a skin, the rest of the bowl of chocolate doesn't get harden as easily.

Pretty pink with the rose gel, huh?  

Once baked, I piped the shell with a different tip.  Recently my favorite is the star tip, and it comes out prettier once you put the top and bottom together.  It's definitely add a fancy spin to it.

Langham Hotel - Pasadena, Ca

One of the thing about staying at hotel is the experience of calling in room service.

Since the hour I ordered the room service between meals, it's hard to pick something between dinner and late night snack.

So, fruit plate, look very luscious.  You see berries, watermelon, cantaloupe, melon, grapes, and some banana bread.    

Strawberry yogurt was pretty delicious, especially you put the berries from the fruit plate into them.  Nice and yummy!  Highly recommend it.

As expected, for room service, the price point would be higher than if you got to the restaurant of the hotel to eat it yourself.  But after a long day and travel, being able to eat in your PJs has something to it.  Plus, since the hotel is hidden inside a neighborhood, it's not very convenient to just walk off the premise and go somewhere.

Langham Hotel

1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave

Pasadena, CA 91106

626-568-3900

http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com/index.html

Houston's - Pasadena, CA

As we're doing a tour of California, I ended up in Pasadena, Ca.

We got to Houston's in California, while it is a chain, there's some good food to be had.

This is their Chicago Spinach Dip, it came with salsa, sour cream, and of course the Spinach Dip.  Watch out, it's piping hot.

I got the Hawaiian Rib Eye, even though it's marinated, it doesn't taste very Hawaiian, just that it's been marinated.  It came with a baked potato.

Luckily, my co-worker ordered the warm 5 nut brownie with ice cream to share.  I do miss not having dessert.  But it was super nutty.

Overall, this is a great steak house, even though it's a chain.  As usual, during prime time you want to get a reservation or get there early.

Houston's - Pasadena, Ca

320 S. Arroyo Pkwy

Pasadena, CA 91105

626-577-6001

http://www.hillstone.com/