More North County Restaurant Openings

I'm so excited!  I just heard that PrepKitchen is coming to San Marcos.  I know that's not so exciting to most of you, but for us in North County, we're always looking for good new restaurants, and more often than not, I'm disappointed.  I know PrepKitchen, and it will be a great addition to the area.  It is scheduled to open in April at Bloc C at North County.  Another one of my favorite restaurants, Hillstone's R and D, will take over the old Bully's in Del Mar.  Their opening is a long way off.  They have had trouble with the planning commission (I know what that's like in Del Mar), and are planning a huge renovation.  For those who haven't been there, you will love it.  Moderately priced, delicious food.  Look at the menu from their Santa Monica or Fashion Island location to see what's coming.  You will love it.

Also in Del Mar, look for Creme and Sugar.  They're originally from Orange County, and they serve tea and coffee, and all kinds of bakery items.  It's in the Beachside Shopping center.  Another hot new area is One Paseo, in Carmel Valley.  Coming soon is Shake Shack and Tender Greens.  Several other well known restaurants have already signed leases.  In UTC, try Sweetfin Poke.  I'm a real poke lover, and although I haven't tried Sweetfin yet, I will next time I'm shopping at UTC.

So there's a list of new restaurants to look for and keep you eating out for a while.  I almost forgot to mention Bentley's in Encinitas.  Bentley's closed several months ago after the owner died, and will become  a Mexican restaurant.  Nice location and ambience.  I hope the food will be as good as the setting.  Enjoy it all.

Are Phone Booths Making A Comeback?

Probably not in a big way, but at the women-only club and work space the Wing, one small phone booth was installed.  A year later, when another location of the Wing opened in SoHo, eight built-in, glass doored call rooms were included in the design.

I have often thought that listening to others' cell phone conversation was intrusive, rude by the cell phone user and poor etiquette.  I must not be alone in this thinking.  I remember one train trip from Oceanside to Union Station, Los Angeles, where I sat behind a woman who talked for over an hour to her friend about her boyfriend problems.  I heard more information than I wanted or needed, and had finally had enough.  I told her I was trying to sleep and her phone conversation was disturbing.  She was very huffy and told me she had a right to talk on the phone.  I told her I also had a right to enjoy my trip without listening to her conversation.  The people sitting within earshot of her clapped and cheered, and she hung up the phone.

Look around your city.  Can you find a pay phone?  My guess is NO.  I haven't seen one in years.  How many unwanted conversations have you had to listen to over the years?  Probably more than you care to remember.  The idea conceived by the Wing is called Zenbooth, and is now in place in numerous companies.  Volkswagen, Lyft, Meetup and Capital One have all purchased Zenbooths for their work places.  Zenbooth is a one person, sound proof, eco-friendly, American made box, and is easily assembled.  Especially with the trend toward open office spaces, the concept of the Zenbooth may actually catch on in the workplace.  It is terribly distracting to constantly listen to someone's private conversations.

Let's face it.  The cell phone is here to stay, but there may also be a place, a limited place, for the phone booth.  Proper etiquette for use of the cell phone and texting is still being established, but I don't think using the cell phone in public and impinging on others will ever be acceptable.  Keep your eyes open for a Zenbooth or other phone book, coming to a business near you soon.

A Throwback To The 70's: Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake

One of my fondest memories from my teen age years, was driving to Bullock's Wilshire with my mom, sister and sometimes my Grandma.  There was a Blum's tea room in Bullocks.  We would shop a little, then stop for dessert at Blum's.  I think the only thing I ever ate there was the coffee crunch cake.  It was so delicious, I can taste it right now.  Spongy cake, sweet whipped cream with a hint of coffee, and crunchy, stick to your teeth coffee flavored honeycomb, crushed into bite size pieces and sprinkled on top. Blums is originally from San Francisco, where they had several free standing tea rooms back in the day.  Luckily for us in LA, they made their way south, and for years, going to Blum's was a special treat.   The cake is a show stopper to look at, and one of the best desserts I've ever eaten.  The following recipe comes from Tasting Table website.  They're doing  70's themed desserts, so you can look there for other favorite foods from the 70's, many of which you can no longer find.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Recipes

Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake

Recreate the Bay Area classic in your own home

    

2 Ratings

100% would make again

BY TEAM TASTING TABLE

12/11/17

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Photo: Valerie Confections

The central flavor of your winter dessert table doesn't have to be gingerbread or peppermint. West Coast dessert wizard Valerie Gordon published the recipe for the long-lost (but highly beloved) cake from Blum's pastry shops in her book, Sweet, and we're making this the year of the 1970s throwback dessert.

The caffeinated honeycomb crunch adds a textural sensation to the fluffy cake, so be liberal with it—just make sure to add it right before you serve, as its melt-in-your-mouth quality means it'll also start to dissolve when it hits the whipped cream.

Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake

Excerpted from Sweet, by Valerie Gordon. Reprinted with permission from Artisan Books. All rights reserved.

Yield: One 9-inch cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes, plus cooling time

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes, plus cooling time

INGREDIENTS

For the Chiffon Cake:

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

1½ cups sugar

½ teaspoon kosher salt

5 large eggs, separated, plus 2 large egg whites

2 tablespoons water

¼ cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Coffee Crunch:

2¼ cups sugar

⅓ cup strong brewed coffee

⅓ cup light corn syrup

1½ tablespoons baking soda

For the Coffee Whipped Cream

2½ cups well-chilled heavy cream

2½ tablespoons sugar

2½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2½ teaspoons instant coffee granules

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the cake: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F. Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch round cake pan with a removable bottom with nonstick baking spray.

2. Sift together the flour, ¾ cup of the sugar, and the salt into a medium bowl.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl, using a handheld mixer), whip the yolks and ¼ cup sugar on medium speed until thick and pale yellow, about 4 minutes. Gradually add the water, oil, and vanilla, mixing well. If using a stand mixer, transfer the mixture to a large bowl and wash and dry the mixer bowl and whisk (or wash the beaters).

4. Add the egg whites to the large mixer bowl (or another bowl) and beat until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until the egg whites form soft peaks. Add the remaining ½ cup sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add the lemon zest and juice and beat just until incorporated, about 15 seconds.

5. Using a rubber spatula, fold the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, approximately 1 cup at a time, until fully incorporated.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake the cake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Let the cake cool completely on a cooling rack, about 45 minutes (removing the cake when it is still warm will cause it to deflate and likely tear).

8. Run an offset spatula around the sides of the cake to loosen it from the pan. Holding the rim of the pan with one hand, press the bottom of the pan up and out. Run an offset spatula between the cake and the bottom to release it. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the cake.

9. Make the coffee crunch: Attach a candy thermometer to the side of a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot. Add the sugar, coffee and corn syrup to the pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally with a heatproof silicone spatula until the mixture reaches 270°F, about 10 minutes.

10. Meanwhile, heavily coat a 13-by-18-by-1-inch baking sheet with nonstick baking spray. Measure the baking soda into a ramekin or cup and place near the stovetop, along with a large whisk.

11. When the crunch reaches 270°F, increase the heat to high and stir constantly until the crunch reaches 305°F. Remove from the heat and quickly whisk the baking soda into the crunch; the mixture will expand and aerate quickly, in a matter of seconds. Pour the crunch onto the baking sheet. Allow the crunch to cool, undisturbed, for at least 30 minutes.

12. Using a cleaver or other heavy knife, chop the crunch into quarter-sized pieces. (The crunch can be made ahead and stories in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.)

13. Make the coffee whipped cream: Combine the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and coffee in a large bowl and whip with a handheld mixer until medium peaks form.

14. Assemble the cake: Place the cake on a turntable or cake stand and, using a long serrated knife, slice the cake horizontally in half. Remove the top half and place cut side up on a plate. Cover both halves with whipped cream, using approximately ½ cup per side. Scatter 1 cup of the crunch evenly to cover the bottom half. Place the top half, cream side down, on the top of the crunch layer and press gently to even the layers. Frost the sides and top of the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Refrigerated until ready to serve.

15. When you are ready to serve the cake, cover the sides and top with the remaining crunch (if you apply the crunch in advance, it will start to melt and lose its bite).

This cake is best enjoyed the day it is assembled; store it in a cake box or under a cake dome in the refrigerator.

DIY Strawberry Facial

A trip to the spa for a facial will set you back about $60.  A homemade facial will only set you back about $3 and you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.  After performing this treatment on your face, you will feel rejuvenated, your face will be exfoliated, and you will smell like strawberries and cream.  Here's the recipe.

                               Homemade Strawberry Facial

3 strawberries, macerated
1 T. honey
2 T. oats (uncooked oatmeal)
1 T. plain Greek yogurt
1 T. bentonite clay (available in health food stores)

All ingredient amounts are approximate.  Add a little more or less to get a nice paste for a facial mask.  Apply mixture to face, avoiding eye area.  Let it set for 20 minutes.  Wipe clean with a cloth.  Do not wash your face.  Your face should feel smooth and soft and smell wonderful.  The oatmeal acts as an exfoliation, so you will have removed dead skin.  Give it a try and see what you think.

Food Halls Are The Next Big Dining Trend

We all know how successful Liberty Station's two year old food hall has been.  It is packed for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with 30 choices for diners.  Well, James Markham, the restauranteur who created Pieology, Project Pie and now Crackheads (breakfast), thinks that food halls are the next big food concept.

Markham secured the lease at the old TGIFridays in Carlsbad (big windmill hovers above it), which has been vacant for two years.  Years ago, this spot was the home of Anderson's Pea Soup.  Here, Markham plans to create the Carlsbad Windmill Food Hall, 12,000 square feet of 11 individual food vendors, bar, and games for the children.  Games will include Skee Ball, Pac Man and Ping Pong.  In order to free up servers to help customers rather than have to spend time processing credit cards, Markham plans to create a single point payment system, similar to the system used at the KAABOO concert in Del Mar last year.  When customers arrive, they check in, get a key fob linked to their credit card, which will be swiped at each booth for payment.  I can't wait for Carlsbad Winmill Food Hall to open.

Markham might be right about the food hall trend.  In June, Little Italy Food Hall is set to open.  Also this summer, Whisknladle Hospitality will open Park Commons, formerly San Diego Tech Center, in Sorrento Valley.  It will be 10,000 square feet of food hall space.  One chef will oversee multi concept food stations.

San Diego and North County are seem to be keeping up, perhaps even setting trends in food right now.  First breweries and gastro pubs, now food halls.  I hope the concept lives up to the hype.

Tennessee Children's Home Society

Today, adoptions are carefully controlled.  Public or private, adoptions are scrutinized.  This was not always the case.  From the 1930's until 1951, Georgia Tann ran the Tennessee Children's Home Society.  The scandals that took place, the thousands of adoptions that were arranged under questionable means, resulted in adoption reform laws in Tennessee in 1951.  Unfortunately, this was too late for the children that were stolen and sold on the black market.  Those that did survive and placed for adoption, were subjected to harsh mistreatment at the hands of George Tann before they were adopted.  Children were stolen and adopted by clients of Tann.  Tann also in collusion with some local area doctors who informed the Home of unwed mothers. Tann would take the newborns under the pretext of providing them with hospital care and would later tell the mothers that the children had died and that their bodies had been buried immediately in the name of compassion.

When the scandal was finally investigated in 1951, investigators discovered that the Society was a front for a broad black market adoption ring, headed by Tann.  They found irregularities and secret bank accounts.  In some cases, Tann skimmed as much as 90% of the adoption fees when children were placed out of state.  Officials also found out that Judge Kelley had railroaded through hundreds of adoptions without following state laws.  Kelley received payments from Tann for her assistance.  Tann died in 1950, Kelley retired that same year, and was never prosecuted for her role in the scandal.

Over several decades, nineteen of the children who died at the Tennessee Children's Home Society under the care of Georgia Tann were buried in Elmwood Cemetery, with no headstones.  In 2015, the cemetery raised $13,000 to erect a monument in their memory.  It reads, in part, "In memory of the 19 children who finally rest here unmarked if not unknown, and of the hundreds who died under the cold, hard hand of Tennessee Children's Home Society.  Their final resting place unknown.  Their final peace a blessing.  The hard lesson of their fate changed adoption procedure and law nationwide.

If this topic interests you, read "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate.

Engaging Young Voters In The Election Process

From time to time I get political and write about how I view our world.  I mentioned a while ago that I thought women would be a huge factor in elections this year.  The #metoo movement has led to thousands of women thinking about running for office, hundreds probably running.  It's our time.  Now I add another voting group that I think have a chance to make a difference:  Young voters, age 18-25.

With the shooting of 17 people in Parkland, Florida, students, some not even of voting age, are standing up.  They are tenacious, they are "in your face" blunt, they are articulate, and they're not to be ignored.  What has come out of this tragedy is simply amazing.  Students from around the country marching for responsible gun ownership, meeting with lawmakers, both local and national, speaking out on social media, and letting their voices be heard.The 18-25 year old voters have typically been apathetic.  Perhaps this tragedy will get them motivated.  They can make a change, if they choose to get involved.

Getting young voters involved is the challenge.  How do we do it?  First, we get great students to speak for the many.  That's already done.  The leaders of the student movement from Florida are articulate, informed, and willing to fight for what they believe.  So how do we get the rest of the young voters registered?  I think social media is the key.  I'm not much of a social media expert but there are people who can make that happen.

Women and young voters, get registered to vote.  Vote for candidates that agree with you on important issues.  That's the way we can make America great again.  The fact that numerous teenagers have signed up to run for political office in Kansas (where there are no age restrictions on holding political office) tells me young people are getting involved.  Voting is a right, not a privilege.  Let's get everyone registered to vote.  That would be a great thing.