Labor of Love

Posted by christina on 10/31/2011

Moving into our own kitchen has afforded us many opportunities in the past couple months including one that is very near and dear to our hearts and stomachs. Now that we’ve got some space to spread our wings in, our resident pork enthusiast, Brian (see below), has brought his talent and passion to the table and is producing his very own house cured Berkshire bacon for our menu.

Having house made charcuterie is a huge achievement for us, and we’re so glad to be sharing it with you on the street. The word charcuterie is French for “cooked flesh” and refers to the many shops of 15^th century France that specialized in selling pork products. The charcutiers of these particular shops were true artists and transformed uncooked pork into amazing products such as sausage, head cheese, pate, rilletes, and of course bacon.

Savory, lightly smoked, and just downright delicious, our bacon makes a great addition to any of our entrees and truly puts the exclamation point on a MIHO meal.  The next time you visit, just say the magic words, “con tocino por favor,” and elevate lunch from good to great!

The Inspirational Mystery Tour

Posted by christina on 10/19/2011

Inspiration comes in many forms, and for a food lover like my self, nothing inspires me more than enjoying a well-crafted meal. Last week, great inspiration came my way as I got the chance to get some R&R in Venice Beach. Guided by some great recommendations (Juan & Kevin), I discovered some wonderful eateries and shops that blew my mind and further fueled my passion for the craft of food.

My trip began at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, one of California’s oldest and largest certified farmer’s markets. Many of the area’s best restaurants source directly from this market, which boasts an amazingly diverse selection of seasonal produce from as far north as the Sacramento Valley, and as far south as Valley Center/Escondido. With such an array of beautiful produce, I can see why both chefs and everyday consumers alike favor this awesome farmer’s market.

Not too far south of the market, on Abbot Kinney Road, I took a long stroll in the sunshine and treated myself to lunch al fresco at a great farm-to-table eatery by the name of Gjelina. My eyes were immediately drawn to the gorgeous, country loaves and beautiful, baked goods that adorned the counter top. The seasonal based menu was also quite a delight and equally as tasty. After devouring a delicious Turkey Reuben and a Purslane Salad in a Za’atar Vinaigrette, my soul and my belly were definitely fulfilled.

My day of inspiration was capped off with a great cup of coffee from Intellegentsia Coffee, a direct trade coffee purveyor and roaster with an amazing flair for design and service (as well as MIHO’s coffee source). The café was beautifully designed with its crown jewel being a wood inlaid La Marzocco espresso machine from 1972. My cup of robust and velvety smooth Guatemalan coffee made for the perfect end to my trip and left me in a state of pure bliss.

If you are a food enthusiast (and I know you are), inspiration is only a meal away and I’d highly recommend my itinerary to any HOMI who needs a little R&R. One trip to Venice Beach and I can guarantee your love of food will grow and get your creative juices flowing. I know it did for me.

A Farm Like No Other

Posted by christina on 10/09/2011

From the start, our mission has always been to bring the season’s best produce directly from the farm to the street. When it comes to finding the best, we look no further than a few miles south, to Suzie’s Farm, a 70 acre property located in Imperial Beach. Through winter, spring, summer and autumn, the crew at Suzie’s has provided us with beautiful, unique, and most importantly, delicious varietals of produce that truly put the exclamation point on our dishes. Their efforts also extend into building the community as they just recently hosted a wonderful Autumnal Equinox Dinner in the middle of their amazing, 2 acre sunflower maze. Our hats go off to owners, Lucila de Alejandro and Robin Taylor, who have made producing and sharing great food, their life’s work. We’d like to thank them and the whole Suzie’s Farm family for helping us to achieve our mission.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit Suzie’s Farm yet, this upcoming weekend is the perfect opportunity to do so. Tis the season for their annual PUMPKIN PALOOZA, taking place this Saturday, October 15^th from 2pm-6pm. There will be music, yoga, a U-Pick pumpkin patch, and plenty of good eats from our truck. It doesn’t get any fresher than this, so join us this weekend for good times and a very, local meal. See you on the farm!