Kat's 9 Lives

What do we love?  LOBSTER! Where do we want it from?  The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival!!! I think this is the only food festival that I have been consistently attending and the reason is simple... it's simply delicious and to die for!!!! What more can you ask for than to enjoy tasty lobsters at a great price and surrounded by all the joys that the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival has to offer! You know you love your lobster hat and it's time to break it out again for this once in a year event! See you there! I will be the one with a box of lobsters! lol

Chef Charles Phan of Slanted Door was a delight as always.  He's always showing an endearing smile as he serves up one of his delectable treats.  His station is always crowded as many people know of him so be sure to line up early, but don't worry as he usually prepares enough for the massive crowd.
Farallon prepared a savory tuna tartar atop a crispy wonton to tantalize the tastebuds.  It was light and tasty.
Chef Luis Flores from Uno Does Tacos was ready to serve up some tacos and strike a pose.  It was a happening atmosphere for foodies to get a glimpse of where to book next and to spend some one on one time with the Chefs.  
For desserts, the station to visit was Cafe Madeleine serving up a wide variety of their tasty concoctions.  To make it even better, they were serving full size desserts that would drop your jaw! I decided to try the Maui and it was quite tasty.  Who can say no to macadamia nuts, white chocolate, and fresh fruit.  If we didn't have so many stations to hit, we would have tried a couple more desserts.  It's always better to bring others with you so that you can share all the goodies and get to try more.
Have you ever tried mushroom jerky?  Well here was our chance to taste a different texture of mushrooms.
All in all it was a wondrous event as usual where the Chefs come out to show off their talents as well as to meet fellow lovers of food.  The Eat Drink SF Event is a must for every year.  Even if you missed this year's event, be sure to plan your next SF trip to make sure you catch them next year! Each year just gets better and better.

There's still time to get your tickets and join the Eat Drink SF fun.  The event will be from August 20 – 23, 2015.  There are three action-packed events outside the main festival grounds to round out the Eat Drink SF weekend: Taco Knockdown presented by Milagro Tequila, Brunch Party at Foreign Cinema, and the city-wide Revival Brunch.
Kick off festival weekend with a creative “taco” battle at the Taco Knockdown presented by Milagro Tequila on Thursday, August 20 at Folsom Street Foundry. Chefs from the city’s top restaurants will put their spin on a taco to be judged by a panel of experts for the ‘Best Overall’ title. Attendees will vote for a ‘People’s Choice’ winner. The Bon Vivants will mix up signature cocktails to complement the dishes using Leyenda del Milagro Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Menjurje de Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, and Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur. A sampling of restaurant competitors includes Coqueta, Pabu/Ramen Bar,Delfina Restaurant Group, Uno Dos Tacos, Trick Dog, Fog City, and more.

Taco Knockdown Presented by Milagro Tequila
Thursday, August 20: 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Folsom Street Foundry
1425 Folsom St.
Tickets: $75
Wind down an unforgettable weekend of food and drink at the Brunch Party at Foreign Cinema on Sunday, August 23, with a lavish spread of sweet and savory dishes, refreshing cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz and SKYY Bloody Mary’s, and entertainment.

Brunch Party at Foreign Cinema
Sunday, August 23: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St.
Tickets: $85
More than 20 restaurants around the city will participate in the inaugural Revival Brunch. Each restaurant will offer a special Eat Drink SF brunch menu to aide revelers in post-festival recovery. No tickets are required but reservations are suggested at participating restaurants.

Revival Brunch
Sunday, August 23: Time varies
Various restaurants: Check www.eatdrink-sf.com for full lineup.

It's that wonderful time again! Get ready to get your tickets to Eat Drink SF happening from August 20th to August 23rd, 2015.  I've missed it a few years now but will be back in the Bay Area and hope to enjoy the festivities! My favorite event has always been the Grand Tastings from Friday to Sunday as you get to sample a little bit of everything from all the wonderful culinary masters that SF has to offer!

Perfect for any occasion and be sure to bring your appetite! Check out their website for more details on each events and all day events.  Hope to see everyone there!

Alright it is what you have been waiting for!~ I have a bunch of tickets to give away for The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival starting next Friday to Sunday, September 14th-16th.

Thanks to JackHammer Movement for providing me the tickets.  I will be giving out a total of 5 pairs of tickets to 5 lucky readers! 4 people will get a pair of admission tickets (for one day) so they can join the fun of great food, great music, shopping, rides, games, and more! Lobster meals can be purchased at the entrance and be sure to double up because for only a little bit more you get to have twice the fun of cracking those tasty crustaceans!

Did I mention FREE LOBSTER?  Well you heard right because I will be giving a pair of First Class Tickets which include : First Class Tickets include a weekend admission (including Friday), one guaranteed Maine lobster meal, front of the line privileges at the lobster meal line and the bar and your own dining area along with collectible poster from the rock artists at The Uprising Creative. All First Class Tickets come with one beverage of your choice, but you must be 21 or older to consume alcohol. Your First Class wristband will get you in the gate and to the front of the bar and meal areas!

Each person can enter up to 3 times with the following methods :
1 ) Post a comment here with your full name and guest, as the tickets will be held at will call
2 ) Tweet at me with your full name and guest (http://twitter.com/kats9livez) @kats9livez
3 ) Post a comment on my Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/foodiextraordinaire) with your full name and guest



Entries will end at 8:00 PM on September 11th.  The winner will be chosen at random and be announced on September 12th.  Please check back after September 11th to see if you have won the tickets.  If you would like me to email you, please leave your contact information along with your entry.  All tickets will be held at Will Call under the winners name.

Please feel free to contact me via email, Twitter, or my Facebook Fan Page if you have any questions.

Best of luck to all my readers and may you always lives be filled with yummy lobster to eat!

It is my favorite time of the year again! My birthday is right before it and believe me that the wish I will be making is to eat all the yummy food in the world and I will definitely be doing this on the weekend of September 14th-16th.  I am organizing my foodie group so I can get my grub ON!!!

As always, I am going for the grilled corn and all the delicious goodies that Lobster Festival has to offer! Some shopping and some fun activities for the whole family! Don't forget to load up your wallet so that you can purchase tons of extra lobster tails! I only had 4 last year and that was definitely not enough.  I am uping the game back up to 5 lobsters for this festival! =) Come join the good eats and fun!!

Los Angeles Magazine's The Food Event 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location :
Saddlerock Ranch
31727 Mulholland Highway
Malibu, CA 90265

Website :
http://www.lamag.com/thefoodevent/

Ticket Price :
$95 for entrance, $100 for entrance and 1 yr. subscription to Los Angeles Magazine

Description : The Food Event 2011 is Los Angeles magazine's sixth annual culinary extravaganza. The day features great chefs, culinary experts, sommeliers, plus lots of food, wine, and other treats -- all for one price. Watch celebrity chefs in the demonstration kitchen and participate in panels with the experts in the Conversation Lounge. The icing on the cake that sets this culinary event above others is the incredible rural setting, the Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, home to Semler and Saddlerock wines. The ranch boasts acres and acres of natural beauty, vineyards, rolling hills, animals like llamas and zebras, and space to spread out and relax for a true escape from the city, but with just a short drive.

So glad to see two of my favorite people tonight! Inspired by Eating My Way Through OC, he has list a flame under me to start writing more. Since he is such a loyal reader and a great person, I will "try" to right more =). What better way than to continue with the CheeseBall Wagon Food Truck that was at the Port O'Call / San Pedro Lobster Festival! I love that so many trucks are starting to gather here. At first I thought that the food was up-charged their food but now that I look at their menu, it seems that this was not the case. Besides their most famous dish, everything else was around $2.50 - $5.50. I kind of wish I paid more attention and ordered some of their other dishes to try!
What really caught our eye was their World Famous Cheddar Cheeseballs! How can you ever go wrong with breaded and deep fried cheddar cheese nuggets served with creamy ranch dressing? **drool drool** Well, they kind of dropped the ball a little in my opinion. First off, $7 for this... is a bit pricey for what you get. They do use real cheese that's dipped in battered and fried. I just wish they were more consistent and size. Some were fried to perfection and some were still a whole chunk of cheese amidst the crunchy batter. I liked the smaller pieces where the cheese was more melted and gooey.
Their ranch was very thick and creamy. It's definitely a bit more zesty than the ranch you find at most restaurant, which is nice. Still, I can't see why this appetizer would be so pricey. I can probably make something very similar at home at half the cost and twice the size! Maybe I should have given the sliders or hot dogs a try. Overall not bad but the cheeseballs were too pricey for my liking. Add $5 and I can get lobster? If you think about it in that sense... well I'd always take meat or seafood! Even though I do looooove fried cheese! lol
Despite everything, I think this is a cool and fun truck. The design and decor was super cute and inviting. I found the staff friendly and passionate. They are definitely worth another try, but I'd skip the cheeseballs the next time around.

What better place to find the Lobsta Truck than at the Lobster Festival at Port O'Call? They started to bring trucks to the festival ever since last year and this year there is a truck ring! When I heard that the Lobsta Truck was going to be there, I was extremely excited.
There wasn't a long line to order and they are pretty fast at making the orders. They also offer a special of a whole lobster out of its shell for $18 at the festival. Believe me, if I wasn't so prepared for the lobster mania I would have taken them up on the offer! lol
Of course the reason I was here was to try out their Lobster Roll with Mayo, $12. I am a sucka for some delicious lobsta! They put a decent amount of lobster on the toasted bread. Maybe I have been spoiled by too many tasty lobster rolls or I had too high of an expectation that I built up my hopes just to be dashed. The taste was just meh! Could have used a little more flavor or salt. Personally, my favorite right now is still the one at Thermidor in SF. Ms. Lin said that the truck did remind her of the famous lobster roll in NYC, but just not as tasty. Sigh! Live and learn. At least I can say that I have been there and done that now. Luckily, I had 4 lobsters waiting for me at Lobster Festival!