Mooi Pre-Opening Party

Although I was looking forward to the Mooi opening in Echo Park tonight--the raw, vegan resto apparently has some salivating-worthy dessert items--I was none to impressed by the inadequate supply of food. Truly a let down for as long as the "Mooi coming soon" sign has lived on the store front. The "tasting" should be taken as literal since there is not more than a bite offered to maybe the lucky dozen who are quick as a fox to snatch a little goodie off the trays, which were toted around by two people. In truth, I'm not a vegan, but I often eat vegan as part as any other cuisine like you would Mexican or Thai.

A couple colleagues--including Eco Vegan Gal--of mine went so far as to ask, "If this a preview tasting, where is the food?" The food did come out but in clusters that were carried on tiny trays and promptly grabbed by the first 10 hands near the kitchen. So much for actually testing this well-reviewed catering-turned-resto. I hate to be such a critic, but here's some nice things ...

Mooi's doorway for the night was the side door (instead of the ground floor entrance on Sunset) and offered a fun, dramatic entrance down the staircase.

Although I love getting out and meeting new folks in town, the atmosphere, as one of us quickly noted, was "a weird vibe." It seemed more individuals were there to be seen more than to eat. Lame. Folks, I was there to eat! What's more I felt slightly rebuffed by the owner, who was more than happy to meet and greet with fancy-looking people, over this writer (ahem, and my colleagues), who will NOT be reviewing his place. Sorry. You gotta be willing to put in the work. No food and now, you don't even want to talk to me for a minute about your food? Why do people just expect others to default to thinking you're cool because you're "aloof?"

Even, poor overcrowded hipsters had to hover over the seven tables and odd chairs, which left many awkwardly (and drink-less) standing. 

OK, back to the nice stuff. What I liked about the interior was the varied selection of antique lamps and oversize, ornamented mirrors--reminded me of mine at home.

This was the best shot I could get of the food--what I could snag--and nope, it didn't offer much taste or thrill. Much of vegan food is also cashew-based, which, frankly, can get tiring after four or five mini bites of these. I've had more exciting vegan, raw food (hello, M Cafe de Chaya). A bit lackluster was the consensus among our writer group. 

Probably the best thing to happen this night, was the funky-fun music, which offered enough upbeat classics that my friends and I were more than happy to sway along to before calling it a night--sans the Mooi. Here, I am with yourdailythread.com founder and friend, Tracy Hepler. 

It's Time to EATZ!

Last month, for his 32nd birthday, I took my boyfriend to an at-home cooking class, EATZ. The class, called Rendezvous a Deux, teaches a menu that includes making Belgian Endive with Tuna Tartare, Prosciutto wrapped halibut with sage brown butter sauce and cracked potatoes with garlic and thyme. We gobbled up the little appetizers Niki had set out during the process. The good thing though about EATZ is that you're allowed to munch the plates as you make them. I think Saadi and I practically finished off the tuna tartare.  At the end of two hours, all 14 students sit down outside on her patio and relax into an eating reverie. Not only did Saadi love it (I know cooking, right?), he called it the best birthday gift he's ever gotten -- which of course, made me very pleased.

Here, Niki demonstrates how to use a carving knife.

Throughout our class, Niki keeps the wine flowing.

Back in September I had actually written about EATZ and the chef, Niki Tehranchi in an article, Home Schooled for the food website, Tasting Table. If you are looking for something unusual and out of the ordinary in Los Angeles, you have to take a class from Niki - food classes range from Rock the Casbah, One Night in Bangkok, and A Flight to India to Cocktail Bash. It's best with a date or a group, although many people will take it by themselves. The night I went, we started chatting with an engaged woman who's parents had bought her a class to take a break before the wedding. The classes run a bit pricey ($85) but for someone who has not of late taken many vacations, I'd say this is one of the most worthy investments for you staycation folks.

I also have to say Chef Niki is so pleasant and immediately makes you feel like you're at home, ahem in her home! A lawyer-turned-chef, Niki knows how to command a room of hungry, would-be chefs and makes it fun along the way. The setup is very idyllic, being at a cotttage in what doesn't feel at all like the middle of Los Angeles. My boyfriend commented that it even felt like a movie set, just with the type of old-world architecture surrounding us.

The table is lifted so that folks have it at cutting level.