Top Ten Dishes

1. Loew's Guacamole- Undeniably simple, this delectable dip is to die for. The trick, says chef and guac-extrodinare Balbino, is that all of the ingredients are roasted on the grill prior to mixing, including the avocado. Chef Balbino brushes a halved avocado with olive oil and garlic, tosses it on the grill with halved tomatoes, green onions, white onions, jalapenos, basted the same way, then chop and mix as usual with some lime, garlic salt, pepper, and cilantro. Tri colored chips round off this traditionally delicious dish. Give me more of this sabor!

2. Katsuya Tuna Sashimi Salad- Pristinely presented, this salad's flavor follows suit. Would you expect any less from Katsuya? As popularized as as the Hollywood joint is, you've gotta love their reverence for fresh seafood and impeccable presentation. This dish came in a martini glass, and was topped with a single piece of sushi roll, which was skewered by a sharpened chopstick. Sophisticated, simple, and sexy, this uncooked cocktail deserved a spot in my top ten.

3. Sliders (from BLB)- What goes better together than beef and blue cheese? Add a glass of cab and it's full-fledged gastronomic glory. These mini burgers are making a massive comeback at catered affairs these days, and it's simple to see why. They are relatively easily prepared, quickly consumed, and unlike a lot of other party food actually contain some substance, keeping a guest's stomach from bellowing the national anthem. These classified versions of the Harold and Kumar burgers slid right into my top ten.

4. Kerrygold Butter- As someone who absolutely despised butter growing up, this Irish treat is something that I almost passed up at the tasting tables. But something about the charming Irish chaps working behind the Kerrygold station drew me in. Maybe it was their sing-songy accents, or perhaps it was their apparent dedication to honest to goodness dairy practices. The Kerrygold cows are fed solely on grass, not grain, like our American moocows are. This makes for a butter that is a completely different color, texture, and flavor. Kerrygold butter tastes almost like a cheese, rich and creamy, and it carries a gorgeous mellow yellow color. Eh hem! Please pass the butter....

5. Lunetta Prosecco (NV)-This non-vintage (meaning that the grapes come from multiple harvest years) Prosecco was delightfully sweet and refreshing, perfect for any summertime picnic or barbeque. With notes of peach, apricot, and apple, this Northern Italian wine pairs well with Brie and triple cream cheeses and sliced fruit.

6. Halibut with Citrus Chipotle Compote (Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel)- ‘Tis the season to be noshing on the most toothsome flatfish of all, halibut. Cooked to perfection, this flaky, delicate white fish paired harmoniously with the sweet and slightly spicy chipotle sauce. The line for this dish went out the double doors. It was served with an accompanying pork chop that was shown up by its water borne plate-mate. Surf-1. Turf-0.

7. Akasha Indian Curried Shrimp with Tomato Chutney-I'm all about spice, and this curry marinade delivered big time. Seafood on the grill screams summertime, and paired with a nice Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, this seaside treat hits the spot. The shrimp sat plated next to an arugula salad and a dollop of what looked like tzatziki. I am still a bit confused what the tzatziki was for, but the main part of the plate was scrumptious, so I'll let this one squeeze in at number 7.

8. Southland Farmer's Market Assn. India Curry Couscous Salad-Cumin, baby black beans, and locally grown, organic ingredients are the key to this simple yet delicious Middle Eastern treat. One of the only vegan dishes at the event, this dish is any hippie's call to prayer. As a base for a dish, this couscous was great. It would have been even better if it were topped off with a classic Moroccan tajine or curry.

9. Tommy Bahama Sunrise-Prepared with Tommy's new rum, the key to this cocktail is the grapefruit juice and grenadine. The bartender could have afforded to have a heavier hand, but considering the square-dom of the average Tommy Bahama wearer, he wasn't all that bad. These cocktails were the perfect accoutrement to the sunset and swanky crowd that habitated the Lowe's Santa Monica.

10. Rustic Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen's Kougin Ammans- A fancy shmansy twist on a churro, these bite sized morsels capped off the food fest quite well. Fried dough, cinnamon and sugar. Yet another homage to the simple and refined cooking of good ol' Mexico.

Written by: Krista Simmons