Karl Strauss

Now Karl Strauss is also at the City Walk in LA it is upstairs and a bit hidden. The menu looked pretty good to me so we tried it.

The inside is pretty relaxing a bit woodsy and they have a bunch of beer which of course, I cant try.

I ordered a burger topped with fried egg. I can get those at Patrick's at home so I know I like them. I pulled off the pork belly which was sliced too thick and MAN, OH MAN was it good. That egg was the best egg I may have had. In fact it was so good I got and extra one! My Mom got a burger too and she loved it. I mean we were hungry and it was fresh and tasty. We sat in a quiet spot and watched the people walking around below.

We also ordered the pretzel appetizer and they were good. The sauces tasted nice and it was really nicely plated. That can be hard to do to a pretzel.

I would go back anytime. In fact, I want to say thanks for the 2 great meals and the delish eggs.

Love the Cabbage Leaf
Logan 

Karl Strauss Brewing Company

St John's Soup Kitchen

Some of you have asked for this story, so I will share it.

This is very personal and it forever keeps me humble!

I went to the Soup Kitchen to cook. It is close to my home so I walked with my Mom. It was the Christmas meal and my good friend John was working. I headed to the kitchen but John stopped me and asked me to fill gift bags and pass out gifts. Now, this is a nice job a fine job but, not really what I love to do.

Of course, I did it that is what was needed. 

John noticed that I was not overly happy like I normally am and he asked me what I was missing. He is a super nice guy and knows that good Volunteers have to be doing what they love to do too. 

I told him I really just wanted to be cooking, but the meal was over and no cooking was left.

Now, no one gets turned away at St Johns, if it is at all possible - so when an elderly African American man came in no one could say, no food left.

John grabbed me and said he needed me to whip up something for this man. We got frozen bread, left over pasta sauce and some pepperoni. I mean the pantry was pretty bare. They had just fed 150 folks.

I made some sandwiches and nuked them, really this was not the best meal... not even a meal... not even a school lunch.. but it was all there was. 

We found some other items like a yogurt cup and some granola bars and then rushed out to bring the gentleman his dinner. 

John told him I had met President Obama and that I had made this food. His eyes welled up with tears, he clasped my hand and told me he was GRATEFUL and HONORED to shake my hand. The hand that shook President Obama's. His eyes glowed with gratitude and love. He said he was blessed I came out to cook for him. He told me he was proud of me and thanked me. 

My eyes filled with tears - this was not a steak dinner, not a soup kitchen dinner, and yet it was much better than being hungry.

As I walked back to my warm home with my frig filled with food - I cried, my Mom cried. 

I need to cook him Steak or something.....

I am GRATEFUL for all I have,

Always!

Love the cabbage Leaf,
Logan

All My Blog Posts on MasterChef Junior Season 2 Episodes - Logan

Here are the links to all my blog posts for MasterChef Junior (Season 2) USA 2014

Episode 7: MasterChef Junior Final Episode : I AM THE MASTERCHEF JUNIOR

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/masterchef-junior-final-episode-i-am.html

Episode 6 :  Episode 6 MasterChef Junior The Attack of The Salmon – Logan

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-6-masterchef-junior-attack-of.html

Episode 5:  Episode 5 The Pop Up In MasterChef Junior

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/12/episode-5-pop-up-in-masterchef-junior.html

Episode 4:  MasterChef Junior Episode 4 Signature Dish

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-4-signature.html

  

Episode 3:  MasterChef Junior Episode 3 The Journey Continues

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/masterchef-junior-episode-3-journey.html

Episode 2:  The MasterChef Junior Experience : Episode 2 - Pie??? Really!

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-masterchef-junior-experience.html

Episode 1:  MCJ2 I finally get into the Masterchef Kitchen

http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/mcj2-i-finally-get-into-masterchef.html

Pre-Show:  The Beginning - From Memphis to Hollywood : MasterChef Junior Season 2 http://orderupwithlogan.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-beginning-from-memphis-to-hollywood.html

Let's not forget those who are hungry!

I know I am very lucky that I have never gone hungry. I have never opened the pantry and found it empty.

This is not true for everyone - in America, kids still go hungry. People still do not have enough to eat.

When you practice cooking sometimes there are mistakes - burned food, bad tasting food, poorly cooked food- food that no one wants to eat. You can't practice without making mistakes. So there is food waste. In order to have the freedom to learn to cook you need to waste a bit of food. It just happens.

A few years ago, I was learning and ruining food - so my Mom took me to St. John's Soup Kitchen just down the street from me and we cooked for those who are hungry. St Johns has a long history of feeding those in need and serves about 150 meals twice a week (that's 15,600 a year). It was my privilege to cook with them and give back to the food world. I am sure it does not surprise you that is is not restaurant quality food. It is stretch the money, feed the most people we can kind of cooking. It is harsh facing all those hungry folks - young, old, every race, every age, hungry people. It is tragic. It is real.

My Mom also had me help cook meals for Ronald McDonald House at St. Jude. these are families going through hard times dealing with tragically ill kids. They may not be classically hungry but they are in need and we decided we could help. The food left our home and we hoped it brought them comfort. We hope it told them we cared and that we wished them all health.

Last year, we heard that our friends at Trinity were going to host the homeless in a program called Room in the Inn - and they needed to feed 30 people a decent wholesome meal. We stepped up and cooked. Ham, hearty vegetable bean soup, potatoes, salad,  biscuits fruit, dessert. We fed these sometimes forgotten people. We hope they too felt the warmth of a good meal, the fellowship of friends and warm place to sleep. This year we cooked the Thanksgiving meal. 


We heard through the Boy Scouts that the local Rotary Club was going to package meals for hungry people- so I went early and with my friend and we packaged food. 1 cup rice, 1 cup vegetable protein, 1 vitamin pack, 1 tbs dried vegetable. Food enough for 6. Desperate food, low coast food, needed food. These packs are GRATEFULLY accepted. They are fought for. They are needed. And no chef would ever consider them in restaurant.

All these food experiences make me a better cook, a more compassionate food explorer and a more grateful human.

Maybe one day I will share my most meaningful story from St. Johns- the one I always carry in my heart. Not today.... today I am grateful for Breakfast!

Love the Cabbage Leaf,
Logan, Masterchef Junior Contestant







Here's a link to Trinity, if you want to help out. 
http://www.trinotes.net/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Logan - MasterChef Junior Contestant - Let's Cook Scrambled Eggs

Let's cook

Ok, so some kids have told me they can't cook. Now this sounds so, well, horrid to a kid chef that I have a plan to help.  I am going to make you some videos, and write some blogs to help.

First the kitchen is a tough place it is hot, sharp, accidents can happen and stuff can catch fire.Make sure to get permission from your parents and their help on this adventure.

Not everything you cook is going to be edible. Some stuff is going to go right into the trash or to your chickens! This is ok! Cause we are not gonna use the best fancy ingredients but some cheaper and easy to buy ingredients and when you master the cheaper ones, then buy the best and try again! Your gonna love it- it will be perfect and so tasty and then you go on Masterchef Jr or Masterchef, take the crown, and shoot me a wink!

First thing to learn - how to scramble eggs , Chef Ramsay style.

Now the eggs will be around $1.40 for the cheapest smallest eggs, but you will need real butter and some salt and pepper. That is it all the stuff ya need and maybe some toast, because when these babies come out, your gonna love them.

Practice cracking the eggs - it is easy, just don't be afraid of them and wash your hands with soap before and after your done. Eggs can carry salmonella and that can make you sick.

Now you have them cracked, give them a stir - slow and steady - you can see how the white is hard to mix in.

You can follow this video of me making the eggs- relax and have fun! Nailing these eggs make instant breakfast, great snack and even an elegant dinner!

This is not for babies- this is a real chef test.

Now that you made the first batch, taste them and try again.

Your dog or cat might like them, maybe your brother, sister or BFF.

Try again! 

Since timing is everything in food, start your toast first! It takes a while! Warm up some deli ham in the pan and Wow Chef Ramsey Eggs! You're good! You did it! You rock!

Be patient 
They are nice and cheap and can be hard to master.

Love the Cabbadge leaf,

Logan HDM

Wolfgang Puck's The City Walk LA

While I was in LA I got to go to The City Walk several times and try some of the food.

My first stop was Wolfgang Puck's, he is a pretty famous chef and the restaurant looked fresh and clean. It had a fast food, sit down style mixed together. You order at the front and then they delver pretty good food. 

I love fried calamari so I ordered that and a meatloaf. The calamari was fresh, lightly fired and pretty darn good. It is the first time I have been served the tentacles which I see is a trend now. I am not too sure I like that. The little O's have a better flavor and mouth feel. 

I did not like the meatloaf and had some envy for the huge burger my Mom ordered. This time she did not give it up because she hates meatloaf so I was stuck with it! Sigh.. I mean it would have been good if it had been a bit fresher or less dense but it was not. Fortunately we had the calamari so I did not go hungry. My mom's burger looked fantastic and she ate every bit! She said it was fantastic.

So if you are wandering around the city walk try it! You might like it too. Just stay clear of the meatloaf!

Love the Cabbage Leaf

Logan Master Chef Junior contestant

Wolfgang Puck LA Bistro

The Ultimate Meat Extravaganza Texas de Brazil

Texas de Brazil is downtown and it is fancy. It is known for the endless meat, it just keeps coming endlessly. I think it is an Brazilian steak house. The guys who bring the meat wear gaucho pants and are always carrying meat.

They have a huge salad bar in the middle of the restaurant with tons of yummy things to eat with the meat - like olives, cheeses, black beans, the chimichurri sauce and, well, salad.

I LOVE to go. Normally I don't eat much meat but at Texas de Brazil the meat is so good, I get stuffed. I really enjoy the flank steak, the sirloin, the ribs, the sausage, the lamb, the fillet and sometimes even the chicken - basically all the meat. It is all  really delicious. I even like how they will bring it out and cut your pieces for the perfect temperature for you. I like medium rare. I think they brine it first to make it tender and juicy.



Dad likes to go for lunch instead of dinner because it is a bit less expensive and he has all day to get over eating all that MEAT.

So if you want an endless array of yummy roasted meat in a super cool atmosphere with great sides this is the place for you and ME!

Love the Cabbage Leaf
Logan

PS. I really like the blue glasses and the meat!
Just so excited I forgot to take the photos!

Follow me on my MasterChef Junior Facebook

Twisted Root Burger Co. a Big D Must, Before MasterChef Junior Auditions

For the MasterChef Junior Season 2 Audition, we pulled into Dallas the first thing we had to do was grab something delicious. I asked Siri for the best burger and she said Twisted Root Burger Co. It was close so we went.

It is a rustic kind of place with a great sense of humor. They have 2 of my most favorite things Root Beer and Pickles. It was love at first bite.

I ordered a burger and then I realized my Mom's burger was better so I ate hers. It happens frequently, sorry Mom! I get too adventurous and she saves me by choosing my favorites. This burger was huge and juicy and perfectly cooked. I loved that they made their own ketchup. They also make the pickles and the unique root beer. It is the BOMB. 

The fries were crispy and delish. I loved the place! The bathroom was devoted entirely to Chuck Norris! How cool is that?


I would say Siri did hit the best burger in Dallas, maybe....it is a big city and I am one hungry boy.

Love the Cabbage, Leaf
Logan


Twisted Root Burger Company

Not just another Taco el Mezcal

It is hot out so go grab some spicy Mexican food at El Mezcal. I know it is an older chain of somewhat local Mexican food but that isn't a bad thing.
Tried and true, you know what to expect and it always delivers.
The inside is old school Mexican not a bit of the new trendy decor. It is comfy, and I really like the cactus lights.

I like to go because it is the only place my Mom lets me pick her food. I usually pick something new each time but the spicy Chipotle chicken is my favorite dish there. The cream sauce is layered in spicy flavor and the hint of smoke makes it my favorite.  I like the thin chicken and the rice is always pretty tasty. We don't usually get the gauc but I imagine it is pretty good too. Dad usually gets a ranchero steak and he likes it.

El Mezcal will give you a good salsa crispy chips and a pretty big plate of food. Good even for 2 meals. The prices are ok and I just  am happy to go. If you have not tried it and are tired of the small hipster plates out there then go!

Love the cabbage Leaf,
Logan



El Mezcal

Tazikis it is a chain....

Right next door to Petra cafe is another Greek style restaurant. I wondered if it would be as good as Petra's so in we went.

I liked the inside.  It was fresh, clean and nice. The pale green paint really felt peaceful. 

The family all ordered Gyros but I have to say Petra's is 100 times better. 

The bread was really the best part, soft, fresh, grilled and spiced. The meat was  not Gyro style but some other kind. I don't really know what they did to it! It was NOT GYRO MEAT!

The lettuce toppings were good but with the odd meat they could not save the sandwich. I did like the sauce but I could have had a bit more to cover up the meat.

I think it would be ok to go if you were in a hurry or just wanted to grab something quick, but to be honest there are just better Gyros out there.  I don't think our family will  go back. 

Love the Cabbage Leaf,
Logan

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe

Tops BBQ Burgers?!

Well,everyone is always raving about Tops BBQs' burger. They all say that the burger is something else.
My Dad is a huge Tops fan and late one night we went and got burgers. The inside is a BBQ shack at heart.
Howie Mandel would freak!
So here comes the burger, large, juicy, greasy, toasted, beefy, tomato, condiments, and the good old lettuce, everything a burger needs.
Surprise, it is really good. The fries,now, they are extremely good! Old fashion crinkle cut so they hold the ketchup really well and just an all around outstanding crispy fry. 

I've joined the Tops burger club and I think you should too!

Love the cabbage, Leaf
Logan


    

Tops Bar-B-Q