Three Cakes for Carol

Many people we cook for become friends. One of those people is Carol. She's the kind of person who eats at her own birthday party (love that!!!!!) and has no trouble giving sincere attention to all of her guests, then afterwards she hangs out with us in the kitchen while we're packing up as if we were guests too. To know her is to hug her and that's exactly what we do whenever we can because we love Carol!


Strawberry Red Velvet, Spicy Caramel Carrot, and Chocolate Marble with Creme Fraiche Ice Cream

It Takes a Team

We are entering Wedding Season. I always thought it was in June but nope. October is when the masses decide to say "I Do", at least those couples who hire Heirloom LA. We are however doing weddings leading up to the craziness of fall matrimony so it's a good thing we have our team intact!

Here's Tad. Nothing is ever too heavy or too hot for him.

Then there's Tal who makes sure we are all on point because the details matter.

And here's Nick, a new addition to the circle of Those-Who-Make-It-Happen. On his first day working for us I nearly saw him get squashed to save a glass freezer from shattering to the ground. That's the kind of commitment that ensures guests will be comfortable and happy, whatever it takes.

Most Weddings go off without a Hitch, but once in a while there are some fires to put out. We are very fortunate to have a have a team that is always at the ready.

Crostini Stations

How'd you like to walk into a party greeted with this deliciousness?



Something for everyone right here I tell ya.

Sunday Brunch at Intelligentsia

You may have your own favorite java jolt, but I'm going to share with you ours. It's at Intelligentsia of course and it's off the menu so that when you order it you immediately feel like an insider which never hurts at a place of food. Named for the glass it's served in, the Gibraltar is an espresso with milk heated to the tip of it's sweetness so sugar isn't really necessary. Pair this shot with an Americano and you'll feel enlivened and ready to go.

Now, the Grub!


Jidori Chicken Salad Sandwich




Pork Sausage Fritatta with Weiser Farm Banana Potatoes


Suadero Tacos with Pico de Gallo and Peppadew Slaw



Roasted Nieman Ranch Pork Belly Sandwich

Come and Get It!

Intelligentsia Pasadena

55 East Colorado Blvd.

Leslie Balla Shows Us Some Love

Backyard Birthday!

Our dear Elizabeth Belkind of Cake Monkey Bakery got married last weekend and all her family- speaking at least three diffferent languages- was in town.

To kick off the celebration, EB threw her dad a surprise backyard birthday party. Matt made Pork Short Ribs and Lime Romesco Jidori Chicken and these Crazy Good Veggie Burgers with all the sides like Spicy Cole Slaw and Smoked Potato Salad and Grilled Sweet Corn, oh and yes, an assortment of Lasagna Cupcakes.

What's a Birthday Party without a couple of Cake Monkey Cakes?!!!

Jonathan Gold Doesn't Know Who We Are

We LOVE Intelligentsia and we are HUGE FANS of Jonathan Gold so it's okay that he gets his facts wrong when he writes that "the squandron of coffee jocks" invented Lasagna Cupcakes because you here on our humble blog are the actual insiders who got "The First Bite" in this scenario and it is you who are armed with the truth:

Heirloom LA makes the Lasagna Cupcakes! Intelligentsia makes the Iced Angelenos!

Our heads are hung low, our egos have encountered a hiccup for it was Matt in a giddy state of enthusiasm who personally served Jonathan Gold his Lamb Ragu Lasagna Cupcake last Friday at Intelli Pasadena. Yet, today, we raise our chins, as well as our Iced Angelenos, and choke back our bluster realizing that a sincere and flattered thank you is still very much in order to the Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer for scribing so eloquently about our food despite not knowing that he has.

Sunday Brunch at Intelligentsia

Breakfast is not overrated, especially when it's at the new Intelligentsia in Pasadena.

Did I mention that we were doing the food?

We are. Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Lunch, Lunch Boxes, and Dinner
(Wine and Beer coming soon!)

Tal and I met there last Sunday for Brunch. Although Tal said he had already eaten, I ordered both Brunch Menu items, Juevos Rancheros and Sausage and Biscuits insisting, "You have to at least taste them!"

I live for this motto. I taste everything Matt makes.

He shrugged and said again, "I'm just really full."


The dishes arrived, I took my pictures, and went to work on the Sausage and Biscuits (I had made the biscuits and they were very good, thank you).

Amazing, delightful. I told Matt this without bothering to cover my mouth.


Juevos Rancheros, delectable, surprising.

I turned again to my sleep deprived boyfriend and took his hand in mine, only this time I made sure not to be chewing. I just don't say this enough, but you are doing such a fantastic job. I'm so proud of you.

Then I turned back to my plates, fork in fist ready to polish them off, but alas... they already had been.

Hmph. Be careful of the "full" people you share your Brunch at Intelligentsia with!

Intelligentsia Coffee
55 E Colorado Blvd I Pasadena

Matt and Tad, Seriously

A respectable magazine asked me if I could submit some action shots of Matt, to which I promptly replied, "Duh!"

So I go to the kitchen where a wedding tasting is being held. I'm thinking I've got Food Shots! Matt Shots! Kitchen Shots! Even some Tal Shots! In. The. Bag. Bada-Bing! Bada-Boom!!

Not so fast, Oh-Yee-Big-Headed-One. This kitchen has been up since before the sun and they are weary and fatigued and in no mood for photo ops.

This shot that you see is the best I have to offer, and the most serious and sincere. I will try again tomorrow.

SLW August 1st

We just couldn't stay away!!

Originally intended as a Drop-Off, we couldn't help ourselves...


We joined Tad and started with a Lasagna Course of Japanese Eggplant and Roasted Yam with Chestnut Cream, Topped with Pea Tendrils in a Chestnut Honey Vinaigrette and Smoked Sea Salt to finish.




Next up were Pig Tacos with Heirloom Tomato Pico de Gallo









And Lamb Meatballs with Romesco and Lemon Creme Fraiche

Guess What? We're gonna be there again this Sunday August 8th to Celebrate Intelligentsia Pasadena Opening!!

Reservations a Must: 323.662.9024

Birthday at Marvimon

I LOVE when Hosts make Menu Art!

This Marvimon Party was a Birthday Celebration that also featured an extensive Dessert Table and Specialty Cocktails!!