Anyone who knows me will know that I notoriously refer to myself as having a “black thumb”, meaning I kill almost every plant I ever bring into my home.  Needless to say, I keep on trying…

After a trip to Oregon for a film festival, my mom brought me back a fantastic gift.  Garden Bon Bons come in a box like chocolates, and surprising look exactly like chocolates.  They are, however, bon bons filled with herb seeds.

Adorable Chocolate Box Packaging

The instructions are extremely simple.  Place Bon Bons on top of soil and water steadily until they germinate.  Sounds simple enough for even old Black Thumb over here to give it a go.

This is the first post about the progress of my Bon Bons…

So far, planting was as simple as it seemed, and I am anxiously awaiting the germination stage.

Bon Bons Hit the Soil

Herbs Labeled and Ready for Growth… Fingers Crossed

VIP Competitors Area

There was no way I was going to miss the 10th annual grilled cheese invitational at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Cheese + Sun + Music + Beer + My equally foodie partner in crime Ari = The Perfect Saturday!

Unfortunately for me, I had set my expectations so very high that when we arrived we were slightly let down.  Firstly, only the VIPs (tickets only $10 more than general admission and completely sold out) were able to try the competition grilled cheeses.  Us lowly commoners were offered semi-sad and exceptionally plain grilled cheeses from Cabot Creamery, sodas and bags of chips.  Everything else was for purchase.

Yes there were food trucks and beer and that was lovely, but to pay to get in and then pay for everything else is a bit of a drag.  All in all I would probably rate the festival a 6 out of 10, and highly suggest that they either not charge general admission or lower it ($15 just to get in and watch other people enjoy free, amazingly inventive grilled cheese sammys is a stretch).

Sad Cabot GCs

That being said, and money already having been doled out, I did really enjoy the beer and GCs that I ate.  LA staple The Grilled Cheese Truck offered up their signature, the Cheesy Mac & Rib Melt, mac and cheese with pulled BBQ pork grilled between bread.  While certainly delicious, I never thought I would say it, but it was a bit too much.  Maybe if it was a mac & cheese dish and not a sammy I would be more inclined.

Cheesy Mac & Rib Melt

The highlight of the day, hands down, was the underestimated Granville Cafe.  The only truck with no line, we walked right up and grabbed their GC on our way out.  Petit basque, gruyere and parmesan melted with carmelized onions, deli mustard and garlic aioli.  THIS WAS AMAZING. If anyone is near Granville you should stop in and try this sammy.

Granville Goodness

In the beer garden I opted for an IPA brew from ladyface called Chesbro.  Almost like an amber, this draft was the perfect companion to all the cheesy goodness.

Ladyface Chesbro IPA

Advice: If you want to check out the festival next year, make sure to get tickets early and get the VIP tickets and make sure not to eat the day before to save room for all the amazing competing grilled cheeses.

Ok, so Hot Dog on a Stick isn’t really having a comeback, but anyone who knows me will say that I am a sucker for a hole-in-the-wall shack that serves food (and if the food is a hot dog, even better).

The Corner Store is a gem in the San Pedro area.  Interior Designer Alden Minor lives in this area, and we walked to this darling eatery/general store to pick up freshly made sandwiches.  Here you can also find every possibility of artisan soda ever made and candy in jars that you can buy by the piece.

My advice: Don’t be afraid to eat at a hole-in-the-wall, more often than not you are pleasantly surprised.  You will find that you’ll be proud about your “discovery” that you’ll go home and brag to friends about your foodie-radar instincts.