Malibu, CA 90265 310 317-0110
www.lacostamission.com
WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO A VALENTINE'S EVENING OF RECIPES, ROMANCES AND HOME REMEDIES FROM THE INFAMOUS MOVIE “L ike Water for Chocolate ike Water for Chocolate ike Water for Chocolate ike Water for Chocolate ike Water for Chocolate” “TITA'S MENU” BY LAURA ESQUIVEL AND EXECUTIVE CHEF GENO BAHENA
New World Passion Fruit Margarita, to begin the celebration, 100% blue agave tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, blood orange juice, crimson prickly pear, and passion fruit
Champandongo--just-made tortillas layered with shredded pork and beef, almonds, pecans, cream, cheese and savory red mole
Perhaps [the infant Esperanza] sensed that her aunt was thinking of getting married and departing the ranch, leaving her behind all adrift, for all day long she never stopped crying. Tita ran up and down the stairs carrying pots of food from one end to the other. Finally it just had to happen:: the pitcher went to the well once too often. Going down the stairs for the eighth time, Tita tripped and the pan full of mole for the champandongo rolled down the steps. And with it went four hours of hard work cutting and grinding ingredients. ...Pedro couldn't have chosen a worse moment to speak to Tita... "Tita, I want to say, I think your idea of marrying John is a terrible mistake". (Page 148)
Chardonnay, Summerland, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2011
Sopa de Colita--oxtail soup with tomatoes, young green beans and smoky chile morita.
Soups can cure any illness, whether physical or mental--at least, that was Chencha's firm belief and Tita's too, although she hadn't given sufficient credit to it for quite some time. But now it would have to be accepted as truth. (Page 123)
Codorniz en Pétalos de Rosa--stuffed quail in edible rose petal sauce with chestnuts, anise, honey, crimson prickly pear and rustic Yukon gold mashed potatoes. ...when Pedro tasted his first mouthful, he couldn't help closing his eyes in voluptuous delight and exclaiming: "It is a dish for the gods!" Mama Elena knew that the quail was exquisite, nonetheless, Pedro's remark did not sit well with her, and she replied: "It's too salty." On [Gertrudis] the food seemed to act as an aphrodisiac; she began to feel an intense heat pulsing through her limbs. An itch in the center of her body kept her from sitting properly in her chair. She began to sweat; imagining herself on horseback with her arms clasped around one of Pancho Villa's men: the one she had seen in the village plaza the week before, smelling of sweat and mud, of dawns that brought uncertainty and danger, smelling of life and death. (Pages 51-52)
Pinot Noir, Summerland, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2011 Chile en Nogada--roasted poblano peppers stuffed with fruity pork picadillo, in creamy fresh walnut sauce and crimson pomegranate seeds. As they danced [the wedding dance]...Pedro touched his cheek to Tita's, and his hand on her waist felt hotter than ever. "Do you remember when we heard this song for the first time?" "I'll never forget." "I couldn't sleep that night, thinking about asking for your hand right then. I didn't know that it would take twenty-two years before I would ask you to be my wife." (Page 236)
Syrah, Summerland, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2011
Pastel de Tres Leches “Chabela Wedding Cake”--The classic Mexican party cake: light almond-orange cake doused with the complex, syrupy "three milks" (goat cajeta, evaporated and heavy cream) and served with tangy, crimson prickly pear sauce.
"Through this marriage [to your sister] I have gained what I really wanted: the chance to be near you, the woman I really love." For Tita, these words of Pedro's were like a fresh breeze fanning embers that had been about to die. (Page 38)
Chocolate Mexicano, foamy hot chocolate with cinnamon, almonds and vanilla, Mexico, 2013
Those happy days when Nacha was with her seemed so distant now. Nacha! The smells: her noodle soup, her chilaquiles, her champurrado, her molcajete sauce, her bread with cream, all were far away in a distant past. They could never be surpassed, her seasoning, her atole drinks, her teas, her laugh, her herbal remedies, the way she braided her hair and tucked Tita in at night, took care of her when she was sick, and cooked what she craved and whipped the chocolate. (Page 167)
To the table or to bed, you must come when you are bid.
$85 per person with selected wines (not including tax or gratuity) $50 per person food only (not including tax or gratuity)
Executive Chef + Geno Bahena
Sous Chef + Marvin Yanes
Gustavo Oroxon + General Manager
