Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Last night, Carmel Belle   hosted its third pop-up dinner at the   Monterey Museum of Art , La Mirada. And it was, in my estimation, a veritable love letter to the sea. On the walls hung an exhibit of pieces by artist Armin Hansen. Born in San Francisco, Hansen did live in Monterey when it was a budding artist community. I didn't take any photographs - because they were forbidden! - but this one, Nino,  was there as were numerous oils, watercolors, and etchings. http://crockerartmuseum.org/ The variance in the styles of the pieces was dramatic. Without knowing they were the work of one artist, one might think it was a multi-artist exhibit. But one thing was clear: Hansen loved the sea. Carmel Belle and Chef Kyle Odell sourced the fish from  H&H Fresh Seafood , a sustainable small boat fishery based in Santa Cruz who focuses on a hand-caught, sustainable, one rod-one fish model. Hans Haveman was in attendance and spoke passionately abo...

If you've been following me for awhile, you know my complete and utter adoration of pop-up dinners. Seriously, take a great chef and host a dinner in a new venue, or at least a different kind of cuisine, and - voilà! - instant fun. We've met new friends, celebrated with old friends, had family date nights, and enjoyed romantic date nights at pop-ups all around the bay. Last February, Jake and I went to the inaugural collaborative pop-up dinner between  Carmel Belle   and  Monterey Museum of Art , La Mirada. It was The Perfect Friday Night . Here's a shot of Chef Kyle Odell serving a dish that evening. Then, last September, Carmel Belle was back at the La Mirada; Jake and I went for their Autumn Pop-up . Here's a shot of the menu from that evening. I still think about that food! I just heard that they are planning a new one and there are only a dozen tickets left. Chef Kyle will be cooking up a seafood dinner inspired by the current exhibit at the La...