SurfasLosAngeles.com is Now Online!

We've finished updating and adding events and now we're pleased to announce that SurfasLosAngeles.com is now COMPLETE!

We could talk all day about its interactive features, it's updated recipe archieve, or the super easy to use schedule of events calendar.... But maybe we should let you see for yourself: http://www.surfaslosangeles.com/

And remember, Surfas products and MORE can be purchased online at the NEW CulinaryDistrict.com

New Beers- Kona Coffee Porter and NØgne Ø Brewery’s India Pale Ale

Surfas is known to carry hard to find craft beers from both international and domestic breweries. Here are two new arrivals we are proud to offer:

- Check out the new Kona Coffee Porter. This is the brainchild of the Ken Schmidt Maui Brewing and Stone Breweries. Layers of Macadamia nuts, toasted coconut and Kona coffee whisk one away to flavors reminiscent of a decadent tiramisu. Pair with a vanilla gelato for a great beer float

- Another gem is NØgne Ø Brewery’s India Pale Ale. The thick, biscuity malt of this beer finishes with the piney bitterness of Chinook and Cascade hops, undoubtedly qualifying this Norwegian brew to be put on the craft beer map. Pair the bite of this IPA with a caramelized braised pork belly or a sumptuous brisket.

Have any questions about these or other of our unusual beers? Stop by and let’s talk!

Cheers!

Aly, her Royal Beerness!

The Surfas Los Angeles Site

We are down to the last final stages of completing the new site, thanks for holding tight while we finish!

Good news though, the schedule of events page has been completed through November! For our visiting Chef Classes, all you do is click on the event name and you will be brought to the Chef's Website. Pretty neat! We are in the process of getting all the recipes from past demos and events up. We are testing a couple ways of adding them, so, if you see some stuff disappear and reappear, don't worry, it's just us. And everything will eventually return!

So, for now, head on over and check out the new calendar. Let us know what you think! The new web address is: http://www.surfaslosangeles.com/

"O" Tapenade and Rice Pasta Tasting

Everybody's favorite Chef Lavender will be leading a casual demo and tasting at the front of the store on Friday October 9, 2009 from 12-1:30. On the menu: "O" Meyer Lemon, Picholine Olive and Champagne Vinegar Tapenade with Rustichella d'Abruzzo Rice Pasta. Stop by for a taste!

Events for the week of October 5, 2009: Demos and Visiting Chef's Classes

Wednesday, October 7:

• Baking 101 Series: Pies and Tarts with Gourmandise Desserts (Visiting Chef Class). 11am to 2pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. $55 per person. To register, please email classes@gourmandisedesserts.com or call 310.382.4692.http://gourmandisedesserts.com/class.php?id=34 Students will receive 10% off their in-store purchase the day of class!
  
  
  
  Learn the secrets of an easy, flaky pie crust, buttery tart crust and irresistible fillings. Our chefs will visit the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market that morning and pick the finest, sweetest fruits for some most delicious desserts!
  
  
  
  Perfectly Flaky Pie Crust
  
  Buttery Tart Crust
  
  Apple Caramel Walnut Tart
  
  
  
  Spiced Pumpkin Pie
  
  Pear Frangipane Tart
  
  
  
  The Baking 101 Series is designed to teach basic techniques of baking and expand on them using market-fresh produce and the finest ingredients available. Take as many or as few of classes in the series as you wish.
  
  
  

Thursday, October 8:

• A Pot Full O’ Stories, ages 3-5 with parent or caregiver (Visiting Chef Class). 11am to 12pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. Course fee: series of 3 $90, Single Classes Available. Call 310.295.4208 to register or online at http://www.piccolochef.com/.
  
  
  

  
  
  Piccolo Chef, winner of Los Angeles Magazine's "Best Of " award for Best Kids' Cooking Classes in Los Angeles, is bringing one of its most popular classes to Surfas! Curl up with a good book and some good eats! In this class we'll discover a new picture book like "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" or "Blueberries for Sal" and make a delicious and healthful recipe from the book! Each child will receive a cookbook with the class recipes as well as a Piccolo Chef Certificate of Completion at the end of the series.
  
  
  

Friday, October 9:

• 
  
  Bread Baking 101 with Gourmandise Desserts (Visiting Chef Class). 3pm to 6pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. $55 per person. To register, please email classes@gourmandisedesserts.com or call 310.382.4692. http://gourmandisedesserts.com/class.php?id=12 Students will receive 10% off their in-store purchase the day of class!
  
  This class will teach you the basics of two very different doughs: a Yeast Dough and Quickbread Batter.
  

  
  

  Yeast breads are simple once you learn how to make a quick starter! We will make:
  Quick Yeast Bread Base, Apple Pecan Sticky Buns, Cinnamon Rolls
  

  
  

  The second half of the class will focus on Quickbreads and Tea Loaves as we make Apricot Zucchini Bread, Blueberry Muffins and Cranberry Orange Tea Cakes.
  
  
  

Saturday, October10:

• La Cucina Italiana, ages 6-9 (Visiting Chef Class). 9am to 10:30am in the Surfas Test Kitchen. Workshop Fee: $49. Call 310.295.4208 to register or online at http://www.piccolochef.com/.
  
  Piccolo Chef, winner of Los Angeles Magazine's "Best Of " award for Best Kids' Cooking Classes in Los Angeles, is bringing its popular classes to Surfas! From the tip of the boot to the peaks of the Alps, come enjoy the tastes of the Italian kitchen! In this class we will work together as a team to discover new ingredients and flavors from all over Italy and the Mediterranean regions, as well as create fresh and healthy meals to feed our minds and bodies. With recipes like Pumpkin Gnocchi with a Sage and Pecorino Butter Sauce and Gelato alla Fragola (Strawberry Gelato), you'll be eating your way through the Italian kitchen and culture!
  
• SerendipiTea Tea Tasting: 12pm - 4pm at the Front of the Store. FREE! Tea cleanses the body and restores our sense of well-being and balance. Come meet with Philip Alvidrez & lovely Rosemeri of SerendipiTea for an afternoon of Tea Tasting & Talks at the front of the store. Sample some our favorite brews, and learn the correct way to steep a perfect cup!
  
  
• Street Foods Demo: 12pm - 1pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. FREE! Learn the secrets to creating fiery Korean BBQ tacos, fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, and fragrant lemongrass chicken Banh Mi sandwiches. It’s so easy you can do it at home, in a truck, or on the street.
  
  Minnie is a Private Chef, Food Writer, and Cooking Teacher who resides in the Santa Monica Canyon. She has cooked in professional kitchens, high profile private homes, and for large scale catering events. She is the author of a popular food blog called, www.MinnieEatWorld.Com. Her work has been published in The Boston Globe, Where to Eat Magazine, The Somerville News, Boston’s Weekly Dig, and Swindle Magazine.
  
  Samples and recipes will be available!
  
  
• Fall Pies and Tarts with Gourmandise Desserts (Visiting Chef Class). 3pm to 6pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. $55 per person. To register, please email classes@gourmandisedesserts.com or call 310.382.4692. http://gourmandisedesserts.com/class.php?id=13 Students will receive 10% off their in-store purchase the day of class!
  
  Learn the secrets of an easy, flaky pie crust, buttery tart crust and irresistible fillings. Our chefs will visit the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market that morning and pick the finest, sweetest fruits for some most delicious desserts!
  
  Perfect Pie Crust
  Buttery Tart Crust
  Apple and Caramelized Walnut Pie
  Peach and Blackberry Pie
  Chocolate and Salted Caramel Tart
  Poached Pear Tart
  

Alert: LA Weekly's Foodie "Squid Ink" Blog Mentions Surfas

Nice mention of our popular FREE demos and new Visiting Chef's Classes. Have you checked out a class yet? Click on over to our Facebook page for the list of upcoming classes this month, or check back here later today for this week's demos and classes.

Click here for the Squid Ink Blog Post!

Gift Baskets!

Too early to start thinking about Holiday Gift Baskets? Nah! Avoid the Holiday rush and pre-order your Holiday Gift Basket today. We cater to every culinary passion, and occasion! For more information on ordering, please contact John Pitblado at either johnp@surfasonline.com, or 310-559-4770 ext.275.

p.s. We can ship around the country too!

Upcoming Weekend Events for October 2nd, 3rd and 4th!

Friday, October 2nd:

• Paella on the Patio, 12:30pm to 2pm. Welcome Fall with a hearty serving of Paella on the Cafe Surfas Patio, for FREE. Chef Lavendar will be dishing it out and spicing things up- stop by!

Saturday, October 3rd:  

• La Cucina Italian (ages 6-9) (Visiting Chef Class). 3pm - 4:30pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. $49 per class. Call 310.295.4208 to register or online at http://www.piccolochef.com/ 
  
  
  
  From the tip of the boot to the peaks of the Alps, come enjoy the tastes of the Italian kitchen! In this class we will work together as a team to discover new ingredients and flavors from all over Italy and the Mediterranean regions, as well as create fresh and healthy meals to feed our minds and bodies. With recipes like Gelato al Cioccolato (Chocolate Gelato) on Handmade Gelato Cones and Ravioli di Piselli (Sweet Pea Ravioli), you’ll be eating your way through the Italian kitchen and culture!
  
  
  

Sunday, October 4th

• Wedding Cake Workshop with Gourmandise Desserts (Visiting Chef Class). 12pm - 4pm in the Surfas Test Kitchen. $125 per person. To register, please email classes@gourmandisedesserts.com or call 310.382.4692. http://gourmandisedesserts.com/class.php?id=11  Students will receive 10% off their in-store purchase the day of class!
  This intensely delicious 4-hour workshop is designed to teach the intermediate and pro baker how to turn simple decorated cakes into masterpieces!
  
  
  We will go over how to sculpts cakes, stack multiple layers and use dowels for support. Smoothing Buttercreams and fondant work will turn our cakes into yummy works of art.
  
  
  Our next feats of decadent architecture will feature the sweet science of creating topsy-turvy effects. We will teach you which materials to use for base supports and how to create stunning visual effects on your cakes. We will be using fresh cakes and real fillings- not just buttercreams here!
  
  
  Students are welcome and encouraged to take photos and publish them. Class is limited to 10 students and each person will take home the 2-tiered cake they've created.