FOOD
THE INGREDIENT
SUMMER SENSATION Tis the season for strawberries
BY C A R O L E D I XO N
COURTESY OF JIM SULLIVAN
A
ny top chef—from Wolfgang made with Harry’s Berries strawberPuck to Ina Garten—will ries, whipped coconut, pistachio, concur that Harry’s Berand pistachio oil. Nearby, at Hotel ries is the best of the best when Figueroa’s latest dining venue, Sparasterid’s it comes to the summer’s eagerly row, you can try panna cotta with shortcake awaited strawberry. coconut, balsamic Harry’s Berries Based in Oxnard, the company strawberries, and lavender biscotti. was founded in the 1960s and is famous for organic berries with an SALADS: Pickling green strawberries unrivaled sweetness. Smith Brothfor salads is also a thing. At KA’TEEN in ers restaurants in Pasadena swears by Hollywood, chef Wes Avila uses pickled these strawberries’ sweeter and juicier strawberries for his tuna aguachile as they taste and incredible aroma compared to other add a sweet and tart note—slivers of fresh tuna strawberries. rest on a bed of vivid green, citrusy marinade with “We only harvest our berries at their peak ripeness and our seasonal produce. “The strawberries are not from a particular growing location is the ideal combination of weather and soil brand,” says Avila. “We use green, unripe strawberries and composition combined with our organic growing practices,” pickle them in a house pickling solution. They are pickled for says Kris Gean, Harry’s Berries’ operations at least 24 hours before use and live in the manager. pickling solution thereafter.” TOP STRAWBERRY Some of the world’s best fruit comes from In the South Bay, staple Italian eatery DESSERTS IN this area in Ventura Country, and it looks Love & Salt has a popular beets and burrata PASADENA like its annual Strawberry Festival will finally salad with marinated beets, pickled green Pie ’N Burger return in May 2023 after a few missed seastrawberries, pistachio, and garden flowClassic strawberry pie is made with fresh fruit when sons due to the pandemic. ers that screams summer. in season. As for local farmers markets, you can find Harry’s Berries at the Victory Park location of COCKTAILS: kodō has taken over the old Arroyo Chop House the Pasadena Certified Farmers’ Market from Firehouse hotel building in the Arts DisSeasonal strawberry April through October. trict with an izakaya-robata concept that shortcake is made with a golden scone biscuit warmed includes a rare Awayuki strawberry-infused and filled with strawberry SWEETS: At the new asterid by Ray Garcia at gin from Japan that is used in a cocktail compote made with Harry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, the chef uses Harwith lime soda and topped with diced berBerries, topped with housemade whipped cream. ry’s Berries strawberries along with hibisries, called the “Bara- Bara Strawberry.” cus angel food cake and vanilla cream for Next door, Yangban Society features Fair Oaks Pharmacy his shortcake dessert that is already a menu the California Strawberry Collins, a new This 1915 landmark serves favorite. “Simply put, Harry’s Berries are the canned cocktail (perfect for a picnic) with creamy strawberry milk shakes at the retro soda best,” says Garcia. “They have the perfect a custom label from local Korean American fountain counter. balance of sweetness with just a touch of artist Cha Yuree. acidity on the finish. These attributes provide For a splurge, Providence in Hollywood Little Flower a versatility that make the berry the star of offers a $100 margarita made with Casa The strawberry rhubarb muffin is made with sour our shortcake dish. We use them fresh, in a Dragones Joven, Grand Marnier Cuvée du cream batter, fruit compote coulis, as well as in ice cream form.” Centenaire, poured over a hand-cut, gemwith a crisp topping; also try Also in DTLA, hemp-friendly Gusto Green shaped ice sphere and finished with Harry’s the strawberry almond tart. recently added a semifreddo to the menu, also Berries strawberries.
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