Your Next Bite

Bites & Pints for Mammoth's Opening Day THU 11/10/11

This year, Cali's weather has been all over the place. So to celebrate the recent cold front up north, Mammoth Mountain will be opening tomorrow, Thursday November 10, 2011.

If you're anything like my die hard season-pass-holder friend Chad, a few hours from now (3:00am) you'll be getting up, packing your gear*, and hitting the road to make sure you're the first one on the  chair lift, come 8:30am.

Here's what to eat & drink when you get there. And don't forget about Mammoth's Annual Opening Day Champagne Toast on the Main Lodge Sundeck at 11:00am.

The Grub/Washdown:

- Cheap midday meal on the mountain: body & soul-warming, tummy friendly, addictive Beef & Pinto Bean Chili with Jalapeno & Cheese Toppings at Broadway Marketplace Base Lodge ($7.95)

- Apres-ski suds: crisp, piney, and citrus Mammoth Paranoid Pale Ale (Mammoth Brewing Company, Mammoth Lakes, CA) 5.5% ABV

- Easy hotel dinner with elegant finds: Raw Squash Pasta, Sizzling Sashimi, Seared Fois Gras, and more at White Bark Restaurant, The Westin Monache ($7-31)

- Upscale dining with cozy cabin feel: Beef Wellington, fresh caught Trout, Trio of Mushrooms all at The Restaurant at Convict Lake ($9-27)

- quick stop farm fresh French food on the way home: soft 'n melty Croque Monsieur with Pepper-kissed Shoe String French Fries at Still Life Cafe, Independence ($11.95)

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Shred the Gnar!

*P.S. If you need to load up on ski & snow gear this year, then don't miss the biggest sale of the season at the Ski Dazzle Ski Show & Snowboard Expo December 1st-4th, LA Convention Center.

Still Life Cafe & French Food from Independence, CA

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Just like Katy Perry's song "Hot N Cold", this weather's got Your Next Bite wrapped around it's little finger. From recent blog posts like snowy Convict Lake in Mammoth to basking in the sun at Geoffrey's in Malibu, today's rain brings us back up north to Still Life in Independence. (If you've never heard of it, it's one of those tiny sleepy towns you pass just outside Bishop on the way to Mammoth).

Looking for a quaint farm fresh French meal at a bit of a slower pace? Then Still Life Cafe is just the place. Run by a couple from the Basque country, the husband takes your order, while the wife cooks it up in the kitchen. For such an unassuming spot, you'd be surprised to find local Top Sirloin Beef Burgers $15.95, perfectly piping hot Croque Monsieurs $11.95, and Bouidon Blancs $19.95 bustling out the tiny kitchen door. As my foodie friend who introduced me to the restaurant said, get ready to park yourself for a few hours and do like the French do – enjoy.

The Grubdown:

- softer than expected, not greasy at all, perfectly string cheesy with just the right amount of burnt bits Croque Monsieur with Country Ham on Wheat Slices $11.95

- salt 'n pepper kissed, soft 'n cruncy in all the right places French Fries (comes with the Croque)

While the hand model and I didn't get to lounge around as much as we'd like to, we definitely plan on returning soon to dine on (out of all things), the 4 big beautiful Burgers we saw at the table next to us, some French Onion Gratinee with Buckwheat & Lentil $11.95 (but of course), the Braised Lamb Shank with White Beans $22.95, and the Almond Tart for dessert.

Bon Apres Ski!

135 S Edwards, Independence, CA 93526. 760.878.2555 ‎

Cozy Cabin Fine Dining at The Restaurant at Convict Lake in Mammoth

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Wanna kick it up a notch next time you head to Mammoth? Then take in the full snow-white winter log cabin experience at the Restaurant at Convict Lake, just 10 minutes away. This fine dining locals spot since the 1940s will turn any meal into a lifelong tradition, whether you're throwing a special event, enjoying a romantic evening, or just having fun with the fam.

The seasonal menu is chock full of way too many goodies to decide on, like Clay Pot Roasted Garlic ($8), Grilled Vegetable Strudel ($20), Osso Bucco ($30), and classic tableside Bananas Foster ($15). As a result of your impulse to just order it all, they even offer a courtesy shuttle to cart your carcass back to town.

The Grubdown:

- woodsy, boozey, garlic 'n thyme Trio of Marinated Mushrooms with Shiitake, Portabella & Button Mushrooms sauteed in Sherry $9

- creamy, crusty, lustful Warm Goat Cheese & Arugula Salad with Sherry Glazed caramelized Shallots, Diced Red Pepper, Tomato Water, Verjus & White Truffle Oil $13

- i wanted to like this, a little dry, could use more lemon Cashew Crusted Fresh Alpers Rainbow Trou Sauteed in Chardonnay Butter Sauce $28

- flaky, tender, love that thick red wine gravy Beef Wellington with Filet Mignon, Wild Mushroom Duxelle, and Bourbon Glace de Veau in Puffed Pastry $37

- more flavor than the Trout, tender with a rice vinegar 'n sesame spike Halibut Fish Special du Jour $MP

- peeerrrrrrrfectly cooked, juicy 'n tender, just order it 7 oz. Certified Angus beef Filet Mignon with Maytag Blue Cheese & Fried Leeks $37

- couldn't put the spoon down, fresh 'n flaky Fuji Apple & Mascarpone Strudel ala mode with Cognac Butterscotch $9

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Each time I come to Convict Lake, my hand model and I can never stray from the Beef Wellington and Trout. While the Wellington was as delish as always, unfortunately the best part of the local Trout was the fresh Pureed Carrots with Cardamom on the side.

Definitely don't miss out on the Trio of Mushrooms – our table alone had 3 orders.

And as for Dessert, you seriously could order 1 of each 'cuz they all sound sooo good. But if you wanna do it up big, go Bananas Foster!

Follow Convict Lake Restaurant @CLRestaurant

2000 Convict Lake Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. 800-992-2260.

White Bark in snowy white Mammoth

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Last weekend Mammoth had epic powder from Friday's snow storm. This week, another one's rollin' in. So if you make your way up the mountain, make sure to take a trip to rustic, yet contemporary White Bark restaurant at The Westin Monache hotel.

From the fresh Cucumber Mint Westinis at the suspended rock bar, to the Sizzlin' Sashimi and White Cheddar Guinness Soup in the dining room, White Bark offers something for everyone.

The Grubdown:

- literally unbelievably tender 'n moist inside, crisp outside Pan Seared Salmon with Grilled Zucchini, Maitake Mushrooms, Roasted Tomatoes, Prosciutto, madeira-like Bay Scallop Cream Sauce and a side of Brussel Sprouts & thinly sliced Potatoes $31

- oily char-grilled 'n plump Asparagus Side with thickly grated Parmesan Reggiano Pearls $7

- light 'n fresh, could use some more salt Raw Squash Pasta with Activated Sunflower Seeds, Pine Nuts & Walnut Arugula Pesto $27

- could've eaten 12 plates of Sizzling Sashimi Yellowtail, Tuna & Salmon with Maguro, Hiramasa, Sake with Onion, Shoyu, Rayu, Green Onion, and Crispy Garlic $16

- great if you like skippin' on the rice, fresh 'n crunchy Duo of Tuna with Asparagus, Carrot, Cucumber, Maguro, Tombo, Yamagobo, Tobiko & Mango Curry Emulsion $18

- crisp outside, caramelized sweet melty soft inside Seared Fois Gras with Buttered Brioche, spicy Serrano Marmalade, Cippolini Compote, and Apricot Preserve $16

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Your Short Order: If you're gonna get 3 things, go for the Westini Martini, the Sizzlin' Sashimi, and the Pan Seared Salmon. All were uber awesome.

Follow @WestinMammoth for promos, events, powder reports, and more!

Where to get the Best Cheap Chili and Pizza in Mammoth for the 4th of July

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Even though summer's officially here, Mammoth Mountain Ski Season is still on thru July 5th. So while you're celebrating the 4th of July in Mammoth's Main St. Parade, at The Village's fireworks show, inside Hyde Lounge, or on the slopes, get your grub on at Broadway Marketplace Base Lodge & John's Pizza Works for the best Chili & Pizza on a budget.

Follow @MammothMountain for updates on festivities as we near the 4th. And check out SkiDazzle.com for deals on Mammoth hotels.

The Grubdown:

- the best body & soul-warming, totally tummy-friendly, addictive Beef & Pinto Bean Chili with Jalapeno & Cheese Toppings ($7.95)

- string cheesy, loaded with toppings "House Special" Pepperoni, Sausage, Mushroom & Olive 12-inch Pizza ($16.95)

- fresh, garlicky, zesty "The Pesto" Artichoke, Mushroom, Garlic & Feta 12-inch Pizza ($16.95)

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Chili:

Every time I go boarding at Mammoth, I make a point to get a steaming hot bowl of Chili at Broadway Lodge – I mean really, what more could your body want after Shredding the Gnar on the slopes all day? You can get it in a Bread Bowl for $2 extra, or just in a regular plastic bowl and pack on the toppings – either way it's enough to split, especially if you're knocking back a few Mammoth Pale Ale's (YourNextPint.com review on the brew coming tomorrow!)

The Chili has tender Ground Beef, hearty Pinto Beans, and a Peppery Tomato Sauce that has just the right amount of spice. But if you like to kick it up a notch, add some extra punch with complimentary sliced Jalapenos and crank up the cheese factor with as much Shredded Monterey Jack & Cheddar as you please. It's thick, filling, and won't leave you with an upset stomach like most chilis do. (By the way, my friend swears by the "awesome" Turkey Green Chili Verde they serve, too.)

Broadway Marketplace. 1 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. 760-934-2571.

Pizza:

On my last trip to Mammoth all I could think about on the 6-hour drive up was Pizza & Beer. So I got my fancy new phone out and started googleing some places in town. I came across John's Pizza Works – "Dough made fresh daily. 100% real cheese. Only the freshest meats & vegetables available." So a few friends and I decided to give it a try.

From the outside, humble John's Pizza Works located next to a liquor store off Main St. & Manzanita Rd. is easily passable. The inside isn't much better as they're in serious need of a re-design – they even have one of those ancient arcades. But after seeing the adjoining, attractive & modern Sports Bar next door, an upgrade certainly looks promising (pics of it will be posted tomorrow in my YourNextPint.com review)!

It was early May when we went, so the place was pretty slow with a One-Man Chef-Waiter-Cashier-Bartender-Show. We were all pretty impressed by his versatility and hospitality.

We ordered the House Special Pepperoni, Sausage, Mushroom & Olive Pizza. The tangy sweet Tomato Sauce to ooey-gooey Mozzarella ratio is On Point! The Pepperoni is tender 'n spicy, the Mushrooms are thick 'n juicy, and each slice was fully loaded.

Same goes for The Pesto Artichoke, Mushroom, Garlic & Feta Pizza. The Artichokes are tangy and fresh, the Feta gives it a nice zing, and the Pesto isn't overwhelmingly garlicky, but just right.

Both pizzas were served on a Pizza Stand for appropriate cooling. Two 12-inch pies were definitely enough to split between 4 people; we even took some home. The Crust was perfectly cooked – soft in the middle with a crispy finish. And each tasted super fresh and homemade, like a lot of love and care went into baking them.

John's Pizza Works has 5 other Pizza Combos like Vegetarian, Picante, and Shrimp, or you can Build Your Own. "World Famous Hot Wings" ($7.95-28.95), Salads ($3.95-10.95), Pastas ($5.95-10), and Hot Sandwiches ($9.25) are also served daily until midnight.

John's Pizza Works. 3499 Main St., Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. 760-934-4065.