Ella Peterson

Confessions of a Big-Time Foodie

Cooking is fun, but eating is my real passion. Here's what my dream meal looks like, what I order when I need comfort, and the restaurants that stay on my mind.

A charcuterie board Ella put together herself.

I'm a huge foodie. I enjoy cooking, but eating is what I love most. I do think home-cooked food is better for you, and I still adore going out to eat. Balance, right?

Sushi is hands down my favorite cuisine, with Italian right behind it. I'm a picky eater's worst nightmare, because I'll eat almost anything.

My ideal meal

Ikura, caviar, an uni spoon, oysters, crab, a charcuterie board, and an extra extra dirty martini with blue cheese olives. Don't worry, I keep mints and gum on hand. I'm just a very savory girl.

My comfort meal

I start with duck fat fries and a Caesar salad. Next comes pasta All'Amatriciana with a glass of Barbaresco, and an affogato to finish.

I love coffee and wine every bit as much as I love food, but that's a story for another day.

Favorite restaurants

  • Au Cheval in New York
  • Sushi Tama in Beverly Hills
  • Lucky's in Montecito
Seared sushi rolls drizzled with sauce, captioned "it's all about the sauce".
A grazing table of fresh fruit, vegetables and cheeses, captioned "heaven".
A chicken sandwich from Zinque in Malibu.
A pasta dish that Ella made herself.
A dish from Renata's Creperie in Humboldt County.
An uni spoon.
A sushi meal, captioned "sometimes you need sushi instead".