Author: Anastacia

Dumplings at Din Tai Fung

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My favorite meal in Shanghai was simple, authentic and at a chain restaurant. Din Tai Fung, a restaurant that started in Taiwan is most famously known for their xiaolongboa, also known as “soup dumplings.”  I have always been a fan of dim sum, but have yet to find a place in the states that I love. When researching where and what to eat in Shanghai, dumplings repeatedly came up. I was on a mission to find the best Shanghai had to offer. To my surprise, our friend traveling with us, who had been to Shanghai multiple times took us here! This actually wasn’t the first time I heard of this chain. Since I live Los Angeles, I had been invited to the Pasadena location once before. Now that I have tried it, I am so glad  we have one close by and I can say I’ve found my soup dumpling place in the states. Check out what we ordered below: Juicy Pork Dumplings – These are served steaming hot and fresh! The best and ONLY way to …

Toasted Coconut Chia Seed Pudding with Bananas and Raspberries

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“CHIA” in ancient Mayan language means strength and that’s exactly what these tiny black seeds are! They are strong in nutrients. They are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, protein, good fat, calcium and they’re low in calories! Also for extreme health nuts, you will appreciate that they are whole grain, non-GMO (genetically modified organism), are usually grown organic and are gluten-free! This is a great recipe for breakfast, mid-afternoon snack or a healthy dessert after dinner. It’s simple and can be easily prepped. Ingredients (all from Trader Joes): 1/4 cup Chia seeds 1 cup coconut milk (I got vanilla flavored) 1 tablespoon organic coconut sugar Roasted coconut chips to taste Sliced bananas Fresh Raspberries Directions: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup Chia seeds and 1 tablespoon organic coconut sugar with 1 cup of coconut milk and stir. Let sit over night OR a minimum of 4 hours. The seeds need time to absorb the milk and expand. Once pudding is to desired consistency, add toasted coconut chips, fresh bananas slices and raspberries to taste! I go …

Eating Gold at Hakkasan

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Hakkasan Shanghai, is luxurious Cantonese Cuisine. The restaurant located on “The Bund” in Shanghai was so incredibly chic and delicious! A friend of mine recommended this restaurant to me after seeing that I was visiting the magical city on Facebook. I love restaurant recommendations when I’m traveling by the way! I always make my best effort to try them. The upscale restaurant is located in Bund 18 on the 5th Floor, right across from the famous Peace Hotel. The doors are tall, dark and mysterious. You’re not really sure what to expect when you slowly start to pry them open. All of a sudden, you will be greeted with the friendly receptionists in what seems like the entrance to a private club. We went on a Thursday night and did not have trouble getting seated, but it’s best to make reservations in advanced even if it’s the same day. Once we checked in, the waiter walked us through the restaurant bar area pictured below and to our table. There are a couple of different dining areas …

Clear Skin using Acure Organics

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I am always on the hunt for effective and affordable skin care. I’ve tried everything from drug store brands like Neutrogena, Clean and Clear to higher end skin care lines like Boscia at Sephora (one of my favorites) and even ProActiv. Currently I am using Acure, a family owned and operated company that is also vegan, organic, paraben-free, cruelty-free and fair trade. So basically, you can feel really good about this purchase in addition to the amazing things it will do for maintenance of your skin. I made my own “set” and am currently using the Facial Scrub, Cleansing Gel, Toner and Night Cream. STEP 1: The “Argan Stem Cell + Chlorella Growth Factor Brightening Facial Scrub”  is made with organic sea kelp. The scrub has a pretty gritty texture, but is helpful in removing the impurities from the skin and unclogging pores. With any scrub I use, I am always very gentle with my skin. No matter the skin type I always believe in being good to your skin and not aggressively over exfoliating …

Roasted Kale Sprout, Broccoli with Avocado Toss in my Kitchen

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This year it’s my goal to find more recipes using green vegetables. I absolutely love roasted vegetables especially brussels sprouts. I came across Kale Sprouts while shopping at Trader Joes and decided to give them a try in the oven. They came out amazing! Here was my recipe. Kale Sprouts Preheat oven to 425 degrees Toss Kale Sprouts in 2 table spoons olive oil with salt and pepper. *I used to decorate my roasted vegetables with a lot of different seasonings (garlic powder, onion, lemon pepper, cayenne), but I’ve learned too much seasoning can drown out the roasted flavor that I like so much. Now I keep it simple. Once tossed and coated, place in a single layer on a baking pan. Bake for in the oven for 10 minutes or until the edges of the sprouts become crispy. Broccoli Toss broccoli florets or cut broccoli in two tablespoons of olive oil with salt and pepper and place in a single layer on a baking pan. Place in the oven at 425 degrees for 12-15 …

Salted Carmel Latte at Lamill Coffee Boutique

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One area of LA that I don’t explore often enough, but fall in love every time I visit is Silverlake. Silverlake is the “hipster/indie” part of Los Angeles. It’s slightly trendy in a “non-want-to-be-trendy” kind of way. There is a lot of character in the shops that align the streets. Thankfully my dear friend who lives in this area invited me to her neck of the woods for a coffee date at Lamill Coffee Boutique. It was easy to find right off of Sunset Blvd. and a HAD parking lot. If you live in LA, you know this is a rarity and a premium. Right when I walked in, I was surprised at how urban glam the decor was. It was very posh and welcoming including the staff. If you are ordering coffee inside the shop, they have full table  service and a full breakfast and lunch menu. There’s also available outdoor patio seating. I asked our waiter what drinks were most popular and he recommended the Salted Caramel Latte and that is exactly what …

Dip Ramen at SHIN

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Tsukemen in Japanese, also known as “dip ramen” is the perfect dish for the warmer southern California climate. If you’re a devout fan of ramen like I am, than you have to experience this at least once…no twice. The purpose for dip ramen (aside from just being fun) is to have an alternative option to enjoying the warm brothy soup made with buckwheat noodles during hot weather seasons. The ramen noodles are served cold, along with the toppings while the broth is served separately in a smaller portion, with more dense flavor and hot. When you dip the cold noodles into the hot broth, the combination of the two makes it perfect for enjoying without being overwhelmed by the heat. SHIN, formerly IKEMEN, is on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and La Brea in a small shopping complex. They have a small lot for parking, but only a few spaces that they share with the other businesses in the complex. So far I have been lucky with parking the few times I’ve been. They have a wide …

Shrimp and Grits at My Two Cents

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Looking for some good Soul Food in LA and a random chance to see Denzel Washington or Pharell?…than you should definitely try “My Two Cents.” The restaurant located off of Pico Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. includes southern traditions and then some! The cuisine also has its own LA twist to it with items on the menu like egg rolls filled with macaroni and cheese or barbecue chicken. I love a chef that’s not afraid to play around with food and cross cultures on the palette! The day we went I decided to try the shrimp & grits which is one of the most popular items on the menu and my fiancé got their daily special, the fried catfish sandwich. Both were so good and filling! I’m actually craving the shrimp & grits again as I write this. When you’re finished with all of the salty goodness, there’s plenty of cobblers, pies, cakes and cookies to top of the meal. Leave me a comment on what I should try next time I go. #STAYCLASSY Barbecue Chicken Egg Rolls …

Tokyo Travel Guide

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I made my first trip to Tokyo, Japan this past December. It was a cold time of the year to go, but I was already traveling through China and I knew it would be worth the stop. I heard from friends that had previously visited, that it was an amazing city. I stayed in Tokyo a total of 3 nights and 4 full days. Although I didn’t have much time, I was able to do a lot of sightseeing and make the most out of my trip. I made sure to research in advanced the places that were “must-sees” and made a plan of how I could see 2-3 attractions per day. For first time visitors I would recommend staying at least 5 nights since traveling itself can take a toll and because of the time it takes to adjust to jet lag. I flew into Narita airport and stayed in the “Shinjuku” district of Tokyo. The ride from the airport to the hotel was about 1.5 – 2 hours due to the traffic flow. …