If you’ve been in LA long enough or frequent celebrity-gossip blogs, you’ve probably heard of the fine dining Chinese restaurant,”Mr. Chow.” Asian-fusion cuisine seems to be a big “thing” in LA and I can’t say that I’m mad at it. Most people are familiar with the Beverly Hills location on Camden Dr. (parallel) to the famous Rodeo Drive. However, LA has two locations. I recently tried Mr. Chow Malibu which is inside of the high-end shopping center, Malibu Country Mart.
The menu is very similar in both locations…delicious. The dishes are meant to be shared and served “family style.” One of the more popular dishes is the Mr. Chow Noodles. You can typically catch one of the noodle chef’s coming out in the middle of your dinner to demonstrate the process of making noodles to the entire restaurant. If you’ve never seen this before, you’ll be highly impressed with the precision that goes into it.
Lychee Martini Mr. Chow Noodles
Water DumplingsDrunken FishShrimp Fried Rice & Velvet Chicken*Additional favorite (not shown): Green Shrimp
I have always been a Hawaiian at heart. My mom was born in the Philippines and moved to Hawaii at the age 9 on the island of Oahu. Growing up I went to Hawaii frequently, my first trip being at the age 3. My Asian culture growing up was therefore a blend of both Hawaiian and Filipino. One of my all-time favorite Hawaiian dishes is Poke.
Traditional Poke (if you are not familiar) is usually referred to as fresh Ahi ‘yellowfin’ Tuna seasoned with sea salt, soy sauce, green onions, maui onions, chili pepper and sesame oil. Of course, there are other variations and combinations of seasonings. If you are a fan of sashimi or nigiri, this dish is right up your alley. The sesame oil is the most prominent seasoning in Poke and is really what gives it a unique flavor. Poke is usually best served cold and with rice.
I was so excited when I finally stumbled upon a place to get fresh Hawaiian style Poke in Los Angeles. Right off of Ocean Walk Boulevard in Venice Beach, between 18th and 19th street is a little ‘hole in the wall’ (literally) called Poke-Poke. I could tell it was going to be good based off how long the line was when I arrived.
Their menu is simple yet creative enough for any palette that is willing to try Poke. Each bowl comes with white or brown rice and the signature ingredients with yellow and green onions. There are also add-in ingredients free of charge to add extra flavor to your bowl. If you would like to be extremely healthy, you can order your bowl Hawaiian Style, which comes with no rice or add the Poke on top of a kale salad.
I chose to try the traditional poke and added Macadamia Nuts and the Aloha Bowl and added seaweed and avocado. If you’re in the Venice area, give this place a try! Leave a comment and let me know what I should try the next time I visit! #STAYCLASSY
One part of Los Angeles that I love but don’t visit often enough is downtown. The last couple of years, the hearty part of the city has done well at upgrading its restaurant scene. Faith and Flower is one of my all-time favorite dinner and brunch spots. Not only is their menu eclectic, the decor and ambiance is glamorous with a 1920’s charm.
This week the restaurant is participating in DineLA for lunch and dinner. It’s a perfect time to venture downtown and try this new restaurant (located down the street from LA Live at the intersection of… Faith St. and Flower St.)
Whether you go for lunch, dinner or brunch, you will not be disappointed. Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite dish!
*Please note: the menu is subject to change and some items shown below may not be available at the time of dining, but try something new!
During the week, it’s very seldom I have time to make a big sit-down breakfast. Aside from that, my stomach usually can’t handle a big meal in the morning without weighing me down for the rest of the day. I like to start my day with a nutritious meal because it’s important to have fuel for energy and to kick start my metabolism. Below is my typical on-the-go healthy breakfast:
Superfood Smoothie
Directions: In a blender mix…
1 cup of blended frozen berries
Berries are the lowest in sugar out of all the fruits which is why they’re my favorite to use.
2/3 cup of plain Greek Yogurt
My favorite brand is FAGE Total 0% which I buy from Trader Joes.
1 scoop of Green Superfood
There are several different flavors available at Whole Foods or on Amazon, but I use the ‘original’ flavor. If you’re sensitive to green “tastes,” I suggest using a flavored one. You can also substitute the Green Superfood for fresh vegetables like kale or spinach.
1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
1 tablespoon Flax Seeds
6 ounces of water or the amount needed for desired consistency.
Enjoy! Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite smoothie recipes. I would love to give them a try. #STAYCLASSY
Sometimes you just feel like a good sandwich and a cold drink…I stumbled across this delicious bar in Beverly Hills one day while Yelping lunch spots. The raving reviews of Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich is what reeled me in. Tucked away on the corner of Beverly and Wilshire Blvd., the Honor Bar is a great local hide-a-way. The menu is simple, gourmet and to the point.
I have been here a few different times and tried a few items on the menu. The burger is my second favorite to the chicken sandwich. It is large and very juicy. This place is small so you may have to wait depending on the time of day you go, but it is well worth it!
One of my new ventures in 2015 is stepping into the world of YouTube. I have always been a big fan of social media and the opportunities it can create. It is a great creative outlet and way to showcase the things that you are passionate about. Please take a look at a short trailer I’ve created and help support me by subscribing to my channel. It’s quick and would mean the world to me! Also, if you have a YouTube channel or Blog, please leave the link in my comments section and I would be happy to return the favor.
Staying classy is about being effortless...which is why I love Lorac’s baked bronzer. I have been using this product since college and the reason I bought it in the first place was simply because I thought it looked pretty (confessions of a shallow make-up consumer)! I had no idea how to use a highlighter and never thought I needed a bronzer. The Tantalizer is now a staple in my make-up kit and routine.
If you’re familiar with the contour craze, you know that contouring creates certain angles of the face. It looks great on camera, but can sometimes look over done in person. That is why I prefer this quick and simple alternative. Aside from that, it takes a lot of work and make up knowledge to contour. Time we don’t always have in our “on-the-go” lifestyle. I make a serious effort to be able to get ready in 30 mins day or night.
Here’s how easy highlighting is using the LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer. Watch my steps in selfies. Highlight in these 3 spots for a sheen and sharper look.
BEFORE:
STEP 1: Highlight the bridge of the nose.STEP 2: Highlight the cheek bone to define bone structure.STEP 3: Highlight between the outer edge of the brow and hairline.AFTER1-2-3 simple and easy! This is my go-to fast, dewey and fresh faced look! #StayClassy
Shanghai is by far one of the best cities I’ve traveled to, especially throughout Asia. Located in East China, the city is the perfect combination of old and new. The modern architecture makes you feel like you’re in a city of the future and the buildings are the most impressive I’ve seen throughout my travels.
With over 24 million people, Shanghai is the largest city in China by population. I stayed in the financial district of Shanghai at the beautiful Grand Hyatt hotel. I highly recommend this hotel to first time visitors of Shanghai for its incredible 360° views of the city during both the day and night. There is an observation deck in this hotel called the “Jin Mao Tower” and also a popular bar at the top of the hotel. Finally, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is in a central location and close to the metro station making it very easy to get around.
View from the Grand Hyatt Restaurant
Hotel Room ViewShanghai Center (brand new building)
Nanjing Road – If you Google “Top 10 Things to Do in Shanghai”, Nanjing Road will definitely be up there on the list. Nanjing Road is considered one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. Here, you’ll find everything from local Chinese fashion stores to retailers like Zara, Forever 21 and Apple. This street is open late and definitely best seen at night. Although I didn’t do any shopping, I had fun walking down the street and people watching. It reminded me of the Las Vegas strip and also Times Square in New York.
Xiaolongbao – Also a must-do in Shanghai is trying the famous soup dumplings. The traditional Chinese diet is heavy in pork which was hard for me to get used to at first as I don’t eat a lot of pork. The reason for this is because pork is much cheaper than chicken or beef and easier to raise. But I try to be as open as possible when traveling because I really believe it is part of understanding and learning about the culture. If you are vegan or vegetarian, not to worry because these soup dumplings can be enjoyed vegetarian style as well!
The Bund Riverwalk – By far my favorite part of Shanghai, the reason I fell in love with this city and the reason I’ll come back again. I was not really sure what to expect when I researched visiting the riverwalk because the river in Shanghai is not a pretty color. To my surprise it was very impressive. Having recently been to Europe, it was very reminiscent of the streets there. It is the historical part of Centeral China along the Huangpu river. It was once the area that held the trading houses from many European nations, the US and other parts of the world which is why these buildings have a lot of European charisma and charm. The building heights are restricted here so it looks completely different from the modern Pudong skyline which you can see across the river.
You can spend a full day on The Bund looking through the shops, walking through the fancy hotel lobbies and eating at the nice restaurants.
Dragon Dinner Cruise – Another highlight of our trip was doing a boat ride across the Huangpu river at night to get an even closer view of the skyline and both sides of Shanghai (the modern and historical at night). Dinner is served on this cruise, but I’ll be upfront, it’s not good. So eat before you come or plan to eat after. The boat is huge and you have free range to walk around. It’s about 90 minutes total. Another alternative is taking the white boats which are less expensive. You can’t reserve those in advanced so you will have to wait at the pier to get on, but it’s worth being on the river at night at some point during your trip.
Hancity Fashion and Accessories Plaza – If you’ve never been or heard about China’s imitation scene, you’ll definitely want to check out this spectacle. You will see hundreds and hundreds of imitation products and people from all over the world bargaining for them. Don’t be fooled though, the quality is not always the best so be careful before you buy. However, also keep in mind that most of our products are manufactured in China. Since buying counterfeit products is illegal in the U.S., you will need to be extremely careful and cautious about your purchases when coming home through customs if you choose to buy.
But you can find great souvenirs here like this traditional Chinese top, hair chopsticks and other items to bring back for friends and family. Always remember to bargain. I’ll be doing a special post solely on the bargaining experience, what to do and what not to do.
ERA CircusIntersection of Time – Shanghai’s version of “Cirque du Soleil” and great evening entertainment for all ages. The talented Chinese acrobats tell the story of the past, present and future of China in performances that will have you on the edge of your seat holding your breath. Tickets should be reserved in advanced and can most likely be reserved through your hotel. Shanghai was truly a magical city and I hope to go back soon. Leave me a comment and let me know about your travels or if you have more questions about my experience here. Thanks for reading and #stayclassy!
Check out one of my favorite moments from the trip:
The newest addition to my beauty routine, Skin Laundry! It is a new laser and light treatment that vaporizes the impurities and dirt from your skin and gives deep cleaning to your pores. The treatment is 10 minutes long. You can book an appointment easily online through their website. You should not plan to wear make up after the treatment for the rest of the day or at least a few hours to let your skin breathe.
If it’s your first time, the treatment specialist will give you a consultation to explain the process step by step. It is recommended that you do treatments close together to see the best results. The treatments help with acne, acne scars, skin pigmentation and overall radiance. They’ve also started doing teeth whitening in the Santa Monica location and soon all over. There are several locations throughout the Los Angeles area and one in Arizona which can be found here.
I finally got to see and sip the hype of Alfred Coffee & Kitchen on Melrose Place. This trendy LA coffee shop slowly began to coat my Instagram feed from bloggers, friends and co-workers. I have a Nespresso machine at home which I love, but my curiosity couldn’t help but wonder why is this place so good (other than the cute, “But First, Coffee” cups of course…)?!
Well first things first, it’s in a great location. Somewhat off the beaten path on a street that’s safe to walk across in LA. I didn’t have much trouble finding parking on the street at 11am on a Saturday. The coffee shop, in between two cute boutiques, is two stories high. The bottom floor is where you place your order for coffee, pastries, sandwiches and salads. There is seating below, but it gets pretty crowded due to the ordering line. The line moves quickly and while you wait, you can shop through the truffle chocolate shop inside, Compartès.
Since it was a warm day, I decided to go with an iced Americano. It was very refreshing! Although, the two famous drinks they’re known for is the “$10 latte” and “Alfred Cone.” The $10 latte is a full bottle of Pressed Juicery’s chocolate or vanilla flavored almond milk with a shot of espresso over or ice. The “Alfred Cone” is a shot of espresso or macchiato in a mini waffle cone dipped in chocolate.
Overall I was impressed with the taste and ambiance. It is a great location to meet with a few friends on a pretty day and drink some great coffee. #STAYCLASSY
Water Dumplings
Drunken Fish
Shrimp Fried Rice & Velvet Chicken
*Additional favorite (not shown): Green Shrimp
STAY CLASSY ANASTACIA 
