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 eat these, is so take a bite on the edge, slurp out the soup (beware it’s hot!) and devour the dumpling. These tiny little dumplings are so tasty and addicting.
Shrimp & Pork Shao Mai – these are served and devoured the same way. I typically prefer shrimp dumplings. These are a little heavier than the first dumplings and you will probably get full faster eating these.
Sautéed Spinach with Garlic – they have several green vegetables to choose from as a side order to your meal. They prepared with light seasoning as a perfect balance to the flavorful dumplings. Dessert
Sweet Taro Buns – I loved the Taro buns for dessert, a mild sweet flavor in served in a soft warm bun.
Red Bean Dumplings – I’ve tried red bean desserts before in traditional Filipino desserts, but if you’re not familiar with the taste, it can be a little strong. I think it’s delicious, but it’s very rich and sweet. Inside of the Restaurant
In 1993, The New York Times named Din Tai Fung one of the “Top 10 Restaurants” in the world.
“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 heavy on the fruit, but it’s up to you how you want to load it. You can also switch out the fruit of course to what ever you prefer. Leave me a comment and let me know what you’ve decided to add to your pudding. Enjoy! #STAYCLASSY
PS. This website has great information on the health benefits on Chia Seeds and their nutrients: Authority Nutrition.
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 in the restaurant and each room gives you a different feel.
We had eaten a few hours prior to our reservation so we chose to go with something light and recommended. We got the Dim Sum Platter which had 4 different types of fancy dumplings, Hot & Sour Soup and the Hakka Noodles. There was so much on the menu, it was hard to just pick a few items. However the best part is…the restaurant has locations worldwide and one of them right in my own city! I loved this restaurant and would highly recommended if you want to get dressed up and love exploring Asian cuisine. Though, be prepared to spend!
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 it. You never know if you could be creating smalls tears in the skin. You only need to use a dime sized amount of this scrub three times a week. Your face will feel very clean and smooth after. $11.39 on Amazon.com
STEP 2:
I had the hardest time deciding what type of cleanser to try. Acure carries three different types of cleansers: the “Facial Cleansing Creme Argan Oil and Mint”, Sensitive Facial Cleanser Argan Oil and Probiotic and the one I got “Facial Cleanser Gel Superfruit + Chlorella Growth Factor.” They all sounded enticing, but I chose to go with the gel because of the reviews I read on it’s ability to remove make up. The cleanser is very gentle and fragrance-free. Next time I’ll give the creme cleanser a try.
$12.45 on Amazon.com
STEP 3:
After cleansing my face, I spray with toner. I use the toner both in the morning before applying make up and also at night. Toner helps to balance the skin out and another protective layer I like to put on my face before masking it with moisturizer. I like this toner because it feels refreshing and soothing after washing my face.
$13.76 on Amazon
STEP 4:
Lastly, I use the “Night Creme: Argan Stem Cell + 2% Chlorella Growth Factor.” I love the consistency of the Acure night cream. It’s thicker than night lotions I’ve tried in the past, but it is extremely moisturizing. I can feel my skin soaking it up after all of the washing and it also has a very nice smell. The organic ingredients in this lotion are both hydrating and age-fighting. $19.99 on Acureorganics.com
BONUS:
For quick make-up removal or a refreshing pick-me-up while traveling try the “Unscented Argan Oil Cleansing Towelettes.”
$8.99 on Acureorganics.com
There are many other products on their website that I want to try (http://www.acureorganics.com). You can also find out more about the ingredients in each product and the company’s philosophy. If anyone has tried something from their line and either loved or hated it, please comment and share! #STAYCLASSY
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 minutes. Turn half way through cooking so the pieces roast evenly on both sides.
Once both vegetables are roasted, toss them together in one pan and add in fresh slices of avocado. The mixture of flavors is so tasty! The avocado balances out the taste of the roasted vegetables. Enjoy! #STAYCLASSY
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 I ordered made with almond milk and cup of butternut squash soup (their daily soup). My friend ordered an iced Americano and the eggs Benedict.
All were delicious, especially my latte! We ended up staying for two and half hours catching up! The menu has many drinks to choose from (lavender lemonades with plumbery, Hong Kong milk tea, etc.) so there are many drinks to choose from even if you’re not a coffee drinker.
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 selection of traditional and non-traditional flavored ramen broths (i.e. a broth that includes marshmallows and an Italian style broth). My favorite is the Zebra dip ramen pictured above and is also one of their most popular dishes. It’s extremely flavorful and garlicy. You can choose between two types of noodles, the traditional skinny noodles or thick. I prefer the thicker noodles. You can also choose a protein to go with the soup or go completely vegetarian. If you go and try other flavors, leave me a comment and let me know which one I should try next! #STAYCLASSY
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
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. Shinjuku District is a business area on one side and on the other side includes much of Tokyo’s nightlife scene. My hotel was located in a safe area along with other hotels in between big business buildings. It was walking distance to a Metro Station, close to shopping malls and restaurants. I would highly recommend staying in this area for first time visitors because it’s a central location and convenient starting point to get around the city.
You might hear that Shinjuku is Tokyo’s “Red Light District.” However, coming from the United States, I found it to be very mild for that term. Yes, there are show girls and nightclubs, but it’s nothing compared to Las Vegas or even some parts of Hollywood Boulevard. It is much more commercial feeling and less erotic. I went to a nightclub while I was there just to compare the differences between the states and also found it to be tame.
My favorite area in Tokyo was the Harajuku district. I’ve heard the term “Harajuku” before in terms of fashion, but did not know it was an actual area in the large city until visiting. Harajuku is the young, hip and trendy part of the city. If you’re from the states and are familiar with Los Angeles or New York, this area is like Melrose Ave. or Greenwich Village. There are shops down Harajuku St., cute coffee shops and cafes. As you continue on, you eventually reach the high-end luxury stores and nicer restaurants. Even if you have no money to shop, it’s nice to walk around the city amongst the locals and observe.
I made my way around the city entirely by subway. I have been on subways in many different cities and Tokyo’s system is my favorite. It’s extremely clean, inexpensive and efficient once you figure out how to use it. My best advice is to ask your hotel concierge for the closest stop, where you want to go and which line to take. They usually have a guide or print-out for foreign travelers that is easy to follow. The other advantage to riding the subway is you get to immerse yourself with the students and working people of Tokyo!
WARNING: make sure you pay attention to which line you’re taking when purchasing your tickets. The JR Line (the main line that takes you around the city) is NOT the subway. Make sure you purchase the correct tickets because they are not transferable.
The food is amazing in Tokyo! Truly some of the best I’ve had amongst my travels. It’s very lean so you typically never feel overwhelming full after a meal. Finding it? That may be a problem. Japan is not an English friendly country in terms of their signs. Almost everything is in symbols. No reviews or friends had told me this prior and it left me extremely frustrated when looking for places to eat. So here’s an easy tip to for finding good food: ask your hotel concierge for a list of restaurants and have them explain to you how to get there. Once we finally learned to ask, life was much easier. Our hotel provided us a list of every Japanese cuisine you could crave. Secondly, learn to match the Japanese symbols. Even when you get to the restaurant, the sign will most likely be in symbols and not in English. Match the symbols or go in and ask if it’s the correct restaurant. Lastly, I am a huge foodie and love going to places that are recommended or have high reviews. A lot of the restaurants I wanted to try were booked out. If there’s a restaurant you’ve heard of and want to try and it’s popular call before you go and book a reservation. Lastly, lastly, do yourself a favor and try the local cuisines!
Shabu Shabu (Traditional Japanese Hot Pot aka “Asian Fondue”) Beef Udon Ramen in Pork Broth Sashimi Chicken Yakitori
Aside from eating, I explored the streets of Ginza (The Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills of Tokyo), Roppongi Hills (another fave!), Skytree Observation Tower and Sensoji Temple. The culture is very courteous, polite and respectful. You will often see servers or business people bowing to one another to say “Thank You” and to show respect. Women and men dress very nicely all the time. Overall, Tokyo was a phenomenal experience. I hope to go back soon and explore more historical areas of the city.
Feel free to leave comments in the comment section or write if you have more questions about Tokyo! #STAYCLASSY
Skytree Tower (2nd tallest building structure in the world)
Sensoji Temple
Street Markets in front of Sensoji Temple
Ginza
Check out one of my favorite memories from our trip:
Dessert
Red Bean Dumplings – I’ve tried red bean desserts before in traditional Filipino desserts, but if you’re not familiar with the taste, it can be a little strong. I think it’s delicious, but it’s very rich and sweet.
Inside of the Restaurant
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STAY CLASSY ANASTACIA 
