All posts filed under: California

Restaurant reviews from California…

Thermal Pool Therapy at Refuge Spa – Carmel, CA

Published by

*Featured photo courtesy of SFGATE I’ve been to many different spas in the last few years, but nothing quite like “The Refuge” in Carmel, CA. Tucked away in the beautiful mountains and lush greenery of Northern California is a therapeutic silent oasis. My husband and I were graciously given gift certificates as a wedding gift  to experience the healing powers of this unique spa. Here’s what you can expect when visiting “The Refuge”… To make the most out of your trip, arrive early and book a treatment. Our gift certificates included entry and a massage. When you first arrive, you’ll check-in at the front desk where the spa staff will greet you with your locker key, tip envelope (if you’re getting massage service) and a brochure on the spa. If it is your first time, you’ll be given the option to have an orientation of the spa and how the thermal cycles work best to maximize health benefits during your stay. Since the spa is “silent,” it’s encouraged to leave all of your electronics in your locker. This message was …

GREENS (San Francisco)

Published by

If you’re looking for a delicious healthy restaurant and great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, you MUST try… Greens Restaurant in San Francisco. Located in Fort Mason, is one of the best vegetarian/vegan restaurants I have ever tried! It’s best to come in around lunchtime on a clear day so you can get a beautiful clear view of the bay. There is a $15 minimum but it’s easy to spend that amount here between an entrée and appetizer. The menu is seasonal and can change from week to week, but between the 6 dishes we tried, everything was good…really, really good! Our main dishes were all made-to-order and were very fresh. Below are the items that we ordered on my recommendation list! Fresh Spring Rolls (w/ carrots, jicama, daikon, cabbage, jalepeños, Hodo Soy tofu, rice noodles, Thai basil and mint). It’s served with peanut sauce and grilled beech mushroom-radish salad – $12 Yellow Split Pea and Butternut Squash Soup w/ kale and Arbequina olive oil – $8 cup $9 bowl. SO GOOD, go for …

Eating Cliffside at Sierra Mar (Big Sur)

Published by

*Photo from Post Ranch Inn website. If you’ve read my post on California’s most beautiful coastal city, Big Sur, and are so inclined to visit…you’ll definitely want to consider making reservations at Sierra Mar. The fine-dining restaurant rests cliffside at the Post Ranch Inn Hotel. It would be my dream to stay the night here one day, but for $1,000 per night, it’s currently a little out of my budget! My fiancé and I headed here for their lunch menu which features a three-course pre-fixed menu OR a five-course tasting menu. The staff was extremely friendly and explained the menu selections to us very thoroughly. I would describe the cuisine as fresh California fusion. There’s everything from fancier meals like lamb to a good hardy kobe beef burger and of course seafood. You also have the option to order à la carte from the prefix menu selections. The portion sizes were very good for such a nice dining experience. We both were more than full and had food leftover to take home. Although lunchtime wasn’t busy, …

Big Sur Travel Guide

Published by

If there was ever a debate on whether or not California is the most beautiful state in the continental US, you must visit Big Sur. Three and a half hours northwest of Los Angeles, Big Sur is home to one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Yes, the world. It’s been featured in many car commercials for obvious reason. Located off of Highway 1, you can expect to see dramatic cliff edges, beautiful mountain ranges and of course, the vast beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. We happened to drive down on the perfect day. There was no marine layer and weather was warm enough to let the windows down and enjoy the ocean breeze. There are many designated cliffside parking stops along the way to get out and enjoy the view and take plenty of pictures. Big Sur is also the perfect staycation and weekend getaway for California natives. There are many hiking trails and restaurants nestled in the forest. Perhaps the best part is that the environment encourages you to just unplug. There are …

Almond Milk Latte at Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Downtown LA)

Published by

Even though I have my own coffee maker at home, I always love trying new coffee shops around the city. Coffee shops tend to have their own uniqueness and character. I discovered Stumptown Coffee Roasters while visiting the FreeRange LA food truck. The brand, which is based out of Portland, Oregon focuses on delivering quality coffee through it’s delicate roasting technique which is displayed in the coffee shop for customers to see. *Photo via LA Weekly I ordered a plain latte with almond milk and it was delicious! Since there was no flavoring, you could really taste the strong coffee flavor and when mixed in with almond milk, it was just like dessert, a mild sweet nutty taste. Also, the coffee shop has several unique pastries. If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, are Hawaiian or are familiar with the Hawaiian culture, you will appreciate the Spam Musibi Croissant. Even after ordering from the food truck, my Hawaiian heritage would not allow me to pass it up!      

Chirashi Bowls at Murakami on Melrose

Published by

My new favorite sushi trend, Chirashi bowls! Chirashi means “scattered” and that’s exactly what these bowls are, an eclectic mix of fresh fish on top of rice. I tried a Chirashi bowl for the first time at Murakami on Melrose Ave. They are known for their bowls and have a variety of combinations to choose from or you can build your own. Each bowl starts around $14 at 3-4 items and up. I am huge fan of Spicy Tuna, so I tried the “Spicy Trio” which included: spicy tuna, spicy yellowtail and spicy salmon. I love these bowls as an alternative to traditional sushi rolls because I feel like you get a lot more fish for your buck! Murakami also has other traditional Japanese dishes on their menu, but I highly recommend giving the bowl a try! If you’re going carb-free, you can request your bowl on mixed greens. Enjoy! MURAKAMI 7160 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 692-1450 Hours *Lunch | Mon ~ Fri: 12:00 pm ~ 2:30 pm | Sat & Sun: 12:00 pm ~ 3:00 pm …

HIKES: Los Leones in Pacific Palisades

Published by

One of the best parts of living in Los Angeles is the amount of gorgeous hikes we have! Many of the hikes give you incredible views of the glamorous city. There is also something charming about experiencing nature in such a busy city. It’s a reminder of how calming and peaceful life can and should be. This past weekend I headed to the Los Leones hike in the Pacific Palisades. If you are unfamiliar with the area, the Pacific Palisades is located just southeast of Malibu. We started at the Los Leones Canyon entrance off of: 566 Los Liones Drive, the main entrance to the canyon and hike. The hike was close to 4 miles roundtrip and about 1 hour and 20 minutes long. Once we got to the top, we spent about 20 minutes taking in the incredible views of the coast. This is one of my favorite hikes in LA because it feels like a real hike; covered in shrubbery along an embankment with views of the ocean early on. I definitely suggest going …

Hand Rolls at KazuNori | The Original Hand Roll Bar

Published by

To all of my loyal Sugar Fish fans, you must try their new hand roll bar in downtown LA. It’s called  KazuNori | The Original Hand Roll Bar. This hot spot is a hand roll lover’s dream and is served authentic Japanese style. The small countertop restaurant seats around 20 people. We went late on a Tuesday night (around 10pm) and had no problem finding a seat. You’re given an order form and small pencil to choose from the pre-made hand roll menu which comes in options of 3-5 or you can order à la carte. Each option comes with their daily special and two other specialty rolls (i.e. scallop, yellowtail, tuna, lobster etc.) The preset combination is a bit cheaper than ordering à la carte and is similar to the style of the Sugar Fish menu. KazuNori serves it exactly the same too! You can see the chef preparing your hand rolls fresh in front of you and  they serve them one at a time. The best part, the taste…cold fresh fish on warm …

Honey Sriracha Fried Chicken Biscuit at FreeRange LA

Published by

One of the best parts of living in LA is the extensive amount of gourmet food trucks! I remember just before moving here (3 years ago) of reading about all the delicious street food. Not too long ago, food trucks were simply known as “roach coaches” and you didn’t really go there unless you were partying the night before and couldn’t remember your bad choices the following morning. Now, food trucks have replaced having to sit in a drive-thru line for mediocre fast food. It is the new gourmet fast food. Food trucks are also a fun interactive experience, almost like a treasure hunt. This weekend after following @FreeRangeLA on Instagram for some time, I finally couldn’t take looking at another delicious breakfast sandwich without going to try it! Every day, they list their location on their social media pages and website and the times they will be serving food. The pictures were so enticing that I sat through 30 minutes of traffic in downtown LA to get it! The results were well worth it. We …

Crostini’s at Fig and Olive: Melrose Place

Published by

Looking for a trendy chic restaurant this weekend or even for a Valentine’s date? If so, now is the perfect time to try Fig & Olive on Melrose Place. The upscale restaurant is absolutely gorgeous with its elegant white decor. It almost feels as if you’re eating in a luxe garden patio at night in some foreign land. The menu features a variety of fresh and healthy Mediterranean inspired dishes. They have a wide selection of appetizers, including a mouthwatering selection of Crositinis. The dishes are in the $20-$30 range, but the portions are a generous size so I don’t think you’ll be left hungry. They also provide bread with three different types of olive oils from around the world for you to try before or during your meal. Your server will explain the origin of each oil at the table. I came here for dinner on a Wednesday night and was surprised at how crowded the restaurant was. You will definitely want to make reservations when coming here. It is the perfect place to meet …