All posts tagged: Foodie

Breakfast Sandwich from Eggslut in Downtown LA

*Pic from website. Located in Grand Central Market in downtown LA is one hardy, ooey-gooey breakfast sandwich! If the name doesn’t intrigue you and pull you in, than the pictures on their Instagram feed certainly will. This instafamous breakfast spot, is open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm. The menu has six exciting sandwiches and two specialities (one being the “slut”). The slut is a coddled egg on top of a smooth potato purée, poached in a glass jar and served with a demi baguette.  If you’re trying to watch your carb intake, they offer all of the sandwiches on a salad. The line is usually long here and has limited counter seating so be prepared to get your meal to-go or find seating somewhere in the market which is like a food court. However, the pay-off of the delicious sandwich is well worth the wait!

Fresh Shrimp Ceviche Salad

One of my favorite Mexican dishes is shrimp cevichè! I feel like I could eat it every day for every meal. It’s tangy juices are so refreshing and I never feel heavy after I’m done eating it. Since cevichè is usually served in small portions or as an appetizer, I decided to make my own in a larger version and as a salad. The recipe is simple, easy and delicious! 4 heirloom tomatoes cilantro (to taste) 1/2 medium sized red onion 2 small avocados or 1 medium sized avocado 2 limes 1/2 lemon 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons Pink Himilayan Sea Salt (or to taste) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon of pepper pinch of cayenne pepper (optional for spice) 1/2 pound of raw shrimp Directions: Boil the raw shrimp for 5 minutes or until done. The color should be bright/pink orange. Peel the shell off and set aside. Chop the tomatoes in bite size portions. Chop onions and cilantro finely or throw into a food processor. Cut the avocados into cubes. Toss the tomatoes, …

Brunch at The Penthouse in Santa Monica

Food with a view? Does it really get any better? If you’re looking for a new brunch spot with a view on a sunny day, you’ll want to check out The Penthouse at The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. It is located on the top floor with gorgeous views of the ocean and coastline. The restaurant has a big bar located in the center which is known for its cocktails and panoramic views. You’ll definitely want to make reservations here as it can easily get crowded on a nice day. The menu is American, Pacific and hint of Asian cuisine. They have fresh juices, pastries, egg dishes, brunch and lunch entrees, salads, flat breads, pastas and sandwiches. Something for every palette. Click here to check out their full brunch menu. Sea Bass Steak Sandwich Even the bathroom has a view!    

Chinese Fine Dining at Mr. Chow in Malibu

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 Dumplings Drunken FishShrimp Fried Rice & Velvet Chicken*Additional favorite (not shown): Green Shrimp  

Poke Poke in Venice Beach

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 …

Brunch at Faith and Flower

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! Picture of interior from website Bread Pudding Bone Marrow Waffles 62 Degree EggOxtail AgnolottiRoasted Mushroom PizzaBraised Bacon Carrot Cake Some of my favorite menu items (not …

Crispy Chicken Sandwich at Honor Bar in Beverly Hills

 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! Menu Here Emerald Kale Salad Honor Burger   Bon Apetit!

But First Coffee…at Alfred Coffee and Kitchen Melrose Place

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 …

Dumplings at Din Tai Fung

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

“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 …