59th and Lex Cafe

POACHED PEAR CHICKEN SALAD.
I went here for lunch in Fashion Island, connected to the Bloomingdales.

I wish i had a picture of it, but it is a great salad and i would pay 13 bucks for it any day. When they first bring it out I thought they got the order wrong because it looked like a beet salad (it was pink in colour) but nope it was the poached pear! I definitely recommend this salad especially if you like walnuts, pistachios, chicken, pear, goat cheese and a sweet tasting balsamic reduction.

Ear poppin' eyesight...

Orange Hill Restaurant in Orange, Ca is located....on none other than...a hill! You guessed it.
This place is incredible. The drive itself feels as though you are driving up to a castle because you can actually spot the restaurant at the very top of a hill from miles and miles away (on the highway).
Orange Hill Restaurant welcomes you with koi fish ponds, warm fireplaces on the edge of the hill and endless views of all of OC and Catalina Island.  The sights are endless and beautiful both inside and out. The food was what you would expect at a place like this. Very good. Nothing is jumping at me other then the scene itself. I was slapped on the wrist for overseeing the vanilla chocolate strawberries infused with some type of liquor, however, that was after the fact....so i guess i'll be making another visit!

Bandera's Ribs

Corona Del Mar (Crown of the Sea) ranges along a bluff at the south end of Newport Beach. Streets of Corona del Mar are named after flowers, and run in alphabetical order from Acacia to Poppy. 


This great area is also a home for some great eateries, including BANDERA, famous for their ribs and cornbread pan. The atmosphere is casual yet upscale and swarming with people. Apparently Bandera is also famous for their display of rotisserie chicken, however, i was not a fan. Im a chicken person, but my attention was drawn to the juicy fall- off- the bone, ribs and chili infused cornbread. 
Lunch spot for sure and great "at the bar eating" kinda place if you want to be a little more social. 
The bar staff wore jeans and white long sleeve shirts which threw me off a bit, while servers and wait staff wore the usual black on black. I wasn't sure if i was entering a
 western joint or what...maybe the fact that it was a bbq joint? 

Silk Thai Cuisine- Huntington Beach

Since coming to California, I have not really seen or heard of any great thai places; not authentic anyways.
My cravings for a thai lemongrass soup was in need for some fill and SILK THAI CUSINE did just that.
Silk Thai offers authentic thai food. No modernized/americanized/westernized versions that you will find in many places, (mix of chinese, american and thai). The people (Servers, cooks) were authentic thai people and the hospitality was fitting to the thai customs.
The menu not only offered a great selection of items, but listed cultural terminology  often used in the thai language.
The Coconut chicken soup (Tom Kha Guy) was delicious. I had never ordered a coconut/lemongrass soup before so it was nice to try something new and authentic.

Of course, every time i go for thai cuisine, i must order the Coconut Sticky Rice. It's just a must. This desert can never go wrong.
Coconut sticky rice is a thai specialty. It is simply a sticky rice cooked in coconut milk and sugar, drained and served with a coconut sauce which is both salty and sweet, (the saltyness pronounces the rich coconut flavors) and topped with a ripened mango. This dish is served warm and melts in your mouth.
Anyone new to thai food or curious, i definitely recommend trying the stick rice desert. It is phenomenal!

European Delight

Ingrid's French Cafe, located on Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills, brings a little taste of europe and flavor to this trend setting area.
Small enough for a line to be out the door and quaint enough to spend some one on one time with yourself, book and coffee.
This little spot is not only unique in its cultural display, but Ingrid's menu is plentiful. Breakfast (7am) lunch, afternoon tea, sunset delight (wine and cheese) and dinner (with reservations on Thurs and Fri only).

The prices are very decent, the food is fresh and the service is really great. Walking in for the first time, you may see 4 or 5 tables for two and a few tables outside and not even realize the second level. They really got the europe thing down.

Because i didn't have a chance to experience the popular 15'' paper thin crepes or the picture perfect looking pastries, I would have to say that atmosphere is what got me. I'm sure with a taste of the real menu i'd be pinching myself.

http://www.ingridscafe.com/ingridsbh_003.htm

Kean for Coffee?

Kean Coffee
Westcliff Plaza, Costa Mesa

Kean is not your average coffee shop. Tired of the "go-to?" and ready to try something new? An atmosphere of well adorned walls with faux accents of java colors and seating for all kinds of conversations, Kean has it down.

This corner coffee shop is a bonafide independent. Personally, I truly miss the great Canadian Tim Horton's where a regular coffee costs $1.50 and doesn't have that acid taste that some specialty coffee shops have (sorry starbucks). Kean offers both great regular coffee as well as my new favorite specialty latte: The Turkish Latte. Why so special? Not your average run of the mill latte. The turkish latte is sprinkled with Cardamom, a perfect pairing with the espresso, not to mention how pretty the design is!

If you get stuck deciding what to order, the staff are so very helpful in helping you figure out exactly what your pallet is looking for!

Soup from 'Home'

The nostalgic feeling of having mom's chicken noodle soup can ironically be found at Home. No, not your personal home, but the restaurant 'Home' located in Silverlake, Los Angeles.

This place serves absolutely everything and anything. Kinda just like your own home. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at all hours of the day. Great indoor/outdoor/bar/dining seating fit for larger parties, or small.

You would figure that a place called "Home" would serve all of these hearty, memory lane, 'missing home' type dishes which is fitting...and it was. The chicken noodle soup brought me right back to home.

There really is no place like home!

(I don't think i have ever used the word "Home" so many times)

Polite Sushi

So today's post has nothing to do with food but service. Nice, polite service.

Imari Sushi in Costa Mesa, serves great food for great prices, sure...(and my new favorite unfiltered Sake: Chilled Sayuri Sake)but the service is just so NICE. Its humorous how many times the server apologized and said thank you and then apologized again and said thank you 10 more times. If i knew her name, i would tell you, because she deserves an award of some sort.

On top of the great service, Imari Sushi offered a few complimentary dishes "on the house" she said and fresh fresh ingredients.

Great food, great prices, and phenomenal at your service, service...

Yoyo Yogurt-Land

Oh Yogurt-Land. Why are you so good to me?

California is famous for their Yogurt Stops. I think i have seen at least 5 different Yogurt Places within a 5 mile radius. I know you've all heard about Pinkberry and the craze that goes with it. I was sucked in when i first got here..."i must try pinkberry!" Its as if its engrained in your mind that that is one of the things that you must do. STOP! Pinkberry is for sissies in comparison to Yogurt Land. Yogurt-Land is literally a land of Yogurt. It's a self serve yogurt stop with over 15 different flavors to choose from. Flavors reach from plain/tart to exotic flavors such as Taro, Chocolate Red Velvet, Irish Mint, Pistachio, Pomegranate...the list goes on. On top of all that, you have TOPPINGS to choose from...fruits, candy, gummies, chocolate, nuts, caramel sauces...mouth watering.

So at the end of your Yogurt-Land journey, you must "weigh-in." Oh yes...

you start to get nervous because your cup feels heavy because you decided to choose 5 flavors of yogurt and 6 toppings...but wait...its $.30 ounce ...so what you thought would cost you maybe 5 bucks, 5.50 maybe....turns out to be maybe 3 bucks if that....its really a great thing. And for all you ladies heres a good song to sing. NON FAT.

I'll be there a few times a week! Thank you Yogurt-Land!

Post Evening Snack

SEASIDE DONUT BAKERY'S "Ham & Cheese Croissant" in Newport Beach is probably the best post evening snack i have ever had. Afew years ago, I was actually introduced to this creation in Toronto. A little convenience store made them at the peak hours of the AM just in time to reach bar goers before they hit up the closest pizza joint.

I never thought I would meet another H&C Croissant that had the same feelings for me up until Seaside Donut Bakery. H&C knew that i was hungry and it gave me what i needed!

They aren't kidding around. It's not just a croissant with maybe a little bit of cheese and overwhelming amounts of Ham or not enough Ham and too much cheese...the portion size is perfect, the croissant is toasted and buttered to perfection all for under $3.00...and the best part, it's open 24 hours. Yummmmy

Sprinkles :)

Anyone who knows cupcakes knows SPRINKLES.
Handcrafted from the finest ingredients, sprinkles cupcakes puts the CAKE in CUPCAKE. Deemed as 'America's Best Cupcake,' i would have to agree (although the magnolia bakery in New York City has pretty amazing cupcakes as well). Truly unique blends. I haven't gone through the entire menu, but i have tried quite a few and i will leave you with a top 5 list.


5. Chai Latte
4. Ginger Lemon
3. Red Velvet
2. Banana
1. Strawberry

http://www.sprinkles.com/

The Best thing I Ever Ate...

Because the 'FOOD NETWORK' is my favorite network to watch, I am constantly inspired to make and taste new and great things.

After watching the show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate," a show in which experts of the food network bare all and suddenly become vulnerable to the public parlaying that no matter how hard they try they cannot figure out the recipe, I am on the constant look-out for similar recipes if not the exact one.

One particular episode featured famous Garlic Noodles from a restaurant called CRUSTACEANS in Beverly Hills. After visiting this unique vietnamese restaurant where the floor is made of glass aquarium and fish swim underneath your feet, you suddenly feel as if you have a case of vertigo, (at least the women sitting at the table next to us looked like it. She wouldn't step on the glass and when she did she suddenly lost balance). Not funny....somewhat funny.

So the noodles were ordered and were very addicting. The garlic noodles are definitely something you crave and once that craving is established the only place to cure it is CRUSTACEANS.

Fact: The Garlic Noodle recipe is well protected by the An Family with a secret kitchen. The Secret Kitchen is a completely enclosed kitchen within the main kitchen, off limits to all employees except An Family.

To all the food A.D.D 's

Can't stop playing with your food?
Japanese BBQ "Gyu Ka-Ku" has probably the best happy hour deals I have seen yet. A separate menu for appetizers and entrees, $1.00 Pints, and $5.oo Sake AND a fun way to eat.

A perfect place to "play with your food." Definitely a great socially interactive place to go if that's what you're looking for. A selection of beefs, chicken, pork and seafoods as well as vegetables and vegetarian dishes as well.

Because I love desert so much, I always look at the menu and came across a 'Lychee Sorbet.' I definitely recommend it. Delish!

BevMo!!!

Ok so i found this really great thing and its called "BevMo." Now without sounding like an alcoholic, I must share my excitement and joys! BevMo=Beverages and More!

My favorite part of this is that once you buy a bottle of whatever you like (depending on what the special is) you can get a second one for 5 cents....5 cents! Its free....It's an amazing thing.

Im gona do my best to get one of these things to Canada. I know...truely an impossible thing, but i'll talk to some of them political icons and see what I can do. Since we're getting a Victoria's Secret and already have alot of the same things as the US, why would our political chairs nod their heads no?

Wishful thinking?

Just ... cuz

This made the blog because...it's kinda new to me. I don't really understand it or why it has to be this way, but it needed to be told.

This is only one of the 100 reasons why California has traffic issues...

Sushi?

SO i can't say that I am a fan of raw fish at all. It's only recently that my mind has become a little more open to trying the foods of the sea. Maybe its because as a youngin, I ate nothing but Mac n Cheese.

So I dedicate this particular post to your individuals who are new to sushi, or not quite there yet with the whole raw thing and present to you the 'White Cucumber Roll,' (done the Andreja way) from MARU SUSHI in Costa Mesa, Ca.

This rolls original ingredients include: Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, crabmeat and avacad, wrapped in cucumber instead of the seaweed/rice. For some of you, this might just hit the spot...but for me, being still new to the whole raw thing, I loved the idea of the cucumber but not quite settled with the fish. So instead, I asked the chef if he could make a shrimp tempura to replace the raw fish....delish. I think he even added some cooked asparagus.

Fresh, light, savoury.

California here I come...

...or i should say here i am... and the adventures begin!

As of late, most of my time has been spent in the southern parts of California: Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach.

My first pieces of 'goodness' is going to be dedicated to the Warm Butter Cake served at Mastros Steakhouse.

If we were playing "never have i ever..." this dessert would take the money.

Not to mention, if it is your first time at Mastros, it comes complimentary. How amazing is that? I've made a new best friend!

WELCOME!

Welcome to a blog dedicated to the world of great tasting things! This site is dedicated to those who appreciate finding the best of the best when it comes to food. Enjoy some guidance that leads you to some great spots when the stomach starts talkin!