Photos from LA: The Food!

1. My cousins and I chowing down on Bob's Doughnuts at the historic 3rd Street Farmer's Market
2. Sweets at the Farmer's Market
3. Pinkberry
4. Amazing, creamy tortilla soup with avocado, and tacos: chicken simmered in peanut sauce, and savory albondigas (Mexican meatballs) over soft handmade corn tortillas.  From Loteria in the Farmer's Market.
5. Homemade breakfast for two (me and my friend Jane): eggs over easy, wheat toast, fried Spam, and fresh fruit salad (nectarines, bushberries, and bananas)
6. The most tender and delectable spinach-ricotta ravioli ever, slathered in rich pesto sauce, at Rosti Tuscany Kitchen (Father's Office was closed for lunch -_______-)
7. Mouth watering roasted chicken in citrus marinade, with white rice, black beans and plantains.  From Versailles Cuban Food in Culver City.
8. Nighttime at the Farmer's Market

Taco Nazo: I've never met a more delicious fish taco.

They are pretty much the best thing evarrrr.  White fish beer battered and fried to perfection, topped with shredded cabbage, tomatoes, and luscious crema fresca.  All atop two fresh corn tortillas.  Plus the requisite condiments: salsa, cilantro, onions, and LIME.  The lime is key.

Added bonus are the plump, roasted yellow chiles rolled in lemon pepper salt. OMFG.  I'm happy.

I'm Home!

Ahh, home sweet home.  Get ready for some nonstop posting action!  =D  Initial pictures include:
  • Case full of Vietnamese sweet treats, including the stuff my brother and I always called "green brains."
  • Pre-packaged Vietnamese snacks
  • Monk begging for alms outside the snack shop.  Barefoot.  I wasn't sure if he wanted money, or snacks.
  • The best Vietnamese coffee in the world.  Once you have it, everything else pales in comparison.
  • Random soy jerky at the supermarket
  • Southern Californian staples: the strip mall and palm trees.
  • Strip mall in Westminster, or Little Saigon

Arrrrgh, I forgot my sunblock.  I'm going to be burnt to a crisp.

Things I want to do in LA this weekend

I'll be in LA for my gramma's 90th birthday and a wedding.  Other things I want to do with my four days there (besides see friends and family):
  • I can't stop thinking about heading up to Burbank for just two reasons: 1) Porto's Bakery, the best bakery ever, where I intend to by a dozen guava-cream cheese pastries and at least two potato balls.  And get a cuban medianoche, if I have room.  And 2) It's a Wrap , the fantastic vintage store that culls clothing from TV and film shoots, where I got a $300 Marc Jacobs blazer for $40.
  • Ok, maybe a third.  It would be nice to finally try Sushi Katsu-ya or Sushi Nozawa (the sushi Nazi), but maybe I should wait until Garry can join me for that.
  • The LACMA, free after 5pm.
  • The Long Beach Antiques Market, which is happening this Sunday.
  • One of the following lunch/brunch places: John O'Groats, Clementine, Luna Park, Bossa Nova, giant pancakes at the Griddle Cafe , Original Pantry which I never tried, Susina for transcendent chocolate croissants, and Grub.
  • Hanging out in Silverlake: The Kitchen, Pazzo Gelato, and that pizza place (any more suggestions?)
  • Gorging myself on the best fish tacos of my life at Taco Nazo.
  • Getting drinks at a chill, un-obnoxious bar: the Abbey, Cafe des Artistes, the Arsenal, Cat & Fiddle (my favorite bar in the world), Chaya Brasserie ($5 drinks on Mondays still?)
  • Slurping the most authentic tom kha gai at Sanamluang  cafe in Thai Town
  • Funky shopping along Melrose Blvd between La Brea and Fairfax
  • Half roasted chicken smothered in garlic sauce, with rice and black beans and plantains at Versailles Cuban Food .
  • Gourmet burget and beer at Father's Office 
  • Farmer's Market on third: gumbo, Banana Leaf, and Loteria!
I am drooling and I can't wait.

Chinese food.

Went to "Nutrition House" in Milpitas with a coworker for dinner last night.  I'd never had dishes flavored with Sichuan flower peppercorn outside of China before.  I think the cuisine was more northen-Chinese style, Sichuanese and Hunanese.  Ordered the snow cabbage with "bean sheets" (we thought it would be tofu sheets but it was like translucent flat noodles), a pot of chicken and bean sheets swimming in spicy chili broth and some other stuff, then a full order of pork and cabbage dumplings =)  Yum!

Ate at McDonald's today for the first time in over a year.

I'd never even been inside the McDonald's near my apartment, so the renovations Garry appreciated were lost on me.  We had a very light lunch, having grazed on junk food all throughout our second-hour class at church. 

Had a double cheeseburger, a surprisingly delicious snack, especially for the delicious price of only $1.  Also had a Caesar salad with grilled chicken--using only about a third of the dressing, it was pretty darn tasty, and pretty healthful besides.

PS. The burger and salad looked nothing like these pictures.  But they were still enjoyable =)

A delicious and nutritious breakfast.

Albeit a bit girly.  This was a perfect way to start the day after a long week.  I have long been a fan of parfaits (made with some mix of berries, usually of the straw and blue varieties, vanilla or plain yogurt, and granola on top), but sometimes they are too sweet for me.  When, the other day, I saw a coworker put together this concoction, I was like, you're brilliant!  She adds splenda but I think it's just fine without.  Ingredients are simple:

1. One yellow nectarine or peach (banana works in a pinch)
2. Big dollops of cottage cheese
3. A sprinkling of Smart Start cereal, which is always delicious.

There is something about the combination of soft sweet fruit, creamy cheese curds and crunchy cereal that sends the pleasure receptors in my brain a-tingling.