First time at Umami. Approved.
Restaurants
22
Jul 12
Girls Day Out at The Grove
Yesterday, the girls and I spent a beautiful day at The Grove doing what we do best…eating, wining, and shopping! We dined while people-watching and chatting at La Piazza and then headed over to some of our favorite stores, Anthropologie, Zara, and Nordstrom. We refueled with some more dining and wining back at La Piazza before heading back to the IE where we finished off round three at Roscoe’s Famous Deli. It was a great day to catch up with my girls, and best of all, baby Eli! I even scored a pair of mint and silver strappy heels on sale at Zara to remember the day!
How did you spend your Saturday?
16
Jul 12
Lee’s Sandwiches
I haven’t had Lee’s Sandwiches in so long, so we had it for a light lunch yesterday. I love how they come wrapped in neat and tight packages. With the sandwich in one hand and Sriracha in the other of course!
What’s for lunch today?
02
Jul 12
Villa Blanca and Dress Shopping for a Special Bride-To-Be
{Villa Blanca chardonnay}
{cheers to the bride-to-be}
{rock shrimp & asparagus risotto…can’t stop thinking about this}
{BBQ chicken flatbread pizza}
{lobster & crab salad}
{honey roasted salmon}
{the bride & company}
{Bella Bridal in Ktown}
{rows & rows of dresses}
{some of our picks}
{ending the day with ddukbokki and wine at Haus}
Saturday was a special day for a special bride-to-be, Carol. I was ecstatic to have been asked to be a bridesmaid, and this was a much anticipated day for us all. We started the day with lunch at Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills owned by the fabulous Vanderpumps. The food was up to par with my expectations. Actually, I can’t stop thinking about the lobster & crab salad and the rock shrimp & asparagus risotto. I definitely would love to go back and try dinner. After about 2+ hours of chit-chatting, wining, and eating (we couldn’t stop picking up our forks), we headed over to Ktown for the first appointment at Bella Bridal. They wouldn’t allow photos which was a bummer, not that I would post any pics of the bride in the dresses anyways. She looked amazing and gorgeous!! But she is such a pretty girl already, so that’s a given. After the next appointment, Carol, Jenn, and I headed over to Haus Dessert Boutique to continue wining with some ddukbokki which had a lot of heat…yum! And I can handle my heat! We called it a day at 7 PM, and I headed home tired but very happy to be a part of Carol’s special day.
27
May 12
Shino Japanese Grill
{chicken with wasabi}
{shrimp and chicken}
{tofu salad}
{sake}
{bacon wrapped tomatos}
{pork belly}
{cartilage}
{chicken with green onion}
{crab & asparagus salad with real crab}
{more chicken with green onion}
{jumbo shrimp}
{shrimp & garlic fried rice}
{potstickers}
{bacon wrapped something}
{tempura}
{octopus cucumber salad}
{bacon wrapped jalapeño}
{cold udon}
{kung pao chicken}
{bacon wrapped something again}
{chicken with green onion}
{the end}
Do you love yakitori? Sometime during the week, my BFF, her hubby, and I went to Shino Japanese Grill. It’s really in the middle of nowhere, but if you’re in the Norco area for whatever reason, it’s definitely worth a visit. It was packed on a weekday which is a good sign. The food definitely warrants the wait. Yes, this was for 3 people, but we love variety!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend! What are your plans???
20
May 12
Shogun Sushi & Omakase
{porridge to start}
{soft tofu salad}
{scallops}
{wasabi octopus}
{squid}
{banchans (Korean side dishes)}
{more banchans}
{sashimi}
{oysters}
{more sashimi}
{my fave, uni}
{dynamite}
{some sort of roll}
{I'm never interested in rolls much, so I didn't get pics.}
{mackerel}
{mae eun tang (spicy fish/seafood stew)}
{tempura}
{noo roong ji (burnt rice soup)}
{cherimoya sprinkled with orange juice}
When in LA, please visit Shogun Sushi & Omakase. Located in the heart of Ktown, you’ve probably driven in the area one time or another. We frequent Shogun several times a year, and it is always a treat. They have traditional private rooms for special occasions too. Excellent food, excellent service, excellent location. Go now!
Shogun Sushi & Omakase 987 S Vermont Ave Suite DLos Angeles, CA 90006 (213) 365-0213
02
May 12
Weekend Recap :: First Grubs in My New City
{all the Korean goodies...thanks to C-Nance!}
{Saturday lunch date with my BFF at Ojiya}
{red snapper}
{hamachi}
{ice green tea}
{fried pork cheek}
{wish I was having this bite right now}
{live shrimp...my fave! sushi man showed us the live shrimp he was serving us}
{fried shrimp heads}
{uni...another fave of mine! and a different red snapper}
{red snapper again}
{Kumamoto oysters}
{halibut}
{fish roe}
{round 1.5}
{hubby brought home The Hat}
{I only ate half...and then the other half later.}
{S-1 from Thai Original BBQ!!!}
{absolute necessities}
{refueling from Friday's leftovers}
{finishing off the weekend}
{Guess what that is!}
{BFF brought me El Taurino hot sauce!!}
{dipping ain't cuttin' it}
{that's how I do}
{never complete without wings}
Is it too late for a weekend recap of last weekend? But I had to share. Better late than never!
I must say it is totally awesome being near my besties. Living in SD, nobody could just “stop by” or come over to hang out at my place. We wasted no time, and they came over on Friday (moved here on Thursday) for another good time full of laughs…and food! On Saturday, my BFF treated me to lunch at one of her faves, Ojiya, a sushi bar by my place. I haven’t been back, but trust me, I have been thinking about it for the past week. Must go back ASAP! And the photos are only half the serving of what we had! My BFF loves me so. Sunday was spent with my hubby who got back from his bro’s bachelor party trip, and what better way to start than with S-1 at Thai Original BBQ?! It’s only 3 minutes away! Seriously?? Coming from Solana Beach where we were close to NOTHING, it is amazing being around so many yummy establishments, as well as everything else we need. You name it, we got it within 2-5 minutes. No joke. I love this city!
Happy Friday and hope you have a yummy weekend!
30
Nov 11
Which Wich?
Today was my first time at Which Wich, and I’m a fan. I was sad, however, when I realized that I had no onions in my sandwich. If you don’t know, I order extra onions on everything as explained here. So I looked at my order on my little brown bag and saw that there’s an “onion” category separate from the “veggies” category. Live and learn.
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29
Sep 11
Din Tai Fung
LA and Seattle are the only locations in the U.S. We went to the Din Tai Fung in Seattle on our recent trip up there, and I can’t wait to go back to the LA (Arcadia) location. “Xiao long bao,” hubby and Harold kept saying over and over all day. Yes, it’s fun to say, but I had no idea what they were saying. I thought they had discussed a movie and were referencing a line in the movie or an actor. Nope. “Xiao long bao” is the term for small buns steamed in small bamboo baskets. They are loosely referred to as “dumplings.” But they are not your average Joe dumplings. Besides whatever filling you order, it has a little bit of soup inside that results in the perfect delicious bite. The place is Michelin Guide recommended. Need I say more?
As you enter the restaurant, you can view workers through glass windows preparing the little morsels. I thought that was pretty cool…no shady business going on.
I never would have thought. But the julienned ginger with the 3:1 ratio of soy sauce to vinegar (as performed by the waiter) was absolutely divine with the xiao long bao. You know I’m gonna try this at home, but mine will probably be a 1:1 ratio of soy sauce to vinegar. I heart vinegar.
These green beans were fantastic. Can’t you just tell from the photo?? Mmmm…
We ordered baskets on top of baskets of the xiao long baos…literally. It was a never-ending supply.
Then this bowl of plain white noodles came out, but little did I know that this was so far from plain. Upon mixing, you get a yummy mixture of seasonings that I wish I can taste right this moment.
Here’s a closer look. 
Then this unsuspecting bowl of plain wontons or dumplings came out. I’m sorry I don’t know what they were. I don’t mean to offend you guys. (I’m talking to the food.)
Ahhh, but of course. These ain’t no plain Jane wontons. Look at that perfect bite. Looking at my photos, I realized that we had fried rice as well, but I failed to get a good shot of it. 
It’s difficult to stuff your face and take photos at the same time.
After a long meal, it was time for dessert. To the left is the taro dumpling, and to the right is the sweet red bean dumpling. Oh so yummy! I preferred the taro. Hubby preferred the red bean. But I’ll take either!
Then this giant bowl of shaved ice with various goodies on top…it was big enough to feed our party of nine.
My share.
And sadly it came to an end. I can’t wait to go back! I hear there are lines outside the LA location sometimes. But I’d wait in line. Din Tai Fung, thank you for an awesome experience!
Anyone else notice the Hello Kitty card? Not mine, but cute!
16
Sep 11
Flying Fish
When in Seattle, one must indulge in oysters. Harold took us to Flying Fish for drinks and oysters. He planned dinner elsewhere…but more on that later. We had two non-oyster fans, but after trying them here, they were converted. In fact, one of them went for thirds, and the other went for oysters a couple days later (I saw on Facebook).
We ordered the sampler, and I wish I could remember what kinds they were! But the best part was the mignonette sorbet…yes, that pretty pink slushy centerpiece. I’ve had mignonette before but never in sorbet form! I could have eaten that just by itself!
We were pleasantly surprised when the waiter pointed out that Sundays were Half-Price Wine Night! Every bottle on their wine list was 50% off! How awesome is that??
Scallop and sea bean salad, morel mushrooms, orange glaze. Very delicious. I’m an unconditional lover of scallops.
Thai crab cake, citrus salad, lemongrass aioli. Very crabby…taste buds approved.
What’s wrong with this picture?
A friend had placed his wine glass on the table, and it broke! It was the weirdest thing. He didn’t even slam it. My hubby joked to the waiter, “Excuse me, his glass is dirty.” The waiter was not amused.
In the end, we had a great time! Oysters were the star of the show. No dinner here…we went somewhere else for that. That’s how we roll.
