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Delicious Restaurant Explorers

California State

Lavash, Eggplant appetizer, different types of kabobs and tea at a modern Persian restaurant.

A plate of deliciousness

Our destination was at Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, but ended up taking a stroll at this beautiful Farmers' Market because there was a baptism going on at the Mission. 

Morning stroll at the Farmers' Market

On a visit to Mission Basilica San Buenaventura and stumbled upon this awesome Farmers' Market with a food court. Husband had the savory crepe, Josh and I shared the sweet crepe.

Savory and sweet crepes

2023 is the year of the Rabbit, so off we went to Chinatown to get some home decors, lucky candies and stuff to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. Kung Hei Fat Choi! Wishing y'all good health and good fortune!

Chinatown and Year of the Rabbit

This is one of popular restaurants down here and we have been coming to this place since they were at their old location long time ago. We ordered the usual - thai iced tea, tom kha kai, salted fried rice, fried fish with mango sause and pad thai.

Palm's Thai Restaurant

After ramen, we went to our favorite Japanese tableware store, also located on the same shopping building. We've been coming to this store, UTSUWA NO YAKATA, for more than a decade now, from were they were before until they moved to this new location a few years ago.

Utsuwa No Yakata store tour and shopping haul

The rainy weather was calling for a bowl of hot ramen. There are many great places for ramen in Little Tokyo, but this is a great pick during a downpour since they have an indoor parking attached to the building via a walkway going to the restaurant, HANAICHIMONME.

Ramen in Little Tokyo

Santa Monica, CA

A great place to stroll around, have fun at the Pacific Park and the arcade, seafood lunch at Bubba Gump and go fishing. 

Santa Monica Pier

Dinner started off with sliced Cuban bread drizzled with butter, then my favorite oxtail stew or rabo encendido which was served with rice, plantain and a side of black beans. We also ordered  the famous Versailles garlic chicken which also came with the same sides. Drinks were Jupina and Malta Hatuey.

Versailles Cuban Restaurant

That's how this dish from Bubba Gump is called - Shrimper's Net Catch. A small bucket of "peel and eat" shrimp steamed in beer. We also ordered jambalaya and mac & cheese.

Shrimper's Net Catch

Kansas State

A culinary tour in Manila at some of our favorite Filipino, Chinese and Korean restaurants. Plus side trips at Villa Escudero and Guagua, Pampanga. 

Restaurants featured on this video series:
The Pantry at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati
Benjarong Restaurant at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati
Umu Japanese Restaurant at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati
Kaya Korean Restaurant at Glorietta 2 in Makati
Manam at Greenbelt 2 in Makati
Mandarin Sky at Banawe Chinatown
Conching's Restaurant in Guagua, Pampanga
Villa Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon
Ocean Seafood Restaurant at SM by the Bay
Gloria Maris Sharks Fin Restaurant in Greenhills

Manila Food Tour - Part 2

Manila Food Tour - Part 1

Los Angeles, CA

Come join us take a tour of the giant dinosaurs in the valley, the WORLD'S LARGEST DINOSAUR EXHIBITION in Los Angeles. Let's walk around in awe of the most scientifically accurate life-size and life-like dinosaurs ever created as per the exhibit's website and brought by the advisor on Jurassic Park. 

Dinosaurs in the Valley 

Scrumptious, delicious, a feast in the eyes! Those Christmas cakes and the pastries, oh my! Let me take you on a tour at one of my favorite pastry shops. They have presence in many states, almost 30 locations here in Southern California. Bon appetit!

Cakes and pastries at Paris Baguette

Dim sum or tea time is a fun and unique way to experience the food from another country. Traditionally, push carts filled with different dishes are rolled out from the kitchen to the dining area where you can point/choose what you like. However, those restaurants are a little far from where we live. Shanghai Rose is the closest, but not as traditional. There are no push carts and you order off the menu.

Dim sum at Shanghai Rose

At Benjarong for lunch - grilled tiger prawns, steamed fish, green curry, pork and the yummiest Thai dessert with water chestnut and tapioca pearl pudding.

An Elegant Thai Restaurant

What an amazing experience to have a traditional Filipino lunch served in a traditional style by the waterfall while soaking our feet in the shallow running water.

Lunch by the waterfall

At Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que for baby back ribs. We ordered the three meal combo which was an awesome deal for $39.99. We picked two baby back ribs (+ $3 supplement) and brisket burnt ends. For the sides we had roasted street corn, mac & cheese and fried okra.

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

We love food and like to explore cuisines from different countries. Here's a taste of El Salvador at La Sabrosa. We were here for breakfast. I had the typical Salvadorean breakfast with rice and beans, chorizo, eggs cooked over easy, a slice of cheese, salsa, avocado and plantain. On the side we had tamales con pollo and what they are famous for... pupusas! 

La Sabrosa Salvadorean Restaurant

Lunch was at Rosti Tuscan Kitchen. I had the Tuscan steak with mushroom and mashed potatoes. Husband had the Mediterranean sea bass with Brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. Josh had chicken strips and fries. Dessert was stracciatella and ube brownie next door, at Tifa Chocolate and Gelato.
