Work + Play Saturday

We went dancing last Saturday! It was a blast!



Before that though, we had such a busy day. I made Portabello steak and eggs for breakfast (no meat). Tasty! We spent the entire day cleaning (ugh) and then I made Kale Chorizo Manchego pizza. Very tasty!



Laure came over to grab some ambient shots in our yard of a product that is launching soon. Everyone had such nice things to say when they got here, we were like proud parents. I hope the agency chooses at least one of the product in our house!



And then, we rushed off to say hey to Whitney at Myrtle for the Tomboy Style book signing party. We missed Lizzie but Whitney let me trade the copy I got earlier with an autographed copy. She also gave me a generous pour of Jack + rhubarb soda. Of course, I spied a couple tops I am pretending not to plan on going back to get. (sigh)

Then we skipped a few doors down to Mohawk Bend to wave at Laura and Kate and a bunch of other cute gals I hope to meet again soon.

Then it was off to the Echo for Funky Sole Night to celebrate Andrew's birthday where we sipped more whiskey and danced the night away.



It really was a great day. It's so wonderful to get to know new friends.

P.S. Apparently instagram has taken over as my photo capturing method of choice. Photos from my real camera in the next post. Promise.

Red Hill Late Lunch

We had a really late start one weekend day and needed grub. We ended back at Red Hill, which was technically closed for lunch but they must've seen the hunger in our eyes and kindly squeezed us in!





We ordered the Fettuccine Carbonara and Mole Breakfast Muffin. They were a tad heavy handed with the mole which frankly, was way too spicy for me. Our waiter graciously offered a different dish: the Everything Bagel, which was absolutely perfect. He also recommended a couple of delicious wines too. It's funny, this was our 2nd time he served us and both times he said he thought he served us at his former work. The camera tipped him off. But I said it was impossible since we've never been to the restaurant he used to work. Hmm...you think there is a doppelganger couple out there also snapping food photos? Anyway, we've already been back another time since this day and can't wait to go again. Tasty.



P.S. Be careful where you park nearby. If you didn't snag one of the three spots in their lot, go to Walgreens or Sunset.

Parker Palm Springs - Norma's

We finally made it for brunch at Norma's, Parker Palm Springs! The hotel is amazingly beautiful. Every square inch is so wonderfully coiffed, lovely and heavenly....




Full photoset here.

We need to save our pennies and stay here one day. le sigh.

Date Night / Cook's County - West L.A.

I spied Cooks County while driving home from a fun non-shopping spree in West L.A. one Saturday. We didn't have reservations so were seated at the counter with a view of the kitchen. We didn't mind though. Our server was exceptional, as was the food. We meant to head elsewhere for dessert after looking at the menu, we stayed. The rosewater fritter on huckleberry compote with key lime ice cream was so delicious. This was a spontaneous date night, spurred by Sergio's new haircut.

Number Nine Noodles + Beer / Long Beach

We stopped in at Number Nine Noodles after a long, cold and windy morning at the Long Beach Antique Market. It is such a great find! So tasty and we weren't parched afterwards -- which is usually the case from sodium or MSG laden meals at other Vietnamese Pho joints.





It was such a nice experience, I can easily see this spot becoming our post LB flea market go-to.

Ladies Tea Time / Chado Tea Room - Hollywood

Tea with the ladies was a nice change of pace. We met up at Chado Tea Room in Hollywood on a soggy Saturday morning. Catching up and making summertime Palm Springs plans over proper English tea was just the perfect way to spend the day. The fresh scone with cream was dependably delicious! As was the tomato soup (after they heated it up) and my Lavender Earl Grey tea. The service was honestly kind of odd. One particular server was a bit of a grouch. The other gentleman was much more helpful. And the atmosphere of this location is lacking. It could use curtains or art to cozy it up a bit. I do prefer the 3rd street location because it feels more like a traditional tea room. But you know, I would totally do this again. I felt the menu was a good value for the quality of the food and tea, and it was so fun despite the location and staff's shortcomings. I did observe that reservations are a must. We were one of the first parties of the day but the room filled up quickly after we seated.

Chado Tea Room - Hollywood
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

Daily 11:00AM to 8:00PM (Kitchen closes at 7:30pm)

Phone: (323) 472-8111

Urth Caffe / Downtown L.A.

We saw a guy about some chairs one crisp winter morning. We were in the Arts District downtown so decided to pop in to Urth Caffe for breakfast. We looked at a couple units in the Barker Lofts across the street back when we were house hunting. I remember the sales pitch touted the imminent arrival of Urth. Ordering was a little intimidating. Who knew there were so may questions to answer when ordering a cappuccino? (S/M/L? whole/skim/soy/almond? regular or European roast?)

We sat outside under the much needed heaters. There was quite a chill every time the clouds rolled in front of the sun. The food was very yummy. Sergio got poached eggs over prosciutto and I ordered a breakfast burrito. Healthily decadent, if there can be such a thing. Everything was fresh and high quality - nothing was greasy or heavy. I couldn't believe how busy the place was! I think everyone in all the nearby lofts was there. Being in the area made me wistful for the time when we were seriously planning our lives for loft living.

Pho Little Saigon / Las Vegas

I was in Las Vegas for a work conference a couple weeks ago and saw a 24 hours pho place while driving around one evening. In fact, we found the Las Vegas Chinatown! It has a 99 Ranch Market and everything. Anyway, on the way out of town, we decided to cancel our reservation at the French restaurant we always go to and head off strip to Pho Little Saigon instead. So glad we did.



So, so, so tasty. And cheap. The springs rolls tasted fresh and the broth homey. Perfect way to cap off a few days in Las Vegas, ya know?

I got a yummy dessert to enjoy on the road.



Pho Little Saigon
3775 W. Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Cash Only

Year of the Dragon

The Dragon is considered to be the most fortunate and revered in Chinese astrology symbols. This is a pretty big deal in China and other Asian countries. Chinese New Year traditions our family observe include making savory turnip cake, putting fresh flowers in the home and enjoying New Year's Eve dinner (tuan nian/reunion dinner).

Instead of cooking at home, we decided to eat out at ABC Seafood in Chinatown. It recently reopened -- refurbished, refreshed and under new ownership. Rumor has it David Lam sourced Master Chef Chui all the way from Hong Kong! Without reservations, we waited about an hour for our table of seven. And it was worth. every. second. The food was so fresh and perfectly seasoned. From the soup to dessert, each morsel was perfect. The service was also quite good - which is somewhat of a rarity in Chinatown.

• Abalone and sliced chicken soup
• French style X.O. filet Mignon
• Honey walnut shrimp
• Fried tofu
• Fresh lobster with ginger and green onion
• Poached chicken with garlic sauce
• Pea shoots with garlic
• Calamari with pickled mustard greens
• Green bean soup dessert

I'm lucky to get two New Year's celebrations. Growing up bi-cultural is kind of awesome. And just think, thanks to my Italian/Russian-Jewish-American husband, our future children will have their pick of up to FOUR cultures! ha.



Full photoset here.

Royal/T Cafe

We wanted to finish off our vacation with something fun and special. A lunch at Royal/T Cafe in Culver City fit the bill to a, well, T. ha.



Royal/T's high concept combination of gallery space/neighborhood cafe/retail store works well because while art is subjective, the food and service were great. (The art was good, BTW.) We ordered three apps to share because we thought it would be more fun. The Crispy Spicy Tuna was a standout. The fresh tuna with wasabi sauce sat on perfectly round rice crisps that had just the right amount of crunch and chewiness. Our fave of the three Kobe Beef Sliders was the blue cheese with caramelized onions. I especially liked the kicky ponzu sauce that came with the Vegetable Gyoza. I even dolloped some on a bite of slider. I had a fine chardonnay but honestly should have ordered the Organic Pangea tea that Sergio had. It had an amazing, complex yet delicate aroma with warm vanilla notes.

And wouldn't you know, the store was selling pieces from an artist we interviewed for URGE - that endeavor from what feels like another lifetime.

I can't wait to go back.