BLOG NEGLECT!! I Apologize

Long story short.. I have had to take a short break from posting due to a cross-country move to New York! I am many posts behind. Too many pictures and stories! Hopefully I will catch up soon. During the interim, I hope you will forgive me for the lack of posts. I promise I will be posting regularly again soon. Please don't abandon my blog.

Gooooaaallllll!!!!!!!!!!

I went to a lot of Dodger games growing up but never thought twice about watching soccer and/or the LA Galaxy (I was never a good soccer player even with my big feet and am too afraid of getting kicked in the shins so playing soccer never interested me either). This was until I went to my first LA Galaxy game this past weekend where I discovered watching live soccer games can be pretty fun! Not only that, but I learned a lot of interesting facts about soccer that I recommend most people be aware of before going to a game. This will ensure that you don’t have to ask questions that make people wonder why you are there in the first place.

First, I was puzzled by why so many fans were wearing soccer jerseys with the words “Herbalife” on the front. Wasn’t the name of the team the LA Galaxy?? After being a bit bewildered, I soon learned that Herbalife is Galaxy’s sponsor. In professional soccer, the team sponsor’s name goes on the front of the jerseys, not the team name. This explained why so many girls were wearing green shirts with Herbalife on the front and Beckham on the back.

Another lesson: red flags are more exciting than yellow flags! Fans got excited when a yellow flag was pulled against the other team because this meant that we got to have a penalty kick. Yellow flags occurred occasionally throughout the game. When a red flag got pulled though, the crowd went into an uproar. What makes red flags more exciting? A red flag means that the player actually gets kicked out and cannot be replaced for the remainder of the game. This means that the other team is down one player for whatever time is left. You also get to sing the “na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, good-byeee” song.

90 minutes: A regular professional soccer game is 90 minutes with two forty-five minute halves. The clock does not refresh during halftime. Know this fact so you don’t have to keeping asking how much time is left for play in the game.

There are definitely a lot rules and regulations to learn to fully understand what is going on when watching soccer, but it can still be fun just knowing that the ball is supposed to go in the net to score a goooooaaaaal.

Action on the field


I always thought goalies had the most boring position and would just wait around most of the game

But they have to be on top of the game the entire time- no zoning out or daydreaming allowed

A packed stadium with high-energy fans


Home of the Galaxy


Final score: LA Galaxy 2, San Jose 0

Speak easy boys! Speak easy!

Hidden entrance ways, no signs, passwords for entry, and dim lighting- these are all features of popular speakeasy-style bars that have been on the rise in major cities across the U.S. Although technically not speakeasies because they are not illegally selling alcohol as they were when they originated during the Prohibition eras of the 1920s, they act like they are. After having visited a few in New York, I wanted to try the Varnish in downtown LA which I had always heard so much about. Located underground next to a sandwich shop (Coles Sandwiches), you would never know it was there without knowing you were going there. It’s slightly larger than an average person’s living room with small tables, dark lighting, and vintagey decor. Although pricey, all of their cocktails are unique, hand-crafted, and delicious. We got the “bartender’s choice” several times, where the bartender creates his/her own specialty drink with your choice of spirit. They all turned out to be great choices with unique touches. I really enjoy the allure and vibe of these speak-easy style bars with the security of knowing nothing illegal is going on (I consider myself a pretty good law-abiding citizen). Overall, the Varnish was a great finish to a great night and I hope to return again soon!.

Before the Varnish..Dinner at Wokano in downtown closeby

Wokano tree

Bamboo decor


dinner time


Ashley and I each got the sashimi salad

Fresh fish with a yummy seaweed salad enmeshed within

Grace's rainbow roll


hehehe


We enter the Varnish


Bartender's Choices


Again




Rumor is the term speakeasy originated when a popular saloon owner didn't want to pay the increased license fee for serving alcohol in her business in 1888, so she continued doing so illegally. When her customers got too rowdy, she would quiet them by whispering, "Speak easy, boys! Speak easy!" This expression became common in McKeesport and spread to Pittsburgh.

Grazi Mille Louie!

Whether you like Italian food or not Bottega Louie is the place to be and a major hotspot in Downtown Los Angeles. There is always a wait no matter what time or day of the week it is and you just feel cooler when you are eating there. Maybe it’s the high ceilings, the way-too-shiny bakery, or the hipster look amongst all of the waiters, but whatever it is Bottega Louie does a good job of creating an ambience that seems to epitomize Los Angeles. I don’t really know if I like it but I seem to frequent the place like most Los Angelians tend to do given the large crowds always inside. It definitely doesn’t have the vibe of an authentic family-owned Italian restaurant but the food is good, their desserts are better (especially their macarons), and if you are with great people, it doesn’t really matter. I went here for brunch for the first time, actually not knowing they served brunch till we decided to go there, and thought their attempt at French toast and eggs were decent for an Italian place known for their pizzas and truffle fries. I am always inspired by their desserts though and recommend visiting their bakery if you are in the mood to splurge in your sweet tooth. There were other photographers snapping pictures of their bakery so I decided to join them. I also just really like desserts.

As we wait for our food...

this place was bustling!

and then brunch was served! A look at their Quiche du Jour...


Pancetta and burrata scramble


and sweet brioche French toast


Once we were satiated.. the examination of the desserts began..


Some of the best macarons in LA

I have tried macarons from Paulettes, Bouchon, Paris Bakery, and Bristol Farms but still think Bottega Louie do them best.

Their Earl Grey macarons are a must try


Their bakery staff donned fashionably white uniforms


Flaming neon cannolis


Mini fruit tarts lightly dusted w/powdered sugar


Their perfectly flamed creme brulees and other tasty explosions


Leah showing off Bottega's cream puffs among other cream filled desserts


A wall of pink ribboned boxes to package your goodies


Terry (Assistant Buyer for F21!!) modeling for me in front of the dessert cases.


Random fact: In Italian, bottega means “store” or “shop” in terms of business but it can also mean “zipper” in terms of a man’s pants.

I am actually really thinking about how much I want a macaron right now.

You're Cute

What is cute? Are you cute? Why do I and others use the word cute so much? Maybe it’s because of my limited vocabulary and lack of sophistication or maybe it’s just because there are so many things that are just cute. I can bet that you have said the word "cute" at least once or more times to describe something today. I know I have. I have actually seen so many cute things recently that I thought I should share them on my blog.

Spread the cuteness!

Cute dogs are cute




Cute dog named Blu kissing cute face is cuter


Mini cakes are cute and yummy


I think yellow cars are cute


Zandra and her striped multi-colored sweater is very cute

Valerie in pink and her "to-come-out-any-moment" baby Gia= Cute

Look at that belly! Too cute!!!

My cousin Evelyn.. cutest of cute

The first person to comment and answer how many times i used the word cute in this post wins a prize.

I think I just wrote an entire post on cute.

Fundamental LA

Some things are fundamental to our basic survival like food, clothing, and shelter. Eating caviar, wearing Louis Vuitton, and living in a luxury suite in Beverly Hills doesn’t count. Fundamental LA, a new seasonal restaurant in Westwood, CA upholds the art of satisfying our need for sustenance with the simple mission of using fresh, quality ingredients to create flavorful, wholesome food for our body and soul. They don’t add any superfluous details or excessive extras- just the fundamentals. This place reminds me of all the great salad and sandwich shops in Berkeley that I can’t seem to find as easily in Los Angeles. I was so lucky to share a delicious lunch with fellow coworkers here on a beautiful sunny day last week. I definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for a real, delicious bite to eat.




Minimalistic decor makes this place simple yet modern and unordinary




Strawberry Basil Lemonade


Fresh summer salad


Chicken torta


Sarah, the Irish sweetheart, is ready to eat


Chef Rebecca is hungry


Double chocolate chip cookie

Friendly staff


Simple living.

A Taco Testimony

Tacos this weekend reminded me of a book I read called “A Taco Testimony- Meditations on Family, Food and Culture,” by Denise Chavez. I read this book for a food history course a few years ago where we read, wrote about, and discussed a number of food history texts. This book was one of my favorites. After we read it, we discussed the symbolic role of the taco and how it provided not only nourishment, but a source of empowerment and stability throughout Chavez’s life. While the taco doesn’t have as much cultural value associated with it to me as it may have for Chavez, I grew up with tacos and connect them with very good memories. Southern Californians are spoiled with having access to the best Mexican food around. If anyone is looking for a good read with good food, I recommend Chavez's memoir with King Taco. Que Viva el Taco!

Only found in So Cal...


Hannah as she connects with her tacos.


Carne asada, onions, and cilantro on fresh corn tortillas


We couldn't resist the nachos


We really couldn't.


Jen (visiting from New York) was really missing good Mexican food.

They need to bring this to the East Coast soon.

"Tacos are a celebration of hope."

"Tacos can save your life."

-Quotes from A Taco Testimony by Denise Chavez