Los Angeles Favorites for the Summer

There's nothing like seeking out the restaurants and eats of any city. Los Angeles, happens to be one of the best cities to do this in.  Thing is, I haven't even hit the real nitty gritty places yet. The culture, energy, and weather is incomparable to anywhere I've ever been. During the summer, I love to eat outside and visit the beach and this year ain't no different. Here are some of my favorites-- to eat and do in this town. What do ya think? 

Grillin' and chillin' outside, Steak Salad and a crisp glass or two of Savignon Blanc = perfect evening

Sushi, awesome everywhere in LA.  Aburiya Toranoko in Little Tokyo



Haven't been to many Indian spots here but love concept of sweet, tangy, & spicy.  These are Pani Puri which a friend made



Armenian food at Carousel, who doesn't love Hummus? My new fav dish, Kebbeh Nayyeh (Steak Tartare)

Caesar Salad a go-to but with Fried Oysters at Gulfstream  I admit, I do like Hillstone restaurants if I had to choose a Chain



Nothing like day drinks at the Avalon, Beverly Hills



Ramen not ideal in Summer but that Fried Rice and melt-in-your-mouth Kurobuta Pork Belly from Daikokuya is amazing!

Santa Monica and it's Pier, the Ferris Wheel always makes me feel like a kid again

Did I mention the Fried Rice from Daikokuya?! Here's a close up!



New York, New York: The Urban Hike

With all the eating, there must be exercise. Not sure how I came up with this idiotic idea but I proposed that we walk the entire island of Manahattan. Manhattan is 13 miles long from the Bronx to Battery Park. It would be fun! I imagined us stopping and eating different types of NY snacks, not to mention pit stops for drinks. I start this post, admitting that I tried to re-neg on the whole ‘urban hike’ the morning of. I was feeling lethargic from the festivies of the night before (bad Sake)! Nonetheless, dragged by Vin and Gerlyn, I found myself in a freight elevator headed towards the Bronx, New York. We started off at 215th St., our first stop would be in Harlem at Sylvia’s Soul food, known for their Fried Chicken. Along the way, we saw Dominica influence, stands of 'fruit' juice, chichorones, roasted pork, and a man selling banana leaves wrapped around tamales out of a shopping cart. There were streets closed down for block parties, kids running through sprinklers, and a plethoria of boom boxes playing old skool rap, just like in the movies. As we approached Sylvia’s, there were parts of Harlem that were beautiful and revitalized.

After a mean portion of Ribs, Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Mac n' Cheese, and Corn bread we heading on our way again and our oasis this time would be Central Park. We’d meet my cousin at the famed Boat House for a drink. With its lush green grass, huge American Elms and hoards of New Yorkers, one could understand why Central Park is world renowned.

The cold beer and people watching at the Boat House slowed us down a bit but we continued on. We thought about stopping for Gelato but instead, cousin Michelle grabbed a Chicken gyro from the famed vendor on 53rd st. and Vin decided to snack on a childhood goodie, the Rocket Pop (or Red, White, Blue Popsicle). This seemed to be the longest portion, weaving our way through tourists on 5th Ave and Madison Park, not to mention I was pissed...my sunglasses fell of my head and into the toilet at our last stop...not funny! Anyways, onwards through SoHo and Tribecca where we got coffee and purchased a lottery ticket with the dollar we literally stumbled onto at the beginning of the hike. On the last leg, I kept on wanting to stop for a slice of that NY pizza and even in general but was co-ersed to ‘move on’. Finally, the site of the Trade Towers, Battery Park, and Lady Liberty as the sun set. Exhausted, sweaty, and hungry ….I couldn’t help but think….is this what immigrants felt when they first arrived to America? 13 miles with 4 stops, 5 bathroom breaks and picking up another hiker, we did it in 9 hours! Crazy but a good story indeed!

a Hike?

When you think LA, I am sure you don’t think there would be places to hike. But just like everything else in LA, it is trendy. There is even a celebrity trail, where you could spot Lindsey Lohan or Britney Spears walking their dogs (if they had any). I remember the first time, my good old cousin took me hiking even though I was wearing jeans and flip-flops. She assured me the trail wouldn’t be too bad and I assumed it would be fairly flat. Nope, it was all uphill, elevating up to a couple hundred feet. I somehow climbed up a few hills okay but going down, of course, fell, tumbling and ripping my jeans. Okay, stop laughing now! Anyways, I’ll never forget that moment and vowed to finish the trail with appropriate attire. The next time, I was rewarded with a view of the Pacific ocean overlooking Malibu and coastline of LA. The beauty of LA is hiking in the morning, swimming by noontime, and skiing by evening. Unfortunately, I am not a skier (yet)!

The first 5K in 2007

You would think a 5K is easy and yes, it is, especially when you run 3 miles every other day but for some reason I knew this one would be difficult. This is the first out of my 5 5K’s in 2007 (see ‘my resolutions). I prepared for it, getting enough sleep the night before, not going out, and waking up extra EARLY on a Sunday (god’s day, if you will). I woke up to the sounds of pounding rain and darkness, and easily could have fallen back asleep but remembered I signed up, paid and of course, made that darned resolution. So I literally rolled out bed onto the floor and dressed myself in the usual garb with the exception of my new free Chipotle t-shirt (that says, “I’d do anything for a burrito", pretty fitting, I know...my dorky co-workers and stood hours in line for!) and off to downtown LA I went.

This is a special race in celebration of the Chinese New year – the year of the pig in which the race well represented. When I arrived, it was a constant downpour and surprisely, tons of excited runners ready to rock and roll. The festivites started off with a traditional dragon dance while 1,000 firecrackers were lit warding off evil spirits for the race and the new year. At this point, my body was only 25% wet, the gun fired and we were off. As I ran, listening to Enya on my i-pod, my shoes got heavier, my pants and shirt stuck to me and rain all over my face, I still kept on smiling. That is until I approached the hills surrounding Dodger stadium which were endless. I kept thinking, never stop, never stop running you wimp, finally… it was not until people started dropping off and I passed a few elderly people, I felt gratified. We circled Elisyan Park, crossed the 110 and back again to the beat of Chinese drums when I saw the end near, hills that went down and the finish line! I was soaked by the end and all I wanted was a hot shower, but no, alas beer in site, canned bud lights! This was the best race EVER but I refrained, settling for water, afterall it was 9 AM and I had to drive!

Overall, it was a wonderful and extremely satisfying run of my life. You see, my grandfather used to take me to watch the dragon dancers perform and the lighting of lanterns before the new year. I didn’t understand at the time and was freightened by the performance but now I can appreciate it. I thought about him and knew he was watching down on me, helping me get up those crazy hills, making sure I wouldn’t slip in the rain, and smiling with me at me in the rain. It wouldn’t have been the same without it, probably boring, at least for my first race on my 5 K adventure. Next one, I’d like to share with one of my friends…until then….keep moving…, keep running, it’s good for you.

HOT AS H*LL = Qualcomm Stadium

Beautiful weather!? ... Can you feel the heat? ..... Maria and Sarah (Right)

Working and developing frozen Mexican foods has its perks! Turns out our Marketing team partnered up with the NFL. This means fantastic advertisements and free tickets to NFL games! Being that LA has no NFL Team, rooting for either the Raiders or Chargers is the next best thing. After a little wheeling and dealing, I managed to get my hands on 4 San Diego Chargers tickets. I decided to take Carly, Sarah, and Maria.

We chose to meet Old Town, SD, where we would take the tram to Qualcomm Stadium. Upon arrival to the Stadium, was mass exodus leading to pure chaos. Apparently, there is no main entrance but 5, with long lines of fans wrapped around the perimeter. As for the Chargers fans, not sure if they were going for 2 different teams since half sported baby blue jerseys, others, navy blue. I was told the baby blue was the “throwback” from the 70’s. On the other hand, Browns fans were clearly marked with ‘poop’ brown and in my opinion ‘puke’ orange colors, not the orange like the Hokies! When we finally got there, our seats were perfect, 20 rows back from the field, 15 yard line, with one exception, towards the sun. Most people would have enjoyed getting a sun tan, but no, not this sort of sun! Maybe if there was a slight bit of ventilation in Qualcomm stadium, it would be pleasant. But as soon as we were seated, I started hyperventilating, no, not due to the beer but of overheating. Using the free team poster as a shield and stripping down to a white tank top…yes, think derogatory! I lasted until the end of the 3rd quarter. Even searching for any possible cloud to divert the heat for a minute was exhausting. Damn California, not a cloud in the sky! Give it up to Carly who attempted to kill 2 birds with one stone beating the heat and showing team spirit! She purchased 25 dollar Chargers KIDDIE t-shirts, one white and one blue (for me) …NAVY I might add!

Highlights: The charger ‘mascots’, tour of Little Italy, Alaskan fusion dinner, Vanee’s stories of UAE , the drive with Carly, hanging w/the SD bia-tches, and interrogation on my liking of dogs!

Manhatten to Hermosa Beach

I woke up this morning like a typical Saturday, a little groggy from the Friday evening out before. I wanted to do something different today, I wanted to go to the beach. After all, I do live about 20 minutes from the beach, I need to take advantage. I pulled myself out of bed at 9:30 and got dressed to go jogging. I had a bit of trouble with my shin splits so I thought running on the beach would be perfect. I hear stories that running on the beach are the best for you knees, legs, ankles.

It was cloudy and dreary all morning in Pasadena and I drove over to Subway to get a sandwich. I needed some carbs for the run, Turkey on wheat, veggies and mustard. I must say I have more respect for the Subway chain after my meal, it was simple and hit the spot…I also had some ‘Baked Lays (sour cream and onion chips)’. I had half of these delights before my run. I arrived at Manhattan beach as the sun broke, and it was all blue skies from then on. I grabbed my ipod and headed for the beach. I had never run on sand before and was extremely anxious, jogging for the shoreline. I ran by the shore and I was running on ‘wet’ sand. The goal was to run to Hermosa Pier. With the sun beating on me and panting heavily to what seemed to be the hardest I had ever in life, many thoughts went through my head. I was going delirious, running up and down the shoreline, sun beating on my face and thought about how my mom would sign at me for I forgot my sunglasses and sunscreen.

I finally made it to the Pier, 1.3 miles in 20 minutes later. I walked back to Manhattan Beach properly on the bike trail and enjoyed the scene. The houses were amazing, big, quaint, all typical California beach living. The luckiest…dogs lounging on the beach chairs, the fit volleyball players drinking beer, the 30 year old moms running with the strollers, the 40 year men riding skate boards and most of all, the pure beauty and smell of the water. Today’s date is October 14 and I was running by the ocean where people were actually sunbathing around me!!?? I love California.

Baseball on the West Coast

DODGER BLUE, Los Angeles, CA

People have always said that Los Angeles does not have the best sports fans. Coming from Virginia Tech, DC area, and Philadelphia, EVERYONE is die hard and I am not quite used to the no love. But I was able to go to a few baseball games this season and have changed my mind slightly.

There are two Southern California teams, the Dodgers and the Angels and ambiance of stadiums and even fans are unique in their own sense. Dodger Stadium is literally 5 miles from my house, right off of the 110 the oldest highway in California I might add. My cousin Tina, a Californian all her life and my host/tour guide since I moved out here, got tickets on the 3rd base line, 10 rows back. Dodger Stadium is one of the only stadiums left that is an independent for instance, not like STAPLES Center or FED-EX Field. The Stadium is old but kept up with scarce food choices. I was told to get the classic ‘Dodger dog’, a 12 inch dog which I rate a C+ , the plus for originality. First off, everyone is late in LA, hence, we arrived early, in the middle of the 1st inning. Crowds starting filling the stands by the 3rd inning when it got rowdy with beach balls flying and by the 5th inning, fans were hauled off for drunken banter and fights. The amazing phenom was this game was no where near playoff time and it was packed. I enjoyed seeing the ‘Dodger blue’ with palm trees and mountains tucked in the background.

THE RALLY MONKEY - Anaheim, CA


I usually go to Angels stadium with my cousin Ha and husband Tim. This year, there was an addition, Hayley, my newest cousin. The crowd at Angel stadium is much like Camden Yards in Baltimore, family oriented, fun loving, folks. The stadium is new and overlooks Orange County on one side and the 5 freeway, food selection is decent, and the bonus was the fireworks display at the conclusion of the game!