Sundried Tomato Cafe in Laguna Beach, CA

Starters:

Blackened Chicken Spring Rolls

Main:

Chopped Salad 

My thoughts: 

The sauce that came with the Blackened Chicken Spring Rolls was amazing. The chopped salad was a mixture of lettuce, chicken, cranberries, gorgonzola cheese, red onions, and mango with a light vinaigrette.  I think the standout for this restaurant was the freshness of their food. This restaurant is also a fan of brie cheese...many of their menu items included this delicious cheese. 

You can't find much information about this restaurant online. However, there was a little blackboard in the restaurant that displayed some of their weekly specials. 

Monday: Flight Night, which is 3 courses for $35

Tuesday: 1/2 off wine

Wednesday: Martini Night

230 Forest Avenue in Laguna Beach, CA

Starters:

Hoisin BBQ Duck and Brie Spring Rolls

Buttermilk Calamari

Main:

Chopped Seafood Salad

My Thoughts:

I come here for lunch every once in awhile. I love their bread and butter...the butter is mixed with chopped olives. The food is really good here...nothing really blows your mind but you can always count on good, fresh food. I don't know why but I do not like the thought of going to this restaurant for dinner. While the food is good, I do not think its adventurous enough for dinner. Their menu is perfect for a fancy lunch but maybe needs some more spice to attract me for dinner. The Hoisin BBQ Duck and Brie Spring Rolls are a must. Their patio is a great place to people watch and enjoy the sun. 

Zu Robata in Los Angeles, CA

Cocktail:

Blood Orange Margarita 

Starters:

hon hamachi, cilantro, shiro soy

seared spicy tuna hand roll

pan fried edamame

poke tuna, coconut two ways, mango, shishito

Robatayaki:

black tiger king prawns with lemongrass sauce

Maki Mono:

hokkaido scallop wrapped tuna olive tapenade crunchy carrot

Dessert:

warmed chocolate lava cake

My Thoughts:

Yes, I ate all that! I love places like this because I can order so many different things! I had little expectations for this place because it is located on Wilshire Blvd, in the heart of the business district...not always the place you find the best Japanese restaurants. However, this is not your traditional Japanese restaurant (at least compared to what you find in the US.) This is a japanese Robatayaki, which consists of mostly cooked and grilled foods. The king prawns were probably my favorite...the lemongrass sauce was the perfect complement to the prawns. The chocolate lave cake (100% homemade) was probably a close second. Oh and there is no better way to impress me than to serve me something that I eat almost everyday but to prepare it in a way that I never thought possible. The pan fried edamame were amazing...not sure if I can go back to the traditional steamed version. 

The place was empty, which makes me think that they capitalize on the business, lunch crowd. However, this is definitely a place worth stopping into whether it be for lunch or dinner. 

El Callejon in Laguna Beach, Ca

Cocktail:

Margarita on the rocks with salt

Starters:

Chips with Salsa

Guacamole 

Main:

Carne Asada and Chicken Taco Plate

My Thoughts:

It took me awhile to visit this restaurant because its in an area of Laguna Beach that I dread. Its right at the corner of Laguna Village, a stones throw from the main beach. This area is such a trap...that corner is loaded with tourists and inland urbanites. The restaurants at this corner are usually packed, overpriced, and not very good. However, recently a new Mexican restaurant moved into town. The first time I went there I ordered my version of a chicken quesadilla. It was fantastic but I was still skeptical because its tough to mess up a quesadilla. The next time I went there I ordered the make your own tacos plate with carne asada and chicken. OMG...the best carne asada I have ever had. I actually started eating it straight off the plate and it is really easy to mess up carne asada. The salsa is also extremely fresh and tasty. The guacamole can use an upgrade...it was just ok. If you like margaritas this is the place as well because they have quite the selection. 

My only worry about this place is that it is new and has yet to experience the summer rush. This may be the reason it is so different from the neighboring restaurants. Come summer I worry that the salsa may not be as fresh and the carne asada will not be cooked to perfection. We will see how they handle it! 

Kitchen Aid from the Beyond Section

This post is completely irrelevant to my blog. However, I am thrilled about this discovery I just made! This gadget or kitchen aid may be the answers to my problems. Some of you may have met me others haven't...or I could very well be the only person who sees this blog, which is fine. Point is I have no upper body strength. My arms look like ones of those pencils you had as a child that you could bend in all directions. Because of this handicap I have a huge disadvantage when opening jars. Ugh...you know what are the worst? Gatorade bottle caps...those suckers are on tight. There is nothing more frustrating then craving a pickle but you can't open the jar. Then there is the emotional frustration of living alone and not having a jar opener around (a.k.a. a strong person) when you need them. 

Well problem solved...I found this jar opener for $7.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I have already tested it out on some of my jars as well as on a Gatorade bottle (sad to say that didn't work as well as I had hoped.) For the most part, it works great. No more waiting around for pickles in the Smith household. 

Roman Cucina in Costa Mesa, CA

Cocktail:

Wine Wednesdays! This means you can bring your own bottle of wine on Wednesdays and there is no corkage fee. 

Starter:

House salad with my favorite homemade Italian dressing

Main:

Pepperoni Calzone

My Thoughts:

Oh My Gosh...I was so reluctant to order a boring calzone especially when I know Roman Cucina has some of the best pastas ever. Last time I came I went for the creamy lemon, garlic sauce with sauteed shrimp and fettucini...sooo delish. However, I was craving a calzone and couldn't resist the urge to order one. The calzone was the size of a football, which is great because I get to enjoy it again tomorrow. The dough was so soft and without a doubt freshly made. The cheese was perfectly melted and the sauce was not too much...it was just perfect. Hands down the best calzone I have ever had in my life and guess what...tomorrow it will be the best leftover calzone I have ever had in my life!

Red Party Event Benefiting the Life Through Art Foundation

Life Through Art Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to funding educational opportunities in the arts for underprivileged students and artists who otherwise would not be able to finance such endeavors. They hosted a fundraising event in Los Angeles that attracted some A-list and B-list celebrities as well as me and my friends. Take a look at some of our pictures:

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